Need advice on new ~$1.1k gaming build

[puddlegoo]

After browsing the site and doing some of my own research, this is the best I could come up with. In a nutshell, I want to get the best performance that I can for the least amount of money. I want to be able to play any game that I want, at (very close to) the highest settings possible. My hardware has limited my gaming choices for far too long.

I'd like my system to be relatively easy to upgrade for at least a couple of years (dual GPU, new processor, more memory, etc.). Please take a look at my build and give me your most honest feedback. If I am overpaying for or overdoing anything, please let me know.

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP
Parts Not Required: e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers
Monitor Native Resolution: 1920x1080
I would like to be able to experiment with overclocking (CPU, GPU, RAM)

PROPOSED LIST OF PARTS: (edited the format so it's more readable... I'm learning!)

Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - $122 (132 with tax)
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K - $179 (194 with tax)
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 7850 - $250 (253 shipped) or ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 - $250 (Open to feedback here)
PSU: OZC 750W modular bronze rated - $75 (81.20 with tax)
RAM: G.Skill 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1600 - $46 (49.80 with tax) (I want to make sure this fits with my CPU cooler)
Case: Coolermaster HAF 922 Mid tower case - $90
HD: Western Digital 1TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $100
DVD: LG 22x DVD±RW Super Multi Dual Layer Burner - $16 (17.30 with tax)
Heatsync: Coolermaster 212 EVO - $35 (Will this fit with my RAM?)
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium -64 bit - $100

(Optional) SSD - I am considering getting an SSD. I know just about everyone loves them, but I am still unsure how games loaded on them might experience improved gameplay. If I get one, I am looking at:

Crucial M4 120GB - $140

Price overall: $1052.30 (not including SSD)

Again, please let your feedback fly!

 

[g-unit1111]

Try this:

Case: Fractal Design Arc MIDI - $109.99
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 - $104.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD5H - $189.99
CPU: 3.30GHz Intel Core i5-2500K - $219.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $34.99
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB 1333MHz - $42.99
HD: 1TB Seagate Barracuda ST - $99.99
Optical: Lite On Bulk DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 - $399.99
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium - $99.99

Total: $1,277.91

A little bit more but if you don't get Windows it comes out to under $1200 and you get a far better GPU.

 

[azeem40]

What's the difference between the Arc MIDI and the Corsair 400R?

 

[Why_Me]

After browsing the site and doing some of my own research, this is the best I could come up with. In a nutshell, I want to get the best performance that I can for the least amount of money. I want to be able to play any game that I want, at (very close to) the highest settings possible. My hardware has limited my gaming choices for far too long.

I'd like my system to be relatively easy to upgrade for at least a couple of years (dual GPU, new processor, more memory, etc.). Please take a look at my build and give me your most honest feedback. If I am overpaying for or overdoing anything, please let me know.

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP
Parts Not Required: e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers
Monitor Native Resolution: 1920x1080
I would like to be able to experiment with overclocking (CPU, GPU, RAM)

PROPOSED LIST OF PARTS:

1. MOTHERBOARD - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - $122 (132 with tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

2. CPU - Intel Core i5 2500K - $179 ($194 with tax)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

3. GPU

Sapphire Radeon 7850 - 250 (253 shipped from Tiger Direct)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2262863

or

ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 - 250 (might have to wait a while for this to show up, though)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B007JLFV7U/ref=sr_1_1_olp?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335478596&sr=1-1&condition=new

I have also considered other graphics cards options, most of which were in the $200 to $225 range, particularly the 560 Ti and Radeon 6950. Open to feedback here.

4. PSU - OZC 750W modular bronze rated - $75 (81.20 with tax)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0377236

5. RAM - G.Skill 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1600 - $46 (49.80 with tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
I want to make sure this fits with my CPU cooler. Not sure if I need more RAM.

6. Case - Coolermaster HAF 922 Mid tower case - $90
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Tower-RC-922M-KKN1-GP-Black/dp/B0026FCI2U/ref=pd_cart_recs4

7. HD - Western Digital 1TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $100
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461LT6S/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I36TJ6DKUSEL7G&colid=2SVWFEEL9UUR2

8. DVD - LG 22x DVD±RW Super Multi Dual Layer Burner - $16 (17.30 with tax)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382272

9. Heatsync - Coolermaster 212 EVO - $35
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=IDJBQFHXRW1SE&colid=2SVWFEEL9UUR2
I want to make sure this fits with the RAM I chose.

10. Windows 7 (64 bit Home version) - $100
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335473468&sr=8-1

(Optional) SSD - I am considering getting an SSD. I know just about everyone loves them, but I am still unsure how games loaded on them might experience improved gameplay. If I get one, I am looking at:

Crucial M4 120GB - $140
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-2-5-Inch-Solid-State-CT128M4SSD2/dp/B004W2JKZI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1LMNLJAFDPD7Y&colid=2SVWFEEL9UUR2

Price overall: $1052.30 (not including SSD)

Again, please let your feedback fly!

With your resolution I would skip the SSD for now. You can pick up a decent Mushkin 120GB for $110 atm, and in another month or two you will see those SSD's drop underneath $100.

Drop the SSD and size up on your vid card and pick up the SSD later on. Also look at the Asrock Z77 extreme4 with the native 3.0 USB ports giving you a front USB header.

http://www.amazon.com/HD7870-DC2-2GD5-DisplayPort-Utilities-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B007JLFVNO $349.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
ASUS HD7870-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 VGA/DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort GPU Tweak Utilities PCI-Express 3.0 Graphics Card HD7870-DC2-2GD5

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/HD_7870_Direct_Cu_II/ <----- review w/benchmarks of that Asus card

With the RAM you want "low profile heat spreaders" so you don't impede your cpu h/s.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546 <---- blue heat spreaders

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231544 <---- orange heat spreaders

 

[puddlegoo]

With your resolution I would skip the SSD for now. You can pick up a decent Mushkin 120GB for $110 atm, and in another month or two you will see those SSD's drop underneath $100.

Drop the SSD and size up on your vid card and pick up the SSD later on.

Sounds like a good idea... a bit worried at how much trouble it will be to switch things around later (especially with only being able to install Windows once... or is that a myth?)

Also look at the Asrock Z77 extreme4 with the native 3.0 USB ports giving you a front USB header.

Thank you for the advice here. I am going to order this right now. Just figured out the $50 rebate at Micro Center when combining my CPU and this Mobo, making this an even better deal.

http://www.amazon.com/HD7870-DC2-2GD5-DisplayPort-Utilities-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B007JLFVNO $349.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
ASUS HD7870-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 VGA/DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort GPU Tweak Utilities PCI-Express 3.0 Graphics Card HD7870-DC2-2GD5

I'm going to have to sit on this one for a minute. I REALLY did not want to spend so much on a video card. I'm gonna have to do a little research here. My gut says I'm going to follow your advice, though.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/HD_7870_Direct_Cu_II/ <----- review w/benchmarks of that Asus card

With the RAM you want "low profile heat spreaders" so you don't impede your cpu h/s.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546 <---- blue heat spreaders

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231544 <---- orange heat spreaders

Thank you again. Great info.

 

[jsrudd]

I'd really recommend an SSD. Not for gaming, but for everyday system use. I have a really cheap 64GB one that basically just holds windows and a few programs and the is a very perceptible speed increase (and this is going from a WD 1tB Black).

If you do get an SSD then you can get a WD Green instead of the blue.

 

[Zero_]

Check the $1000 build on my sig.

 

[Why_Me]

You can reinstall Windows OEM as many times as you want on as many hard drives as you choose. Windows reads the MAC address so the only time you run into trouble is when you switch motherboards. So your good to go there. For $350 and free shipping that cards one of the better deals imo. It runs on par with a gtx 580 yet uses a lot less juice.

 

[puddlegoo]

@Why_Me
Thank you for the confirmation re: OEM Windows 7 stuff. That takes some of the pressure off me to get an SSD right away.

@zero_
Your $1k build seems pretty close to what I have been looking at. Any concern that your PSU might not have enough power?

@jsrudd
I understand the improvement for everyday use (booting up, large programs, etc.). Do you have any idea if it might improve gaming experience in any way?

 

[g-unit1111]

What's the difference between the Arc MIDI and the Corsair 400R?

They're about the same class and same features - I just like the streamlined, simplistic look of the Arc Midi and that's why I usually recommend it. The Carbide has a few extra drive bays and an extra front fan but that's about it.

 

[Zero_]

@puddlegoo no, 500w should be plenty for a single HD7870 and overclocked i5 3570k.

 

[azeem40]

For a system using a single reference design Radeon HD 7870 graphics card AMD specifies a minimum of a 500 Watt or greater power supply. The power supply should also have a combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 30 Amps or greater and have at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

As long as the PSU has the above, you are good to go.

 

[photonboy]

You can reinstall Windows OEM as many times as you want on as many hard drives as you choose. Windows reads the MAC address so the only time you run into trouble is when you switch motherboards. So your good to go there. For $350 and free shipping that cards one of the better deals imo. It runs on par with a gtx 580 yet uses a lot less juice.

NO.
Windows OEM has a limited number of Activations. Therefore it is advisable to use a tool like Acronis True Image to make an initial clean backup IMAGE to keep and periodic images later to restore to a recent version.

Here's a useful benchmark comparison:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/Sapphire_HD_7850_OC/12.html

*The HD7850 is still a great card and if you can find it for $250 it's an excellent value. You might want to investigate differences in cooling solutions (NOISE LEVEL) but that my add to the price. The very cheapest cards are usually reference.

IMO it's better to spend $30 or so more and get a quieter graphics card. You can google the noise level.

 

[photonboy]

Power Supply:
If it's still on sale it is excellent. http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=67325&vpn=HCG-620M&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1058

It has a 48Amps single +12V rail.

There will be no issues with this PSU and your build.

 

[puddlegoo]

Okay... so I am having a little trouble getting the MB's I have been looking for. The one I want is not available at the store I am buying my CPU from (unless Micro Center allows me to combo an internet order with an in-store pickup part, which they may not).

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Z77 - $89+tax

Here are some of my current choices. Which MB would you combine with the i5 2500K? All of them have a $50 rebate when combined with my CPU purchase.

ASRock P67 Extreme4 Gen3 LGA 1155 P67 ATX - $99+tax
ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 ATX - $75+tax
ASUS P8Z77-V LE Z77 1155 ATX - $115+tax
ASUS P8Z77-V LX Socket 1155 Z77 ATX - $90+tax
ASUS P8Z68-M PRO LGA 1155 Z68 mATX - $85+tax
Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX - $60+tax
BiostarTZ77XE4 LGA 1155 ATX - $100+tax
Biostar TZ77A LGA 1155 Z77 ATX - $50+tax

 

[puddlegoo]

NO.
Windows OEM has a limited number of Activations. Therefore it is advisable to use a tool like Acronis True Image to make an initial clean backup IMAGE to keep and periodic images later to restore to a recent version.

Thanks for the information. I will refer to this later to save myself a potential headache

Here's a useful benchmark comparison:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/Sapphire_HD_7850_OC/12.html

*The HD7850 is still a great card and if you can find it for $250 it's an excellent value. You might want to investigate differences in cooling solutions (NOISE LEVEL) but that my add to the price. The very cheapest cards are usually reference.

IMO it's better to spend $30 or so more and get a quieter graphics card. You can google the noise level.

Are you referring to getting another HD7850, but one that is a bit quieter? I am on the fence right now with going HD7850 or HD7870.

 

[puddlegoo]

I am likely going to buy one of these motherboards to go with my i5 2500K. Any feedback for me?

ASRock P67 Extreme4 Gen3 LGA 1155 P67 ATX - $99+tax
ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 ATX - $75+tax
ASUS P8Z77-V LE Z77 1155 ATX - $115+tax
ASUS P8Z77-V LX Socket 1155 Z77 ATX - $90+tax
ASUS P8Z68-M PRO LGA 1155 Z68 mATX - $85+tax
Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX - $60+tax
BiostarTZ77XE4 LGA 1155 ATX - $100+tax
Biostar TZ77A LGA 1155 Z77 ATX - $50+tax

The Biostar Z77E4 seems to be the closest to what I was going to get (ASRock Z77 Extreme 4), at least feature-wise.

The ASRock P67 (from NewEgg geek video) says it is Ivy Bridge friendly (with a BIOS update), and seems like a quality board. I am trying to remember why I stopped looking at P67s. Can anyone remind me why I shouldn't consider this one?

I don't know much about the others, but I am very open to input. I WILL be buying one of these boards within the next couple of days. Any input is appreciated.

 

[g-unit1111]

I am likely going to buy one of these motherboards to go with my i5 2500K. Any feedback for me?

ASRock P67 Extreme4 Gen3 LGA 1155 P67 ATX - $99+tax
ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 ATX - $75+tax
ASUS P8Z77-V LE Z77 1155 ATX - $115+tax
ASUS P8Z77-V LX Socket 1155 Z77 ATX - $90+tax
ASUS P8Z68-M PRO LGA 1155 Z68 mATX - $85+tax
Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX - $60+tax
BiostarTZ77XE4 LGA 1155 ATX - $100+tax
Biostar TZ77A LGA 1155 Z77 ATX - $50+tax

The Biostar Z77E4 seems to be the closest to what I was going to get (ASRock Z77 Extreme 4), at least feature-wise.

The ASRock P67 (from NewEgg geek video) says it is Ivy Bridge friendly (with a BIOS update), and seems like a quality board. I am trying to remember why I stopped looking at P67s. Can anyone remind me why I shouldn't consider this one?

I don't know much about the others, but I am very open to input. I WILL be buying one of these boards within the next couple of days. Any input is appreciated.

Biostar is not a good choice - they have a much higher fail rate than a lot of other brands you can get. The Asrock is good but you don't want a P67 -it's getting far outdated for the features it offers. The Z77 would be ideal - of those choices go with the Z77. I like Gigabyte but not their lower end boards - you tend to lose a lot of features.

 

[puddlegoo]

Biostar is not a good choice - they have a much higher fail rate than a lot of other brands you can get. The Asrock is good but you don't want a P67 -it's getting far outdated for the features it offers. The Z77 would be ideal - of those choices go with the Z77. I like Gigabyte but not their lower end boards - you tend to lose a lot of features.

Are you suggesting the ASRock Z77?

 

[azeem40]

I am. It has really good price/performance.

 

[puddlegoo]

Based off of feedback and a bit of research, I made a final decision on my motherboard (unless someone convinces me otherwise before tomorrow afternoon).

ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 ATX - $75+tax (after $50 rebate)

 

[Why_Me]

Based off of feedback and a bit of research, I made a final decision on my motherboard (unless someone convinces me otherwise before tomorrow afternoon).

ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 ATX - $75+tax (after $50 rebate)

The Pro4 is a great board, as long as you know it's a single card board and not dual card board. For a dual card board (a board that runs dual cards @ x8 & x8) you want to look at the Asrock Z77 extreme4.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/index.asp?s=1155 <----- Here's a better look/breakdown of those boards.

 

[puddlegoo]

The Pro4 is a great board, as long as you know it's a single card board and not dual card board. For a dual card board (a board that runs dual cards @ x8 & x8) you want to look at the Asrock Z77 extreme4.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/index.asp?s=1155 <----- Here's a better look/breakdown of those boards.

Thanks for the feedback. I looked up the ASRock board comparison page you linked. When you first select the Pro4, it indeed shows only one PCI Express 3.0 x 16 slot.

If you click on the "specs" link to the left, it also has a PCI Express 2.0 x 16 slot.

I will be running an i5 2500K with the board; I was under the impression that this chip will not be able to utilize the 3.0 slot fully, but will treat it as a 2.0 slot.

Would that not allow me to run dual cards in the future (no plans to do this at the moment)? If it would work, does my CPU choice cap my potential crossfire setup at x4 & x4?

Sorry for my ignorance here. Some of this stuff really confuses me.

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the feedback. I looked up the ASRock board comparison page you linked. When you first select the Pro4, it indeed shows only one PCI Express 3.0 x 16 slot.

If you click on the "specs" link to the left, it also has a PCI Express 2.0 x 16 slot.

I will be running an i5 2500K with the board; I was under the impression that this chip will not be able to utilize the 3.0 slot fully, but will treat it as a 2.0 slot.

Would that not allow me to run dual cards in the future (no plans to do this at the moment)? If it would work, does my CPU choice cap my potential crossfire setup at x4 & x4?

Sorry for my ignorance here. Some of this stuff really confuses me.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z77%20Pro4&cat=Specifications
1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot (PCIE2: x16 mode)
- 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (PCIE3: x4 mode)

You want dual cards @ x8 & x8. In PCI-E 2.0 they will both run @ x8, but if you go Ivy Bridge and PCI-E 3.0 then your screwed. It will have both cards running @ x4. Spend the extra $10 for the extreme4 if you plan on going with a dual card set up someday. Future proofing.

 

[puddlegoo]

It seems that my options for my fantastic motherboard/CPU deal are drying up as we speak. Anyone have any opinions on the reviews of this Biostar board (I know some of you have said bad things about Biostar in general)? It is the only one available that has 2 PCI x 3.0 slots, and the reviews available seem to be pretty good.
BiostarTZ77XE4 LGA 1155 ATX - $100+tax

pureoverclock.com review
techpowerup.com review
legitreviews.com review

AnandTech Review of a number of Z77 motherboards

Here's another board offered that I neglected that is available.
Gigabyte GA-Z77MX-D3H - $90+tax

vortez.net review