Building a new system

[ujian01]

Hi guys, I live in Australia and i need opinion in building a new system. I bought my last computer about 5 years ago (Intel dual core Cpu and GTS 8800 VGA). I only got a problem deciding on MoBo, CPU and GPU.

Approximate Purchase Date: 7-14 days

Budget Range: CPU ($200-$350) GPU ($300 - $550) MoBO (not more than 200 or 250)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly Gaming (Diablo3 and Mass Effect3)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.msy.com.au

Country: Australia

Overclocking : Probably no for now. (Still thinking)

SLI or Crossfire: No

Additional Comments: I would like to build a system that can hold for 3-5 years.

For the CPU, i'm thinking to buy i7 2600k or i7 3770 or 3770k ( which is not released yet in Australia). 2600k is $303 while 3770 is $339. Last time the shop assistant told me to get 3770 one if i want to take radeon 7970. He told me the reason but i don't really understand.

For the GPU, i'm thinking saphire 7870 OC (359) or gigabyte 7870 ($379) or gigabyte 7970 ($539). My friend reccomended me to get 7970 one because it's the end tier for 7xxxx series.

For the Motherboard, i'm thinking to buy Asus P8Z77-V either LX , LE or Deluxe. I'm planning to get a decent one since i have to pay more for CPU and VGA. I would prefer Asus motherboard because of its anti-power surge but i don't mind using other MoBO if it's good.

Thank you for the help and opinion guys
Feel free to throw your opinion especially for the motherboard

 

[SSri]

Do you have a budget in your mind?

Ivy Bridge would be a good upgrade...

CPU: i7 3570k
Mobo: Any one of these (ASRock extreme 6, MSI Z77A-GD65, ECS Z77H2-A2X)
RAM: G.Skills 2x4 gb (8GB)
PSU: Seasonic x750
Cooler: CM Hyper 212 Evo (or Noctua NH-D!4 or Corsair H100 if you want to overclock)
HDD: Samsung 830 128gb and Seagate 2tb 7200 rpm hdd
Optical Drive: your choice
Case: Plenty to choose from

Note that IB has some heat issues while overclocking. You may wait for Intel to fix that in their future releases o

 

[SSri]

soz..that's the i5 3570K

 

[SSri]

Add a GPU of your choice...I would personally prefer GTX 680 (when it is available)..otherwise GTX 580

 

[ujian01]

I have just updated my budget (sorry)
Thank you for the reply SSri, as for the MoBo, i would like to take Asus but i'll take a look on the MoBo that you recommended me.
Do i need the cooler if i don't OC my GPU or CPU?
I was thinking to get that GTX 680 too (i've been a Nvdia-man) but do you think it's worth $133 more?

 

[SSri]

I have just updated my budget (sorry)
Thank you for the reply SSri, as for the MoBo, i would like to take Asus but i'll take a look on the MoBo that you recommended me.
Do i need the cooler if i don't OC my GPU or CPU?

You do not gain much by OCing GPU.

Stock coolers are not good. Personally, I would invest in a good after market cooler.

Excellent review of mobos at Tom's....

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/z77-extreme6-z77a-gd65-z77h2-a2x,review-32434-22.html

Asus mobos are extremely good...But, read the above review.

 

[SSri]

I was thinking to get that GTX 680 too (i've been a Nvdia-man) but do you think it's worth $133 more?

That's the top of the line card....If you can afford, I would say, yes it is worth it....

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/geforce-gtx-680-review-benchmark,review-32404.html

 

[ujian01]

I think i'm getting Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H (special thanks to your link)
but at the end i have to decide on these two,
With 7970 GPU and i5 3570 it cost me $1668
With 680 GPU and i5 3570 it cost me $ 1728 (Inno3D 680) or $ 1792 (gigabyte 680)
I never heard about Inno3D, is it a good brand?

 

[SSri]

I think i'm getting Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H (special thanks to your link)
but at the end i have to decide on these two,
With 7970 GPU and i5 3570 it cost me $1668
With 680 GPU and i5 3570 it cost me $ 1728 (Inno3D 680) or $ 1792 (gigabyte 680)
I never heard about Inno3D, is it a good brand?

Gaming: GTX 680...Period

Go for eVGA GTX 680

 

[azeem40]

Wrong. If it is available when he purchases, only then is it worth it.

 

[ujian01]

Inno3D /Gigabyte / Asus
They only got those 3 brand for 680
but thank you for the MoBo link, that's really helped me on deciding.

 

[SSri]

Wrong. If it is available when he purchases, only then is it worth it.

Of course, only if it is available. Buying 680 does not exist if it is not available!

 

[SSri]

Inno3D /Gigabyte / Asus
They only got those 3 brand for 680
but thank you for the MoBo link, that's really helped me on deciding.

Asus is a good brand. But, you may want to wait....

 

[ujian01]

Best answer selected by ujian01.