$800 gaming build - lots of questions

[haff]

Approximate Purchase Date: within a week

Budget Range: $870 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Wow, Lol, RPGs, FPSs) Research, web browsing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: wherever is cheapest - I don't mind buying from different places (this includes Microcenter in-store pickup)

Country: US

Parts Preferences: No preference

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 900

Additional Comments: This is my first build and I have quite a few questions (see below).

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8meA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8meA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8meA/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P67X-UD3-B3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($107.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($227.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Apevia 700W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $804.33
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-16 18:03 EDT-0400)

1. I'm mainly wondering about compatibility. Will everything work together?

2. I'm not dead set on any of these parts, so I'll take suggestions on anything. I really don't want to increase the price though. This one is already scraping the bottom of the financial well. Hit me with a combo if you see a good one.

3. I picked fairly cheap parts (HIS video card, $40 power supply, etc.) that looked like they had decent reviews. Am I going to be all right doing this? Or would it be better to select parts with lesser specs but better quality (maybe downgrade the video card)?

4. I'm a little confused about SLI/Crossfire. I always thought SLI was a dual monitor setup and Crossfire was a dual GPU setup but after doing some research it doesn't seem to be the case? I plan on using two monitors within a month (1600 x 900 initially because it's what I have now and also 1920 x 1080 when I have the money). Within a year or two I'd like to buy another video card if there is a significant price drop. Will this setup work with my plans?

Any help on one or more of these questions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mad2]

Approximate Purchase Date: within a week

Budget Range: $870 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Wow, Lol, RPGs, FPSs) Research, web browsing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: wherever is cheapest - I don't mind buying from different places (this includes Microcenter in-store pickup)

Country: US

Parts Preferences: No preference

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 900

Additional Comments: This is my first build and I have quite a few questions (see below).

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8meA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8meA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8meA/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P67X-UD3-B3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($107.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($227.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Apevia 700W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $804.33
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-16 18:03 EDT-0400)

1. I'm mainly wondering about compatibility. Will everything work together?

2. I'm not dead set on any of these parts, so I'll take suggestions on anything. I really don't want to increase the price though. This one is already scraping the bottom of the financial well. Hit me with a combo if you see a good one.

3. I picked fairly cheap parts (HIS video card, $40 power supply, etc.) that looked like they had decent reviews. Am I going to be all right doing this? Or would it be better to select parts with lesser specs but better quality (maybe downgrade the video card)?

4. I'm a little confused about SLI/Crossfire. I always thought SLI was a dual monitor setup and Crossfire was a dual GPU setup but after doing some research it doesn't seem to be the case? I plan on using two monitors within a month (1600 x 900 initially because it's what I have now and also 1920 x 1080 when I have the money). Within a year or two I'd like to buy another video card if there is a significant price drop. Will this setup work with my plans?

Any help on one or more of these questions would be greatly appreciated.

ya everything should work together...I personally prefer nvidia cards and I would look for maybe a gtx 570 for around the same price...i got mine for $250..but that is an excellent card too. Also, I am currently using the windows 8 beta for my new build because I am too cheap to buy win 7 before win 8 comes out..thats always an option for the time being and that could allow you to add a little to any area you would want...I have no problems on any games on win 8.

as for HIS, my friend swears by them and he has never had a problem so I wouldnt worry too much about that as long as the card has decent reviews. Neweggs rma's are super easy and if there is a problem they will help you get it resolved

As for the sli and crossfire...they are essentially the same thing. It is linking multiple cards together. Most if not all upper range cards probably support 2 or more monitors alone.

I hope this helps

 

[Zephids]

Regarding Mad2's comment, the GTX 570 is on sale on Amazon (see link below) for ~250 with Mail in Rebate. The GTX 570 is better than the 7850 so I'd suggest that.

Regarding the power supply, if you can try getting a better brand such as Corsair or Antec (I prefer corsair). You should be able to come down a little to a 650 watt too.

Finally, use Priceblink (google it) to find the best price. It's an extension on Chrome/Firefox that tells you the best price for each product you're buying at multiple websites.

SLI is using dual Nvidia graphics cards. The way that nvidia does it is patented and thus AMD cannot call theirs the same.

Crossfire is for dual AMD graphics cards. Same idea. It has nothing to do with the amount of monitors.

EDIT: Forgot the link
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Double-Graphics-012-P3-1577-KR/dp/B0057608W2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337208778&sr=8-1

 

[cin19]

Yes, the PSU is not the one you want to put in your $800 PC. here is the link for the PSU you can pick one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%204808&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=58%7C17%2D139%2D028%5E17%2D139%2D028%2DTS%2C17%2D371%2D016%5E17%2D371%2D016%2DTS

Also you need the CPU cooler because the i5 2500k run hot. $20 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

 

[haff]

Thanks for all the quick responses. Man, I love the Tom's Hardware Community!

ya everything should work together...I personally prefer nvidia cards and I would look for maybe a gtx 570 for around the same price...i got mine for $250..but that is an excellent card too. Also, I am currently using the windows 8 beta for my new build because I am too cheap to buy win 7 before win 8 comes out..thats always an option for the time being and that could allow you to add a little to any area you would want...I have no problems on any games on win 8.

as for HIS, my friend swears by them and he has never had a problem so I wouldnt worry too much about that as long as the card has decent reviews. Neweggs rma's are super easy and if there is a problem they will help you get it resolved

As for the sli and crossfire...they are essentially the same thing. It is linking multiple cards together. Most if not all upper range cards probably support 2 or more monitors alone.

I hope this helps

mad2, how/where can I get the Windows 8 beta and put it on this comp? And how long will it last me? Also, I am now considering the GTX 570.

Yes, the PSU is not the one you want to put in your $800 PC. here is the link for the PSU you can pick one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%204808&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=58%7C17%2D139%2D028%5E17%2D139%2D028%2DTS%2C17%2D371%2D016%5E17%2D371%2D016%2DTS

Also you need the CPU cooler because the i5 2500k run hot. $20 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

cin19, I think I'll go with your Corasir PSU. Also, will I need a CPU cooler immediately? I'm trying to keep costs down as much as possible and in a month I'll have more money to spend (I plan on buying a monitor then as well).

Thanks, guys.

 

[mad2]

Thanks for all the quick responses. Man, I love the Tom's Hardware Community!



mad2, how/where can I get the Windows 8 beta and put it on this comp? And how long will it last me? Also, I am now considering the GTX 570.



cin19, I think I'll go with your Corasir PSU. Also, will I need a CPU cooler immediately? I'm trying to keep costs down as much as possible and in a month I'll have more money to spend (I plan on buying a monitor then as well).

Thanks, guys.

you can download the beta from microsofts website. You will want the 64 bit version and you can install it by burning it to a dvd and restarting the computer with the dvd in the drive. It will last until the actual release of win 8 or so ive been told. Also, i have a 2500k overclocked to 4.1 ghz on the stock cooler with acceptable temps so its up to you. I highly recommend the cooler master hyper 212 cpu cooler, the thing is amazing. Im getting another soon for this computer.

 

[pistolpete31]

You don't need a CPU cooler right away if you aren't overclocking but buying one right away will keep your CPU cooler and will most likely be quieter than the stock fan. It is really your choice, I am actually using the stock CPU cooler on my comp right now but I haven't done any overclocking and don't do any gaming so it doesn't get stressed much.

 

[haff]

All right. Thanks for all the feedback. Here is my final build. Any last words before I go ahead and buy it?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8n49
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8n49/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8n49/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P67X-UD3-B3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($107.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 570 1.25GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $754.79
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-17 00:37 EDT-0400)

 

[azeem40]

Only for BF3 will the 570 be better than the 7850.
From GPU12 on Anandtech's website.
Radeon 7850: 32.1 fps
GTX 570: 40.2fps.

 

[mad2]

Only for BF3 will the 570 be better than the 7850.
From GPU12 on Anandtech's website.
Radeon 7850: 32.1 fps
GTX 570: 40.2fps.

not true. The only cases where the 7850 consistently beats the 570 is at super high res due to it have 2 gb of vram. The 570 is a faster card and better up to 1080 consistently.

 

[UVB076]

Refer to the $1000 build in my signature and take out the os