Gaming PC $1300ish

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moshe22

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May 22, 2012
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This is the setup I got so far, Is there anything you guys think I could possibly improve on?

This is also my first time buying and building my own computer I will be buying the parts from Microcenter and new egg. Since I there is a MicroCenter close by, I decided that I will pick up everything except for the Video Card.

I will be doing a lot of Battlefield 3 gaming and possibly video editing and rendering BF3 to upload on Youtube.

What I am hoping to do with this setup is play Battlefield 3 with everything on Ultra.

Now onto the good stuff, This is what I got so far:

Processor: Intel Core i5 3570k 3.4Ghz LGA 1155 Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577
Price 189.99

Computer Case: Cooler Master HAF912 Mid Tower ATX
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343331
Price: 59.99

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77x UD3H LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387556
Price: 114.99 With the purchase of i5 3570k processor.

Power supply: Thermal Take Smart Series 750W ATX modular Power Supply
Price: 99.99-79.99 after rebate

RAM: Corsair 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306
51.99 - 36.99 after rebate

SSD: Synapse Cache SYN-25SAT3-64G 64GB SATA 6.0Gb/s 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with SandForce 2281 Controller
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376487
89.99-69.99 after rebate

HDD: Caviar Blue 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive WDBAAX5000ENC
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347353
84.99

Video Card: EVGA 02G-P4-2670-KR GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Includes PrecisionX-The Ultimate GTX670 Controller
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782
399.99

DVD Drive: Samsung 22X DVD±RW Burner with Dual Layer Support - OEM
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382892
15.99

Monitor: M24LM 24" LED Monitor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0379926
139.99

Keyboard: Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0321672
79.99

Mouse: G400 Optical Gaming Mouse
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371605
54.99

Total: 1366.99
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
Jan 17, 2008
16,370
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That old school 1.65v RAM isn't recommended for these 1155 boards. You want 1.5v RAM.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101 $39.99
Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)

750w psu if you want to leave open the option of adding another one of those 670's and still have some breathing room.

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-Performance-compatible/dp/B003U29C3Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1337717844&sr=1-2 $93.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W High Performance 80PLUS Silver SLI CrossFire ready Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_4?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1337718047&sr=1-4 $74.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive - WD5000AAKX

Here's a board to check out that will save you a few dollars.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387554 $89.99 if purchased with the i5 3570K processor
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/asrock_z77_extreme4_review,1.html <----- review of that board with benchmarks

And seeing how all these Z77 boards have a front 3.0 USB header here's a case with front 3.0 USB ports to have a look at.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006I2H0YS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $77.03 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Carbide Series 300R Mid-Tower Gaming Case - CC-9011014-WW

http://www.corsair.com/carbide-series-300r-compact-pc-gaming-case.html <----- another look at that case along with links to professional reviews

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-SSDNow-120GB-Solid-KW-S2120-4B/dp/B007B6YP9I/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1335686396&sr=1-3 $114.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Kingston SSDNow V+200 120GB SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5 Inch Solid State Drive KW-S2120-4B

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1874/ <----- review of that Kingston 120GB SSD

 
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moshe22

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May 22, 2012
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Thanks for the great suggestions. I will get that RAM that you suggested,and I'll do some research on my own as to why it is better to not bug you with an explanation.

About the motherboard and case, I didn't catch that they had these USB ports so will change the motherboard and case.

So is the only difference between the motherboard that I chose and the one you suggested the price?
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
Jan 17, 2008
16,370
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Price and different yet similar EUFI bios interface. Both boards are good, and both have similar specs.
 
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C

coopjo45

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Dec 15, 2011
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I would suggest getting the gigabyte windforce gefroce gtx 670 it will out perform the evga and allow for better o.c. Other than that I like what you've got
 
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moshe22

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May 22, 2012
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the main reason why I chose the evga is because of the lifetime warranty but should this be a concern considering that most of this cards offer 3 years warranty by which then I will probably swap it with a new card?
 
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Pepto

Pepto

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Jan 12, 2012
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I recommend getting a i5 2500k. You can overclock it yo be just as good or better than the 3570k, and it would save you money.

If you don't want to overclock, than ignore this and get the 3570k instead.
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
Jan 17, 2008
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Your not serious are you? Find a benchmark where the 2500K out performs the 3570K and then get back to us on that one. And while your at it google why they 3570K beats the 2500K in every bench out there not to mention the extra's that come with the new IB cpu's.
 
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Pepto

Pepto

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Jan 12, 2012
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When your playing a game, you most likely would never see a difference between these CPUs. Those benchmarks you talk about test and stress a CPU to its full potential, a game does not. Also, I read a post about the 3570k being very hot when overclocked and can limit it to 4.5Ghz, while a 2500k can be overclocked to 5Ghz. But if he doesn't plan on overclocking, than he should definitely get the 3570k.
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
Jan 17, 2008
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Since it's obvious your new to all this I'm going to clue you in on over clocking, Sandy Bridge cpu's and gaming. Anything over 4.4 - 4.5Ghz on a SB cpu nets you a big zero in regards to extra FPS. So unless you have a hard on to push more volts into your cpu to get past 4.5Ghz there is no reason to do so.

So let's see where it stands. You have $1,300 and want to do a new build today. Do you get the older SB cpu or do you get the newer IB cpu for the same price that not only beats the older SB cpu in every bench out there including gaming, but also offers the chance for native 3.0 USB, Thunderbolt, and PCI-E 3.0?
 
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moshe22

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May 22, 2012
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I will not be overclocking unless needed initially. I will however overclock in the long run. I appreciate your feedback on the 2500k but I will be sticking to the 3570k for now though, specially since is the new Ivy bridge instead of Sandy bridge.
 
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Pepto

Pepto

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Jan 12, 2012
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I didn't day the benefits weren't worth the newer i5, I just thought he may want to save a little money. That was before I saw how closely the 2500k and 3750k were priced, they are pretty damn close.
 
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coopjo45

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Dec 15, 2011
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i would suggest definetly going with the new ivy bridge considering it only costs a fraction more and there is a lot of new features that come with it as well the ram frequency is higher on the ivy bridge than sandy bridge so that's also a plus, as for tyhe gigabyte windforce defenitely grab it unless you plan on not upgrading your graohics card in the next five years or so, but let's be real who's going to keep a graphics card for that long alot better technology will be out there for you to grab in three years
 
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moshe22

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May 22, 2012
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i realized that I would probably just upgrade to another video card after 3 years anyway.

I was ready about the Gigabytes though and they tend to overheat? and also read some motherboard failures?

I know this are electronic components and even the best of the best can break but is this common with gigabyte?
 
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coopjo45

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Dec 15, 2011
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the windforce has been tested and proven to be cooler than other 670's since it has it's own custom cooling (three fans ) if you don't beleive me go to newegg on youtube and search it there is a full review
 
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