Final Build Review - $1,200 Gaming

[bahtom242]

Hello All,

After the great feedback/information I have got from this forum I have come up with the following final build. Looking for any last minute suggestions before I purchase tonight!

Case - Antec Three Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded 2 x USB 3.0
Item #: N82E16811129180 $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129180

Processor - Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.5GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53450
Item #: N82E16819116506
Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-Z77-D3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128543
$304.98 Combo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.909520

GPU - EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $269.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593

Power Supply - COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Bronze Certified Modular ...
Item #: N82E16817171036 $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036

RAM - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
Item #: N82E16820233186 $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148840
DVDRW Drive - ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
Combo $104.98 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.937168

OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986 $99.99

Monitor - Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers
Item #: N82E16824236100 $144.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 M7J-00001 USB RF Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
Item #: N82E16823109235 $37.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109235

Subtotal: $1,172.89

 

[bavman]

1) swap your cpu for the k-series one, its only like $20 more.
2) Change gpu to amd 7850

 

[loops]

PSU/RAM combo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.917344

 

[loops]

Can you work in 80 more bucks and run this?

1

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate


$69.99
$54.99
1

Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers
Item #: N82E16824236100
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
-$45.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$189.99
$144.99
1

MSI N670GTX-PM2D2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814127675
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy


$399.99
1

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 M7J-00001 USB RF Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
Item #: N82E16823109235
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$37.99
1

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 32-bit - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116983
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy


$99.99
1


Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136769
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$13.00 Combo


$102.98
$79.98
1


CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139020
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
Item #: N82E16820233144
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$174.98
$129.98
1


Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
Item #: N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157279
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$18.00 Combo


$334.98
$306.98
Subtotal: $1,254.89

 

[bahtom242]

FYI - I will not be overclocking at all. Not sure if that makes a difference to your suggestions.

GPU - the amd 7850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150609 over the gtx 570 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=i75d7pz9t6wb ?

Loops I like your suggestions - was really trying to keep it under $1200 but definitely something to think about in the next hour.

 

[jacknhut]

FYI - I will not be overclocking at all. Not sure if that makes a difference to your suggestions.

GPU - the amd 7850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150609 over the gtx 570 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=i75d7pz9t6wb ?

Loops I like your suggestions - was really trying to keep it under $1200 but definitely something to think about in the next hour.

I would advise you to stick to the GTX 570 if you don't overclock at all. HD 7850 is a very good card but it is a bit slower than GTX 570 when both are at stock speeds. People buy HD 7850 and overclock them in order to achive the same speed or slightly faster than GTX 570.

Multiple reviews showed that at resolution 1920-1200 or lower, GTX 570 is in between the HD 7850 and HD 7870 in performance. At worst it is equal to HD 7850, at best it even surpasses the HD 7870 in performance, especially in games like Battlefield 3.


Look at this review for comparison between HD 7850, HD 7870 and GTX 570
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5625/amd-radeon-hd-7870-ghz-edition-radeon-hd-7850-review-rounding-out-southern-islands/11

 

[bavman]

7xxx series overclocks like a beast...much better than overclocks you can achieve on the gtx 5xx/6xx

 

[jacknhut]

7xxx series overclocks like a beast...much better than overclocks you can achieve on the gtx 5xx/6xx

I understand that but he specifically mentioned he will not overclock at all, hence my recommendation of GTX 570 since its faster at stock speed.

 

[bahtom242]

Great - yea this my first build. Trying to keep it as simple as possible.

 

[bahtom242]

Wow my luck...was just about to order and now the monitor is out of stock !!!!

 

[loops]

7850 is great. Dont be shy about an OC. It is easy and you dont have to go balls to the wall the 1st time out.

the gtx 670 is very close to the worlds fastest single gpus (off by a few %) For under 100 bucks that hard not to consider.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-review,3200-15.html

You have a fine build as it tho. I just don't think the 570 is worth the asking price given the 7850.

 

[Why_Me]

3450 Ivy Bridge quad core, PCI-E 3.0, front 3.0 USB header/ports, GTX 670 2GB, modular psu, etc...


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.939071 $151.98 save: $8.00 - $10.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING $5 off w/ promo code Corsair52229, limited offer
Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.corsair.com/carbide-series-300r-compact-pc-gaming-case.html <---- another look at that case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.913999 $144.98 save: $15.00 - $20.00 Mail In Rebates
OCZ ZT Series 550W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=B75%20Pro3 <----- another look at that board along with a link to the latest bios download

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-3450-Processor-BX80637I53450/dp/B007SZ0ECE/ref=sr_1_17?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1337844459&sr=1-17 $189.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Intel Core i5 3450 Processor 3.1 4 BX80637I53450

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226191 $44.99 FREE SHIPPING
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996995

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-AD-7280S-0B-Internal-Drive-Black/dp/B0057FRTPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1337844862&sr=1-1 $17.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black)

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_c $96.48 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

http://www.amazon.com/VS228H-P-21-5-Inch-Full-HD-Integrated-Speakers/dp/B005BZNDOO/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1337842578&sr=1-17 $129.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
ASUS VS228H-P 21.5-Inch Full-HD LED Monitor with Integrated Speakers | LED Backlit with 50,000,000:1 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio; Full 1080P with HDMI

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

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5818/nvidia-geforce-gtx-670-review-feat-evga <----- GTX 670 review with benchmarks

Total: $1,176.39 *not including shipping, rebates and promo codes

 

[bahtom242]

Well I did not order last night due to the monitor being out of stock at newegg (which it still is).

Why_Me - thanks for you suggestions. I was pretty firm on my build but now it looks like I am back at square 1!

You think I am better going with the upgraded video card and downgrading my other components in my original build (eg. sandy vs. ivy))?

I was trying to get everything from newegg for ease of shipping. I would consider getting the monitor seperate from amazon.

 

[Why_Me]

Well I did not order last night due to the monitor being out of stock at newegg (which it still is).

Why_Me - thanks for you suggestions. I was pretty firm on my build but now it looks like I am back at square 1!

You think I am better going with the upgraded video card and downgrading my other components in my original build (eg. sandy vs. ivy))?

I was trying to get everything from newegg for ease of shipping. I would consider getting the monitor seperate from amazon.

The only real down grade is the hard drive from 1TB to 500GB, but for another $10 the 1TB hard drive will fit in their easily enough. Otherwise the case is an improvement along with the psu and obviously the video card. It would allow you to max all your games out for at least the next few years.

 

[bahtom242]

The only real down grade is the hard drive from 1TB to 500GB, but for another $10 the 1TB hard drive will fit in their easily enough. Otherwise the case is an improvement along with the psu and obviously the video card. It would allow you to max all your games out for at least the next few years.

The processor and memory you linked are on par with my originals? Also the mobo/psu don't seem to have as good reviews as the ones I originally had.

 

[Why_Me]

The processor and memory you linked are on par with my originals? Also the mobo/psu don't seem to have as good reviews as the ones I originally had.

There was a few DOA's I saw those newegg reviews but that OCZ 550w has gotten good reviews across the net not to mention it puts out 45A on a single rail vs 40A for the Cooler Master.

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/ocz_zt_series_550w_power_supply_review,1.html <----- review of that ocz psu

 

[bahtom242]

Thanks for the info!

What are the differences between my original processor/mobo/ram and your picks?

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the info!

What are the differences between my original processor/mobo/ram and your picks?

It's the same processor in both builds (3450 Ivy Bridge), same RAM (different manufactures), and your mobo over clocks and the one I posted doesn't. No biggy seeing how the 3450 is locked processor anyways.