May 2012 - New Build - How did I do?

[portisphish]

I'm not a hardcore gamer. No crossfire or dual monitors. Maybe some mild CPU overclocking just for fun down the line....I think if I get into an Ivy Bridge I5 down the line then the H77 board can do some minor overclocking. If not, no big deal.

Most of the items were bought from Newegg. Prices reflect rebates on the Case, PS, and SSD and include shipping.

I wanted a nice, reliable system that could handle a game or two every now and again.

I have about 1/2 TB of files. Mostly FLAC audio.

The H77 motherboard I bought has optical out which I use for audio. Motherboard spdif out > DAC > Integrated Amplifier > Speakers. I'm happy with the system so far. Any thoughts?





Motherboard - Intel H77 - $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121599

CPU - Intel Core I3 2100 - $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

RAM - 2x4GB DDR3 1333 - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148347

GPU - Asus Radeon HD7750 - $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121633

Power Supply - Good 400 Watt PS - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703034

SSD - 160 GB Intel 330 - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167122

Storage Drive - WD 1TB Green - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236070

Optical Drive - Asus Bare DVD Burner - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Case - CoolerMaster CM690II - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

Monitor - Acer - 23" Widescreen 1080P P236H - $100
http://www.staples.com/Acer-P236H-BD-23-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor/product_902243

Windows 7 - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Power Strip - Monoprice 12-outlet. How did I ever live without this. - $32
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10907&cs_id=1090702&p_id=9203&seq=1&format=2

USB 3.0 Top Panel for Case - $24
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-690-ii-advanced-usb-3-0-i-o-top-panel-oem-package/

Total - $996

Windows Experience Score - 7.1 - Held back by CPU performance.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/1stimer/71.jpg




I do have one question.


I think the one upgrade I might want to try later is one of those high resolution IPS 27" monitors. Would I just need to upgrade my GPU in order to handle that type of display?

 

[portisphish]

Oh, and what I really wanted to say was thanks for such a great site and forum. It was invaluable to me when researching over the past few weeks.

 

[l0v3rboi]

Build looks good to me. Few things though:
1) Why not get 1600 RAM? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544 - Its $4 more but its faster

2) I would get a 500 W PSU now if you plan on getting a more powerful GPU in the future

3) That CPU is not overclockable. At least its not designed to. Some people still try to but they do it at their own risk. Just so you know.

O.. and I'm not familiar with IPS monitors so maybe someone else can comment on that.

 

[jasont78]

Build looks good to me. Few things though:
1) Why not get 1600 RAM? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544 - Its $4 more but its faster

2) I would get a 500 W PSU now if you plan on getting a more powerful GPU in the future

3) That CPU is not overclockable. At least its not designed to. Some people still try to but they do it at their own risk. Just so you know.

O.. and I'm not familiar with IPS monitors so maybe someone else can comment on that.

even if you replaced your cpu with a k's model you still couldnt overclock as h series wont allow it you needed a p or a z to overclock as for the ips panel depending on the quality settings u like in your games u may or may not need a new gpu the reason for this is the higher resolution so your gpu will be pushing more pixels for me personally i would need to upgrade on what i have now if i took that step up and my gpu is more powerful than that. but i really like my games. your system is just meh a few silly choices but and for what u want it do it will do every just fine

 

[TheBigTroll]

throw in a i5 3550 or 3450 and you are fine to go. the i5 will offer much more performance.

 

[azeem40]

Yes, big time. 27" IPS Panels are at 2560x1440. I recommend atleast a Radeon 7850.

 

[TheBigTroll]

technically, the 7750 will support it, but you wont be playing any games on medium

 

[azeem40]

I don't think he wants med settings.

 

[portisphish]

Thanks guys. Yes...I screwed up on the ram. And maybe on the power supply as well, but even with an IB i5 and a 7850 GPU, I still get under 400 watts when using a PS calculator.

My idea was to put in an Ivy Bridge i5 if/when they drop in price.

I was mistaken about the H77 being able to overclock. It is, but there is no way to adjust voltages according to this discussion.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1914307


Well....for know I am set. Get a nice I5 down the line. Thanks again guys.

 

[TheBigTroll]

nah dont trust wattage calculators. they dont factor in every thing in a system.

 

[l0v3rboi]

nah dont trust wattage calculators. they dont factor in every thing in a system.

+1, also any future upgrades you know you want (if you don't include it) and you don't know you want are not included in the calculation.

 

[Need Help_71]

+1. Anyways, if the PSU calculator shows that your require 400W, you should have a PSU that supports something quite a bit higher like 500-600W. Never want a PSU running at full load all the time - it decreases its life span.

 

[azeem40]

Never trust PSU calcs. They don't show the whole story. Actually testing the GPU is what determines what PSU it needs and its power requirements.

"Radeon HD 7850 - On your average system the card requires you to have a 500 Watt power supply unit and 650 Watt if you go with two cards in Crossfire mode."
Those are recommendations by guru3d:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-radeon-hd-7850-and-7870-review/7