What do you think of my updated build? (Gaming/GFX rig)

[Guest]

Hey everyone. This is the going to be my first custom built PC. I've been using and iMac for the last five years and before that, I used cheap Dells. This is going to be a gaming, graphic design (Adobe CS6 and light video editing) and also a general use PC. At the moment, I'm not doing a lot of heavy graphic design work but would like to have a system where I can upgrade easily in the future when my graphic design services pick up. As far as gaming goes- I love Skyrim. I want to be able to run it on ultra-high settings with several mods. I will be picking up more games in the future.

I've posted some of my build attempts here before but kept re-working and changing all of the parts based on suggestions. I've also had several suggestions from all of you (thanks!) reddit and PCMech. But I'm feeling confident with this one and have even started purchasing parts. I'll mark the ones I've bought with a checkmark.

I'd like to know if this a stable and long-standing build. I have added an after-market CPU cooler because I would like to overclock when I learn how to do it. I'm still open to suggestions with everything. So here it is:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K ($229.99 @ Newegg)

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+ ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard ($122.86 @ Newegg)

Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996995 ($46.99 @ Newegg)

Hard-drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($169.99 @ Newegg)

SSD: OCZ Agility 4 AGT4-25SAT3-128G 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ($94.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card ($417.55 @ Newegg)

Case: COOLER MASTER CM Storm Series Trooper Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case ($149.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: XFX PRO750W XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80Plus Silver 750 Watt Power Supply ($137.99 @ Newegg)

Optical Drive: LITE-ON 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback, LightScribe Support ($115.98 @ Newegg)

Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($204.99 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit ($99.99 @ Newegg)

Keyboard: Logitech K800 Black USB RF Wireless Slim Illuminated Keyboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Mouse: Logitech M305 Black 1 x Wheel USB RF Wireless 1000 dpi Mouse ($27.99 @ Newegg)

Networking: TP-LINK Wireless Adapter High Gain IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Up to 150Mbps Wireless Data Rates Support 64/128 bit WEP, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, Wireless MAC Filtering ($17.99 @ Newegg)

Speakers: Sony SRS-A3 2.0 Speaker System - 5 W RMS ($19.45 @ Sony)

Accessories: Kaybles Model HDMI-S-10 10 ft. High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet and Gold Plated Connector in OEM Package M-M ($17.99 @ Newegg)

 

[azeem40]

DVI is just as good as HDMI, so no need for the cable, as DVI cable is provided with the Monitor. Everything else is rock solid.

 

[Guest]

DVI is just as good as HDMI, so no need for the cable, as DVI cable is provided with the Monitor. Everything else is rock solid.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the TV I have doesn't have DVI. It's actually a 720p and I'm hoping there's no issue with using HDMI with the graphic card. Wish I had the money to get a better TV but I hardly use it. I was thinking I could run Skyrim on my PC and play it on the TV. Hopefully it works.

 

[azeem40]

No issues. Most GPUs come with HDMI input(s). Good build then!

 

[dish_moose]

PSU ANTEC 750W Gold:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371052
-Bruce

 

[Outlander_04]

If the only screen you are using is 720p then the graphics card is massive overkill and a waste of money .
Even a Radeon 7850 would more than max out any game at that resolution

The power supply is also overkill . Even as it is you can use a 500 watt psu , and if you get the 7850 radeon you can use a 450 watt psu . More watts doesnt equal more performance it equals less efficiency and higher cost .


If you made those changes you could include an i7 3770k which will improve your graphics design speed

 

[azeem40]

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-radeon-hd-7850-and-7870-review/
Might want to recheck on that Outlander.

 

[Guest]

PSU ANTEC 750W Gold:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371052
-Bruce

Thanks for the suggest, Bruce. I will compare it with the one I have now.

If the only screen you are using is 720p then the graphics card is massive overkill and a waste of money .
Even a Radeon 7850 would more than max out any game at that resolution

The power supply is also overkill . Even as it is you can use a 500 watt psu , and if you get the 7850 radeon you can use a 450 watt psu . More watts doesnt equal more performance it equals less efficiency and higher cost .


If you made those changes you could include an i7 3770k which will improve your graphics design speed

Thanks for the reply.

If you check out my monitor, it's not a problem. It's 1080 and I'm sure the GTX 760 will look fantastic on it. It's my TV that is 720p and I'd only use that when I feel like playing Skyrim on my TV rather that the monitor. I don't think it's a big deal right now. I plan on buying a better TV down the line but I will mostly be using my 24" display for everything.

As far as the power supply goes, I've heard so many differing opinions. Price aside, how does more wattage equal less efficiency? Do you have any suggestions for this particular build?

Here are a few quote from a user (BigTroll) here that suggested the current power supply,

i wouldnt get a reference 670. get the evga ftw or the gigabyte windforce 670. the gigabyte was a recomended buy from toms hardware so there isnt any going wrong

you should get yourself a 750w if you are in the future going to add another video card. if you are planning to only use one video card, a 550w will do.

change the power supply like i said before to a xfx xxx 750w. its made by a reliable brand and will be much better than raidmax. you never want to cheap out on the power supply as it is the component that can either bring your system to life or kill it instantly

dont be tricked by the fact that it has a 80+ gold certification.

The thing is I'm not sure if I'd add another video card in the future. It's a possibility.

 

[Guest]

Still looking for suggestions.