First Build: ~$1200 Desktop PC

[Accel31]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to build my first desktop PC and would like to know what the community thinks about this build, and whether you have any tips on parts that I should change.

Approximate Purchase Date: September 20

Budget: $1200

Intended System Usage: Gaming

Overclocking: Yes (Mild)

Monitor: 24" 1900x1080 OR 1900x1200 Resolution

Additional Preferences: I want to run a cool and quiet system.

~Parts~

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz

MOBO: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922

GPU: MSI R7850 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)

PSU: XFX PRO750W XXX Edition

HSF: ZALMAN CNPS9900 NT 120mm

DVD Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner (OEM)

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (OEM)

~Parts~

In addition to build tips, I wanted to ask whether it's a good idea to go with the Windows 7 OEM or whether I should change to the retail version.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[Guest]

honestly IDK about that heatsink . .i mean i don't know.
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117276

though i would highly recommend getting the retail version of W7. the OEM is tied to your motherboard and would not transfer to another in the future.

 

[Accel31]

Well I actually got the idea for the fan from
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Zalman-CNPS9900-NT-CPU-Cooler-Review/872/8
but your choice looks better jaja, it's similar but with a better price. Thanks for the suggestion

As for the OS, I don't really mind that I can't transfer it, is that the only downside?

 

[ajb2]

Do you live near a Microcenter? If you do buy your Cpu and mobo there. I just got the 3570k for 189.99$ and the ASRock extreme4 for 90$.

I would recommend the hyper-master 212 for the heat sink.

I actually just made a build for a little over 1200, but that's not including windows. I already had it.

If it helps this is my build, you may want to downgrade the graphics card though if you want to stay on budget. The Haf case is also cheaper so you would save by getting it instead of the 500r. I also went pretty cheap on my hard drive, didn't need the 1 tb.

Intel 3570K
ASRock Extreme 4
OCZ ModXstream-Pro 600W
Cosair Vengence 8gig mem
Cosair 500r
Western Digital 500g
Asus 24x dvd/cd burner
Acer 23'' 5ms 1920x1080 WideScreen LCD monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1
EVGA 670 F.T.W. Edition

 

[Guest]

As for the OS, I don't really mind that I can't transfer it, is that the only downside?

yes

 

[Accel31]

Do you live near a Microcenter? If you do buy your Cpu and mobo there. I just got the 3570k for 189.99$ and the ASRock extreme4 for 90$.

I would recommend the hyper-master 212 for the heat sink.

I actually just made a build for a little over 1200, but that's not including windows. I already had it.

If it helps this is my build, you may want to downgrade the graphics card though if you want to stay on budget. The Haf case is also cheaper so you would save by getting it instead of the 500r. I also went pretty cheap on my hard drive, didn't need the 1 tb.

Intel 3570K
ASRock Extreme 4
OCZ ModXstream-Pro 600W
Cosair Vengence 8gig mem
Cosair 500r
Western Digital 500g
Asus 24x dvd/cd burner
Acer 23'' 5ms 1920x1080 WideScreen LCD monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1
EVGA 670 F.T.W. Edition

I don't live anywhere near a Microcenter :/

You got everything including the monitor for $1200? That's quite good actually. I think I'll keep the 1TB HDD though, I need some space. What HSF did you get? And is my choice of the MSI R7850 Twin Frozr a good one or are there other cards that I should look at (for a similar price)?