My Final build - $1000 Budget (Any Bottlenecks?)

[Adrian_JH]

Is this a good set up?

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1041.90

Rate it critique it. Thanks for the help

 

[unksol]

An unlocked k i5 is maybe 20 bucks more and will last much longer if you're willing to overclock. if you're not you don't need the hyper 212. Might want a z77 board.

While the coolermaster silent pro series doesn't tend to explode like most coolermaster PSUs you can find a better one for that price.

other than that seems ok. Besides my hatred for those annoying PC Part picker links people Luke to use lol

 

[skaggy]

ok pretty much agree with above, if overclocking
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 5 dollars more much better reviews
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006648&isNodeId=1&Description=z77+pro3&x=26&y=16 z77 board
oh and update to a k processor
if not overclocking ( i dont)
lose the cooler, ya dont really need one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302 motherboard (h77)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059 better power supply

 

[envy14tpe]

The Motherboard only has 2x SATA3 (6GB/s). This means if you can only plug 2 hard drives, or 1 hard drive + 1 SSD, into it at SATA 3 speeds. Hard drives are usually SATA 3 cuz it's faster than SATA2, but buy buying the PRO 3 model you limit yourself to 2. I recommend spending an extra $10 and get PRO 4, or even better, EXTREME 4.

 

[envy14tpe]

like they said, if you don't overclock (i5 2500k, 3750k) then you don't need an expensive cooler. The CPU you are buying (3450) will come with a stock cooler which is fine. Only overclockers need to buy Cooler Master 212+ or Evo. The $30 you save from not buying the CM 212 + you could use to buy the Extreme 4.

 

[aznshinobi]

Well it's up to you honestly, if you don't want to overclock you could just save the money.

Check out my $650 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Just switch the GPU for the GTX 670 and you're solid.

No need for the CM 600w since it doesn't seem like you'll be SLI/CF, the Hyper 212+ is unnecessary as you're not overclocking.

 

[unksol]

The Motherboard only has 2x SATA3 (6GB/s). This means if you can only plug 2 hard drives, or 1 hard drive + 1 SSD, into it at SATA 3 speeds. Hard drives are usually SATA 3 cuz it's faster than SATA2, but buy buying the PRO 3 model you limit yourself to 2. I recommend spending an extra $10 and get PRO 4, or even better, EXTREME 4.

There is no such thing as a HDD that operates at SATA 3 speed. That's just the interface for marketing and possibly port multipliers. there's no reason to ever plug a HDD into a SATA 3 port.

it won't go any faster. No SATA HDD is even going to saturate a SATA 1 port. SATA 3 is ONLY useful for SSDs

 

[envy14tpe]

unksol I'm referring to speeds. Newer HDD are 6Gb/s vs older HDD 3Gb/s.
You're telling me that my HDD will operate (read/write) at same speeds as in SATA3 ports even if they are plugged into SATA2 ports? I've never heard this, please clarify cuz I don't want to spew bad information.

 

[Adrian_JH]

Thank you all for your In puts! I do not plan to Over clock my CPU Hence why I chose the 3.1Ghz Ivybridge. I was concerned about noise of the stock cpu fan and heatsink hence why i got the hyper 212+, if you say i wont need it ill cut it out then. a better Mobo...hmmm....ill do some changes and review again and update the build, then let me know what yall think! Thanks again for the replies

 

[Adrian_JH]

[/quote]

An unlocked k i5 is maybe 20 bucks more and will last much longer if you're willing to overclock. if you're not you don't need the hyper 212. Might want a z77 board.

While the coolermaster silent pro series doesn't tend to explode like most coolermaster PSUs you can find a better one for that price.

other than that seems ok. Besides my hatred for those annoying PC Part picker links people Luke to use lol

Lol @ your hatred. Well I made some more changes to the build so I have 2 builds now that i believe would be more acceptable that are still in the $1000 range. I just cant decide now which of the two i should go for....I like both of the cards i have chosen....although one is clearly better than the other....however im concerned about wattage use over time and over all price and performance. Ill post them up after this reply.

 

[Adrian_JH]

ok pretty much agree with above, if overclocking
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 5 dollars more much better reviews
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006648&isNodeId=1&Description=z77+pro3&x=26&y=16 z77 board
oh and update to a k processor
if not overclocking ( i dont)
lose the cooler, ya dont really need one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302 motherboard (h77)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059 better power supply

Well dont need a K processor cause I dont really see the need to overclock the CPU...I have an i7 on my laptop and its phenomenal. I suspect that desktop processors are a bit more stable and reliable than laptop ones so i suspect that an i5 with 3.1Ghz is sufficient enough to drive the games i will want to play (BF3,MW3,NFS:The Run,Crysis2...Mostly First person shooters) plus my i7 is only 2.0Ghz and its kicking ass.

 

[Adrian_JH]

The Motherboard only has 2x SATA3 (6GB/s). This means if you can only plug 2 hard drives, or 1 hard drive + 1 SSD, into it at SATA 3 speeds. Hard drives are usually SATA 3 cuz it's faster than SATA2, but buy buying the PRO 3 model you limit yourself to 2. I recommend spending an extra $10 and get PRO 4, or even better, EXTREME 4.

Went with a Pro4

 

[Adrian_JH]

Ok guys so...I went through some more and I took your advice made some changes and some additions. I have come to 2 builds 1 being just under $1000 and the other $1 over $1000 . However both builds are pretty good and as I have said before I am concerned about performance to cost and power usage and cooling! So if you were to choose which of these two builds would you go for? Remember no overclocking of CPU....maybe only the GPU.

BUILD #1!!!


Case: CM Storm Enforcer - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240 - $79.99

Mobo: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP LGA1155 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302 - $89.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy B. 3.1Ghz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506 - $199.99

Optical Drive: Asus DRW 24X DVD Burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 - $19.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB Sata 6.0Gb/s - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769 - $64.99

Power Supply: Antec HCG M Series 620W ATX12V - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059 - $79.99

Memory/RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233202 - $46.99

Case Fan: COOLER MASTER R4 200mm - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103178 - $19.99

SSD: SAMSUNG 830 Series 64GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147162 - $84.99

GPU: GIGABYTE Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418 - $309.99

Total: $996.90


BUILD #2!!!:


Case: CM Storm Enforcer - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240 - $79.99

Mobo: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP LGA1155 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302 - $89.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy B. 3.1Ghz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506 - $199.99

Optical Drive: Asus DRW 24X DVD Burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 - $19.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB Sata 6.0Gb/s - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769 - $64.99

Power Supply: Antec HCG M Series 620W ATX12V - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059 - $79.99

Memory/RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233202 - $46.99

Case Fan: COOLER MASTER R4 200mm - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103178 - $19.99

GPU: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 670 2GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423 - $399.99

Total: $1001.91

So thats it give me your thoughts about these 2 builds. I think both are pretty good so its kinda hard to decide. I do not want to go over $1000 by any more, so adding in other things is a definite no.

 

[azeem40]

The second build is better, but you dont need a 620W PSU for one 670 and the extra case fan is not worth it until you set your system up and see its airflow.

 

[Adrian_JH]

Any other thoughts? Anyone?!?!

 

[aznshinobi]

Go with the Asrock B75 Pro3 and save some cash. A 520w would be plenty save money there. Get the Antec Neo Eco 520. The 670 is solid, the 7950 is another option as it is so cheap now.

 

[Adrian_JH]

Go with the Asrock B75 Pro3 and save some cash. A 520w would be plenty save money there. Get the Antec Neo Eco 520. The 670 is solid, the 7950 is another option as it is so cheap now.

I have done extensive research on graphics cards....maybe a full week just reading benchmarks and reviews...the 7870 and 7950 are on par with each other the performance isnt that big a difference and the 7870 is cheaper....check in the GPU Heiarchy. Yes the 670 is pretty solid, why go back to a PRo4? I went with the suggestion to get a Pro4 from the guy further up the post in terms of compatibility. Really both builds are right in the range. The money is meant to be spent on the parts so i dont mind having the slightly better parts and if i upgrade in the future would be good. However thanks for the suggestions.

I just wanted to know if build 1 or 2.

 

[aznshinobi]

Because you're not overclocking and either way both boards support 16x/4x which doesn't allow SLI either way. You might as well save money since performance will be the same.

7870 vs 7950
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=548
Looks like your research wasn't completely accurate. :/

7950 OC vs 680 OC vs 670 OC
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/05/14/geforce_680_670_vs_radeon_7970_7950_gaming_perf/3
Strongly dependent on game but the 7950 is pretty close in performance after OC, perhaps worth the money saved. But ultimately your choice.

If you've made up your mind, why ask us for either?

 

[envy14tpe]

If you will not overclock then I'd suggest stick with the i5 3450 fan. If it's noisy, then it's easy to replace later, but no need to buy the 212+ until you know.

A correction on my comment about Pro 3 vs Pro 4. The Pro 4 is slightly better for overclocking, but barely, plus you don't want it. Also, the Pro 4 has 4 SATA3 ports, whereas the Pro 3 has 2 SATA4 ports. Someone commented, unskol, about it. He was right. The SATA3 ports are only necessary for SATA3 SSDs. You can plug a SATA3 HDD into SATA3 port but it will have the same performance as plugging it into a SATA2 port.

Since you only want a HDD then the Pro 3 is fine. If you chose Build 1 then you'd plug your SSD into one of the SATA3 ports. Then you'd plug the HDD into the SATA2 port.

You should buy a larger HDD. It is $35 more for 1TB. I bought one 500GB blue and quickly realized I needed more, so I bought a second 500GB blue. It was stupid cuz I should have bought a 1TB blue in the first place.
By buying a less expensive case, you could use the money for the HDD.

For games, I'd rather have a higher GPU then an SSD + lower GPU. The 670 would be awesome, and you probably can play BF3 on Ultra with great fps. Since you don't seem too interested on Overclocking, it looks like the 670 beats 7950 at most games, according to aznshinobi's link. I'd buy the 670.

Also, the 670 doesn't need 620W power supply. Gigabyte recommends 500W, but 520 or 550 would be safe, plus your not overclocking.

 

[Adrian_JH]

Ok Yall sticking to my budget and after reading all of your wonderful input. I have decided that this will be my final build. I went with AMD GPU cause they draw less power...will be nicer on my electrical bill. So my final build I have decided on is as follows....


Case: CM HAF 912 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 - $59.99

Mobo: ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA1155 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157314 - $79.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy B. 3.1Ghz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116506 - $199.99

Optical Drive: Asus DRW 24X DVD Burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204 - $19.99

Hard Drive: TOSHIBA DT01ACA100 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822149382 - $89.99

Power Supply: Antec BP550 Plus 550W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016 - $64.99

Memory/RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820233202 - $46.99

GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R795WF3-3GD Radeon HD 7950 3GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125414 - $349.99

Total: $911.92

Thank you all for the Help it was greatly appreciated #hi5sallaround

 

[Adrian_JH]

Because you're not overclocking and either way both boards support 16x/4x which doesn't allow SLI either way. You might as well save money since performance will be the same.

7870 vs 7950
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=548
Looks like your research wasn't completely accurate. :/

7950 OC vs 680 OC vs 670 OC
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/05/14/geforce_680_670_vs_radeon_7970_7950_gaming_perf/3
Strongly dependent on game but the 7950 is pretty close in performance after OC, perhaps worth the money saved. But ultimately your choice.

If you've made up your mind, why ask us for either?

I didnt make up my mind, hence why I asked :\.....if i made up my mind i would not have showed the two builds and asked which one was better. I took your advice....redid my readings and went with the cheaper, less power consuming 7950 over the 670....I think the build now is fairly good for a budget build.

 

[aznshinobi]

Per your budget, your build was definitely a solid one. If you want a cheaper 1TB, I'd check out this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840
After 10% it's cheaper.

Also Fry's is fairly cheap at $70 granted SATA 2 difference isn't big though
http://www.frys.com/product/6420112?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[Adrian_JH]

Per your budget, your build was definitely a solid one. If you want a cheaper 1TB, I'd check out this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840
After 10% it's cheaper.

Also Fry's is fairly cheap at $70 granted SATA 2 difference isn't big though
http://www.frys.com/product/6420112?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

um the seagate and tosh are the same price but i could get the seagate only thing is i have read alot of reviews saying that seagates are bad buy.....alot of negativity around it

 

[aznshinobi]

Ahh yeah I myself have heard the same. Never really needed to buy another HDD though. Planning to drop by Fry's and pick that $70 1TB soon though.

 

[Adrian_JH]

It is difficult to give any one of you "The Best Answer" seeing as you have all helped me out so much. you have my undying gratitude. Thank you very much.