$800-$1000 Gaming Build Upgrade

[gotacamaro]

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP my current computer is freezing nonstop and somewhat outdated

Budget Range: $800-$1000

Parts Needed:

CPU: i7 (not sure which one but must be i7)
Motherboard: Asus (no clue which one)
PSU: No clue what i need
Ram: No clue what or how much I need.
Case: Mid tower, whats good?
GPU: The best I can afford after the above is purchased. GTX 480 is only 220$ but heard it runs really hot.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NewEgg

Overclocking: No

 

[g-unit1111]

On a gaming build the i7 won't be fully utilized. You're better off getting the i5 and putting the difference in your GPU. The 480 is decent but it's nearly three generations old now, a massive power hog, and runs really hot on full use.

I'd try something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($132.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1030.77
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-24 12:30 EDT-0400)

A little bit over $1K but you get a really amazing GPU and an unlocked CPU.

 

[Shockattackr]

If you wanna save a few extra bucks,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130683

Does everything i want it to do and then some

 

[g-unit1111]

If you wanna save a few extra bucks,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130683

Does everything i want it to do and then some

That's a decent choice, the 7950 is better and has a native HDMI output.

 

[Shockattackr]

the 560 ti comes with a mini HDMI to HDMI cable

 

[gotacamaro]

I do a ton of multitasking stuff for work sometimes which is why an i7 is wanted/needed. its also only 70$ more then the i5 not too big of a price difference?

 

[gotacamaro]

Do i need a CPU cooler? does the stock cooler suck or something? i do not plan on overclocking

 

[gotacamaro]

Also I currently have a gtx470 but i think its shot, is the gtx560 even that much better then the 470? reviews/specs dont seem that much better?

 

[g-unit1111]

Do i need a CPU cooler? does the stock cooler suck or something? i do not plan on overclocking

If you don't plan to overclock you don't need the cooler or the unlocked CPU - you can go to an i7-3770, and then swap the GPU for a Radeon 7850 or the GTX 560TI.

 

[Shockattackr]

What kind of multi tasking are you doing for your work?

 

[gotacamaro]

i need to have sometimes up to 10 programs, and browsers at the same time.

 

[Shockattackr]

what kind of programs, like Video editing, Programming, Itunes, Word Documents

 

[gotacamaro]

Database programs, broswer testing mainly, so i will have 15 browsers sessions open at the same time and all of them viewing live video

 

[gotacamaro]

is that ASROCK motherboard any good? i heard alot of good stuff about asus, but i dont see a cheap z77 one. do i want to get the z77 board? thats the new stuff right?

 

[Shockattackr]

Get a Asus P8Z77 - V board or something in that Family, i believe the cheapest one is like 139$

 

[gotacamaro]

there so so many asus p8z77 boards, i dont know the differences, but the prices vary alot. For memory is 1600 good? whats the advantages of getting some 2200 or 2400 memory?

 

[Shockattackr]

the only difference in that family is weither or not it has additional OC features. All support the Processor (should), all boards come with them cool onboard wifi, form factor is different

 

[g-unit1111]

is that ASROCK motherboard any good? i heard alot of good stuff about asus, but i dont see a cheap z77 one. do i want to get the z77 board? thats the new stuff right?

Editor's choice: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254-35.html

 

[daamz]

Asrock is as good as Asus and Gigabyte..

but Asrock extreme4 is one of the best in its level. Asus P8Z77-V LX also a good choice but it lack few thing compare to Asrock Extreme 4 z77 platform..

but me use P8Z77-V, so its another story.. if you want a cheap motherboard but a decent one, go to asrock..