Need helping: Gaming Computer 1000-1500

jam wan

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Aug 11, 2012
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Hello,


Budget: 1000-1500.

Parts not required: keyboard, monitor, OS, speakers

Goal: to get a long-term, reliable PC that is exceptional for modern day gaming. Dark Souls, Tribes Ascend, Alan Wake, etc etc. It will be used for gaming, storing files, watching non-blue-ray/non-3D movies, and listening to music (so I doubt some fancy-pants sound card is in order).


Here is all I have in mind so far:

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Starting with the Graphics Card came this recommendation:
GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 Windforce OC 2048MB GDDR5 256-bit PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Graphics Card
399.99

Seems to have okay reviews. http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GV-N670OC-2GD-GeForce-Windforce-Graphics/dp/B0080I06WQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344621487&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+670

I want one to last a while; even though I know an upgrade is bound to happen down the road, I want a graphics card I'll spend a few bucks extra on to ensure it isn't going to flake out for a while. And from what I gather over-clocking is (I read it's a cooling-system-reliant way of improving your performance), I might be interested if I knew whether or not games would need it. Any advise is appreciated; I know very little of over-clocking and computers overall.


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Next:
Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SZ0E1K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=motherboard0a-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007SZ0E1K

Great reviews and at 229.99.
Seems like a good choice to me; I don't see many above 3.4 GHz with good reviews. Thoughts?


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Next:
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=motherboard0a-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005O65JXI


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Next:
Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 AMD CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI W/ HDMI,DVI,DispayPort Dual UEFI BIOS ATX Motherboard GA-Z77X-UD3H

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R21JJK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=motherboard0a-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007R21JJK


So confused. X_x Either way it came recommended to me.



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Next:
Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2x4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037TO5C0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=motherboar0fb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0037TO5C0



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Next:
Crucial 64 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W2JKWG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=motherboard0a-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004W2JKWG


Now for this, someone recommended I go higher than 64 GB. I also read something about putting your games on SSD to make them load faster. What would you recommend? (For either games; ie, does it make much of a difference; and regarding a higher GB, since he said something about "it getting over-cluttered with updates." Whatever that means).


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Next:
Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM - WD1002FAEX


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036Q7MV0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=motherboar0fb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0036Q7MV0


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Next:
Plextor PX-L890SA-26 24X SATA Super Multi DVD+/-RW Internal Drive (Retail) with PlexUtilities and LightScribe


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CFHKPC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=motherboar0fb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004CFHKPC


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Next, the power supply:
Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified Power Supply Compatible with Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and AMD platforms - TX650


http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Compatible-platforms/dp/B004LB5AZY/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344622210&sr=1-2&keywords=power+supply


Came highly recommended. Great reviews. Think it would be sufficient for my setup so far? I see some people recommending higher than 650 Watt, but as always, more comments contradict and leave me just as confused to begin with.


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Next, casing:
Corsair Carbide Series 300R Mid-Tower Gaming Case - CC-9011014-WW


http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-300R-Mid-Tower-Gaming/dp/B006I2H0YS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344621560&sr=1-1&keywords=carbide+300r


Only thing about the case (I was told it was amazing; and the reviews seem to give some clarity), is I don't know if a Full Tower would be better or not. Lots say it will help a lot with cooling (so maybe it would help with the whole vaguely-known over-clocking bit). Lots say medium is okay and even better in many circumstances. Some say the cords might have a hard time in a large case, but looking into the power supply I mentioned, it said it had long cords.


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Regarding a gaming mouse and pad, any suggestions are welcome!


Build in simple form:


GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 Windforce OC 2048MB GDDR5 256-bit PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Graphics Card

Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 AMD CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI W/ HDMI,DVI,DispayPort Dual UEFI BIOS ATX Motherboard GA-Z77X-UD3H

Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2x4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX

Crucial 64 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2

Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM - WD1002FAEX

Plextor PX-L890SA-26 24X SATA Super Multi DVD+/-RW Internal Drive (Retail) with PlexUtilities and LightScribe

Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified Power Supply Compatible with Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and AMD platforms - TX650

Corsair Carbide Series 300R Mid-Tower Gaming Case - CC-9011014-WW


=


Just over 1000 bucks. Any improvements? (And if so, can you please tell me why it is better)
Tips, suggestions, etc are very welcome,


Thank you muchly,
 
Solution

Nix that old school Kingston 1.65v RAM you have up there. You want 1.5v RAM for these 1155 boards so you don't ah heck up the controller. Something like this set down below.

http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Memory-Extreme-Masters-PC3-12800/dp/B008MF3R82/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344683406&sr=1-1&keywords=PVI38G160C9K $49.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Patriot Memory Intel Extreme Masters 8 GB (2 x 4GB) PC3-12800 CL9 Memory Kit - PVI38G160C9K


Looking at that board you have chosen up there it looks like you want to leave open the option to add another video card later on in SLI. You want a 750w psu for dual 670's or keep that 650w psu and get the GTX 660 ti 2GB due for release this August 16th (next Thursday) and has an est. retail of $300. A 650w psu will push two of those cards in SLI.


Here's another board in that same price range to have a look at. Not sure if it's as good as that Gigabyte board you linked but it's just another option to look at and it supports SLI.

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-P8Z77-V-LK-Intel-Motherboards/dp/B007RIFKTY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344683640&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+z77+lk $149.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping | Post-purchase rebate: $40.00 - Price after rebate: $109.99
Asus P8Z77-V LK Intel Z77 DDR3 LGA 1155 Motherboards


Unless that Plextor DVD writer is gold plated, it's crazy expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-AD-7280S-0B-Internal-Drive-Black/dp/B0057FRTPW/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1344683984&sr=1-2 $17.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black)


It's tough to beat WD for quality but Seagate would be my next choice. This is just a money saver to have a look at and nothing more.

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_4?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1344684153&sr=1-4 $79.98 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003


For only $30 more than that 64GB SSD you have up there you can step into this 128GB SSD and actually put something on it other than just your o/s.

http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-7PC128B-WW/dp/B0077CR60Q/ref=pd_cp_e_2 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
SAMSUNG 830 Series 2.5-Inch 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-7PC128B/WW
 
Solution

jam wan

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Awesome, thank you !

Just looking into this whole SLI bit mentioned and I'm not sure if I am interested in getting duo V-cards. But perhaps it is a good idea to keep the board in case I change my mind in the future.

Thanks again
 

jam wan

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Aug 11, 2012
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Just wondering, why would you prefer the Asrock over the one listed?
 

Bejusek

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I had several malfunctioning Gigabyte mainboards over last few years (one on P35 chipset, one on P965 and even x48 one). Maybe it was just bad luck, finally they were replaced on warranty by ones that work flawlessly to this day.

Asus would be my first choice, but Asrock offers almost the same features, has better audio codec and is cheaper. I have built 3 computers based on Asrock motherboards recently and was positively surprised with their quality.