New PC help .... $1500 limit

[Kev80]

Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime in the next 2 - 3 weeks

Budget Range: $1500 is about as high as I can go right now.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, video editing

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: I need it all except mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg preferably.

Location: South Georgia

Parts Preferences: I'm kind of leaning towards intel.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Not right now, but I want to eventually.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I haven't really done much research lately or kept up with gaming PC's, I'm thinking about getting a GTX 680 and another one on down the road to run in sli ... if there are better options out there please let me know. I want a good solid gaming computer that I won't have to upgrade for a couple of years.

 

[TheBigTroll]

here you go
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gk7O

i can go cheaper by using a fractal core 3000 case instead. it sells for 39.99 at newegg. depends what case you like more of

 

[nafoni]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($95.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($96.49 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 600T ATX Mid Tower Case ($133.56 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1477.92
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-02 10:20 EDT-0400)

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the only reason you'll need SLI is for three screen gaming.

here's a build, with two GTX 670s. this is very, very overkill for 1 1920x1080 screen, but it will work for gaming on three screens:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($374.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($374.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 650W ATX12V Power Supply ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On ihes112-04 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: AOC e2351F 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($129.00 @ B&H)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-KM5200 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($12.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1530.87
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-02 10:34 EDT-0400)

 

[Kev80]

Thanks for the quick replies ... So the GTX 670 is the better option than the 680?

Also, I'm planning on getting a second monitor sometime in the next couple of months, will having two 670's, or 680's be overkill?

 

[TheBigTroll]

yes the msi power edition gtx670 is a better option over the 680

what are you going to do with the second monitor. if you game on both it just looks weird. if it is just one for work and one for games, no problem

 

[DeusAres]

What kind of video editing do you plan on doing?

If you only plan on doing light video editing for gameplay/commentaries, then the i7 would be overkill. The i5 with 8gb of RAM can handle gameplay for youtube.

Also, what do you plan on doing with 2 monitors? Will you be gaming on both? Or will you game on one and use the other for minuscule tasks such as checking email and what not?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($96.49 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($111.71 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1315.08
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-02 11:38 EDT-0400)

I recommend going through some cases at your price point and pick whichever one you like best. This is a personal choice; something that you'll keep for many years to come for future builds. The case I recommended has high airflow, clean aesthetics, and excellent cable management.

If you go with my case recommendation, keep in mind this particular case only comes with 2 exhaust fans. One of those fans has blue LEDs. The case has 7 extra fan mounts. You may wanna grab a couple extra fans...especially as an intake and/or a push pull configuration for the Hyper 212 Evo CPU cooler.

I suggest grabbing a couple packs of these fans (but only if you go with my case recommendation; there are tons of case options out there. shop around, have fun with it).

COOLER MASTER R4-L2S-122B-GP 120mm 4 Blue LED Case Fan 2 in 1 pack
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103022

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Kev80]

I'll be mainly using it for browsing the web while I'm gaming. I kind of want to start streaming my gaming sessions as well, so two monitors would help, gaming on one while I'm able to keep up with everything stream related on the other.

What about the 3570k vs 3770k? Mainly just going to be gaming, I do a little video editing, not very often though, and it's just for fun when I get around to it.

 

[DeusAres]

I'll be mainly using it for browsing the web while I'm gaming. I kind of want to start streaming my gaming sessions as well.

What about the 3570k vs 3770k? Mainly just going to be gaming, I do a little video editing, not very often though, and it's just for fun when I get around to it.

One GTX 670/680 would be perfect for you as well as the i5 3570k. The i7 3770k will only be beneficial if you plan on doing heavy video rendering. I'd save the cash and buy some awesome games from Steam.

 

[nafoni]

On a high budget like this I'd recommend you to still get a 750W PSU, even though you'll only be using one card. It's nice to have the option in the future. Also, since you're on a high budget and plan to do some other stuff while gaming, I'd stick with 16GB RAM.

Personally, I would (obviously) go for the build I posted. Just go down to a 3570K.

 

[Laziirz]

Here is the Part List for you, able to overclock, SLI capeable, and enough room in your budget to get an OS of your choice.
Although if you are overclocking, I Suggest you upgrade the cooler to Water.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.84 @ NCIX US)

Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($267.86 @ Newegg)

Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Antec 750W ATX12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)


Total: $1049.61

 

[nafoni]

Here is the Part List for you, able to overclock, SLI capeable, and enough room in your budget to get an OS of your choice.
Although if you are overclocking, I Suggest you upgrade the cooler to Water.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.84 @ NCIX US)

Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($267.86 @ Newegg)

Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Antec 750W ATX12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)


Total: $1049.61

1. The 7870 is too bad for his budget.

2. The Hyper 212 handles mid overclocks just fine.

3. You don't need 1866MHz RAM.

4. You don't need a 256GB SSD.

5. There are better PSUs out there.

 

[TheBigTroll]

not to mention dominator platinum is a total rip off for something that performs the same as something that is 30bucks cheaper

 

[bctande1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.30 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 480GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.36 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1501.54
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-02 18:23 EDT-0400)

I'm making a 3770k build right now.. and a 1000$ build

 

[bctande1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.30 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($199.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($384.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1487.17
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-02 18:27 EDT-0400)

 

[Kev80]

Thanks for all the replies, based on everything said I think I'm going to go with this, unless there is something better that I'm over looking.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gqic

also, I will be getting a 2nd GTX 670 and a 2nd monitor sometime in the next few months... Might even get a 3rd monitor and try that out, not entirely sure yet though.

And one more thing, is that memory good?

 

[TheBigTroll]

1:get a i7 3770k. you will need it
2: get the set of gskill memory i suggested. they are binned to work together more effectively
3:get the msi 670 i suggested. you picked the reference one which is bad
4: the black phantom is 5 bucks cheaper
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006I2H084/?tag=pcpapi-20
so is the red one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146086&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[bctande1]

CPU - With that budget go i7 3770k
RAM - I'd say get Samsung's 30nm memory, they are very efficient in power and overclock like crazy -- said the reviewers. Unless you are that much into aesthetic value.
Case - You should look into the Corsair 500r -- one of the best in the market right now.

 

[TheBigTroll]

yes but some people dont like screwing around with their ram

with the price of the 500R, id rather get a define R4 case

 

[bctande1]

yes but some people dont like screwing around with their ram

with the price of the 500R, id rather get a define R4 case

Ram - if that's the case then the Samsung RAM will definitely be the best choice -- the efficiently yielding longer lifetime. I guess the OP can decide there haha.

Case - ehh idk about that the R4 didn't show up on Toms Hardware's top cases of this month, while the 400r, which is a definite step down from the 500r in terms of performance, even though it only costs around 10$ less, did. If anything I'd say the NZXT Phantom is the case to get, for that matter -- it won the final award

 

[TheBigTroll]

you do know that the define r4 is not considered a gaming case. its for the people who want a quiet pc (like me). it does necessarily mean that it runs hot too

 

[bctande1]

The comparison of the cases weren't just based on their "gaming" performance, but also their acoustic efficieny, for which the Phantom scored the highest -- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/solo-ii-400r-buc-ravager-seiran,3274-10.html

The Fractal R4 was actually compared to the 300R amongst other cases is noise levels at stock and overclocked here -

It did beat the 300R by about 2-4 decibels, but seeing how the 300R is beat by the Phantom by a similar, if not, larger margin in the Tom's Hardware comparison, I think me can extrapolate info and conclude that the Phantom could offer pretty good acoustic efficiency, as well as good gaming performance -- the best of both worlds. Given, my observations are completely amateur, and cross-reference benchmark scores tested in difference environments, and thus, could by completely wrong. But I think the reviews on the Phantom itself is enough incentive to warrant it's purchase over the Fractal. I guess the OP can decide there.

 

[TheBigTroll]

the r4 does have decent temps for a quiet case.

 

[Kev80]

Best answer selected by Kev80.