Process of building a new gaming computer, need advice/guidance!

[cwbrown]

Hello Tom's Hardware community!

I've been peruzing these forums for awhile now trying to figure out what I should do, So i'm just going to ask.

I'm building a new computer, mine is old and getting outdated (can barely handle bf3)

Purchase date: whenever price is good

Budget: 400-500 dollars

System Usage: Gaming

Parts to upgrade: Mother board , processor (possibly i5 3570?), memory, maybe a power supply

Parts I own:
GTX 570: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593

coolermaster 430 elite
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227&Tpk=cooler%20master%20elite%20430

Seagate Barracuda 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

Powersupply: not sure which one, i believe its a 750w I haven't checked yet


Any help would be great, I look forward to some feedback. Everyone always seems so much more knowledgeable with this stuff, I'm glad I found this website.

 

[bctande1]

What is your budget?

 

[Wolfshadw]

How to ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice

If you could reformat your request using this format, we'll be in a much better position to assist you.

Thanks!
-Wolf sends

 

[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 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $393.96
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-02 18:14 EDT-0400)

 

[cwbrown]

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 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $393.96
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-02 18:14 EDT-0400)

Is this build limited by my budget in terms of quality? or did you recommend these parts based on my needs? In other words will these meet my needs? what is your opinion about the direction my currently owned items are? I appreciate your help, I just want some input as well esspecially in regards to how much memory i need, and its speed?

 

[bctande1]

Is this build limited by my budget in terms of quality? or did you recommend these parts based on my needs? In other words will these meet my needs? what is your opinion about the direction my currently owned items are? I appreciate your help, I just want some input as well esspecially in regards to how much memory i need, and its speed?

Not at all, all the parts are very well-made. This is basically the standard for most gaming builds behind a 1500$ or so price point. To be honest, if I were you I'd try to get a newer video card than a 570 if you wanna play Battlefield 3 -- that would make the build a bit trick and you would have to sell your 570 but if you wanna try then I welcome the idea. You really only need 8GB. 4GB dedicated to games and 4GB dedicated to what other multi-tasking programs you want to run while gaming or otherwise. It's a pretty even balance. If you don't want to SLI or Crossfire anytime soon then I could opt for a Z75 Pro 3 motherboard with only one PCIE 3.0 slot for a single-GPU configuration and save like 40$ bucks. It's all up to you

 

[cwbrown]

Not at all, all the parts are very well-made. This is basically the standard for most gaming builds behind a 1500$ or so price point. To be honest, if I were you I'd try to get a newer video card than a 570 if you wanna play Battlefield 3 -- that would make the build a bit trick and you would have to sell your 570 but if you wanna try then I welcome the idea. You really only need 8GB. 4GB dedicated to games and 4GB dedicated to what other multi-tasking programs you want to run while gaming or otherwise. It's a pretty even balance. If you don't want to SLI or Crossfire anytime soon then I could opt for a Z75 Pro 3 motherboard with only one PCIE 3.0 slot for a single-GPU configuration and save like 40$ bucks. It's all up to you

Wow man, this is exactly what I wanted to hear. It sucks because i literally just bought my video card three days ago... I thought it was a solid card? Memory sounds good then.

 

[bctande1]

To be honest a 570 really isnt that bad though. You can definitely run BF3 on med/high settings at a solid framerate. You're ok. Do you mind sharing with me the partner you bought it from? EVGA/MSI/Galaxy etc.

 

[bctande1]

Wow man, this is exactly what I wanted to hear. It sucks because i literally just bought my video card three days ago... I thought it was a solid card? Memory sounds good then.

Maybe your able to return the card for a refund? Is that possible idk

 

[cwbrown]

To be honest a 570 really isnt that bad though. You can definitely run BF3 on med/high settings at a solid framerate. You're ok. Do you mind sharing with me the partner you bought it from? EVGA/MSI/Galaxy etc.

its evga. My real question though, how long do you think this computer will hold me over until I have to upgrade again? and how limited am I with the first motherboard you mentioned in terms of upgrading?

 

[bctande1]

its evga. My real question though, how long do you think this computer will hold me over until I have to upgrade again? and how limited am I with the first motherboard you mentioned in terms of upgrading?

Your not limited whatsoever. The Motherboard has 2 PCIE 3.0 slots for a future SLI configuration if needed. 4 Sats 6Gb/s ports for lots of SSD storage, and a very good VRM(voltage regulator module) design, which means better, more stable overclocks. And it uses Gold capacitors to ensure long life time. Very good board. Approved by Toms Hardware Indeed.

 

[cwbrown]

Your not limited whatsoever. The Motherboard has 2 PCIE 3.0 slots for a future SLI configuration if needed. 4 Sats 6Gb/s ports for lots of SSD storage, and a very good VRM(voltage regulator module) design, which means better, more stable overclocks. And it uses Gold capacitors to ensure long life time. Very good board. Approved by Toms Hardware Indeed.

Cool! So your opinion of this particular build will do well for the next year or so?

 

[bctande1]

Cool! So your opinion of this particular build will do well for the next year or so?

I think other than yours graphics card, which, by next year, will be around 2 years old, but will do well for now, your system will be solid.

 

[cwbrown]

I think other than yours graphics card, which, by next year, will be around 2 years old, but will do well for now, your system will be solid.

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it. I cant wait to build it.

 

[cwbrown]

I think other than yours graphics card, which, by next year, will be around 2 years old, but will do well for now, your system will be solid.

The Asrock mother board memory compatibility list doesn't list the samsung 8gb memory (2x4) you recommended. What does this mean?

 

[bctande1]

The Asrock mother board memory compatibility list doesn't list the samsung 8gb memory (2x4) you recommended. What does this mean?

The motherboard is compatable with all the memory types at this speed -- DDR3-1066/1333/1600/1866/2133/2400/2800

Where are you seeing this list?

 

[cwbrown]

The motherboard is compatable with all the memory types at this speed -- DDR3-1066/1333/1600/1866/2133/2400/2800

Where are you seeing this list?

The asrock website for this motherboard...
http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=Z77%20Extreme4

I may have missed it, but I was just wondering if thats a bad thing if its not on the list. Seems wierd.

 

[bctande1]

The asrock website for this motherboard...
http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=Z77%20Extreme4

I may have missed it, but I was just wondering if thats a bad thing if its not on the list. Seems wierd.

I know it's definitely compatable because my cousin built a build with those exact specs and it ran fine. It's probably because that list isn't updated and the Samsung 30nm memory is fairly new.

 

[cwbrown]

I know it's definitely compatable because my cousin built a build with those exact specs and it ran fine. It's probably because that list isn't updated and the Samsung 30nm memory is fairly new.

Ok sounds good. Thanks again.