[Build Log]: Gaming Rig [New Update! 5-24-13] [Very Cool] [1.7k Views]

whosBlu

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
116
0
10,690
Decided to make this Build Log Public, due to the fact that i want to share of my first gaming rig build with the community! This Thread will be updated often with pictures and more links and information about my build. Post your thoughts and pictures will be uploaded once i receive each part in the mail!

Updates:
- 9-5-12: Ordered the CPU Cooler, RAM, and Optical Drive. Being Shipped. ETA: Monday 9-10-12
- 9-6-12: The Optical Drive has Arrived, Pictures Soon!
- 9-8-12: Tracked The Shipping for the RAM and CPU Cooler. ETA: 9-12-12 to 9-13-12
- 9-11-12: CPU Cooler has Arrived! RAM should be coming in tomorrow.
- 9-17-12: RAM had some trouble in delivery but it is confirmed delivered and I'm picking it up tomorrow at the post office.
- 9-19-12: RAM has now arrived and in possession. Pictures soon for all products! ALSO! switched back to the XFX Radeon 7870.
- 2-20-13: Going to start posting to this again! Changed the whole build up, please refer to the new build below.
- 2-20-13: Previously Ordered the Storage, in possession. PICS SOON!
- 2-21-13: Added Pictures Section with pictures of the parts i have so far. At the bottom of the post.
- 2-22-13: Added "Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk" To Build as a dedicated boot SSD. Will be used for some games too.
- 2-24-13: Add the "ASUS Maximus V Gene LGA 1155 Intel Z77" Motherboard in replace of the "BIOSTAR TA990FXE AM3+ AMD 990FX". Also Added the "Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor" in replace of the "AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor". New total of $997.83
- 5-20-13: Finally got around to ordering the CM Storm Enforcer & The ASUS Maximus V Gene Mobo!
- 5-23-13: CM Storm Enforcer has arrived! Pics soon! Also, ordered the PSU!
- 5-24-13: ASUS Maximus V Gene Mobo has arrived! Pics soon!

Legend // Key:
- Red: Not Ordered
- Green: Being Shipped
- Blue: In Possession

Parts List:
- PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FNmz
- Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FNmz/by_merchant/
- Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FNmz/benchmarks/

- CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ Newegg) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Gene Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($199.98 @ SuperBiiz) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Storage (HDD): Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($75.92 @ Amazon) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Storage (SSD): Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($232.98 @ Newegg)[PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($79.20 @ Newegg) [PCPartPicker] [Provider]
- Total: $1157.80

Pictures:
- CPU: (Not Available.)

- CPU Cooler: (In Possession.)
cpu_cooler.jpg
- Motherboard: (Not Available.)

- Memory: (In Possession.)
memory.png
- Storage: (In Posession.)
storage.png
- Video Card: (Not Available.)

- Case: (Not Available.)

- Power Supply: (Not Available.)

- Optical Drive: (In Possession.)
drive.png
 

whosBlu

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
116
0
10,690


thanks but im pretty much set on all the parts,i don't want to change anything ATM, this build is pretty solid and i can't wait until i have all the parts!
 

xtwiinky

Honorable
Jul 29, 2012
133
0
10,690
Keep in mind their is a big difference between SSD's brands. They might (and should) be much faster than HDD's but dont go for the cheapest ones. I know for sure the Intel 520 series are one of the fastest, its warranty is longer than most at 5yr, but I dont know if this is a plus because i doubt you will care to send it in when SSD's get cheaper and faster. I stopped doing research on this when I dropped by SSD from my build, but you should research.
 

whosBlu

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
116
0
10,690


The SSD im going with has great reviews and lots of people recommend it for gaming builds as a OS Drive. Its also a very high quality SSD for what its worth. I didn't pick it because it was only 100 bucks. Its a very solid SSD that will get the job done at the end of the day.
 

Smeg45

Honorable
Mar 9, 2012
892
0
11,010
Asus/Gigabyte would have been a better mobo choice, and you could have saved a small pile of cash with a 3470 + H77 board (which is what I did for my build). Everyone nearly always goes for the 3570K, but you don't need it. The cash saved could have been put toward a 7950. Just some suggestions, your build is solid, but could be better.

Personally, I have that case and I highly recommend it. Make sure you add at least one 120mm on top to boost airflow, I used an Antec Tricool 120mm @ medium.
 

whosBlu

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
116
0
10,690


I'll do a bit more research but thanks for the suggestions everyone.
 
get either a vertex 4 or a samsung 830. either ones are fast and good. agility 4 is not great. if you are to do raid 0 (which would be useless to you given it boots in around the same time as one drive alone. the performance is only noticeable during read or write activities), do it with a samsung 830.

raid 0 agility 3s is the most explosive thing you can get other than a diablotek power supply. agility 3s are known to fail
 

Smeg45

Honorable
Mar 9, 2012
892
0
11,010


True. My Agility 3 died after 48hrs.
 

whosBlu

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
116
0
10,690


Yeah, the Enforcer is a great all around Case. Stylish and Efficient. All the cases im getting suggested are so bland and dull. No class... :D
 

Smeg45

Honorable
Mar 9, 2012
892
0
11,010


All my cases need to look as if they were dropped into the Middle East, survived a few tours of duty and came back fully armored.
 

whosBlu

Honorable
Aug 8, 2012
116
0
10,690


Im Actually going to get one 7870 For my build, then later on when i save enough money, i will buy another 7870 and Crossfire them. But a 7950 would be nice too, just a little out of my budget ATM
 

sam_fisher

Distinguished
Dec 24, 2010
191
0
18,710


My 2c, don't. My PC is very similar to yours and went with the same logic - get one 7870 and when the prices dropped get another one. In hindsight though I wish I had've saved up/waited and got a GTX670, 680 or a 7970 instead. The added problems of heat, power and noise (especially when everything is overclocked fairly highly) don't justify Crossfire. That's my opinion anyway. I know in the future I will be getting the best single card (or near enough) instead of two cheaper ones in Crossfire/SLI.