Out of the game for awhile, need help with new gaming rig please!

[xhellionx]

Approximate Purchase Date: 1 month

Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400) Before / After Rebates; Before / After Shipping: $1200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

so i have experience building many PC's but it has been a couple years so i am out of touch with the newest components, etc. i currently game on a decent Dell laptop but as with any laptop, it's sluggish. i need to start from scratch, even a monitor. only things i have are keyboard and mouse. i would post a starter build to work off of, but again, i just do not know what is worth the money these days for a good gaming rig. i normally do not ask for "free" help, but in the past the fine folks of the Tom's Forums have succeeded in helping so here i try once more. anyone? anyone? bueller?

p.s.
i prefer AMD on the proc side and NVidia on the GPU side but am open to Intel/ATi as well...

THANKS FOR THE HELP!

 

[TheBigTroll]

AMD has been out lately. but AMD GPUs are a good buy

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

-included windows just in case if you need it. if you dont, id suggest getting a gigabyte 7970ghz edition video card instead. performs a fair bit better but does cost a fair chunk more

-included a 750w power supply incase you would like to do crossfire in the future. if you dont, id suggest getting a smaller psu (550w)

 

[TheBigTroll]

if you want a monitor to go along with that, id suggest this
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BZNDOO/?tag=pcpapi-20

if you still want it to fit under 1200 dollars, i adjusted the case and the video card a bit to make it fit a bit better
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kreP

 

[nstiver]

It has flipped -- AMD CPUs are not competative with Intel anymore (according to most), but their GPUs are great buys right now, especially if you are doing high-res gaming, multi monitors, etc. I think the 7970ghz edition (they did something to it that made it faster) is the fastest single GPU card on the market now, although it still trades blows with the 680 depending on the game.

That being said, I personally prefer nvidia GPUs--I have a pair of 670s in my system as I game on a 120hz 1080 monitor and they provide excellent performance. It's a bit overkill but I really like high FPS. The 670 is a great all-round GPU and only a tiny bit slower than its more expensive big brother, the 680.

At the end of the day, however, I would recomend trying to fit that 7970ghz edition into your build--I'm sure there are people here who can make it work The card is an absolute beast and it will demolish any game at 1080. I think the guy above me suggested getting that if you can skipp buying windows, etc. If you spend the extra cash now you will be set for a good while!

 

[xhellionx]

AMD has been out lately. but AMD GPUs are a good buy

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

-included windows just in case if you need it. if you dont, id suggest getting a gigabyte 7970ghz edition video card instead. performs a fair bit better but does cost a fair chunk more

-included a 750w power supply incase you would like to do crossfire in the future. if you dont, id suggest getting a smaller psu (550w)

much appreciated for the time my friend. i do have Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) already so i am good in that dept. as well, i'll take a look at this build. again, i appreciate it!

 

[mastrom101]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/krB7

I was able to fit a 7970 GHz in there. You could go for a 7950/70 to save money and opt for a better CPU cooler and/or motherboard. Looks good though.

 

[xhellionx]

Best answer selected by xhellionx.

 

[xhellionx]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/krB7

I was able to fit a 7970 GHz in there. You could go for a 7950/70 to save money and opt for a better CPU cooler and/or motherboard. Looks good though.

gonna run with this most likely with some tweaks. definitely want that vid card and proc though as the core. THANKS!

 

[mastrom101]

No problem! If you need any more help, don't be afraid to post.

 

[xhellionx]

Final build:

VIDEO: Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125439
STORAGE: OCZ Vertex 4 SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227791
Seagate Barracude 1TB - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T3GRNW/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i04

PROCESSOR: i5-3570K - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SZ0E1K/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i02
HEATSINK: Coolermaster Hyper 212 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i03
DRIVE: LG - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00632SB2I/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i00
MONITOR: ASUS 21.5" - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005BZNDOO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
CASE: Fractal Design Define R4 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HD3EAA/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
MOBO: AsRock Z77 Extreme4 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
POWER SUPPLY: Corsair 750W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021
MEMORY: Patriot Gamer 2 Series (8GB) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220558 (came with Mobo w/ promo, can always swap out later)

THANKS!

 

[TheBigTroll]

way better power supply (literally every aspect)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182264&name=Power-Supplies

way better cooler
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=42819&promoid=1368

better 7970 for the same money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[xhellionx]

way better power supply (literally every aspect)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182264&name=Power-Supplies

way better cooler
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=42819&promoid=1368

better 7970 for the same money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

well, i already ordered the others but i appreciate the input. if there are issues, i can always RMA and buy others.

 

[mastrom101]

Both power supplies are excellent, the 212 is also very good. No need to make any changes

 

[TheBigTroll]

ahh but the U12P SE2 is waay better in terms of temps and noise level.