Need advice on this build. Much appreciated.

[Teacake96]

Help would be much appreciated. I am looking at building a custom pc with http://www.mwave.com.au/. I want it to run BF3 on high across 2 or maybe more monitors depending whether or not I can afford the monitors. All I know about it is that I want an AMD FX8350 CPU, an AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB on a Asrock 990FX MOBO. Can you guys give me advice? What brand and speed RAM should I get? How much of it should I get? I was thinking 16GB but if so should I get 4x4GB RAM or 2x8GB RAM? Are all the components compatible? Do I need a sound card? What case and power supply? Also how big a HDD? I was thinking of maybe overclocking later on and maybe crossfiring if needed. If you could suggest a build on the website and post all the different components with the SKU numbers for http://www.mwave.com.au/. To get to the build a custom PC part of the website just click on Pc/Notebooks and build own pc. Sorry for such cluelessness but I really have no idea My budget is about 1500 with operating system. Help is highly appreciated!!

This is what I have put together.

• 17040389 X 1 – LG GH24NS90 24x Internal SATA DVD Burner Drive – OEM – Black (GH24NS90

• 28010742 X 1 – ASRock 990FX EXTREME4 Motherboard – AMD Socket AM3+ – AMD 990FX &

• 16011389 X 1 – Huntkey H001 Hercules ATX Midi Tower Chassis – SECC – 5.25" x4, 3

• 19040225 X 1 – AMD FX-8350 Black Edition 8-Core Processor – Socket AM3+ – 4.0GHz (Tur

• 34040861 X 1 – Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 Series 1000W Power Supply – Modular Cablin

• 22040472 X 1 – Western Digital WD Green 3.5" 1TB SATA 6.0Gb/s IntelliPower 64MB

• 37140953 X 1 – G.Skill Ripjaws-X 16GB(2x 8GB) Dual Channel Memory Kit – 240pin DIMM -

• 39090361 X 1 – Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium – DVD – SP1 – 32-Bit – OEM (GFC-02021

• 42060906 X 1 – Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Overclocked V2 Video Card – GDDR5 3GB 384-bit

I am not sure of everything though. Any recommendations on changing things and are they all compatible? Thanks.

 

[bavman]

You actually don't want an amd processor. If you really want the best performance stick with intel. 8 cores won't give you any benefit in bf3 or any other game, plus intels cpus are faster clock for clock.

Also windows 64bit not 32bit.

1000W PSU is way way way too much. Stick with a good ~650W psu.

If you want to save some money, 16gb of ram isnt necessary. 2x4gb is more than enough for any game.

"Green" harddrives usually are slow. Get a good 7200rpm drive and consider a small ssd for o/s and such. Shouldn't be too hard to fit in your budget.

 

[malbluff]

Would agree with the above. You don't fully say, what PC is for. Obviously gaming, but if you are doing a lot of photo/video work, using high-end software, like Adobe CS6, there may be some arguement, for AMD Piledriver, otherwise Intel i5-3570K is much better, for gaming.
Having some difficulties with that website, plus I have heard some negatives, about it. I'm from UK, so have no idea how justified that is. I have used PC Partpicker, so parts are available, in Aus, and it should be giving cheapest place, to buy. Selection of actual supplier, is, of course, your choice.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.00 @ PCCaseGear)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($197.00 @ Scorptec)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.00 @ Scorptec)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($105.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($415.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($115.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 3-Pack (64-bit) ($99.00 @ Scorptec)
Total: $1492.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I am not familiar, with your chosen case, so have no idea if it's any good. I've selected a decent quality one, that's suitable for your needs. Cases are a very personal choice, so if you prefer yours, make sure you check out some expert reviews.
At your budget, I always feel a build deserves a good motherboard. I have chosen one of the best, in terms of quality and performance. There are cheaper boards, that would be perfectly adequate.
Power supply is adequate, even if you want to add a 2nd GPU. You can use higher PSU, if you wish, but your original selection is not the most reliable.

 

[g-unit1111]

You actually don't want an amd processor. If you really want the best performance stick with intel. 8 cores won't give you any benefit in bf3 or any other game, plus intels cpus are faster clock for clock.

Piledriver is somewhat faster than Bulldozer - and it shows promise - but yeah it's not really worth purchasing when you could be buying Intel and getting a better CPU out of it.

1000W PSU is way way way too much. Stick with a good ~650W psu.

And Cooler Master PSUs have a horrendous reputation around here, there's better brands you could go with.

I'd go for a build like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.00 @ PCCaseGear)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($58.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($167.00 @ Scorptec)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($105.00 @ Scorptec)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($217.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($419.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($112.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 3-Pack (64-bit) ($99.00 @ Scorptec)
Total: $1606.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[Teacake96]

What is a decent processor for the money? One that has good overclocking abilities and would be fairly easy to do so. i5 vs i7, Sandy bridge vs Ivy bridge. I have seen the i7 3770k on many pcs. Is this a good processor or are other ones just as good as if not better with or without an overclock? I was only thinking the FX 8350 because of the higher clock speed and lower price, $219 at www.mwave.com.au is cheaper than the Intels.

 

[Teacake96]

Piledriver is somewhat faster than Bulldozer - and it shows promise - but yeah it's not really worth purchasing when you could be buying Intel and getting a better CPU out of it.

1000W PSU is way way way too much. Stick with a good ~650W psu.

And Cooler Master PSUs have a horrendous reputation around here, there's better brands you could go with.

I'd go for a build like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.00 @ PCCaseGear)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($58.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($167.00 @ Scorptec)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($105.00 @ Scorptec)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($217.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($419.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($112.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 3-Pack (64-bit) ($99.00 @ Scorptec)
Total: $1606.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I have changed the entire system. It has taken me the past few hours due to my noobness but I have got there.

http://pcpartpicker.com/au/p/m7z6

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core $233.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 $139.00
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 $115.00
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $79.00
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB $415.00
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower $89.00
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $141.00
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer $22.00
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) $139.00

Total: $1372 using PCpartpicker AU

What do you think? Am I able to overclock in the future? Will crossfiring work on this rig? Have I got every thing I need? I might add a Solid State Drive. Any incompatibility issues?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Teacake96]

Would agree with the above. You don't fully say, what PC is for. Obviously gaming, but if you are doing a lot of photo/video work, using high-end software, like Adobe CS6, there may be some arguement, for AMD Piledriver, otherwise Intel i5-3570K is much better, for gaming.
Having some difficulties with that website, plus I have heard some negatives, about it. I'm from UK, so have no idea how justified that is. I have used PC Partpicker, so parts are available, in Aus, and it should be giving cheapest place, to buy. Selection of actual supplier, is, of course, your choice.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.00 @ PCCaseGear)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($197.00 @ Scorptec)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.00 @ Scorptec)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($105.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($415.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($115.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 3-Pack (64-bit) ($99.00 @ Scorptec)
Total: $1492.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I am not familiar, with your chosen case, so have no idea if it's any good. I've selected a decent quality one, that's suitable for your needs. Cases are a very personal choice, so if you prefer yours, make sure you check out some expert reviews.
At your budget, I always feel a build deserves a good motherboard. I have chosen one of the best, in terms of quality and performance. There are cheaper boards, that would be perfectly adequate.
Power supply is adequate, even if you want to add a 2nd GPU. You can use higher PSU, if you wish, but your original selection is not the most reliable.

I have changed the entire system. It has taken me the past few hours due to my noobness but I have got there.

http://pcpartpicker.com/au/p/m7z6

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core $233.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 $139.00
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 $115.00
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $79.00
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB $415.00
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower $89.00
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $141.00
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer $22.00
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) $139.00

Total: $1372 using PCpartpicker AU

What do you think? Am I able to overclock in the future? Will crossfiring work on this rig? Have I got every thing I need? I might add a Solid State Drive. Any incompatibility issues?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[FinneousPJ]

It's all good You should get the SSD now and HDD later, it's much simpler.

 

[Teacake96]

It's all good You should get the SSD now and HDD later, it's much simpler.

I changed it a bit again. Now it has an SSD and it wasn't much more for a bigger HDD. And changed the RAM from the Corsair Dominator at 1866 MHz to the Vengeance at 1600 MHz to save some money and another said that having the dominator would to next to nothing for me compared to the vengeance. What do you think?

http://pcpartpicker.com/au/p/m7GE

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core $233.00
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing $36.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 $139.00
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $49.00
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM $100.00
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" SSD $99.00
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB $415.00
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower $89.00
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $141.00
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer $22.00
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) $139.00

Decent? And is it going to overclock and crossfire? And is it all compatible? Sorry but I am very new to everything like this.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[malbluff]

I have changed the entire system. It has taken me the past few hours due to my noobness but I have got there.

http://pcpartpicker.com/au/p/m7z6

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core $233.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 $139.00
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 $115.00
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $79.00
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB $415.00
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower $89.00
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $141.00
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer $22.00
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) $139.00

Total: $1372 using PCpartpicker AU

What do you think? Am I able to overclock in the future? Will crossfiring work on this rig? Have I got every thing I need? I might add a Solid State Drive. Any incompatibility issues?

Thanks,
Tom

Couple of minor points.
Although you don't NEED it, until you want to overclock CPU, the stock cooler will do, you will need an aftermarket cooler, BEFORE you overclock. If that's going to be soon, suggest fitting AM cooler, from start, to save hassle of changing.
There is little point to RAM, over 1600MHz. You gain so little, in practice, it's just not worth the effort.
Whilst Corsair are usually pretty good, for PSU's, if that is a V2 version, there are minor issues, with it, and you may be better, with something different.

 

[FinneousPJ]

I changed it a bit again. Now it has an SSD and it wasn't much more for a bigger HDD. And changed the RAM from the Corsair Dominator at 1866 MHz to the Vengeance at 1600 MHz to save some money and another said that having the dominator would to next to nothing for me compared to the vengeance. What do you think?

http://pcpartpicker.com/au/p/m7GE

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core $233.00
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing $36.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 $139.00
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $49.00
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM $100.00
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" SSD $99.00
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB $415.00
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower $89.00
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $141.00
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer $22.00
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) $139.00

Decent? And is it going to overclock and crossfire? And is it all compatible? Sorry but I am very new to everything like this.
Thanks,
Tom

Yeah just get the cheapest RAM, the performance differences are minimal.

Looks like an awesome build. Do you really need the Win Pro?

 

[Teacake96]

Do you really need the Win Pro?

Uhm, not particularly. Is there any advantages to it when gaming especially and otherwise?

As for the build I have tried to make it decent enough without going past $1500. I want it to play BF3 pretty easy. I wasn't originally thinking to build one, I was going to go a prebuilt as I am very new to this kind of stuff, but everyone reckons build one and I have relatives who are heavily into IT so I can get them to help as I have never done it before. I thought it would involve soldering certain things together as I have seen my relatives do before. Turns out it is only like a complicated lego building. But I will still get someone to help. Lack the confidence a bit

 

[FinneousPJ]

No, there isn't.

It's simpler than Lego :lol: I'm sure you'll blow BF3 and other games away.

 

[Teacake96]

Couple of minor points.
Although you don't NEED it, until you want to overclock CPU, the stock cooler will do, you will need an aftermarket cooler, BEFORE you overclock. If that's going to be soon, suggest fitting AM cooler, from start, to save hassle of changing.
There is little point to RAM, over 1600MHz. You gain so little, in practice, it's just not worth the effort.
Whilst Corsair are usually pretty good, for PSU's, if that is a V2 version, there are minor issues, with it, and you may be better, with something different.

Yea I will with the PSU. I read the Corsair PSUs are pretty good, similar to Seasonic ones? It was rated 4 star on the PCpartpickker AU site. Mind you though, I can't say I know anything about PSUs or Computers in general really. So who am I to argue?

 

[Teacake96]

It's simpler than Lego :lol: I'm sure you'll blow BF3 and other games away.

Haha I was always good with lego.... Maybe I could learn to do this. After I build this one with my relative guiding me through it I might try and build just a cheap one for everyday use. I have my laptop but I much prefer a desktop . I hope it goes alright for bf3

 

[malbluff]

If using Corsair Vengeance RAM, make sure it's the CML version. The high heat sinks on some, can clash with cooler.
Corsair are also good for PSUs. However, if that is the V2 version, it does have some minor issues, like lack of speed control on the fan. If thats the non-modular version, and an XFX equivalent is available, it may be worth using that. Not a major issue, though.

 

[malbluff]

On e thing, which should be mentioned, as you've raised it; HD7970 outperforms GTX670, by a decent margin, in most games. However, there are certain games, optimised for nVidia, where the GTX670 "turns the tables", and actually has a small lead, over HD7970. One of those is BF3 (others include Borderlands, Starcraft, Portal).
If you want performance, over a range of games, definitely stick with HD7970, but if you are SPECIFICALLY looking for BF3 performance, the GTX670 is possibly better value.

 

[FinneousPJ]

That's unfortunately true, at least for time being.

 

[Teacake96]

On e thing, which should be mentioned, as you've raised it; HD7970 outperforms GTX670, by a decent margin, in most games. However, there are certain games, optimised for nVidia, where the GTX670 "turns the tables", and actually has a small lead, over HD7970. One of those is BF3 (others include Borderlands, Starcraft, Portal).
If you want performance, over a range of games, definitely stick with HD7970, but if you are SPECIFICALLY looking for BF3 performance, the GTX670 is possibly better value.

Could I avoid this later by crossfiring 7970s? Others said a thing called catalyst did great things for that card on BF3 and now the 7970 out performs some of the nvidia cards on BF3. I don't know if that is true or what catalyst is but thats what other people recommended.

Tom

 

[malbluff]

With the latest drivers, HD7970 is quite close, to GTX670, in BF3, until the next driver update, from nVidia. That's just a "fact of life". Thing is, as it's cheaper, the GTX670 can be better VALUE, for those specific games. It's nothing to worry about, as HD7970 is the better performer, overall. It's performance is only marginally short in BF3, so there's no need to take "special measures".

 

[Teacake96]

With the latest drivers, HD7970 is quite close, to GTX670, in BF3, until the next driver update, from nVidia. That's just a "fact of life". Thing is, as it's cheaper, the GTX670 can be better VALUE, for those specific games. It's nothing to worry about, as HD7970 is the better performer, overall. It's performance is only marginally short in BF3, so there's no need to take "special measures".

Yea so there is little difference? If I was going to crossfire, would I have to use the same card? Or could I use a cheaper one? Say the 7870 or even one of the lower models?

Tom

 

[Teacake96]

With the latest drivers, HD7970 is quite close, to GTX670, in BF3, until the next driver update, from nVidia. That's just a "fact of life". Thing is, as it's cheaper, the GTX670 can be better VALUE, for those specific games. It's nothing to worry about, as HD7970 is the better performer, overall. It's performance is only marginally short in BF3, so there's no need to take "special measures".

Yea so there is little difference? If I was going to crossfire, would I have to use the same card? Or could I use a cheaper one? Say the 7870 or even one of the lower models?

Tom

 

[Teacake96]

With the latest drivers, HD7970 is quite close, to GTX670, in BF3, until the next driver update, from nVidia. That's just a "fact of life". Thing is, as it's cheaper, the GTX670 can be better VALUE, for those specific games. It's nothing to worry about, as HD7970 is the better performer, overall. It's performance is only marginally short in BF3, so there's no need to take "special measures".

Yea so there is little difference? If I was going to crossfire, would I have to use the same card? Or could I use a cheaper one? Say the 7870 or even one of the lower models?

Tom

 

[malbluff]

You need the same cards. To be honest, crossfire is rarely the best solution. The possible exception is if going from single monitor, to three, for eyefinity.

 

[Teacake96]

You need the same cards. To be honest, crossfire is rarely the best solution. The possible exception is if going from single monitor, to three, for eyefinity.

Well I was actuallt thinking dual monitors, but three could also work