New Gaming Build

j3susisl0rd7

Honorable
Nov 6, 2012
7
0
10,510
Hello everyone! I am brand spanking new at this whole building computers.... stuff! I'm kind of nervous to toss around so much money but very excited at the same time. I'm hoping to go for an all around build, centered around gaming during different parts of the year. I have spent a few hours looking at parts and have come up with a parts list, but I'll go on ahead and paste the template below and complete it. Thanks very much for any and all advice you can give. God bless!

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month or two

Budget Range: Well- the parts list has me at around $1200....

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Hardcore gaming 4 months out of year, then casual usage

Are you buying a monitor: After the build is made, maybe later on, but more concerned about getting this thing in the bedroom all setup than about a monitor. :)



Parts to Upgrade: Everything- new build! :)
Do you need to buy OS: Yes sadly. Planning to buy W7 HP 64bit.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I've enjoyed shopping on newegg, but anywhere that is cheapest yet has good customer service.

Location: Dallas, Texas- United States

Parts Preferences: Intel for sure. No AMD.

Overclocking: Maybe, but not sure if I want to mess with it. The processor I have in the parts list looks as if it'll do just fine without overclocking for my usage.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, but need to learn more about this/ don't think my graphics card in parts list is what I need for this.

Your Monitor Resolution: Honestly I don't know what my new monitor will have or what my current one does. It's sitting in the garage not being used.

Additional Comments: I'm sort of adamant about keeping the i7-3770k. This is because I want to have a top notch processor which is futureproof and won't be a part I'll be upgrading for a while (rather upgrade a graphics card or something)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Don't want a cheap prebuilt computer/ want to learn more about computers.

Include a list of any parts you have already selected with descriptively labeled links for parts. Please do not post only links.

Well, here's the link to the partslist, and I'll list each individual parts with links to each below.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mFAd

Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-8GBXM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

GIGABYTE GV-N65TOC-2GI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Xonar DG Sound Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN3-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Black Interior

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 

malbluff

Honorable
In many respects your list OK, but the performance of GTX650Ti isn't that good, in respect of hardcore gaming. For gaming, i7 gives you nothing, over i5. Also, unless you are a real audiophile, you don't need seperate sound card. A few other things could be adjusted, to get better bang for your buck, but primarily:
Use i5-3570K for CPU
Drop sound card.
Unless you want TWO graphics cards, or plan to upgrade to two, use 550w, max 600w PSU.

Use the money saved to get much better graphics card. Aim for GTX660Ti/GTX670, or HD7950/HD7970.
 
Your links do not work for me.

My rule of thumb for a gamer is to budget twice the cpu cost for your graphics card.

In this case, a $220 3570K is as good as it gets for a gamer. Few games can use more than 2-3 cores.
The extra hyperthreads of the 3770K will go largely unused.

For a graphics card, a $370 GTX680FTW would be appropriate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

A GTX680 for $470 would be as good as it gets, but Most will say that the extra $100 is not worth it.
If the extra $100 is not that important to you, then go for it.

Onboard HD 7.1 sound is quite good. I suggest you try it first. You can always add a sound card later.

I prefer Intel and samsung ssd for reliability.
They are now having sales to deplete inventory in favor of the cheaper to produce 20nm ssd's.
See if you can't pick up a 180gb or 240gb Intel 330 or samsung 830.

A GTX680 only needs a quality 550w psu.
Do not spend extra for a gold rated psu, you will never recoup the energy costs.
Corsair is a quality brand, along with Seasonic, XFX,Antec, and PC P&C.
 

malbluff

Honorable
If you want to stick with case, and motherboard, both good, though you could save there, and with nVidia, for GPU, then something like this, perhaps.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($188.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($56.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1195.40
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

That includes a very good deal, on processor, at Microcentre. If you don't have a local one, to grab that deal, elsewhere would be around $50 more.
 

j3susisl0rd7

Honorable
Nov 6, 2012
7
0
10,510
Thank you so much for the replies. Will get back to the house in a few hours and take a look at all the changes. I do not have a microcenter near me, so since I won't be taking advantage of that deal, is there a different processor around the same price point that would do a bit better?

Also- I know that most games can't take advantage of more than 2-3 cores, but wouldn't it feel like a faster, more fluid experience just all around, if not even relating to gaming? Or in some instances when I may have multiple internet browsers open with many tabs in each at same time as a game with a dual monitor setup, wouldn't the i7 be able to handle that better? Or too unnoticeable of a difference between the i5-3570 and it to warrant paying nearly 80 dollars more? Thanks again everyone. God bless. :)
 

malbluff

Honorable
There is effectively no practical difference in gaming, in fact in most things, between i5 and i7. i7 will give benefits in multi-threaded software, but at the moment, that's pretty much limited to high-end photo/video editing and 3D design. No doubt, in the future, more applications will use multi-threading, but by the time that happens, any i7, bought today, will be outdated. If you're into photgraphy, maybe get i7, outherwise, really no point.
Even without $40 dollars off, at Microcentre, i5-3570K is still good value. If budget is tight, a locked i5-3470 isn't far behind, and by the time you've taken into account that you don't need cooler, and can use a cheaper mobo, could be considered better value, especially if saving a few dollars, there, enables you to get a better graphics card. i5-3470 with say GTX670, or HD7970 would, in most cases, be better than i5-3570K and say GTX660, or HD7850, both options at similar overall cost.
 

Kamen_BG

Distinguished
Hi i just improved the build made by malbluff and made it cheaper as well

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-GD65 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($352.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Xigmatek MIDGARD II (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.85 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1146.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 

malbluff

Honorable
I wouldn't disagree with any of those choices. I did say there was room for savings, if OP wanted to change mobo and case, and he could change from nVidia GPU. Did see any NEED to change OP's choices, unless he was looking for savings. His choices were good quality.
 

j3susisl0rd7

Honorable
Nov 6, 2012
7
0
10,510
Alright- due to not having all the money required as of yet, I've decided to wait on the graphics card and use integrated graphics until I get the money for the card. I know it wont be good performance, but not having the money to get the card is not a problem I can fix at the moment. Went ahead and ordered the case, cpu, motherboard, ram the other day. Ordering the psu today, which leads me to the question I have here... if this is the same psu as on newegg: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=38649&vpn=CMPSU-750HX&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1226

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Then I'd obviously be getting a steal of a deal going the 114.99 route. Are these psu's the same? Anyone have bad experiences with ncix.com?

Thanks very much for all of the input! Cannot wait to get this thing built. After today only need a SSD/HDD/More cooling?/and an OS and this thing will be rarin' to go!

PS: I realize this is not the PSU that was recommended, but I want to have 750W in case of future upgrade wishes. Also- the reason I didn't go with the rosewill one is because it didn't have many reviews.

PSS- How does wireless work? Like how do I get that integrated inside the computer? In the mean time, can I just go pick up a wireless usb adapter?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320074

^ Is that what I'm looking for?
 

malbluff

Honorable
Corsair can be quite confusing, because they do two different versions of the HX, in the States; one modular, one semi-modular. In practice, it makes very little diiference, and both sites give the same part number, so go with the cheapest. Would slightly prefer Newegg to NCIX, but not $30 better. Both versions are excellent, anyway, even if they're not identical.
You can get motherboards with built-in wi-fi. Both Gigabyte and Asus do wi-fi versions, but I tend to think you get better performance, from a seperate wi-fi card, anyway.
 
Keep your eyes open for black friday sales. Seasonic X750 gold often goes on sale then.
Or, how about the PC P&C silencer750?
Silver certified too for $99 after rebate.
I would not pay extra for modular unless it was for a small case.
There is always room to hide unused cables.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

Wait on the cooling to see if you need it. I doubt you will.

I like the idea of temporarily using integrated video. It will be fine for anything except fast action games.

For wireless, you will want an adapter with an antenna. The usg adapters have a limited range due to weak signal.
The one you linked should be fine.
 

j3susisl0rd7

Honorable
Nov 6, 2012
7
0
10,510


So... if I just ordered this 20 minutes before reading your post: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=38649&vpn=CMPSU-750HX&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1226... it wasn't a good idea because it's modular something something? Lol I... really don't know the difference here... I can buy a new psu later but that one I bought will work just fine right?
 


Not to worry, you did well.
A modular psu lets you plug in only the power leads that you actually use.
With a non modular psu, you need to tuck away any unused power leads. Not a big deal in a normal sized case since there will be plenty of places to hide them.
 

j3susisl0rd7

Honorable
Nov 6, 2012
7
0
10,510
Alright! Power supply and optical drive came in today, leaving me only left to buy an SSD/HDD/Operating System. I followed a newegg build video today to do a test build. I got a post boot "BEEP" from the speaker, some led thing on the board was displaying a bunch of different numbers before finally settling at "A6", while this was happening the cpu fan went to max speed and finally settled back down to a constant quiet speed..... but no information appeared on the screen. Is this a problem?

Will go ahead and mount the mobo in the case and the psu. Hopefully that beep means success, haven't inserted the disc yet that came with the mobo.


Any help on that no information thing would be helpful. Hopefully I don't have to unmount everything!