Gamerlana's First time build v2.0

[gamerlana]

Ok so I posted here a bit ago for suggestions, but I figured for a tiny bit more I can bump up performance a bit more. Here is what I came up with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master TPC 812 86.2 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.24 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: MX4 Thermal Paste ($6.65)
Total: $1150.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-08 14:57 EST-0500)

Planning on OCing CPU to around 4.4GHZ and will be playing the hell out of games like Far Cry 3 and anything else I can play on great settings. Let me know if the 16gb RAM is a bit much, I figure with the current deal it is much better cost per gb than a 8gb (2x 4gb) set. Also, I wonder if I could go a bit more in and maybe get a 7950?

 

[JMer806]

I would drop down to 8GB RAM and upgrade the graphics card so you that you can get better performance. A GTX 670 or a 7970 would be ideal if you can afford them, if not a 7950 will be better than what you have currently.

Also consider upgrading to a 750W power supply to allow for future Xfire or SLI expansion.

 

[allanitomwesh]

8GB ram,home premium maxes at 16gb anyway. Samsung Spinpoint 1tb. 7950 . lot's of pci connectors on the psu, try Rosewill.

 

[maxalge]

Ok so I posted here a bit ago for suggestions, but I figured for a tiny bit more I can bump up performance a bit more. Here is what I came up with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master TPC 812 86.2 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.24 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($92.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: MX4 Thermal Paste ($6.65)
Total: $1150.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-08 14:57 EST-0500)

Planning on OCing CPU to around 4.4GHZ and will be playing the hell out of games like Far Cry 3 and anything else I can play on great settings. Let me know if the 16gb RAM is a bit much, I figure with the current deal it is much better cost per gb than a 8gb (2x 4gb) set. Also, I wonder if I could go a bit more in and maybe get a 7950?

For gaming 8gb is the sweet spot for ram as the other posters have pointed out.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmx8gx3m2b1600c9



You can have a look at the haf 912, very similar and cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=


Since you have a SSD, try a WD blue instead:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex

With the savings,snap up a 7950.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr795wf33gd

Good luck.

 

[gamerlana]

For gaming 8gb is the sweet spot for ram as the other posters have pointed out.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmx8gx3m2b1600c9

8gb RAM sounds good, was thinking about this originally to begin with. Still pissed I missed Black Friday deal of 8gb GSKILL DDR3 1600 for like $24.

You can have a look at the haf 912, very similar and cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Did look at the HAF 912, but wasn't a liking of the unpainted interior really, and it seems to have less space, fans, and no usb 3.0 I/O's. Was looking at the Corsair 400r, but the HDD trays seem flimsy and lacks as many case fans.

Since you have a SSD, try a WD blue instead:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex

I had checked out the WD Blue, but wasn't sure. HDD companies have slashed warranty lengths and the WD Black has a 5yr warranty. Also, I am planing to put misc programs and other games (like steam) on the HDD, so was not sure if the extra 30 bucks or so justified jumping up to the WD Black.

With the savings,snap up a 7950.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr795wf33gd

A few questions pertaining to this video card. How well do 7950's OC? How reliable are they to comparable Nvidia cards, drivers , etc? (Sorry, long time Nvidia person and just want to make sure I get a nice card) Aside from Gigabyte, is the MSI Twin Frozr version a good choice? I know there is a Sapphire and XFX ones for less after rebate, but I am questionable of these brands.


Finally, when it comes to the CPU Cooler, will this be good for OC on 3570k or should I just go cheaper on a Hyper 212 Evo with some MK-4 paste?

 

[maxalge]

A few questions pertaining to this video card. How well do 7950's OC? How reliable are they to comparable Nvidia cards, drivers , etc? (Sorry, long time Nvidia person and just want to make sure I get a nice card) Aside from Gigabyte, is the MSI Twin Frozr version a good choice? I know there is a Sapphire and XFX ones for less after rebate, but I am questionable of these brands.


Finally, when it comes to the CPU Cooler, will this be good for OC on 3570k or should I just go cheaper on a Hyper 212 Evo with some MK-4 paste?

It's good, probably should get another 120mm fan for push/pull.

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2654&page=5

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-TPC-812-CPU-Cooler-Review/1553/6



Sapphire is a tier 1 card maker, I consider them on par with gigabyte/MSI.


Can't go wrong with any of those.

 

[allanitomwesh]

MSI power editon FTW,save money with the 212 EVO,HAF 912 Plus is the right one,dunno about USA availability.