Help with Gaming Build

[rexdoghd]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: This Month
Budget Range: (e.g.: $1,000-$1,500) After Rebates; After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming and Video editing

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Everything.

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, ncix.com, amazon.com

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Linwood, New Jersey, United States

Parts Preferences: I have no preference. I have heard that Intel is better but I could be wrong.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I would like to be able to run games such as Call of Duty and Battlefield with good graphics. Also I want to be able to render videos with Sony Vegas and After Effects. I already have an Asus VW246H monitor, Logitech G110 keyboard, and Logitech G9X mouse.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I have always bought Sony or Apple laptops and have never been able to play games well on them. I want to know what's inside of my computer and how to fix/upgrade it.

If you could let me know your thought process for why your choosing the components that you do that would be great. Thanks

 

[butremor]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($53.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($25.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1042.46
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-26 13:44 EST-0500)


CPu - the best there is for gaming atm. Overclocks slightly.
Mobo - the best matching that cpu
RAM - reliable brand
HDD - 5 year warranty
GPU - all around best there is
Case - can change, just my default solution

 

[rexdoghd]

What about the Intel 3570k CPU? Why is the 3470 better?
Also shouldn't I look at a CPU Cooler?

 

[larrym]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ufMC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ufMC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ufMC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.71 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1261.51
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-26 13:59 EST-0500)

Since you are going to do videos and you have a big budget, I would go with the i7 and 16 gigs of ram... The rest is subjective.

 

[rexdoghd]

I understand that they make 1866 ram. Is that worth the extra money? I'm just wondering if that will be beneficial when I want to upgrade eventually.

 

[larrym]

I understand that they make 1866 ram. Is that worth the extra money? I'm just wondering if that will be beneficial when I want to upgrade eventually.

it's a few bucks more, it will show higher bench marks, but you probably won't notice.

 

[rexdoghd]

Ok. Is there anything I could upgrade further or is that pretty much as good as it'll get? Also I just want to say that I really appreciate your help.

 

[larrym]

You could upgrade the GPU to the 7970, GTX 680,690, or 7990. You could also add a bigger SSD. But that's all a lot more money.

 

[rexdoghd]

Are there any other cases that would be easier in terms of cable management or anything? I'm OCD about that stuff so I don't care if I have to spend more if it'll look nicer / be easier to put together.

 

[larrym]

Cases are so subjective to each person. The Antec three Hundred two is popular and has ok cable management. You can go here to look at all the cases and see the reviews/prices...
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/

 

[rexdoghd]

The case you picked looks good. If anyone else could comment on the build larrym suggested that'd be great. I would like to hear some other opinions before I make a final decision. Personally I think it looks great but I don't know much yet

 

[rexdoghd]

Also, I would like to hear from anyone that has the Antec 302 Case. I believe that if I get a SSD I would have to mount it either to the bottom or the side since it doesn't fit in the 3.5 inch drive slots.

 

[Proximon]

I think Larrym's build is great, but I do think you should be careful about the case. Look at cases and pick out a few that look good to you, then post them so that we have an idea of your preferences.

The memory can stay at 1600. Higher clocked RAM puts strain on the CPU that is not worth it, as actual performance gains are tiny.

Most video editors that I have worked with want a quiet machine. The EVGA 670 has a stock cooler and will not be very quiet. I would probably go with the Gigabyte
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=71107&vpn=GV-N670OC-2GD&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1033

Depending on the case you get, you might be able to use a very quiet and efficient NZXT Kraken X60 CPU cooler.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6530/closing-the-loop-contained-liquidcoolers-from-corsair-and-nzxt-compared
Obviously, that would be quite a jump in cost so only if you really think it important. There are some quiet air coolers that are less, they don't do as good a job but might be a compromise.

 

[rexdoghd]

Honestly I don't think the sound will be much of a problem. Currently I'm using a Sony Vaio with an Intel i7 Q 740 and Nvidia Geforce GT 425M so I doubt anything could be louder than this when rendering videos haha. Is there any difference between the EVGA and Gigabyte other than noise?

 

[rexdoghd]

Also should I stick with the mid-tower case or look at full-tower as well?

 

[Proximon]

EVGA is a US based company with a good support record.
The Gigabyte will run cooler probably, and is clocked higher and will give better performance.

EVGA warranty is a bit better than Gigabyte.

 

[Proximon]

If size is not a restriction, it's always easier to build in a larger case, and leaves more options open.

 

[rexdoghd]

Which one of these would you choose?
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/galaxy-video-card-67nph6dv5zvx
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/galaxy-video-card-67nph6dv5zjx

 

[rexdoghd]

I really don't care about the aesthetic appeal of the case I buy so I'm mainly focused on the ease of install and cable management options. I kind of like the Antec 302 because it has a 3mm space in between the side and the case so you can route the cables through there. I'm also looking at a Full Tower Case which seems to have bigger fans and the size would probably help.
Link to the full tower case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

One thing I'm curious about is the installation of the SSD. It looks like you have to install the SSD with a mount to either the bottom or side of the Antec while the full tower has 2.5 to 3.5 inch adapters for the drive bay so that would make things much easier.

 

[Proximon]

I would probably go with the less expensive card. Just a matter of bang for the buck.

The HAF is a popular case that has been around in one form or another for many years now. Don't get too hung up on mounting the SSD. It has no moving parts and doesn't need to be mounted at all. I have used velcro tape to mount them in the past. I saw one build where one was stuck to the side of the PSU.

 

[Lord Tumnas]

I really don't care about the aesthetic appeal of the case I buy so I'm mainly focused on the ease of install and cable management options. I kind of like the Antec 302 because it has a 3mm space in between the side and the case so you can route the cables through there. I'm also looking at a Full Tower Case which seems to have bigger fans and the size would probably help.
Link to the full tower case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

One thing I'm curious about is the installation of the SSD. It looks like you have to install the SSD with a mount to either the bottom or side of the Antec while the full tower has 2.5 to 3.5 inch adapters for the drive bay so that would make things much easier.

SSD mounting is not an issue at all, mine is mounted, however i would be comfortable with it resting on the bottom of the case.

i agree with larrym's build except for graphics i would recommend a 7950 which are about $300

 

[rexdoghd]

This is the build now with a couple changes. I may switch the ram for ones with lower CAS.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($90.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($96.28 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($19.24 @ Newegg)
Total: $1308.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-27 08:46 EST-0500)

 

[larrym]

Looks pretty solid. The Samsung 840 Pro is a bit higher rated as an SSD but I doubt you will feel any difference. Happy Gaming/Video Editing!

 

[rexdoghd]

What ram should I get? I'm not sure how much room I'll have with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. I see online that some people have problems with ram being too tall.

 

[larrym]

I have the same mother board with the same cooler and use corsair ram (non low profile and two fit just fine). You have the LP (Low Profile) ram which is alot smaller than mine. I even have a push pull air system with the cooler fan next to the ram. You will be fine, don't worry.