Need advice for saving or improving on a specific build

maxftw997

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Jan 1, 2013
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10,510
I am new to pc building and this is the first build I will ever attempt. I have been browsing these forums for awhile and have come across multiple great builds suggested by users. I am planning to build a computer with a budget of about $850, but anything to lower costs would be greatly appreciated. I do not plan on overclocking, I only want the computer to be able to handle the latest and greatest games at medium - high settings. I am wondering specifically if I could get by with a lower motherboard or CPU, and if I need to upgrade the power supply to ensure the safety of my system. I am not worried about upgrading my hard drive now because from what I have gathered that should be relatively easy if I should ever need to.

The build I was planning: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vgQZ
 

maxalge

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($159.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($172.08 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $843.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-01 04:00 EST-0500)




=)

Enjoy!


Also if you know any college students you can get the win7 for free, and get a better video card and processor.
 

maxftw997

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Jan 1, 2013
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10,510
Thank you for this build, is the processor chosen the best one for my needs though? I was wondering if there might be an alternative that would give either similar or enhanced gaming performance.

Also minor compatibility issues but those should be easy enough to overcome
 

maxalge

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You are going to regret those choices.

That power supply is crap, that monitor is a LOT weaker then the asus...


Get the same build I suggested, only buy the 3570k + ASRock Z77 Pro3 combo deal at the microcenter.

Best $843.56 you'll ever spend.
 

camohanna

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He could also get a 7770 to save on some money?
 

camohanna

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Alternate AMD Buy since haswell is coming out anyway....

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vhN8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vhN8/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vhN8/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.12 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $867.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-01 07:11 EST-0500)
 

maxalge

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Good catch on the 7870, same price as the 7850, after rebate though... Puts him over $30 on his budget...

The 6300 is a LOT worse for gaming... Why are you willing to spend more for less???


The microcenter 3570k combo plus that 7870 will have him playing like a pimp...
 

trumpeter1994

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Mar 27, 2012
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10,810
get a 3570k if you live by microcenter!!!! they sell intel processors for ridiculous prices. I was just in there talking to them about them the other day and their profit margins on them. The employee was pretty much just like "yeah I'm pretty sure we make either next to nothing off the processors or we lose money on them". This isn't the first time I've heard this from one of their employees either.
But yeah going to microcenter and spending like $30 more dollars on the 3570k will give you significant upgrade and give you the ability to overclock your cpu as well.
 

trumpeter1994

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Mar 27, 2012
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Maxalge did you say you could get win7 for free if you were in college?
cuz ummmmmmm I attend Mizzou :D
A friend of mine there whom i helped build a rig dropped like $200 on 7 home premium from the bookstore there, almost smacked him when i figured out that he paid that.
 

maxalge

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Yeah

XD
 

maxalge

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The xfx 550w power supply is made by probably the best maker seasonic, and is more than plenty for your system.

Save the $20, and get the asus monitor.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.63 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-249B (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $668.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-01 16:52 EST-0500)



At microcenter the 3570k + ASRock Z77 Pro3 = $224.98


Total: $893.51


Cheaper and way better motherboard and monitor. =)
 

camohanna

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+1