First Gaming Build - Budget of Around $1100

[seacucumber3000]

Here's the Build. It will be a huge upgrade to my current Compaq Presario (I think it's either a sr5710f or sr5250nx).

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wgq6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wgq6/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wgq6/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($20.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324-98 DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1115.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-06 19:58 EST-0500)

 

[g-unit1111]

Everything looks good with a couple of exceptions:

- Better cooler (I have a huge problem with Xigmatek coolers) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016
- Get a 128GB SSD - won't cost much more money: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
- Better power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

If you make those suggestions that should be a killer rig.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Everything looks good with a couple of exceptions:

- Better cooler (I have a huge problem with Xigmatek coolers) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016
- Get a 128GB SSD - won't cost much more money: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
- Better power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

If you make those suggestions that should be a killer rig.

Those are good suggestions, I'll think about the SSD. The only problem though is that I am really trying to keep within the budget. And that's a reason why I didn't get a Hyper 212 cooler, and opted for a Zigmatek instead. As for the power supply, are you saying it's under-powered or unreliable?

 

[g-unit1111]

Those are good suggestions, I'll think about the SSD. The only problem though is that I am really trying to keep within the budget. And that's a reason why I didn't get a Hyper 212 cooler, and opted for a Zigmatek instead. As for the power supply, are you saying it's under-powered or unreliable?

Rosewill is kind of a mixed bag - some of their brands are good and some aren't. I hear good things about the Capstone and Fortress lines but PC Power & Cooling is a company that knows power supplies so I would go with them. Xigmatek coolers are horrible - they're a pain to install and the one I was using fried a motherboard because of the cheap thermal compound included.

 

[TheBigTroll]

the capstone and tachyon lineup from rosewell is made by superflower, a company on the level of seasonic. good choice to go for it. the hive series are also good

id get this instead though
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wgRO

 

[djangoringo]

Unless you're planning to do a SLI/Crossfire setup, a good psu with 550w is enough, i rather get the 660ti with the assassins creed 3 game, it's even better than the 7950...
Also the ram is out of stock, changed for Samsung 30nm ram, highly overclockable.
Also if you want a ssd, get a good reliable one with at least 120/128GB.
My suggestion :

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wgUR

You can put the asus mobo, if you like, but the msi offers everything the asus have at a lower price.

 

[seacucumber3000]

I'm not sure what it is with 120+ gb SSD's. Don't take that the wrong way though. I plan on using it solely for Windows 7 and maybe one or two games.

 

[djangoringo]

Only the windows takes ~20GB, depending on the games, even two can take all the space of the 60GB SSD, and you don't want a 60GB ssd full, it's speeds are worthless, either get a 120/128GB or ditch the ssd...

 

[seacucumber3000]

What if I don't completely fill it up? As in, plop in one game (Probably something around 1-2 gbs).

 

[djangoringo]

The 60GB has already limited speeds vs a 120/128GB ones, besides you chose a ssd with Asynchronous MLC NAND...you'll want synchronous it's worth the extra $...
Like a crucial m4 128GB.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Alright, alright, I'll se what I can find.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Here's Revision 1:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/whcY
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/whcY/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/whcY/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ 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)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($88.53 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324-98 DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1147.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-06 21:17 EST-0500)

 

[djangoringo]

Get the xfx 550w pro, in case you didn't know the xfx 550w is a seasonic oem psu.
It's really expensive psu when you can get a quality one for 60$.
You can get the samsung ram for more 4$, since you're gonna oc the cpu, you can oc the ram, and there's no better ram at that price for oc.
Also get the crucial m4, not the samsung 840, it uses TLC NAND...
And why pay more $ for a dvd drive ? get the liteon at 16.99$.
I recommend going with the 660 ti, it has the assassins creed 3 game, it pays off.
Also see this : http://techreport.com/review/23981/radeon-hd-7950-vs-geforce-gtx-660-ti-revisited/11
http://techreport.com/review/24022/does-the-radeon-hd-7950-stumble-in-windows-8

 

[seacucumber3000]

Do you have a recommendation for a PSU that is modular?

 

[seacucumber3000]

Revision 3: Still looking for a good, modular power supply that still fits within my budget.
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 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324-98 DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1143.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-06 21:31 EST-0500)

 

[djangoringo]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-hive550

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-hive650

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr550rm

But it will cost.

 

[boulbox]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ 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)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1146.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-06 21:46 EST-0500)

gives you a better case(imo) and a good PSU for SLI/CFX

 

[seacucumber3000]

Alright, here's Revision 4: I also plan on keeping this computer for a very long time, and updated when necessary instead of buying a whole new system. How much of a improvement do you guys think it is over my older computer?

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 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1120.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-06 21:50 EST-0500)

 

[seacucumber3000]

The one thing I'm stuck on is a 7950 vs 660 TI. I prefer Nvidia's driver support and software over AMD's, but does anyone know the performance differences?

 

[djangoringo]

Did you check my previous post ?

http://techreport.com/review/23981/radeon-hd-7950-vs-geforce-gtx-660-ti-revisited/11
http://techreport.com/review/24022/does-the-radeon-hd-7950-stumble-in-windows-8

Also the 660 ti comes with a game(AC3) and has lower power consumption.
Also get the hyper 212 EVO, slightly better cooling temps.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Alright, thanks, I'll adjust the setup.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Oh, and what's the difference between a 2 gb GPU vs a 3 gb one (other than the obvious)?
And here's revision 5:
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 ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1120.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-06 22:15 EST-0500)

 

[djangoringo]

Nothing, 2GB is plenty for 1080p and any game...
You picked a good 660 ti gtx, but in my opinion it's overpriced, i'd get the gigabyte one, it's 30$ less or 40$.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Gotcha. Whatcha think of the build above? I went for the EVGA over the Gigabyte because the Gigabyte is ugly. If it's necessary I'l choose the Gigabyte though.

 

[djangoringo]

Gigabyte is way cheaper, offers good cooling, same performance, and it's 40$ cheaper, get the gigabyte.
Yes, your build is fine.