First time $900 gaming build - help

[ndizzle07]

Approximate Purchase Date: next week


Budget Range: 800-900 must include OS


System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming/music/movies


Are you buying a monitor: yes, but not included in the 800-900 budget. any suggestions on a monitor under 300?


Parts to Upgrade: graphics card and cpu


Do you need to buy OS: Yes, os is part of the budget. either windows 7 or 8. not sure which one would be better for gaming.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: doesnt matter: newegg, amazon, ect.


Location: City, State/Region, Country - phoenix arizona


Parts Preferences: intel


Overclocking: no


SLI or Crossfire: not even sure what that is. probably not.


Your Monitor Resolution: as good as i can get for $300


Additional Comments: this is my first time building a pc. ive had a few buddies build pcs before but that was some years ago. my whole budget is around 1200 that includes monitor, os, and pc. I just want to be able to play most games on max settings. i play starcraft 2, LOL, counter strike. any advise would be great!


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: someone broke into my home and stole my iMAC(it was time for an upgrade anyways). I need a solid gaming PC

Thanks for any help w/ my build. Im itching to place my order

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yN2l
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yN2l/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yN2l/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: LG IPS231B-BN 23.0" Monitor ($199.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: SteelSeries Zboard Wired Gaming Keyboard ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse ($34.61 @ Amazon)
Total: $1118.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 12:24 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1156.44
Combo Discounts: -$12.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$35.00
Shipping: $8.98
Total: $1118.42

there we go.

 

[g-unit1111]

The above build is decent - on that budget I would not go that cheap on the case. The Rosewill Hive isn't really that great of a power supply either.

I'd suggest this:

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: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($91.33 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($304.37 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($167.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1034.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 12:36 EST-0500)

Then add whatever keyboard and mouse you want and you're good to go. I included a slightly slower CPU but a better video card.

 

[ndizzle07]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yN2l
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yN2l/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yN2l/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: LG IPS231B-BN 23.0" Monitor ($199.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: SteelSeries Zboard Wired Gaming Keyboard ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse ($34.61 @ Amazon)
Total: $1118.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 12:24 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1156.44
Combo Discounts: -$12.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$35.00
Shipping: $8.98
Total: $1118.42

there we go.

Thanks for the quick reply! I do like the sound of your build!

A lot of the build Ive seen have the radeon hd 7950 graphics card and the as rock z77 extreme 4. Those upgrades seem to put the build just out of my price range. do you guys think it would worth the extra money for those upgrades

I would kind of like to have a monitor w/ 2ms but im not sure if I would even notice the difference. lol.

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks for the quick reply! I do like the sound of your build!

A lot of the build Ive seen have the radeon hd 7950 graphics card and the as rock z77 extreme 4. Those upgrades seem to put the build just out of my price range. do you guys think it would worth the extra money for those upgrades

I would kind of like to have a monitor w/ 2ms but im not sure if I would even notice the difference. lol.

Yeah the 3570K is probably not obtainable on a $900 budget. My build does include a 7950.

You probably won't notice the difference using a 2ms monitor.

 

[ndizzle07]

Yeah the 3570K is probably not obtainable on a $900 budget. My build does include a 7950.

You probably won't notice the difference using a 2ms monitor.

Thank you for your reply!

I appreciate seeing different ways to make the build

ok so it sounds like I allocated too much of my budget for the monitor.

how do you think the budget would need to be in order to get the 3570k and the 7950?

when it comes to gaming which is more important having a better graphics card or cpu? do you think either build would effect my ability to play games at max settings?

 

[iceclock]

u dont need a 3570k since u dont overclock, and i got u the 7950

 

[iceclock]

the hive is a quality ps btw.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5674 [...] ive-550w/1

still decent for the price.

also the extrem4 is for if u want sli and overclocking not in ur case.

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($64.58 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: SteelSeries Zboard Wired Gaming Keyboard ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse ($34.61 @ Amazon)
Total: $1173.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 12:49 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1184.05
Combo Discounts: -$12.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Shipping: $11.55
Total: $1173.60

did the necessery changes got u a 2ms monitor, a slightly better ps and 7950

 

[ndizzle07]

the hive is a quality ps btw.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5674/rosewill-hive-550w/1

still decent for the price.

also the extrem4 is for if u want sli and overclocking not in ur case.

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($64.58 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: SteelSeries Zboard Wired Gaming Keyboard ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse ($34.61 @ Amazon)
Total: $1173.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 12:49 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1184.05
Combo Discounts: -$12.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Shipping: $11.55
Total: $1173.60

did the necessery changes got u a 2ms monitor, a slightly better ps and 7950

awesome! that does that exactly what im looking for as far as card and cpu and ram. Im really liking this build.

will 500w power supply be sufficient?

What is sli? sorry im a noob

 

[iceclock]

sli is running 2 videocards in the same system.

well 2 nvidia videocards, crossfire is running 2 ati cards together on same board.

yes 500 will be sufficient, but i can bump it up a bit, and do u need modular or non modular ps?

 

[ndizzle07]

ah ok, well ill just be using one vid card.

honestly im not sure what the difference is between modular and non modular, is it based off the build?

do you think its worth adding an SSD? my budget is flexable.

in regards to the monitor. is asus a good brand? i feel like if im spending all this money on a good graphics card i better buy a good monitor.

 

[NerdBBQ]

Asus is a reputable brand and they make good quality products. I think you might as well get the "k" 3570 because it's only 5 dollars more and it's a good OC'er if you want to do that down the road. Also, there's really not much point in getting an aftermarket HSF if you're not even overclocking. And if you decide on the "k" versions, make sure to get a Z77 mobo like an AsRock Pro3 or Extreme3

 

[iceclock]

modular is with removable cables and improves airflow.

yes def for a windows drive. and a few apps u use most often.

how much more can u spend?

 

[ndizzle07]

modular is with removable cables and improves airflow.

yes def for a windows drive. and a few apps u use most often.

how much more can u spend?

Id say i dont need a modular.

I probably only need 1 TB hard drive to

what does the ssd improve. Ive been reading it helps alot w/ loading times. is it significantly faster?

What if I increased my budget to 1100 for everything except the monitor? around 1300 total.

Im starting to think I might be getting more computer than i need. I really just want to play any game on max settings. I can spend 1300 but is that going to be noticeably better than if I spent 1000 total?

 

[iceclock]

well the build i made is quite good for u. no point in changing it. also modular isnt that much more expensive and is alot less tangled wires.

1.5 terabyte hd is only 8$ more for 500gigs is worth it. and ssd does make a crazy difference. where ur regular drive caps data at write and read in the 100s of meg per seconds ssds do 280+ megs read and write per second, and alot more depending on the ssd and so on.

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 3 Series – MAX IOPS Edition 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($102.37 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($79.33 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: SteelSeries Zboard Wired Gaming Keyboard ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse ($34.61 @ Amazon)
Total: $1290.72
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 15:53 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1301.17
Combo Discounts: -$12.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Shipping: $11.55
Total: $1290.72

and yes it will make it faster with ssd. got u a better ps also 600watts

 

[ndizzle07]

would this set up be able to support dual monitors?

I would like to use dual monitors but not sure how that effects a build

 

[ndizzle07]

Best answer selected by ndizzle07.

 

[iceclock]

yes,

u got vga. dvi. hmdi. easily run dual

 

[ndizzle07]

ok thanks! I wasnt sure if that graphics card would be enough for dual monitors.

I only plan on getting one initially but a few weeks after i would like to add a 2nd monitor

 

[iceclock]

sounds good