Help with this new build

[Delaware01]

Okay, so I've only ever kinda built a computer once before with my dad but now I'm done with console gaming and my 6 year old HP laptop isn't going to cut it. So I'm starting a build but my budget is around $700 and I have some stuffs picked out. Here's what I have now and I'd like suggestions of where I can cut in price and also if this is all compatible with eachother because I have no clue how to tell that:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.3GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 69W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80637i53350P
GPU: ASUS HD7770-2GD5 Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 2GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
MOBO: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS8G3D1609DS1S00
Power: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
(Now with the Power Supply I wasn't sure what I need so I just went with 500w)
Case: Undecided
HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Now, this all shows up on Newegg at just under 800USD. If I could cut back $50 bucks or more (I still need a case) I would be set. I already have a copy of windows 7 for the OS. Any additional things that I'll need please let me know as in wires/cords and any essential things i'm embarrassingly missing!

CPU: $179.99
GPU: $159.99
MOBO: $249.99
RAM: $42.99
Power: $59.99
Case: Undecided
HDD: $79.99
DVD/CD/ROM: $18.99
Total: $791.93

All help will be much apreciated because I'm a total noob with these things. Thanks in advance!

 

[bctande1]

We can definitely do better than this. Give me a second I'll see what I can whip up,

 

[johnsonjohnson]

Hi. You're spending too much on the motherboard and too little on the graphics card if you'll be gaming at 1920 x 1080. If you're buying from Newegg, here's a potential build. Feel free to make changes as you'd like.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $674.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 20:33 EST-0500)

Here's a building guide with videos: http://techreport.com/review/23624/how-to-build-a-pc-the-tech-report-guide

 

[Delaware01]

Wow, already thanks for this, even if this isn't the exact build I use, you have shown me that it is definately do-able. A guy at micro center made it seem impossible!

So would this make a decent gaming build ^^^ more specifically could you give an example of a game you might play with this build and how it plays?

Again, thank's alot!

 

[bctande1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($193.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $704.71
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 20:40 EST-0500)

 

[bctande1]

My build will play ANYTHING, full quality at 1080p, no problem. A note*, if you order my MOBO soon, you get a free 8GB of ram, which is why I didn't include it in my build.

 

[Delaware01]

No offense obviously but a little skeptical here, could someone cross check bctande1's build, I wouldn't know so I would like to have just a little reasurance with his play ANYTHING claim

 

[johnsonjohnson]

bctande1's build is a good build if you don't mind AMD. If you want an Intel build and live near Micro Center, you may be able to get the i5-3470 for $150 or get a good deal on the i5-3570K and motherboard combo when there's one. Here are a few more motherboards with free RAM deal: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Depa=0&Description=ppssmbpromo124130&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL012413P&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL012413P-_-EMC-012413-Index-_-MECH-_-GSKILL-L2A

 

[Delaware01]

So, I went to PCPartPicker and made a hybrid of the two given builds above, how does this build stand up? Would this run higher end games okay such as ARMA3 or BF3 or Skyrim?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/A0oP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/A0oP/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/A0oP/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $696.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 22:24 EST-0500)

 

[johnsonjohnson]

That looks good but get a bigger PSU like the Antec 620W I had in my build above and it's cheaper after rebate too. You can go with a different case if you want; it's a matter of personal taste. Everything looks good and it will play those games without any problem.

 

[Delaware01]

I honestly don't have a prefference on appearance. And what exactly will a higher PSU do for me?

 

[Delaware01]

Also, follow up question, do I want windows 7 in 64 bit? and what is the difference between 64 and 32?

 

[johnsonjohnson]

Well that CX430 has only one PCI Express connector for your graphics card when that HD 7950 needs two and it doesn't have enough power for the system. AMD specifies at least a 500W PSU: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7950/Pages/radeon-7950.aspx#2

 

[johnsonjohnson]

Yes you want Windows 7 64 bit so you can take advantage of more than 4GB of RAM.

 

[Delaware01]

okay makes sense. I believe I'm satisfied for now, but I assume that all the wires and cords I need come with the parts that require them? or will I need to buy those cords seperatetly?

 

[johnsonjohnson]

It should come with all the cable but the PSU doesn't come with a power cord. It's funny but true. Maybe you might already have one lying around at home you can use.

 

[Delaware01]

Do I need a sound card with my build? or is it not necessary?

 

[johnsonjohnson]

You can get one if you really want but it's not necessary and you don't need one.