First Computer Build

[cerbres_child]

Hey guys I'm planning to build a gaming computer/ media server. I also do some video converting from time to time.
I have a budget of about 600$ to 700$.

I went ahead and purchased the following:

Core i3 3225, Intel DH77EB mobo, Caviar Blue 500 GB HDD 7200rpm, Corsair CX500 500 watt power supply, 8gb of Ballistix pc3 ram.

Now this came out to about 388$ after tax. My questions are the following:

1. Is just adding a graphics card like the ASUS HD7750-1GD5-V2 Radeon HD 7750 going to provide me with a decent gaming experience?

2. If not what components do you recommend? (as i know intel doesn't make the best gaming boards)

3. Is it worth it to upgrade to an i5 3570k?

4. Ideas on cases? Plus any other suggestions would be amazing.

This is my first computer build sorry for the noob questions
Thanks in advanced, Chris

 

[socialfox]

I would say instead of going for the HD 7750, grab something like the HD 7850 for optimal performance with a good price in gaming. If you already have the i3, then I would say it would kind of be a waste of money to go buy the i5-3570k unless you can somehow sell it and get back almost all your money.

 

[EzioAs]

^ socialfox +1.


4. Cheaper good case recommendations:
Antec Three Hundred
Antec Three Hundred Two
Bitfenix Merc Alpha
Bitfenix Shinobi
Cooler Master Elite 430
Cooler Master HAF 912
Corsair 200R
Corsair 300R

 

[cerbres_child]

I would say instead of going for the HD 7750, grab something like the HD 7850 for optimal performance with a good price in gaming. If you already have the i3, then I would say it would kind of be a waste of money to go buy the i5-3570k unless you can somehow sell it and get back almost all your money.

Is there a huge difference between the i3 and i5 though? In terms of gaming?

 

[EzioAs]

Is there a huge difference between the i3 and i5 though? In terms of gaming?

Depending on the game, it can be huge or minimal. I believe most current multiplayer games will benefit a quad core i5 even more though.

 

[socialfox]

Is there a huge difference between the i3 and i5 though? In terms of gaming?

Well we all got different views on what defines "huge" but take a look at this:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/701?vs=677

The i5 does leave the i3 in the dust in SOME tests. Most newer games are starting to make good use of quad cores like the i5.

 

[lunyone]

I would consider the 7850/7870 (depending on budget).

I would stick with the i3 for now, unless you can get your $ back on it. The i5 3570k is probably the best for the $, but the i3 is a decent CPU for the $ too. It's up to you, but I would try the i3 and if your unhappy I would then upgrade to the i5 3570k.

Here's a couple of cases to consider:

$50 shippped!
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

$50 shipped! Has 2 x USB 3.0 Front ports!
Corsair Carbide Series 200R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

[EzioAs]

Forgot to mention, if you're not into overclocking and you can't do it anyway on an H77 board, get an i5-3470. I recommend this only if you can/will return the i3 though.

 

[cerbres_child]

Thanks I think I will go with this case you recommended:

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Also the i5 is looking pretty good I can return the i3 i just bought it yesterday.

 

[cerbres_child]

Forgot to mention, if you're not into overclocking and you can't do it anyway on an H77 board, get an i5-3470. I recommend this only if you can/will return the i3 though.

Now that you mention overclocking hows the asus sabertooth z77 for overclocking. Is it a good mobo in general and are there any comparable motherboards around that price or slightly cheaper?

 

[EzioAs]

It's good but you probably don't need it especially on a lower budget.

Z77 motherboard recommendations:

ASRock Z77 Extreme4
ASRock Z77 Extreme6
Asus P8Z77-V
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H
MSI Z77A-GD55

 

[sarinaide]

Hey guys I'm planning to build a gaming computer/ media server. I also do some video converting from time to time.
I have a budget of about 600$ to 700$.

I went ahead and purchased the following:

Core i3 3225, Intel DH77EB mobo, Caviar Blue 500 GB HDD 7200rpm, Corsair CX500 500 watt power supply, 8gb of Ballistix pc3 ram.

Now this came out to about 388$ after tax. My questions are the following:

1. Is just adding a graphics card like the ASUS HD7750-1GD5-V2 Radeon HD 7750 going to provide me with a decent gaming experience?

2. If not what components do you recommend? (as i know intel doesn't make the best gaming boards)

3. Is it worth it to upgrade to an i5 3570k?

4. Ideas on cases? Plus any other suggestions would be amazing.

This is my first computer build sorry for the noob questions
Thanks in advanced, Chris

INTEL:

i5 3450
ASRock Z77 Pro 3
Crucial Ballistix Tracers DDR3 1600 8GB kit
XFX Core Edition Pro 550w
HD7850

AMD:

FX6300
MSI 990FX GD65 (Rev2.0)
Crucial Ballistix Tracers DDR3 1600 8GB kit
XFX Core Edition Pro 550w
HD7870GE.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey