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Looking for a second opinion

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So I asked for some advice on my first gaming PC over on reddit last night. I basically wanted a decently strong PC on a $700-800 budget. I'm trying to stick with stock for now, I may overclock in the future if needed but as of right now it is unlikely. I'd also like to throw in a bluray burner at some point. Anyways, this is the build that was reccomended to me.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/B9to It's a bit over my budget, but I may be able to squeeze out a bit of extra cash if the performance is worthwhile.

Anywho, I posted on another forum I visit, and got a second opinion there. Some of the suggestions over there were to

-swap out the AMD cpu for an Intel i5-3570k
-cut some of the cost by getting a 520w psu
-grab a gtx660 instead of the powercolor radeon 7950 3gb
-grab a sapphire radeon hd 7870xt with boost 2gb over the powercolor radeon 7950 3gb

I just want to get as many opinions as possible before I commit to a build. I'm looking at playing mainly world of warcraft, skyrim, and guild wars 2 as of right now. However, I'd like the ability to play newer games at decent settings as smooth as possible. Also, if it helps, I'm using a 24" monitor right now, and am planning to use that for this computer.

Thanks for all help!

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That's good except why the AMD? It actually doesn't have 8 cores! It has to four core modules. I like the Radeon, but it's very power consuming, and if you're ever thinking about using Adobe Premiere or creative apps, an Nvidia graphics card would be so much better. Here's something that will run any game at ultra settings, and will have a good performance rating the Premiere or After Effects.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.04 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $771.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 14:03 EST-0500)
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If it was me i would do this

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($224.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $724.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 14:09 EST-0500)

Swapped the cpu for the FX-6300 to save a little money, will perform just as good in gaming.

Swapped the motherboard for the extreme 4, its a little cheaper also performs great.

Swapped your harddrive with one that has 64 mb of cache instead of 32 mb

Changed your graphics card to 7870, since it can play any game on high.ultra setting, it should do what you need it to do fine. anything over is just a waste of money.

Swapped out that Rossiwell psu, bad brand. Went with a much more reliable antec, with 620 watts. For a cheaper price all in all, i think it saves you alot of money and dosn't sacrifice much if any performance.

so that is my opinion

It seems most of you guys are going with the slightly cheaper card. Do you think it'll last me a fairly long time? I'm pretty new to all this stuff, and greatly value all of the opinions so far!

edit: Also, I'm not really going to photoshop. I can't afford the software, and am pretty awful with gimp as it is.

The reason I'm building this PC is to supplement what I'm missing from my macbook pro. I'm using a 2.3 ghz i7 and an amd radeon hd 6750m 1024mb in my macbook pro now, and it is really starting to show its choppiness in games like wow (given it is a laptop). I'd just like something on the side I could use the run windows and game.

How much of a difference do you think the 2gb on the 7870xt and the 3gb on the 7950 will be? From what I know the memory should onlly matter for loading textures and such, right?


edit: Also as of right now I'm a little scared of overclocking, so ideally I'd like some decent performance right out the gate. I'll probably overclock in the future, but I'm still edging away from it till it's needed.

the difference between the 2 cards is that the 7870xt has 1536 stream processors while the 7950 i believe has 1792 or something like that, the 7870xt has a 256 bit bus while the 7950 has a 384 bit bus, and the 7870xt has less vram. obviously its going to perform a little less than the 7950 but its considerably cheap

overclocking is easy. you cant burn anything unless you raise voltages. you can get a decent overclock without raising voltages. say for example on the 7870 xt, you should be able to hit 1025-1050mhz easily

Alright last question (sorry for all for all of these, I just want to be sure before I order). Will the differences between the FX-6300 and 8350 be small enough in gaming that I can forego the $50 or so? Or would buying the 8350 be worth it in terms of keeping my pc up to date for a while?

iceclock said:
are u gonna overclock.

do u need a large data drive. do u need an ssd. do u prefer nvidia to amd.

do u require sli or crossfire, do u prefer modular to regular psus.


I MAY be overclocking in the future, but for the first few months probably not.

As of right now a 1tb drive should suffice. I'll be buying an ssd once I get a little more cash, but am ignoring it for now.

For videocards, this is only my second build so I don't really have a preference. I'd pick whichever would run mainly wow, skyrim, and gw2 better within my budget. I did some reading earlier, and it seems like I can't go wrong with the 660 or the 7950.

I will not require sli or crossfire right now.

I've only ever used a regular psu, have never used a modular. So I'm really not sure.

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

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.04 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($22.75 @ Amazon)
Other: intel 3570k ($224.00)
Total: $842.72
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 15:21 EST-0500)

60$ more but def worth it. fully sli capable. a good videocard.

everything u need. good cooler for ocing

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

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.04 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($22.75 @ Amazon)
Other: intel 3570k ($224.00)
Total: $842.72
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 15:21 EST-0500)

60$ more but def worth it. fully sli capable. a good videocard.

everything u need. good cooler for ocing


Alright, I'll definitely keep this build in mind! If I need to though, where would you recommend cutting? 60$ may be cutting it close, I'll have to see in the next few days.

well u will.

heres a mega-pc for ur price.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bi3N
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bi3N/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bi3N/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa CPU Cooler ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($22.75 @ Amazon)
Total: $773.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 15:41 EST-0500)

got u a xeon with 4cores+4ht cores :D 

iceclock said:
well u will.

heres a mega-pc for ur price.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bi3N
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bi3N/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bi3N/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa CPU Cooler ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($22.75 @ Amazon)
Total: $773.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 15:41 EST-0500)

got u a xeon with 4cores+4ht cores :D 


I really like that processor, and I definitely like that price! One last question, how necessary do you think the aftermarket cooler is? I've only used one once, and it was a massive pain to put in.

Here's my final suggestion. It's fast, its efficient, and it's Intel. You can't go wrong with that. I've gone $9 over budget, but it's worth it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $809.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 18:35 EST-0500)

maxicusdagreat said:
Here's my final suggestion. It's fast, its efficient, and it's Intel. You can't go wrong with that. I've gone $9 over budget, but it's worth it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $809.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 18:35 EST-0500)


-for the same price, i would have suggested a z77-v LK motherboard instead of the pro4. better feature set and components
-there is cheaper ram out there, just that pcparpicker right now doesnt list us.ncix, which is messed
-for 10 bucks more, the 7870xt will perform a lot better

iceclock said:
you know for a kid u do know alot about computers unless ur not really as young as it says u are.

cuz im almost twice that age. and u seem to know alot. like if u read alot more than me on pcs lol.

whats ur super weapon?


i just read a lot. started doing so when we got unlimited internet
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