~$850 - New Build Sanity Check

[pretendeka]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week!
Budget Range: ~$850 (shipped)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Sims 3 / Guild Wars 2
Are you buying a monitor: No
Re-used Components: Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse, PSU: Corsair GS-800
Do you need to buy OS: No
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1600x900

PC Part Picker: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zLEJ

Getting ready to order parts and wanted a quick sanity check on what I have selected. Reason for upgrade is that old PC is having a difficult time keeping up with newer games. Don't need a beast, just something that is going to be good for a couple years and that doesn't back me into a corner if I want to upgrade components in the future (GPU, Processor).

 

[bdiddytampa]

That is a nice solid build, you'll be more than happy with it.

 

[mikerockett]

The build you have listed is quite good but the below will be much better for the same price.

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 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($103.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $833.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-04 14:04 EST-0500)

 

[zared619]

Since you do not have a power supply listed, i'm assuming that you already have one. If not, you should probably get one

@ mikerockett. The OP wanted a system that can be upgraded in a few years. Your build has two major issues.

1. The Pro3 does not support dual GPU's which is a very good upgrade option for many people.

2. The 3570k is a great CPU, and no one denies that. However, its as good as it gets for the LGA 2011 socket. Intel is phasing out the socket with its new CPU line.
AMD plans on using the AM3+ socket for at least two more generations. AMD will give the OP better upgrade options for the CPU.

@pretendeka
Your build looks good, but I'm not sure you need an 8350 and 16GB of RAM. Unless you are running some VM's, you don't need that much RAM or 8 cores.
The 6300 is a very good CPU at a great price point, and 8GB is more than enough RAM almost any normal everyday task.

If you have any questions, just ask.

 

[bdiddytampa]

3570k runs on LGA 1155, but your point remains the same lol

 

[mikerockett]

@zared619 - You have reasonable points, i just think it's a better idea to have a good rig now and an average rig a few years down the line than to have an average rig now and upgrade down the line for another average rig.

That is unless AMD really comes out with something good over the next few generations. Not that AMD are bad but they are beaten out on nearly every price point by intel. Being able to upgrade a little down the line doesn't seem like a great incentive not to get a better rig now.

In terms of the pro3, im sure i can change it out for something that'll crossfire at x8/x8

Agreed on the 8gb of RAM.

He has a PSU, its mentioned in the first post, Corsair GS 800.

 

[mikerockett]

Revised for a mobo with x8/x8 lane xfire

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($103.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $846.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-04 14:45 EST-0500)

 

[pretendeka]

Thanks for the input everyone. My only concern with the final list that mikerocket posted is that there is really no CPU upgrade path. That said, as long as it will keep up for 4 years-ish it's not a major one.

 

[mikerockett]

The 3570k should be fine for 4 years, especially if you're playing simple things like sims and guild wars, not hugely stressing the cpu. Just buy the $25 cooler master hyper 212+ or the evo down the line and OC it, will keep you going for a good long while.

Im still running the 2500k which is 2 years old and i can say im not looking to upgrade for a while, runs every thing fine for me at the moment, guild wars 2 on my 2500k and 6870 is fine so the build i suggest will be great for it.

 

[pretendeka]

Great! Thanks again.

 

[pretendeka]

Best answer selected by pretendeka.

 

[mikerockett]

You're welcome, enjoy your build