$900 Gaming PC for a friend

[k-kid]

Hi! My friend wants to build a gaming computer, since he currently does not have one.


Approximate Purchase Date: One month

Budget: His budget cannot exceed $940

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing the web, school

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com

Location: Arkansas, United States

Parts Preferences: He would like an Intel CPU

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050



Here are the parts he chose for the build.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53570

Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-V LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996995

Storage: Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

Price(Before rebates): $930.60

Additional Comments:
-This will be his first computer that he will be building; however, I will walk him through the process since I have previously built a computer before.
-He wants to be able to play Battlefield 3, as well as LoL, on this computer.
-Generally, he says that he doesn't mind not having the best graphics card, as long as he is able to play many games on medium to high at a good frame rate.

Tell me what you guys think.

 

[Emelth]

This should workout for you, watch out for the price of the CPU its for in store pickup only orginal price is around $230 cant get it to take the newegg price over the microcenter.

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 ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 EG 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.88 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($45.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $805.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 19:22 EST-0500)

 

[smorizio]

looks good for a first build.

 

[SamTheTruth]

This should workout for you, watch out for the price of the CPU its for in store pickup only orginal price is around $230 cant get it to take the newegg price over the microcenter.

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 ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 EG 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.88 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($45.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $805.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 19:22 EST-0500)

I think you can put a better GPU in there, and k-kid said no overclocking and no crossfirex/sli so i think you can ditch that CPU and MoBo and get a better GPU, what do you think?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($304.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($117.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $969.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 19:34 EST-0500)

 

[djangoringo]

Just switch the motherboard for the asrock z75 pro 3 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157304
The cpu for this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116782&Tpk=i5-3350p
The card for this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131484&Tpk=tahiti%20le (out of stock for now, it will be back soon)
The ram : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544
You can get a quality psu for a lower price : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096
HDD : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697
The case : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146083&Tpk=nzxt%20source%20220
Spend in a ssd, like this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239045

 

[boulbox]

try this
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa CPU Cooler ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 EG 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.88 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.64 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $848.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 19:39 EST-0500)

 

[Emelth]

I think you can put a better GPU in there, and k-kid said no overclocking and no crossfirex/sli so i think you can ditch that CPU and MoBo and get a better GPU, what do you think?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($304.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($117.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $969.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 19:34 EST-0500)

Look at the price of your CPU compared to mine and I stated if he had a microcenter close to him in NY this would be a better build, SLI look at the PSU I gave him a 400W wont be able to handle 2 of them. Look at OPs post again it says NO SLI, but you add a 750W PSU! hahaha

 

[bigcyco1]

Hi! My friend wants to build a gaming computer, since he currently does not have one.


Approximate Purchase Date: One month

Budget: His budget cannot exceed $940

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing the web, school

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com

Location: Arkansas, United States

Parts Preferences: He would like an Intel CPU

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050



Here are the parts he chose for the build.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53570

Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-V LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996995

Storage: Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

Price(Before rebates): $930.60

Additional Comments:
-This will be his first computer that he will be building; however, I will walk him through the process since I have previously built a computer before.
-He wants to be able to play Battlefield 3, as well as LoL, on this computer.
-Generally, he says that he doesn't mind not having the best graphics card, as long as he is able to play many games on medium to high at a good frame rate.

Tell me what you guys think.

It looks good but the ram is a bit over priced and you could get by with a good 550W psu.

 

[realchaos]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500 AT Ball Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $850.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-17 19:54 EST-0500)

This is a nice solid build with a modular psu for easy cabling. Only thing is that it doesn't have a ssd, but you should be fine without one.

 

[SamTheTruth]

Look at the price of your CPU compared to mine and I stated if he had a microcenter close to him in NY this would be a better build, SLI look at the PSU I gave him a 400W wont be able to handle 2 of them. Look at OPs post again it says NO SLI, but you add a 750W PSU! hahaha

Uh well that PSU was a fail. Tho the CPU i listed is cheaper on microcenter, i just listed everything as newegg because he said he preffered newegg.

 

[k-kid]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I have a question though; since my friend is deathly afraid of overclocking his CPU(I tried to convince him, but he is dead set on not overclocking), could he technically get away with not buying a aftermarket CPU cooler? Or is this absolutely a must?

 

[marqol]

Figured I'd chime in:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Echj
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Echj/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Echj/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 ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.69 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $895.14


Edit:
In relation to your friends mind on OCing, I'd say even if he isn't going to do it I'd buy both cooler and the i5-3570k anyway.
Even just to have the possibility for the future.

 

[bigcyco1]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I have a question though; since my friend is deathly afraid of overclocking his CPU(I tried to convince him, but he is dead set on not overclocking), could he technically get away with not buying a aftermarket CPU cooler? Or is this absolutely a must?

It's only a must for overclocking he will be fine with the stock cooler for a non overclocking cpu

 

[djangoringo]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I have a question though; since my friend is deathly afraid of overclocking his CPU(I tried to convince him, but he is dead set on not overclocking), could he technically get away with not buying a aftermarket CPU cooler? Or is this absolutely a must?

You don't need an aftermarket cooler if he doesn't want to overclock, the stock cooler is fine, just get a cheap i5 and a 7870 will do for that resolution.

 

[bigcyco1]

You don't need an aftermarket cooler if he doesn't want to overclock, the stock cooler is fine, just get a cheap i5 and a 7870 will do for that resolution.

+1

 

[realchaos]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I have a question though; since my friend is deathly afraid of overclocking his CPU(I tried to convince him, but he is dead set on not overclocking), could he technically get away with not buying a aftermarket CPU cooler? Or is this absolutely a must?

He doesn't need an aftermarket cooler but its suggested. The stock cooler isn't that reliable but you can get by with it. An aftermarket cooler is just more reliable on actually working.

 

[k-kid]

Alright, I took a look at all of the suggestions you posted, and after contacting my friend on proposed changes, this is the new build he agreed on.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53470

Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory: G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAO

Storage: Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Optical Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner


Price(Before rebates): $874.57

How does this look now? Is there anything that could be changed?

 

[bigcyco1]

Alright, I took a look at all of the suggestions you posted, and after contacting my friend on proposed changes, this is the new build he agreed on.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53470

Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory: G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAO

Storage: Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Optical Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner


Price(Before rebates): $874.57

How does this look now? Is there anything that could be changed?

ooks fine.

 

[realchaos]

Everything looks fine but I still believe you should get a 7870 XT for about the same price of your gigabyte. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202024&Tpk=sapphire%20xt
It will perform much better

 

[bigcyco1]

Everything looks fine but I still believe you should get a 7870 XT for about the same price of your gigabyte. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202024&Tpk=sapphire%20xt
It will perform much better

+1 that's a good point.

 

[djangoringo]

Yes, the 7870 tahiti le is a better choice, though, you can get the 7870 tahiti le from powercolor for 208.8$ after promo code, it's cheaper than most standard 7870 or even the 660 gtx, it's out of stock for now, but it will be back soon.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/tahiti-le-7870-7930-benchmark,3401-7.html

You can get cheaper ram like for 11$ less, the Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB is as good as the ares.
Review : http://www.pureoverclock.com/Review-detail/crucial-ballistix-sport-series-8gb-kit-4gbx2-ddr3-pc3-12800-1600mhz/11/
If you don't need the on die gpu of the i5-3470, get the i5-3350p, it's cheaper and has a lower power consumption without the igpu, it's as good as the other one.

 

[boulbox]

I would rather have the 3470 because it gives you another option to troubleshoot if he would so need