$1200 Build. Finally saved up. Need advice. TY

rezwan739

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After a day of Sick call to work i have finally decided to Upgrade from my laptop gaming to a real desktop gaming. I have a tight budget of $1200. After 24h of research i have decided to Go for an AMD built (As its cheaper). This built is based on Zared619's "Red Storm" in the AMD budget gaming. Here it is:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($133.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($111.98 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.98 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Lite-On SK-1788/BS Wired Standard Keyboard ($12.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1177.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 01:48 EST-0500)

Please Suggest me any way possibly I can get a bang for the buck, Or any other Built with an equivalent performance as the ATI 7970 GPU. I am willing to move to Intel built if it has a higher potential. But the same budget.
 
Unless you're planning on crossfire, you don't need 750w psu. You could get a 550-600w. I never heard of the case but it looks REALLY nice. Good pick there. Only thing is that there's no front panel usb 3.0, but no real biggy. I hope you're planning on overclocking too. Otherwise, everything looks smooth.
 

TimeLass

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You can really go for Intel build you know...

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/G4VN
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/G4VN/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/G4VN/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($392.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Green 630W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS229H-P 21.5" Monitor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($16.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $1144.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 02:26 EST-0500)

if you're not going to overclock your system you can save even more...

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/G4YD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/G4YD/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/G4YD/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($392.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: FSP Group 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($118.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS229H-P 21.5" Monitor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($16.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $1093.33
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 02:31 EST-0500)

if you're not planning to CFX/SLI your system in the future take 500/600W of PSU and again save some money from that... also you will be able to reduce the cost of your electricity usage if you go for Intel because FX-8350 is a power eater...
 

rezwan739

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Feb 26, 2013
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Ty so much for your advice. The only pc i built in my life was in the early days of core2duo release. I have seen gaming rigs have evolved so much since then. Makes me feel like a newb.

The only reason i picked the 750w PSU because i am actually planning to get another HD7970 with in couple of months. But the reason i am worried about this built is the Processor. I have never used an AMD processor before. (Except the early AMD K6 CPU :p).

I actually blew up one of my earlier rig which was a pentium4/ ati 9600 built by overclocking. May be perhaps in the long run I might do it but for now I am actually trying my best to keep this beauty young for the next few years.
 

rezwan739

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Wow those 2 are amazing builds...

I wonder whats the difference between Gigabyte HD 7970 and Sapphire HD 7970 except the clock speed?
And is Xigmatek Cooler better than the Cooler master as the fan runs on a lower rpm?
 

rezwan739

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Yup except the Intel Core i5-3570K now costs $223.73 and rising...:(
 

rezwan739

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Yup except the Intel Core i5-3570K now costs $223.73 and rising...:(
 

TimeLass

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clock speed does not really matter TBH... is all about cooling performance and which brand you prefer...( there are people who are willing to spend more only for the colour of the PCB... they want to match the colours of both the MB and PCB...)both GPU above are very good and you can go for which ever you like...

/xigmatek_gaia_review]http://www.maximumpc.com/article/[primary-term]/xigmatek_gaia_review
 

rezwan739

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Hmm i understand. Even the monitor you suggested goes better with the Sapphire 7970 and has a hdmi input. I have decided if all seems well ill actually go for the 1st i5 built but can i change those rosewill case and power supply to Zalman z9 and the antec as i plan to add more to this pc in the future?
 

TimeLass

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rezwan739

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Thats cool. would you suggest it for one more HD 7970 for the future?

This is the built i am planning to upgrade to after few months with a cross fire. i wonder if the power supply here any good though it has good ratings for price and neon glow. and the rosewill will struggle if i add more fans or cooling system to the rig.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($392.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($392.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Raidmax 730W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($67.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS229H-P 21.5" Monitor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($16.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $1528.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 03:33 EST-0500)
 

TimeLass

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no don't get that PSU... get something like this
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu750txv2
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-capstone750
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fsp-group-power-supply-au750m
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-tp750
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ss750am
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu750hx

for CFX HD 7970 you should at least get 800+W...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-tx850m
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1850bnlg9
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-power-supply-st85fp
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-x850
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu850ax
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1850bbefx
 

rezwan739

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Feb 26, 2013
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Wow man those are some nice budget high power PSUs.

OK so this is my final built:-

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($392.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional Gold 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($163.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS229H-P 21.5" Monitor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($16.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $1231.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-28 00:49 EST-0500)

Please feel free to suggest any further recommendations.

Btw, i am new to PCpartsPicker.com. How do i get those parts from the cheapest sellers? I know they all have different prices but im still a newb at this. any suggestions or tutorial on what to do next? I am ready to order by this week.
 

TimeLass

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That's good...
errr... if there is a Micro Center near you you can go there for the CPU and MB bundle...
http://cart.microcenter.com/cart.aspx?RedirectUrl=http://www.microcenter.com
Click on the merchants such as newegg/amazon on the right of the items in your system build list and order online from the website...and then wait for delivery...(i'm sure you know how to order via the website e.g newegg...)