New gaming/work computer around 1000 EUR (~1200 USD)

[okturne]

Hi!
I'm going to build a new computer for gaming and work and I'd like your opinions about the parts I've chosen. I'm probably going to purchase the parts from German dealer called Mindfactory.de (https://www.mindfactory.de/). I converted all the prices from the parts I've chosen to USD as well.

Approximate Purchase Date: around this or next month
Budget Range: approximately 1000 EUR, so that is around 1200 USD
System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, web surfing, watching movies and so on.
Are you buying a monitor: No
Parts to Upgrade: CPU, GPU, MB, RAM, HDD, PSU (so the system unit basically)
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: https://www.mindfactory.de/
Location: Anywhere in Europe.
Parts Preferences: Preferably an Intel CPU.
Overclocking: Possibly yes.
SLI or Crossfire: No, at least not now.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: I need performance, but also with as little noise as possible.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I don't actually even have desktop computer right now, so that's why. My laptop doesn't run games quite well...

So I have read some stuff around the internet trying to catch what's the stuff with the greatest value, and here's what I've come up with so far. So the idea is to build quite powerful PC around 1200 USD that doesn't make a lot of noise.

CPU:
Intel Core i5 3570K (213 EUR; 278 USD)

Cooler:
Thermalright HR-02 Macho Rev.A (36 EUR; 47 USD)

GPU:
3072MB Asus Radeon HD 7950 DirectCuII TOP (310 EUR; 405 USD)

MB:
ASRock Z77 Extreme6 (135 EUR; 176 USD)

RAM:
8GB G.Skill Ares DDR3-1600 DIMM CL9 Dual Kit (46 EUR; 60 USD)

PSU:
650 Watt Corsair TX Modular (86 EUR; 112 USD)

SSD:
120GB Samsung 840 Basic Series (82 EUR; 107 USD)

HDD:
1000GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST1000DM003 64MB (61 EUR; 80 USD)

So the total of this would be 975 EUR (1273 USD).
I would like to have opinions if you think that something is overly expensive in this build or if there would be some better components to use instead of these. I would also appreciate some suggestions about what case I should use. Currently I have thought of using Fractal Design Define XL R2 (http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=111), because I have read that it's well designed and insulated against noise. The case raises the total over 1000 EUR, but it doesn't matter so much.

All opinions are very much appreciated

 

[Solf]

Good choices but too expensive.

I am not familiar with that particular Thermalright CPU cooler, but their Silver Arrow is great. I chose the Noctua fan for their silence.
The 7950 TOP is a good card, but at the price it's better to just get a 7970 GE.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.06 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.49 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($422.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($86.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1253.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 04:09 EST-0500)

 

[burritobob]

I would like to start of with: This build is going to be rather hard for me to put in terms of were you can buy it. Sadly the Newegg deals do not apply so there's no point at which there will be newegg parts. I tried my best to find something that is european based and would use euros but my best attempt was found in the UK. I do not know if these will ship to the rest of europe but with currency conversion and a little luck they just might. Please keep in mind unless someone finds 1 site to get all these from that is europe based that is just about the only time it will be accurate.

Also with this build according to my currency exchange rate: 1000 eur = 861.89 pounds, it's just .05 punds under budget...

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£161.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.99 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£101.98 @ Dabs)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£41.86 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£69.99 @ Dabs)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£75.99 @ Dabs)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (£259.99 @ Dabs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case (£70.07 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply (£54.98 @ Novatech)
Total: £861.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[okturne]

Thank you very much for all your opinions! I took advice from them and changed my configuration a bit, now it totals at 1004 EUR which is near enough of my budget.

Changes I made and why I made them:
- Memory to 8GB G.Skill Ares DDR3-2133 DIMM CL11 Dual Kit, it was recommended by Noob12 and it's not actually that much more expensive than DDR3-1600 at Mindfactory.
- PSU to 650 Watt Super Flower SF-650P-14P Black Edition Modular 80+, Noob12 recommended the 700 W Super Flower, but I don't think I will need 700 W, but it brought Super Flower my attention and this is quite much cheaper than Corsair. Do I need 700 W? I like modular PSUs.
- The biggest change is the GPU, I think with these changes I'm able to purchase 3072MB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Overclocked Edition. I'm still a bit concerned about it's noise levels? I looked through some reviews and I think it should be quite silent, what do you think?

Things I didn't change, at least for now, and why:
- MB: I think Asus-P8Z77-V is too expensive for me and I've heard that ASRock Z77 Extreme4 is not built as good parts as Extreme6, and that it also is some weird form factor so it doesn't sit on all MB supports.
- CPU Cooler: Thermalright HR-02 Macho Rev.A has had some good reviews and it should be very quiet.
- SSD: Is Samsung 840 PRO really worth the money? It costs quite a lot more than Basic Series.

So the build is currently as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K 4x 3.40GHz So.1155 BOX
CPU Cooler: Thermalright HR-02 Macho Rev.A (BW)
MB: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 Intel Z77 So.1155 Dual Channel DDR3 ATX Retail
RAM: 8GB G.Skill Ares DDR3-2133 DIMM CL11 Dual Kit
SSD: 120GB Samsung 840 Basic Series 2.5" (6.4cm) SATA 6Gb/s TLC Toggle (MZ-7TD120BW)
HDD: 1000GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST1000DM003 64MB 3.5" (8.9cm) SATA 6Gb/s
GPU: 3072MB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Overclocked Edition Aktiv PCIe 3.0 x16 (Full Retail)
PSU: 650 Watt Super Flower SF-650P-14P Black Edition Modular 80+

So it totals at 1004 EUR, which is about 1300 USD and I think it goes into my budget still. Any opinions about it?

 

[burritobob]

Thank you very much for all your opinions! I took advice from them and changed my configuration a bit, now it totals at 1004 EUR which is near enough of my budget.

Changes I made and why I made them:
- Memory to 8GB G.Skill Ares DDR3-2133 DIMM CL11 Dual Kit, it was recommended by Noob12 and it's not actually that much more expensive than DDR3-1600 at Mindfactory.
- PSU to 650 Watt Super Flower SF-650P-14P Black Edition Modular 80+, Noob12 recommended the 700 W Super Flower, but I don't think I will need 700 W, but it brought Super Flower my attention and this is quite much cheaper than Corsair. Do I need 700 W? I like modular PSUs.
- The biggest change is the GPU, I think with these changes I'm able to purchase 3072MB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Overclocked Edition. I'm still a bit concerned about it's noise levels? I looked through some reviews and I think it should be quite silent, what do you think?

Things I didn't change, at least for now, and why:
- MB: I think Asus-P8Z77-V is too expensive for me and I've heard that ASRock Z77 Extreme4 is not built as good parts as Extreme6, and that it also is some weird form factor so it doesn't sit on all MB supports.
- CPU Cooler: Thermalright HR-02 Macho Rev.A has had some good reviews and it should be very quiet.
- SSD: Is Samsung 840 PRO really worth the money? It costs quite a lot more than Basic Series.

So the build is currently as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K 4x 3.40GHz So.1155 BOX
CPU Cooler: Thermalright HR-02 Macho Rev.A (BW)
MB: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 Intel Z77 So.1155 Dual Channel DDR3 ATX Retail
RAM: 8GB G.Skill Ares DDR3-2133 DIMM CL11 Dual Kit
SSD: 120GB Samsung 840 Basic Series 2.5" (6.4cm) SATA 6Gb/s TLC Toggle (MZ-7TD120BW)
HDD: 1000GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST1000DM003 64MB 3.5" (8.9cm) SATA 6Gb/s
GPU: 3072MB Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Overclocked Edition Aktiv PCIe 3.0 x16 (Full Retail)
PSU: 650 Watt Super Flower SF-650P-14P Black Edition Modular 80+

So it totals at 1004 EUR, which is about 1300 USD and I think it goes into my budget still. Any opinions about it?

A couple problems, do not go with the sapphire card, read reviews on it ~50% of them will be lemons find a different brand to work with.

2nd, the 2133mhz memory actually voids the intel warranty, anything above 1600mhz will void it.

3rd Stick to the extreme4 motherboard unless you need X or Y feature the extreme4 comes fully equipped it will save you some dough.

Finally you should look into an Antec, sea sonic, or corsair PSU anything else and you run the risk of frying your system from low quality psu parts or not having a very long lifetime. If you want to stick to that PSU you should look into reviews to make sure that isn't simply a polished piece of junk.

 

[okturne]

A couple problems, do not go with the sapphire card, read reviews on it ~50% of them will be lemons find a different brand to work with.

2nd, the 2133mhz memory actually voids the intel warranty, anything above 1600mhz will void it.

3rd Stick to the extreme4 motherboard unless you need X or Y feature the extreme4 comes fully equipped it will save you some dough.

Finally you should look into an Antec, sea sonic, or corsair PSU anything else and you run the risk of frying your system from low quality psu parts or not having a very long lifetime. If you want to stick to that PSU you should look into reviews to make sure that isn't simply a polished piece of junk.

Okay, so I changed Extreme6 to Extreme4 and as I don't want any void warranty I also changed back to 1600 MHz RAM. As the change of MB gives me a little more money I could afford 3072MB Asus Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP which should be high quality and probably even more silent than Sapphire? I don't really have knowledge of Super Flower's PSUs, so I think I'll stick to for example 600 Watt Corsair CX Series Modular 80+ Bronze. At least I've never had any problem with Corsair's PSUs.

So the current specs would be:
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K 4x 3.40GHz So.1155 BOX
CPU Cooler: Thermalright HR-02 Macho Rev.A (BW)
MB: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Intel Z77 So.1155 Dual Channel DDR3 ATX Retail
RAM: 8GB G.Skill Ares DDR3-1600 DIMM CL9 Dual Kit
SSD: 120GB Samsung 840 Basic Series 2.5" (6.4cm) SATA 6Gb/s TLC Toggle (MZ-7TD120BW)
HDD: 1000GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST1000DM003 64MB 3.5" (8.9cm) SATA 6Gb/s
GPU: 3072MB Asus Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II T Aktiv PCIe 3.0 x16 (Retail)
PSU: 600 Watt Corsair CX Series Modular 80+ Bronze

So, what about that? I think 600 W PSU is enough, is it?

 

[Solf]

A 600w PSU is enough, and Super Flowers are quite reliable. They make PC Power & Cooling Silencer series along with Seasonic.

Though, I personally prefer at least 80+ Bronze.