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GrizzlyZ

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May 27, 2013
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I wouldn't go as far to say money isn't an issue I probably wouldn't spend over 1500 but I am trying to build a system from the ground up, it's my first time and I want something that will be as close to top of the line for my price. I am not new to computers entirely but I can't decide between AMD and Intel. And if I went intel i5 or i7?
 
X79

X79

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Apr 17, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3330 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS229H-P 21.5" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm Quick Fire Pro Wired Gaming Keyboard ($78.50 @ Newegg)
Mouse: V7 M30P10-7N Wired Optical Mouse ($4.29 @ Amazon)
Total: $1034.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-27 04:44 EDT-0400)

Check this. It's a complete set.


Or for the more luxury minded which your budget allows:


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling UCACO-AP11301-BUA01 Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($9.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: SilenX EFX-12-12 44.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($7.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.54 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-201 Wired Standard Keyboard ($5.99 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Microsoft SideWinder X5 Wired Laser Mouse ($16.98 @ PCM)
Total: $1374.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-27 04:46 EDT-0400)
 
SmartGeek

SmartGeek

Honorable
Jun 3, 2012
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Hi GrizzlyZ,

With a budget of $1500, I would recommend you to get what X79 has recommended in his ~$1300 build with these modifications---

Processor---AMD FX 8320---$175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285
Motherboard---ASRock 970 EXTREME4---$100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262
Graphics Card---Sapphire HD 7950 3GB---$280 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202030

I have done these modifications because you want to build a Gaming-PC, so the main focus should be towards Graphics Card. This build will run every game maxed out @1080p.

Regards,
SmartGeek
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
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10,510

First off thanks a lot of the feedback,
So you don't necessarily need two video cards? I keep seeing best builds have two or a two in one GPU?
And you think AMD is better for my price range for a gaming PC? All I keep seeing is i5 this, or i7 that.
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
0
10,510


I really appreciate how in depth you've made it, basically idiot proof, I might change a few things based of preferences but my main concern was what kind of CPU and GPU I should get. Any suggestions on how much I would have to spend more if I wanted two displays?

 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
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10,510


The video card could support two things going at once, say skype and a game or tv and surfing?
 
X79

X79

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Apr 17, 2013
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It has:

DVI-D Dual-Link 1
DVI-I Dual-Link 1
DisplayPort 1
HDMI 1

So there's a nice amount of connectivity.

Now I'm not sure... But if the two screens use the DVI connections and the TV

uses the HDMI, then it could maybe work. Don't take my word for it. It requires a

lot from the GPU to run multiple-high-resolution monitors. Having skype, a game and

webpages running wouldn't be a problem on two monitors at least, I believe.
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
0
10,510


If I were to bump my price to 2000 would I have a lot more options? The only thing I really care about is dual monitors and gaming, I would like high to ultra but I am not like 24/7 hardcore gamer I also like to play around with photo and video editing, plus surfing. Would 2000 pay for it all?

 
SmartGeek

SmartGeek

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Jun 3, 2012
105
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First off thanks a lot of the feedback,
So you don't necessarily need two video cards? I keep seeing best builds have two or a two in one GPU?
And you think AMD is better for my price range for a gaming PC? All I keep seeing is i5 this, or i7 that.
Click to expand...

If you plan on gaming on a single screen and with resolutions less than or equal to 1080p, then a single powerful GPU can pull it off. It would be better if you get two AMD GPUs but that will add to the cost a lot plus you have to buy a PSU which can deliver at least 600w.

Yes, I think AMD is better for you because even though Core i5s are better than AMD FX 83xx processors in gaming but the difference is not noticeable as a FX processor can deliver 60+FPS in all games unlike Core i5s which can deliver 70+ FPS. Further, anything above 60 FPS is not suitable for playing games. In tasks other than gaming a FX 83xx processor performs equal or better than Core i5s because of its 8 cores. Above all, AMD FX 83xx processors are cheaper too. So, they make a more balanced deal.

A GPU plays more important role in games than a CPU so, I recommend you to buy 8GB of RAM instead of 32GB and buy that AMD HD 7950 XT as X79 said. I missed that RAM thing in his build. :D

Regards,
SmartGeek
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
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10,510

If I want to game on my monitor and watch movies or tv on my tv what should I go with, and my price range is around 1500-2000
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
0
10,510
If I want a great gaming computer, but I also play around with video and photo editing, and surf. I really want the capability of dual monitors, One monitor and my tv for movies and gaming or skype and surfing things of that nature. I know I should off added this in at first. So with a price range of 1500-2000 what should I go with?

 
X79

X79

Honorable
Apr 17, 2013
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13,460
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Formula EATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($272.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($115.06 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX Titan 6GB Video Card ($999.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Trigger Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.25 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2594.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-27 10:55 EDT-0400)

Ta-da!!

Okay so it's 500$ over your budget, but it'll run ANY game and superb quality!

It's a complete set. Due to the motherboard being great and the case being a cool

Full tower case, it's also upgradeable! Sure there's some short cuts, like the 500GB HDD.

But you can upgrade that later, as I guess you won't fill it up instantly anyway. Plus there's an

SSD in there too! and you get your dual monitors. That monitor will display colors beautifully and

it'll do just fine for gaming. Sure you can get better, but it's pretty sweet for right now. Add in a mechanical

keyboard of questionable quality and a great gaming mouse and you're good to go! Even though mouse and

keyboards are more personal preference.
 
SmartGeek

SmartGeek

Honorable
Jun 3, 2012
105
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10,710


This is too luxurious X79 :ouch:
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
0
10,510


Awesome, I could cut the price in the some things, such as the monitors, I have a tv that I could use as my second, it's so hard to just dive right in, haha I just keep seeing all these builds, and the Titan is top of the line correct? Would a XFX Double D FX797ATDJC Radeon HD 7970 work for dual monitors? It's about half the price on Newegg.
 
X79

X79

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Apr 17, 2013
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13,460
I can't take responsibility for collateral damage! Haha

He wanted a gaming and editing rig and I gave him one.

His GPU will destroy all games at 1920 x 1080p hahaha.

And Photoshop will bow to its master, while video encoding will get thrown around the proverbial room.
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
0
10,510


Hahahaha, well said. I am just really impulsive, yet can't make decisions. Makes for a mind trap I need to get over, I want to buy pieces but I can't decide whice. The struggle is real lol.
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
0
10,510
But like I said would a XFX Double D FX797ATDJC Radeon HD 7970 do the job for high end gaming and dual monitors?
 
X79

X79

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Apr 17, 2013
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Should definitely.


Just like a Titan would !

Pff, the Titan would piss on a game on high settings with 2560 x 1440.
 
trogdor796

trogdor796

Distinguished
Nov 26, 2009
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19,160
Why are you suggesting Titan? It's really not a good buy.

OP - it's my understanding that you only want to game on one monitor/screen, and do multitasking(skype, etc) on the second, correct?

If so, you don't need a $1000 GPU. The GTX 780 just came out, and it's only about 15% slower than Titan, yet it costs $650. I wouldn't even spend that much though for gaming at 1080p on a single screen. Get a 7970 for $400-$450. I don't know which ones are best, but someone else can suggest some models. Even a 7950 would do, but with a budget of $1500-$2000, there's no need to only get a 7950.

I'd go with a 3570k and a cooler so you can OC, like the Hyper 212+. If you are really into like video editing and stuff like that then the 3770k may be worth it, but for gaming alone it's no better that th 3570k. Intel's Haswell Processors come out soon, you might want to wait and see what those bring.
 
SmartGeek

SmartGeek

Honorable
Jun 3, 2012
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10,710
Hahahaha, well said. I am just really impulsive, yet can't make decisions. Makes for a mind trap I need to get over, I want to buy pieces but I can't decide whice. The struggle is real lol.
Click to expand...

On second thought, I advice you to wait for new Intel Haswell processors. They are coming out in June with a promise of better performance and great efficiency.

If you will game on a single screen with apps on the other one, then yes, a single AMD HD 7970 or Nvidia GTX 680 will be perfect for you. That GTX TiTAN will be overkill for your needs. You can spend the money saved here on buying the K model of i7-3770 so that you can overclock it for an extra performance boost.

Regards,
SmartGeek
 
G

GrizzlyZ

Honorable
May 27, 2013
12
0
10,510
Alright well at the moment I am deployed and I am looking to build this towards november. So I guess I will wait until like Sept-October time frame to see whats out
 
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