Question about when to build

[uncleezno]

Hi all,

About five years ago I was able to get some great advice from forum members here and I built my first PC. It ran on a Q6600 and four whole gigs of RAM, and most indulgently (for me at the time), a 8800 GT 512 MB card. I overclocked it a little bit, and for nearly five years, it was a great little box that got the job done. Never had to replace anything, just occasionally clean the fans and such.

The case got a bit jostled during a recent move, however, and the CPU fan only worked with much cable jiggling because one of the four wires became loose. The particular aftermarket cooler I was using wasn't performing as well as it could, also, and I was planning on building a new computer next year anyhow, so instead of just replacing the fan I also pulled the cooler and ordered a new one.

It arrived yesterday, and I carefully unhooked everything on the motherboard, unscrewed the board from the case standoffs, and removed the old cooler. I then carefully cleaned the processor with rubbing alcohol, attached the new cooling unit, and put everything back in the case as carefully as I could. But it wouldn't POST.

I read through all the guides and tried them all - even with nothing but the CPU and a single stick of RAM (which was working earlier in the day), the computer will only turn on for a split second and then reboot. No BIOS beeps, no nothing. I know I didn't bend the pins on the board, because I spent an hour with a jeweler's loupe looking at each of them individually. So I'm thinking the actual CPU/motherboard is what's busted, and although I didn't want to build a new PC just yet, I think it's the most cost effective option.

My question: I'll be using my credit card points to buy all the parts through Amazon. I know it will cost me a few more dollars than Newegg/whoever's cheapest, but it actually won't, because points, yup. Should I just buy my Z77 mobo/ 3570k processor/ 1600mhz RAM/ HD7870 card now, or wait till later in the month? I am not familiar with how Amazon prices components for Black Friday, and I can keep using my netbook for a few weeks if it'll save me some money.

Thanks!

[VirtualLarry]

Do you have a Microcenter store nearby? They often run combo deals for Z77 mobos and IB quad-core CPUs, and with those combo deals, they are usually cheaper than Amazon or Newegg.

[uncleezno]

It's a good suggestion, and I did live close to a Microcenter...until the move that ended up breaking the PC. Also, I have a credit card that all my business expenses go to, and I can use the points on it to get the first $500 of Amazon purchases for free.

[dmoney1980]

Originally Posted by uncleezno

It's a good suggestion, and I did live close to a Microcenter...until the move that ended up breaking the PC. Also, I have a credit card that all my business expenses go to, and I can use the points on it to get the first $500 of Amazon purchases for free.

wow, sounds like amazon is the way to go then! Can you answer the questions below so we can get a better understanding of what you intend on using the pc for? Also, which replacement cooler did you purchase? Maybe you can reuse it on this pc

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

*

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

8. What resolution will you be using?

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

*

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

[uncleezno]

I plan on using the system for gaming, but I don't need ultra-high resolutions. I've got a monitor, a case, a PSU, a DVD drive, an HDD, an SSD, and a new heatsink/fan combo. I think all I need are a new mobo, processor, RAM, and vid card.

I'm not a fanboy, but my own research suggests that if I want this computer to do what the old one did - let me game for five years without upgrades - then this is what I should get:

Intel 3570K
Radeon HD 7870
some 1600mhz RAM
and a mid-range Z77 board like the ASrock Pro 4.

I'm looking to spend no more than $700 on those four components, and ideally less.

I will overclock a bit, but nothing extreme. I consider it future-proofing to help make the system gaming viable for five years. The aftermarket cooler I just bought (Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus) should be up to the task.

I also don't need any software, I've got a Win7 Pro license.

I'm from the US.

[dmoney1980]

If you plan to OC a bit:
CPU- i5 3570k - $220 http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5-...ywords=core+i5

Board - ASrock z77 pro4 $110 http://www.amazon.com/LGA1155-Z77-Cr...srock+z77+pro4


RAM - Samsung 8gb ddr3 $29 http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electr...sung+ddr3+1600

GPU - Gigabyte 7950 3gb $299 http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Mini-...words=7950+3gb

Total $658 - the 7950 will last you a bit longer than the 7870. It's a faster GPU, you can overclock it a bit to increase performance, and has 3GB vRAM.

Mind telling us what PSU and case you plan on reusing?

If you dont have any plans to OC the CPU, you can save a little by getting the h77 chipset motherboard and save a few bucks - http://www.amazon.com/PRO4-M-LGA1155...77+motherboard

and pair it with this CPU http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-3450-...-3&keywords=i5

[SithSolo1]

Also what resolution is the monitor and will the new heatsink you got work on a socket 1155 board?

[uncleezno]

PSU is an Antec 500w, which I thought was enough for an HD7870, but I'm not sure about the bigger card.

I was only planning a moderate overclock, so I'll check the prices differences for an H-mobo instead.

[Insert_Nickname]

Originally Posted by uncleezno

I was only planning a moderate overclock, so I'll check the prices differences for an H-mobo instead.

How much is "moderate"...?

If you want to save a little, get the Z77 board and a i5-3470. The Z77 will allow you to overclock the 3470 by 4 bins. That's 3.6GHz and with turbo 4GHz, the Intel stock cooler should be able to handle that. So no need for an after-market cooler...

[uncleezno]

New heatsink is compatible with h77/z77 mobos, so I can keep it, thankfully.

Monitor is a 22" 1680x1050 Acer, and I don't think I'll be replacing it anytime soon. So gaming will be at this resolution. If I'm keeping this for five years? Probably get a new monitor at some point and game at 1920x1080.

[dmoney1980]

a 500W psu is plenty for the Radeon 7950, see below

[uncleezno]

Awesome, one more piece I can keep. Thanks!

As for the overclock, I wasn't planning on pushing it to more than 4ghz. So I will seriously consider the slower processor combined with a solid Z77 mobo.

[dmoney1980]

if you're spending this kind of money on a cpu / gpu, I would recommend you upgrade that monitor soon to 1080p or higher. Other than that, I think your'e set with the parts listed above

[lehtv]

7950 will consume lots more power with power limit +20 and overclocked. Expect around 400W at the wall. But it's still fine

[mfenn]

Originally Posted by dmoney1980

If you plan to OC a bit:
CPU- i5 3570k - $220 http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5-...ywords=core+i5

Board - ASrock z77 pro4 $110 http://www.amazon.com/LGA1155-Z77-Cr...srock+z77+pro4


RAM - Samsung 8gb ddr3 $29 http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electr...sung+ddr3+1600

GPU - Gigabyte 7950 3gb $299 http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Mini-...words=7950+3gb

Total $658 - the 7950 will last you a bit longer than the 7870. It's a faster GPU, you can overclock it a bit to increase performance, and has 3GB vRAM.

Quality set of parts there.

[dmoney1980]

Originally Posted by mfenn

Quality set of parts there.

thanks mfenn! I've learned a lot by studying what you and lehtv recommend!

[lehtv]

The RAM is $40 though, making the total cost $669. But still a good grab. That same RAM costs over 60 euros where I live, while a decent Corsair/G.Skill/Kingston 1600 kit is just 45e.

[uncleezno]

Thank you guys for the helpful suggestions. One more question - if I'm looking to cut the price of the build a bit, and knowing that I will be gaming on this for years to come, should I look to downgrade the processor or the GPU?

I have a feeling that the gpu ends up being more important for gaming, and the $60 premium on a 7950 vs a 7870 should come out of the processor. Thoughts?

[lehtv]

You could get a $15 cheaper Z77 board: Asrock Z77 Pro3 $95

There are more savings to be had if you give up overclocking altogether (also, overclocking require the additional cost of an aftermarket cooler), but you shouldn't go below i5.

i5-3550 $195 AP
Asrock H77M $70
Total savings $65

[dmoney1980]

nice catch lehtv, Amazon bumped up the RAM by $10. OP, if you're looking to cut costs a bit and not worried about overclocking much, grab the cpu / mobo lehtv posted above. I would not downgrade the video card if I were you since you're planing to keep this for a while

[mfenn]

Originally Posted by dmoney1980

nice catch lehtv, Amazon bumped up the RAM by $10. OP, if you're looking to cut costs a bit and not worried about overclocking much, grab the cpu / mobo lehtv posted above. I would not downgrade the video card if I were you since you're planing to keep this for a while

Amazon pricing is volatile as all hell. The Pro3 is sold out from Amazon proper and now only available from a 3rd party who wants $135.

[dmoney1980]

Originally Posted by mfenn

Amazon pricing is volatile as all hell. The Pro3 is sold out from Amazon proper and now only available from a 3rd party who wants $135.

Interesting...I've never noticed because I never purchased computer hardware from amazon