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$800 Budget for new build, any advice?

X

xxthe_remedyxx

Member
Hi all -

I'm looking to build a new machine based around an Intel 3770k and Nvidia 660TI (EVGA). I already have an HDD, monitor, and PSU (Corsair HX750). Looking for advice on other components, mainly motherboard and RAM... I'm thinking to build inside a Fractal Design Arc Midi...

What motherboard would you recommend?
What RAM would you recommend?
What CPU cooler (air) would you recommend?

Thank you in advance for any advice.



PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. - Light to medium gaming and schoolwork.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread - $800

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

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc. - No preference, looking for quality.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. - HDD WD Blue 500GB, Corsair HX750PSU, Monitor Samsung 1920X1080P.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. - Light OC'ing.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using? - 1920X1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? - ASAP.
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? - Windows 8 Pro.
 
I am on my phone right now, but for the moment I can tell you to back down to the i5-3570k. There is no reason to spend 41% of your budget on the CPU.
 
I'd go with something like this:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Intel DZ77SL50K ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($100.29 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($270.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($78.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $812.24
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-12 16:20 EDT-0400)

By stepping down to a slightly cheaper case, you open up the possibility of a strong graphics card, which is the most important part for a gaming system. You can leave the i5-3570K at stock speeds, and it shouldn't impact your gaming or general computer usage at all; however, the stock cooler is capable of some very light overclocking without too much issue (and by very light, I mean to 3.6-3.7GHz).

There's no real reason to go with Win8 Pro over Win8 standard; if you can name an actual feature that you NEED (rather than think might be interesting) then you could get it. If Windows needs to be in the budget, you can step down to a GTX 660 ($175 after rebate, even less if you sell the game, Metro: Last Light, that comes with it) or drop the solid state drive.
 
Last edited:
Sleepingforest said:
I'd go with something like this:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Intel DZ77SL50K ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($100.29 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($270.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($78.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $812.24
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-12 16:20 EDT-0400)

By stepping down to a slightly cheaper case, you open up the possibility of a strong graphics card, which is the most important part for a gaming system. You can leave the i5-3570K at stock speeds, and it shouldn't impact your gaming or general computer usage at all; however, the stock cooler is capable of some very light overclocking without too much issue (and by very light, I mean to 3.6-3.7GHz).

There's no real reason to go with Win8 Pro over Win8 standard; if you can name an actual feature that you NEED (rather than think might be interesting) then you could get it. If Windows needs to be in the budget, you can step down to a GTX 660 ($175 after rebate, even less if you sell the game, Metro: Last Light, that comes with it) or drop the solid state drive.
Click to expand...

I agree with you for the most part, if OP does need an OS it really comes down to how much gaming OP wants to do and at what graphics quality. If he wants to get best gaming bang for buck, drop the SSD. If he wants a snappier feeling but less powerful graphics, drop it down to the gtx 660 and keep the SSD.

OP, I personally recommend the 660 + SSD as it will speed up office, PDFs, web browsing, and other desktop uses outside of gaming.
 
Sleepingforest said:
I'd go with something like this:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Intel DZ77SL50K ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($100.29 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($270.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($78.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $812.24
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-12 16:20 EDT-0400)

By stepping down to a slightly cheaper case, you open up the possibility of a strong graphics card, which is the most important part for a gaming system. You can leave the i5-3570K at stock speeds, and it shouldn't impact your gaming or general computer usage at all; however, the stock cooler is capable of some very light overclocking without too much issue (and by very light, I mean to 3.6-3.7GHz).

There's no real reason to go with Win8 Pro over Win8 standard; if you can name an actual feature that you NEED (rather than think might be interesting) then you could get it. If Windows needs to be in the budget, you can step down to a GTX 660 ($175 after rebate, even less if you sell the game, Metro: Last Light, that comes with it) or drop the solid state drive.
Click to expand...

Sweet!

Looks like my local MicroCenter has the CPU and MOBO for a lot cheaper:

CPU -

http://www.microcenter.com/product/388577/Core_i5_3570K_34GHz_LGA_1155_Processor

MOBO -

http://www.microcenter.com/product/397782/DZ77SL-50K_LGA_1155_ATX_Desktop_Motherboard

RAM -

http://www.microcenter.com/product/397782/DZ77SL-50K_LGA_1155_ATX_Desktop_Motherboard
 
A LOCAL MICROCENTER CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!

Go for the i5-3570K/Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H combo, and then grab a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo online as well with the savings (buying it in-store is less effective due to taxes).
 
I'd spend the extra few bucks to get a Fractal R4 over an Arc Midi. It has better silencing features and is much better for the extra $5-10.
 
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