Build For Brother

[azeem40]

Hey THG. I have come back for some more opinions from this community! My bro wants to build a computer and I was wondering what I should select as far as parts.
Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

Budget Range: $800

Usage from Most to Least Important: Emulators (with the most demanding being the PCSX2 Emulator), making servers, general use

Parts Not Required: OS, KB, Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: microcenter, newegg, amazon, us ncix, superbiiz, ebay

Country: Frisco, TX, USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: Intel CPU

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 for now; going to be 1920x1080 soon

Additional Comments: Quiet, but efficient.

So far, here is what I have been suggested from another forums:
[quotemsg=2607672,2,309238]
This build down below doesn't over clock but after experiencing SB and seeing the benches on IB in regards to gaming and over clocking I don't see the benefit all that much. If the budget was bigger than ya np for adding the 3570K but with that budget I'm thinking that $$ could go towards a vid card.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0348766 $59.99
Antec High Current Gamer Series 520W ATX Power Supply | 80 PLUS Bronze and Active PFC

4GB of RAM works fine and $17 saved is $17 towards a vid card, case, etc... He can always add another set later on for a total of 8GB if he ever feels the need.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382074 $22.99
Crucial 4GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Desktop Memory Module Kit (Two 2GB Memory Modules)

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101 $39.99
Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382892 $15.99
Samsung 22X DVD±RW Burner with Dual Layer Support - OEM

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388579 $149.99
Intel Core i5 3450 3.1GHz LGA 1155 Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...me=Intel%20B75 <---- B75 board gives him PCI-E 3.0, front 3.0 USB header, etc...

http://www.asrock.com/mb/index.asp?s=1155 <----- Asrocks line up of B75 boards.[/quotemsg]

AND

So far, here it is:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13328589
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387627
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577

The 120mm fan stays because I want him to have a cool system, and what better way than a push-pull config.
What do you guys think? Thanks!

 

[lehtv]

Overclocking won't have immediate benefits to gaming (Edit: an overclocked 7850 could be bottlenecked in CPU heavy games), but it will delay the next time the CPU needs to be upgraded. Given how good the 3570K+Z77 deal is on microcenter I recommend going with that, but it's not necessary to buy an aftermarket cooler until later on.

The 120mm fan stays because I want him to have a cool system, and what better way than a push-pull config.

I highly recommend against this. Another fan for push-pull will result in only a degree or two of difference, definitely not worth the cost. If you want a better performing cooler, buy a better performing cooler, not an additional fan.

Mobo Asrock Z77 Extreme4 $90 combo'd with 3570K
CPU 3570K $190
RAM 8GB DDR3 $44
GPU Sapphire 7850 $260 --> overclock it
HDD Samsung/Seagate 1TB HD103SJ $80 after promo
DVD Burner $18
PSU XFX 650W $68 ($53 AR)
Case NZXT Tempest 210 $55 (HAF 912 lacks USB3.0)

= $805

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Overclocking won't have immediate benefits to gaming, but it will delay the next time the CPU needs to be upgraded. Given how good the 3570K+Z77 deal is on microcenter I recommend going with that, but it's not necessary to buy an aftermarket cooler until later on.



I highly recommend against this. Another fan for push-pull will result in only a degree or two of difference, definitely not worth the cost. If you want a better performing cooler, buy a better performing cooler, not an additional fan.

Mobo Asrock Z77 Extreme4 $90 combo'd with 3570K
CPU 3570K $190
RAM 8GB DDR3 $44
GPU Sapphire 7850 $260 --> overclock it
HDD Samsung/Seagate 1TB HD103SJ $80 after promo
DVD Burner $18
PSUhttp://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=63238&vpn=P1450SX2B9&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1114 XFX 650W $68 ($53 AR)
Case NZXT Tempest 210 $55 (HAF 912 lacks USB3.0)

= $805

Nice

 

[azeem40]

From what I have seen and heard, it is more than just a few degrees difference. Also, why did you recommend a board that CFs when he wont even be adding another card?

Also, I suck at OCing GPUs. I currently have a 7950 and IDK how to even make it at a stable OC.

 

[dmoney1980]

the z77 extreme 4 that lehtv recommended is a no brainer for $90 at Micro Center, you'll pay more for lesser boards elsewhere.

OC'ing a 7850 is super easy. You just need to open up ATI Control Center, go to gaming, enable OC, and move a slider.....thats it!

The rig lehtv suggested above is perfect, especially for the price. Your bro will be set for a while

 

[lehtv]

From what I have seen and heard, it is more than just a few degrees difference.

Share please? In any case, a better heatsink will improve your temperatures more than a second fan would. It just makes more of a difference to have more heatsink mass, more fin area, more heatpipes... than a bit of extra airflow. Scythe Mugen 3 will also be quieter than 212+.

Also, why did you recommend a board that CFs when he wont even be adding another card?

What dmoney1980 said.

Also, I suck at OCing GPUs. I currently have a 7950 and IDK how to even make it at a stable OC.

Is it that you don't know where to start, or that you just fail to make it stable when overclocking?

You should use MSI Afterburner to incrementally increase core clock speed with the stock voltage, and test stability with a stress test application. OCCT is great for stress testing as it represents a load you never see in gaming, but looping Heaven benchmark is a pretty good test as well. According to our admin, passing 20 minutes of OCCT is considered a minimum, but 1 hour is the gold standard of stability. But when you're still trying to find the limits of your GPU at the present voltage, you don't need to pass these tests, 5-10 minutes will do until you reach instability, you can then back down incrementally until it becomes stable for longer periods.

Of course, you should monitor temperatures. Use an aggressive fan profile, you can quiet the GPU down after you've reached your stable overclock. I'd use OCCT for stability testing and Heaven for determining realistic load temperatures (in order to adjust the fan profile to my liking).

7850 should overclock pretty well at stock volts. If you want to go further... Once you reach a point where the GPU becomes unstable at stock volts, increase voltage in small increments until it becomes stable again, then increase clock speed, etc. Voltage shouldn't be increased too much, but usually core temperature during load is a good indicator of how far you should go. I prefer to keep temps below 80C during extended load.

 

[azeem40]

OK, I will change the Cooler to the Scythe.

About the MOBO, is the Pro3 Gen3 Z77 Board for $60 not worth it when comboed with the i5-3570k? Ever since I read the quote in my OP, I am unsure of OCing IB.

 

[azeem40]

I am going with lehtv's build for my bro.

 

[dmoney1980]

I vote lehtv for member of the year

 

[mfenn]

OK, I will change the Cooler to the Scythe.

About the MOBO, is the Pro3 Gen3 Z77 Board for $60 not worth it when comboed with the i5-3570k? Ever since I read the quote in my OP, I am unsure of OCing IB.

The Pro3 for $60 is also a good deal IMHO. $30 saved is worthwhile if you don't plan to use the features of the Extreme4.

 

[azeem40]

I don't plan to use, but I heard the VRM is bad for it.

 

[krnmastersgt]

I haven't heard anything bad about the Pro3, was going to grab that instead of this Biostar but they ran out of stock when I was shopping for it

And unless you need the additional ports of the Extreme 4, or some other feature it has that I'm unaware of, usually best to just go with the cheapest board that satisfies all your needs (unless it's some shady unknown company which there are a few for super-budget system boards).

 

[azeem40]

I haven't heard anything bad about the Pro3, was going to grab that instead of this Biostar but they ran out of stock when I was shopping for it

And unless you need the additional ports of the Extreme 4, or some other feature it has that I'm unaware of, usually best to just go with the cheapest board that satisfies all your needs (unless it's some shady unknown company which there are a few for super-budget system boards).

Will it being only a 4-phase VRM MOBO be a problem?

 

[lehtv]

The Pro3 for $60 is also a good deal IMHO. $30 saved is worthwhile if you don't plan to use the features of the Extreme4.

Definitely. I wasn't aware though that Pro3 was also eligible for the discount. It doesn't mention it on the product page, I suppose you get this info from some newsletter or something?

 

[azeem40]

It is because all Z77 boards are on discount at my local microcenter.

I added it to card with the i5-3570k and it was $60.

 

[azeem40]

Hmm, $30 more for Extreme4. Should I take it over the Pro3?

 

[krnmastersgt]

Their flyer says that all Z77 boards are eligible, doesn't matter the price they were originally. I hear a lot of people are able to get the discount when they buy a 2500k as well but there's nothing official on that, might be more based on the store/cashier/manager on duty than anything else.

And Azeem, if you want the extra features the Extreme4 has then yes. Otherwise it's just $30 you're wasting honestly, since both boards are perfectly fine.

 

[lehtv]

Pro3 is just so much better value (2/3 of the price). Since you say in your OP that you don't do SLI/Crossfire, it makes no sense to spend the extra on an Extreme4. The power phases don't really matter except in extreme overclocks. Also, Pro3 would allow you to grab the aftermarket cooler without going too badly over budget.

 

[azeem40]

Pro3 is just so much better value (2/3 of the price). Since you say in your OP that you don't do SLI/Crossfire, it makes no sense to spend the extra on an Extreme4. The power phases don't really matter except in extreme overclocks. Also, Pro3 would allow you to grab the aftermarket cooler without going too badly over budget.

Thank you. I will get the Pro3 then. I only plan to OC to 4.2 GHz for him, which is equivalent to a 4.5 GHz SB OC. What should I do with the $30 extra?

 

[lehtv]

I only plan to OC to 4.2 GHz for him, which is equivalent to a 4.5 GHz SB OC. What should I do with the $30 extra?

FWIW that can OC be acheived on a Hyper 212 but Scythe Mugen 3 will be quieter and cooler (and support a bit higher OC), either choice is fine.

With Pro3 and no aftermarket cooler you're looking at $775 (build in post #2) before shipping. There's no need to spend more on other components, you've got bang-for-buck pretty much maxed out. You could of course buy the cooler right away which would bring it a bit over $800. Or you could take a look at some more expensive cases, ask your brother what he likes best visually (if that matters). Examples:

Antec 302
Antec One Illusion
Corsair 300R
NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
NZXT Phantom 410

EDIT: the hard drive doesn't seem to have the promo active any more. I'd recommend choosing between WD Caviar Black 1TB ($120), Seagate 1TB ($100) or WD Caviar Black 500GB ($80). The caviars have 5-year warranty, Seagate only one. Seagate is the fastest of the bunch.

 

[azeem40]

If need be, I can go upto $900.

 

[lehtv]

Alright. For $900 you could pick

1. Caviar Black 1TB, Scythe Mugen 3 and a better case.
or
2. Caviar Black 500GB, no aftermarket cooler, cheap case... but add a Crucial M4 128GB $125

 

[krnmastersgt]

Well since I just got a notice from MC in my e-mail, the board that I'm using (Biostar TZ77A) is now $40 after all discounts when you buy a 3570k, by far the cheapest Z77 board you will come across for now at least. Original BIOS gave me issues with OCing but after an update this board is just fine.

 

[azeem40]

For $900, should I also get a GTX 670?

 

[lehtv]

Well... let's see

Mobo Biostar TZ77A $50 ($40 AR)
CPU 3570K $190
RAM 8GB DDR3 $44
GPU Asus GTX 670 $420
HDD WD Caviar Black 500GB $80 after promo
DVD Burner $18
PSU XFX 650W $68 ($53 AR)
Case NZXT Tempest 210 $47 after promo

= $917 before, $892 after rebate. So yes that's also doable, but to stay in budget you have to settle for the cheapest case, hard drive and motherboard, and no aftermarket cooler yet. Make no mistake, 7850 2GB is fast card and it overclocks like mad, you'll get near GTX 580 performance after OC. I can't tell you what the right choice here is... There are good justifications for any of the following: spending a bit more on the case, hdd and cpu cooler, or adding an SSD, or spending on a video card - or indeed holding onto your cash. It depends on what you value. Personally, I'd probably buy Asrock Pro3, 7850 2GB, Crucial M4 and see if I had any cash left for a better case. I've got an SSD in my system now and there's no way I'd build a new system without one, even if it meant lower framerates; but that's just me.