It's been a while...time to upgrade.

[TheBDB]

It is time to upgrade my 5 year old computer. I am currently running a 2.67GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 8800GT video card along with Windows XP, 21” CRT and 17” LCD. Shocking, I know

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
I will be playing the new Sim City. Also general productivity, internet, occasional video editing.

2. What YOUR budget is.
About $1800, maybe a little more if it really helps. I don’t upgrade often so getting quality stuff that will last is good.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA – newegg, fry’s, etc

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.
Not really.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Unless someone can tell me why, I see no reason to replace my Antec P-180 case.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I don’t have much interest in overclocking.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
2 of the same monitor, each 1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
I will begin as soon as I get the parts picked.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Might was well jump all the way to Windows 8.

So far:
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K - $230
Motherboard:
RAM: G.Skill 2x4GB DDR3 1600 - $56
SSD : Drive for OS and apps
HDD : 1TB?
DVD Burner: Lite-On SATA - $18
Video Card:
Monitors: 2x LG IPS237L-BN - $520
Power Supply: Rosewill Capston 650W - $85
OS: Windows 8 OEM - $100

Total: $1009 so far

I don’t really know what the quality brands are any more for the remaining parts. If anyone would like to throw out some suggestions, including about what I have so far, please feel free. Thanks!

 

[Ken g6]

Let's see, more questions. Are you near a Micro Center? Are you sure you don't want to wait for Haswell? Why Win8 Pro as opposed to standard? Have you looked at [thread=2192841]Mfenn's build[/thread]?

 

[TheBDB]

Nearest Micro Center is a couple hours away.

I could wait if there is a good reason. But there are always new things around the corner, next thing you know it is months later and you are still waiting.

Pro seemed to have some more options that may be useful. If I need to save some money that is definitely a place to do it.

I did look at Mfenn's build. Seems pretty reasonable.

 

[lehtv]

Pro seemed to have some more options that may be useful.

Like what?

 

[TheBDB]

Like what?

Remote desktop, encryption, hyper-v. I dunno, I'm used to people getting the pro just in case, if that is dumb the $40 can be used elsewhere.

 

[Termie]

First things first, no need to wait for Haswell. It's over three months away, will be in short supply, will be price-gouged, and will be 5% faster than current chips clock-for-clock.

So, as for your build, I think it's good, but have filled in the blanks above based on your preferences. By the way, your budget is huge for a system like this - I'd really target more like $1,500 with two monitors and the OS.

Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K - $230
Motherboard: Asrock Pro4 with FREE 1x8GB Ram ($118 shipped): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157296
SSD : Samsung 840 120GB ($95): http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series.../dp/B009NHAF06
HDD : Seagate 1TB ($60!!! for two days only): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148697
DVD Burner: Samsung 24x DVD burner ($16): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151256
Video Card: Sapphire HD7950 ($290AR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202006
Monitors: 2x LG IPS237L-BN - $520
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 650w Modular Gold ($75AR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182263
OS: Windows 8 OEM - $100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832416550

Total: $1,504

Optional new case: Fractal Design R4 White ($110): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352025
The new case brings huge benefits: USB3 inputs, much easier to build with, and better options for SSDs. Other colors are available with a shipping fee. I picked this one because it's similar to your Antec. I would personally recommend, however, something like the Corsair 500R for $80AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139010

 

[lehtv]

Looks nice, Termie. One thing I don't approve though is the combination of a single GPU board with a dual GPU PSU. I'd recommend an MSI Z77A-GD55 for $125 AR with 8GB RAM. SLI/CF compatibility, 9-phase CPU power (versus Pro4's 4-phase) and an Intel NIC in one low cost package.

Would not reuse the P180 on this budget. Sell it to recoup some of the cost of the R4.

 

[Termie]

Looks nice, Termie. One thing I don't approve though is the combination of a single GPU board with a dual GPU PSU. I'd recommend an MSI Z77A-GD55 for $125 AR with 8GB RAM. SLI/CF compatibility, 9-phase CPU power (versus Pro4's 4-phase) and an Intel NIC in one low cost package.

I picked that PSU because it was cheap, not because it could support 2 GPUs. It's the same price as Rosewill's lower-end options.

I have no objection to the MSI motherboard, other than it's a few dollars more and the OP hasn't expressed an interest in dual GPUs or overclocking, so its features and price aren't all that well justified in this situation

 

[BurnItDwn]

I would say if you can work it into your budget, you may want a 240+ or 480+ GB SSD. Those little 120ish GB ones will not hold a lot if you happen to have more than a small handfull of Steam games...

 

[lehtv]

Well, you're right, he doesn't care about OC and hasn't expressed any interest for a dual GPU setup. The price on the Capstone is pretty good but I'm not sure it can compete with a Corsair CX500 ($30 AR) if the only thing it's used for is a stock clocked single GPU system.

 

[Hubb1e]

Why not reuse your old hard drive as a storage drive and spend the $60 on adding some capacity to that SSD. 256GB is really a sweetspot for having enough capacity to host your games on it and I see no reason you can't reuse your old drive to store things like pictures and videos. There's nothing wrong with the P-180 if he likes it. I don't really like mine all that much because the drive section at the bottom is cramped and the fan gets in the way, but it's still a pretty decent case.

 

[TheBDB]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Termie/lehtv - Thanks for the suggestions. The budget is a max, I certainly will spend less if it isn't needed haha. I don't think I need support for SLI or crossfire. MB probably doesn't need a bunch of bells and whistles. I'd pay more for a quality power supply if that is available.

BurnItDwn/Hubb1e - I'm worried about my old hard drives failing, so I want to get a new storage drive no matter what. I doubt if I will need more than 128GB for the SSD but will consider it.

All - Not sure I am sold on needing new case yet. Should I be worried about heat/noise?

 

[Sleepingforest]

It's not just the heat and noise (it'll be louder for sure, old cases use much smaller fans) but also the presence of front-panel USB 3.0. SSDs should have a quarter to a third left empty for the best performance, and the OS uses up 30--after formatting and a few basic programs like Firefox, you'll be down to 60GB. That's enough for around 3 games.

Also, I'd get these Dell U2412Ms for $300 each (they're "used like New")--they've got a superior resolution of 1920x1200 (plus it's an excellent deal at this price).

 

[mfenn]

The P180 is a tank (lots of heavy steel and damping) and is modern enough to use 120mm fans. I see no problem in reusing it as long as the OP doesn't care about front panel USB 3.0.

As for the machine itself, I think you'd be crazy to spend more than $1000 on a machine for SimCity and like games. Even that is pretty overkill. So I guess that is a long way of saying that I think that Termie's build is good. :awe:

 

[TheBDB]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm looking at:

Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H for $105
Western Digital Black 1TB for $105
Samsung 840 Pro 128GB for $140
Radeon 7950 whatever is cheapest

Any comments on those choices?
I see most 7950's have one DVI, one HDMI, and 2 displayports. Can I run dual monitors with the DVI and HDMI and Windows 8?
Any comments on the LG monitors? I know the bezel isn't as thin. What about it only having D-Sub and HDMI inputs?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm looking at:

Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H for $105
Western Digital Black 1TB for $105
Samsung 840 Pro 128GB for $140
Radeon 7950 whatever is cheapest

Any comments on those choices?

- Mobo: Overpriced compared to the ASRock Z77 Pro3 $90
- HDD: Overpriced compared to this Toshiba 1TB 7200RPM $60 AP
- SSD: Good, but overpriced for your uses compared to the Samsung 840 120GB $95
- GPU: Fine, but you can do better. With the $105 saved above, get the Sapphire 7970 for $390 AR

I see most 7950's have one DVI, one HDMI, and 2 displayports. Can I run dual monitors with the DVI and HDMI and Windows 8?
Any comments on the LG monitors? I know the bezel isn't as thin. What about it only having D-Sub and HDMI inputs?

Thanks a bunch.

The 7970 I linked above has two DVI, but you can use DVI to HDMI adapters (on either the 7950 or 7970) for the monitors. DVI and HDMI use the same electrical signalling, so a simple plug adapter works.