Media + Gaming rig

[Scramcam]

Hi everyone! This forum seems fantastic for asking advice and I'm pretty new.
I'm doing an almost complete overhaul of an old desktop after something blew the motherboard and I would love some advice.

These are the components I've sourced as pretty good both performance and price wise (prices from http://www.umart.com.au except for the graphics card, which is from http://www.megabuy.com.au).

• PSU: Antec ATX EarthWatts 750W $93
  Mobo: Asrock Z77-EXTREME4 $119
  CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K $249
  Wi-fi card: ASUS PCE-N15 WLAN PCI-Express N300 $26
  Graphics: MSI Radeon HD7850 1GB $198
  Total: $685

My main question is about the graphics card. I read some really good reviews about the 7850 1GB which said it is the best in the mid-range. Think that's true?
And how worth is it getting a SSD? Everyone seems to be raving about them but don't know if I can afford the extra cost just now.

Below are uses, components I have etc etc.

1. I'll be using this for gaming and multimedia mostly. I don't use PC's for FPS, mostly for stategy like Civilisation and Total War series plus whatever else might take my fancy

2. I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible. Don't really want to spend more than $700 AUD

3-4. I'll be buying parts from Australia (I live in Brisbane) on the most part. I've sourced parts from http://www.umart.com.au as they seem to be pretty fantastically cheap and I there is a place I can pick up parts from near my place.

5. No real brand preference.

6. As I'm overhauling an old desktop, here are the components I already have:

• Antec Nine Hundred Case
• Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S222
• RAM: 2x2GB DDR3-1333 KVR133D3N9/2G
  2x2GB DDR3-1333 Kingmax FLFE85F-C8KM9
• HDD: Seagate Baraccuda 7200.10 400GB
• I already have assorted monitors, keyboards, mice etc.

7. I'm planning on doing a moderate overclock as the case seems to have a decent cooling system already.

8. I have a 32inch 1080p Soniq TV I was thinking about hooking this up to but otherwise, I have a non-HD monitor lying around and might get a new one as a bday present in August.

9. Planning on building this with the next few weeks. I need something to procrastinate on instead of studying.

In terms of the components I already have, I will likely upgrade them incrimentally as I earn some more cash. Especially the HDD and RAM.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Hello and welcome to the forums... 😀

That build looks pretty solid, apart from two things. You don't need a 750W PSU with those components. In fact you only need such a powerful PSU if you're running an SLI/Crossfire rig. A Corsair CX430/500 will be more then enough for this system. If you're going for a 7850, get a 2GB model, they're not much more expensive and far more future proof then the 1GB models.

 

[lehtv]

For overclocking, you need an aftermarket cooling. However, to benefit from it in terms of framerates, you need a very powerful GPU setup. I would leave OC'ing for later, e.g. combine it with a graphics card upgrade 1-2 years from now.

PSU: Antec ATX EarthWatts 750W $93
Mobo: Asrock Z77-EXTREME4 $119
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K $249
Wi-fi card: ASUS PCE-N15 WLAN PCI-Express N300 $26
Graphics: MSI Radeon HD7850 1GB $198
Total: $685

Actually, that looks really good. The PSU is overkill but considering the general price level, it's a very nice deal. It just doesn't make sense to pay $10 less and lose 250 watts. The mobo is a nice deal as well. At least you'll be set for SLI/Crossfire although it is an unlikely scenario.'

Change the video card to a Powercolor 7870 Myst Edition $215. It is a Tahiti LE, so it's in between 7950 and 7870 performance, and cheap as hell. Editor's Choice from HardOCP...

Is the WLAN necessary? Can't you just use a long rj45?

I'd look into upgrading the HDD (or adding an SSD) at some point, it's pretty slow.

 

[Termie]

Good advice above. I assume the OP needs the wireless card as this is also a media PC, perhaps in a TV room.

What I don't believe the OP needs is that 750W power supply. I'd seriously recommend looking for a 500W model (but not a 430W model if you use the powerful but power-hungry 7870 Myst recommended by lehtv). The 7850 1GB is being discontinued, by the way, and really isn't a well-balanced card. Avoid it.

 

[mnewsham]

The site you linked seems to have this PSU for only $60 it will be cheaper and power your system just as well as the more expensive unit you have there. (not sure how to directly link but here is the product name)


CoolerMaster Thunder Series 500W PFCPower Supply

 

[lehtv]

CoolerMaster Thunder Series 500W PFCPower Supply

How do you know this unit is any good? Coolermaster has released mediocre units before. I can't find any reviews on this one, I would skip it. Other 500W units that are known to be high quality are much more expensive in that shop, even Corsair CX.

 

[mnewsham]

How do you know this unit is any good? Coolermaster has released mediocre units before. I can't find any reviews on this one, I would skip it. Other 500W units that are known to be high quality are much more expensive in that shop, even Corsair CX.

meh, it has a 24A +12v rail and a 21A +12v rail, plus it has all the cables he needs and is $30 less, i see no indications it wont run his set up, I wouldn't want to use this PSU in some sort of mission critical task, but for gaming and desktop usage? This PSU should be more than fine.

 

[lehtv]

Specs say nothing about capacitor quality, voltage regulation, ripple regulation, or build quality. That said, you're probably right that it'll work fine, but I just don't see the point in buying a PSU for a relatively expensive gaming system without first reading a review, when you could instead just buy a unit that is known to be high quality.

Even CM says the unit is aimed at "mainstream and basic computing systems".

 

[mfenn]

PCCaseGear has the Seasonic-built HCG-520W for $85. That was about the least expensive quality unit in the 500-600W range. It's a better fit than the Earthwatts, but not that much better.

 

[Scramcam]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!
I've checked out the powercolor myst card and it looks pretty boss for only an extra $20. I might just stick with the antec psu as it isn't much more expensive and it'll make it easier for me if I crossfire later.