Need advice for my PC gaming build

[Techworks]

I need advice or anything that will help. I'll be building my first gaming pc (also, I'm not planning to overclock or anything coz I'm still new with PC stuff)I've selected these parts:
CPU: Intel i7 3770
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77 V LX
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 8gb 1600 (2x4)
GPU: Asus GTX 670 Direct CU II 2gb 256 bit
PSU: Corsair TX Bronze 650W (is this enough power?)
Chassis: Coolermaster HAF 932 advanced

This build is mainly for gaming but will use it for some other casual stuff like movies and the internet.
budget is $1,375 (55,000php coz I'm from the Philippines)
I'll be buying the parts at this shop: http://pcx.com.ph/
(the actual prices and stocks can be found in their SRP pricelist on the site and they have 5% off for each part)
I prefer Intel and Nvidia. I'm gonna be using the resolution of 1920x1080
I already have a seagate 1TB 7200rpm HDD and I'm not going SSD coz of budget constraints. I also don't overclock so is it ok if I do not have an aftermarket CPU cooler? there's also no need to purchase windows or any software coz I already have one. I'm planning to build next week or first week of June. I'll be glad to read comments/suggestions or get some advice from everyone. Thanks!

 

[lehtv]

Sticky: NOTICE - PC builders, when asking for input on YOUR projects Please Tell us...

 

[Sleepingforest]

Dropping from the i7 to an i5-3470 should give you the budget for an SSD. The HAF series is (temperature wise) pretty cool but often very loud.

 

[Techworks]

Thanks for the suggestion but I've decided not to have SSD for now unless I'll get extra money and maybe go for an i5 3570k and get an SSD, yes it's very tempting. For the case, I'm more concerned about getting the best if not, a very good case in terms of cooling out from the available products here.

 

[lehtv]

The i7 is definitely not needed for your purposes. The i5 is just as good in 99% of games.

Since you're not planning to overclock, it makes no sense to get a processor meant for overclocking (3570K). For you, a locked (non-K) i5 is the right choice.

As for the motherboard, a B75 or H77 board (or a cheap Z77 board). That is, unless you're interested in a dual GPU solution, which requires a midrange Z77 board and a more expensive PSU. But on your resolution, I don't think that's worthwhile, you're better off just upgrading the single GPU to a faster one when the time comes. Also, to get the most out of SLI on your resolution, you'd have to OC the CPU.

I think your budget is a bit high. You should be able to slip in an SSD and still end up spending a lot less than your budget. I'd recommend:

i5-3570 ₱8950
Asus P8H77-M LE ₱4000
2x Corsair 1333 4GB ₱2560
Asus GTX 670 DCII 2GB ₱19600
Intel 330 180GB ₱7900
Seagate 1TB ₱0
Lite-on DVD ₱870
Antec Neo Eco 520C ₱2200
Corsair 300R Windowed ₱4350

Total: ₱50430

That's ₱4600 below your budget, and with a 180GB SSD no less. If you want to spend even less, you can get the 120GB Intel, but it won't fit as many games. Almost half the non-SSD budget is spent on the GPU, which means the build is very good bang for buck, and everything's high quality too so no real corners are cut.

 

[Techworks]

Wow. Thanks. I'll consider that. Oh sorry I forgot to mention that I already have an optical drive. I wasn't really considering the SSD because it was somewhat a luxury item and I know for a fact that it is for the boot drive and it makes it faster and in terms of gaming the load times are faster but it has only little effect in-game. but well that was based on limited research so please correct me if I am wrong. I'm also afraid of overheating that's why I chose a big case and the mobo is somewhat smaller than the standard atx right?

 

[mfenn]

i5-3570 ₱8950
Asus P8H77-M LE ₱4000
2x Corsair 1333 4GB ₱2560
Asus GTX 670 DCII 2GB ₱19600
Intel 330 180GB ₱7900
Seagate 1TB ₱0
Lite-on DVD ₱870
Antec Neo Eco 520C ₱2200
Corsair 300R Windowed ₱4350

Total: ₱50430

Holy Unicode currency symbols Batman! :awe: Nice build.

Wow. Thanks. I'll consider that. Oh sorry I forgot to mention that I already have an optical drive. I wasn't really considering the SSD because it was somewhat a luxury item and I know for a fact that it is for the boot drive and it makes it faster and in terms of gaming the load times are faster but it has only little effect in-game. but well that was based on limited research so please correct me if I am wrong.

It's true that an SSD doesn't affect framerates in game, but it really makes everything else faster. It's not just a little bit faster than an HDD, it's about 10 times as fast. An SSD makes pretty much everything you do on the desktop (booting, logging in, opening programs, etc) instant.

I'm also afraid of overheating that's why I chose a big case and the mobo is somewhat smaller than the standard atx right?

Case size doesn't really have anything to do with cooling potential. It's more about having a smart layout and efficient fans, which the 300R provides.

 

[lehtv]

Wow. Thanks. I'll consider that. Oh sorry I forgot to mention that I already have an optical drive. I wasn't really considering the SSD because it was somewhat a luxury item and I know for a fact that it is for the boot drive and it makes it faster and in terms of gaming the load times are faster but it has only little effect in-game. but well that was based on limited research so please correct me if I am wrong. I'm also afraid of overheating that's why I chose a big case and the mobo is somewhat smaller than the standard atx right?

The SSD makes a huge difference in everyday use, but no difference to framerates. Things just happen instantly. I have a 120GB SSD and I wish it was bigger because I can't fit all the games on it that I'd like.... on the other hand, the rest of my games (including a modded Skyrim) are on a 5400 RPM hard drive (!), and I don't have any major complaints regarding loading times. So yes it's a luxury item but IMO well worth it if you can afford it without sacrifices

Regarding cooling, you are fine when it comes to the case, PSU and graphics card. The case comes with a couple of fans and has slots for plenty more, but you shouldn't need to add any in your non-overclocked single GPU system.

Depending on your ambient temperatures, heat could potentially be an issue when using the stock Intel CPU cooler. If it gets really hot in your apartment (and I mean close to 30 C), get a basic aftermarket cooler like a Cooler Master Hyper 212 plus or similar.

 

[Techworks]

The input you guys gave really helps. I was about to buy parts that was too much for my use. and with all that saved money I can have the SSD. Maybe I'll add fans for the case for exhaust coz I've read that the direct CU II cooler of the GPU directs hot air inside the case. Is my concept right? regarding ambient temperature, it does get hot since I'm living in a tropical country but I'll just turn the airconditioner on whenever I'm going to use the PC and when necessary. I'm really that afraid of overheating. haha.

 

[lehtv]

Yeah, the DCII cooler does exhaust mostly into the case. However, the one 120mm rear fan and the open top mesh should provide enough exhaust for keeping temperatures at decent enough levels when not overclocking. That said, it doesn't cost much to add another fan, so go ahead if you like.

If you're interested in keeping tabs on your PC's temperatures, install a monitoring software. I recommend HWinfo64, it provides a lot of different sensor information, you can customize what it shows, and it's been accurate for me.

For your CPU, 85C at 100% load (e.g. stress testing with Prime95 or encoding a video) is fine, any more than that and I would install an aftermarket cooler just for peace of mind.

For your GPU, 85C as well. I imagine the DCII cooler is efficient enough that you won't reach anywhere near 85C when not overclocking/overvolting, however. The VRM (voltage regulator) is a different thing, I think it has a maximum operating temperature of 125C, though anything above 100C would make me slightly worried.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

For your GPU, 85C as well. I imagine the DCII cooler is efficient enough that you won't reach anywhere near 85C when not overclocking/overvolting, however. The VRM (voltage regulator) is a different thing, I think it has a maximum operating temperature of 125C, though anything above 100C would make me slightly worried.

With sufficient airflow in your case, I'd be surprised if you hit much more then 70C with a DirectCU2. My own 7870 rarely breaks 60-65C running games, but it can climb to 70-75C with OCCT and Furmark. The VRMs are more or less stable at 70-80C. It really is very efficient, provided you handle the hot air in the case.

 

[Techworks]

I would definitely try that monitoring software you suggested. So the 300r provides efficient cooling for the build? would you say it is the best option? the 400r would've been good too but it's not windowed. haha. just kidding, i would prefer the cooling ability of the case rather than the looks although the looks can be a factor but then again I'll have to consider the cooling capability first. It would really help if you can suggest alternatives or tell me directly what is best for the build.

By the way, the power supply you suggested is not available(or maybe I didn't find it because the name is different in the list), are there alternatives? here's the list that's available on the store:
Seasonic S12II Bronze(520w-3160)(620w-3690)
Corsair TX Bronze (650w-5140)(750w-5940)(850w-6530)
Antec (BP430w-1710) (BP500w-2350)(VP450w-2130) (VP550w-3000)
HCG(620w-4710) (750w-6630) (900w-6960)
TP (550w-4230) (650w-4710)
HCP (850w-10590) (1200w-15520)
EA (450w-4760) (550w-5240) (650w-5560)
please excuse me if I included then ones exceeding the needed power for the build, I just copied and pasted here.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Get the cheapest one of the bunch.

 

[lehtv]

What do you mean it's not available? It says it's in stock in the link I provided.

Out of the ones you listed, skip the Antec BP units, they have short warranty and poor cables although they are reliable. The VP units have short warranty as well. Would buy the cheapest out of the rest, that's the S12II 520W. It's basically the same unit as Neo Eco 520C but a bit more efficient

 

[Techworks]

I looked for the antec neo eco in their latest price list and stocks but it wasn't there so I'll just be getting the seasonic s12II. thanks! So I guess I'm going for the build, but please do feel free to say your final thoughts or additional recommendations, it would really be appreciated.

 

[Techworks]

Is it ok if I go for the 620w? I just thought that maybe I'll be plug some things into the pc that requires power like an xbox 360 controller, external hardrives and maybe add one HDD, or maybe add fans or something like that but if it's really not necessary I'll just go with the 520. I was using the power supply calculator from asus' site: http://support.asus.com/powersupply.aspx and I think the recommended was 600 and I haven't even filled the USB devices, fans, etc.

 

[lehtv]

PSU calculators typically overestimate your power needs because they account for units that can't actually deliver the power they advertise.

You'll be fine with the 520W unit even if you add minor upgrades. Hard drives consume maybe 10 watts each at load. An XBOX controller is a USB 2.0 device and each USB port is limited to about 2.5 watts. The power requirements of fans vary but even high RPM fans consume little power.

 

[Techworks]

Thanks for all the help! I will be building it this weekend.

 

[SolMiester]

Id personally change the asus board for asrock Z77 pro4 M, has non k OC...even if OP doesnt OC, there is potential at a later date...

 

[Techworks]

Hello everyone. It's been a while. Anyway I haven't build this yet unfortunately because I was sick and I have been busy the past few days but I'm pretty sure I'm going to build it next weekend. Are there parts that needs to be changed or do you guys have anything better to recommend or is it a go on the build? by the way here's the link to the store where I'm going to get my parts, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience but you'll have to download the pricelist to see the actual parts in stock and the actual price coz I believe their site is kinda outdated. https://www.yousendit.com/dl?phi_ac..._download%26batch_id%3DWFJVblRsUnJCSnI1SE1UQw
I also want to ask a couple of questions.
1. The main purpose of the build is for gaming and some general, daily stuff like what I've mentioned.. and the games I'm going to play are games from 2012 and the upcoming games. mostly 3rd person and few FPS and RPGs. I just wanna ask, for my needs, Is there a need for overclocking the CPU or perhaps the GPU? If yes, I'm willing to change the whole set-up (my budget can be stretched maybe like 60,000php / $1,500) and that if it is REALLY necessary but if no I'll settle with the non-oc build.
2. OC or non-oc build also please consider I want to go for the 240gb SSD. Should I get the intel or the corsair?
That will be all for now, and as always, your inputs will be of great help and will be well appreciated.. Thanks in advance!

 

[mfenn]

It looks like that shop doesn't list Haswell yet, so the build that lehtv made is still good. As for your questions:

1. No, overclocking the CPU is not necessary for gaming and general tasks. Your extended budget can handle if if you want (switch CPU to i5 3570K, mobo to ASRock Z77 Pro3, add a Hyper 212 EVO).

2. I'd definitely get the Intel 335 over the Corsair Force 3. They're both Sandforce, but Intel gets a custom firmware.

 

[Techworks]

Thanks! I'll go with the Intel 335. So overclocking is really not that necessary. While we're at it I just want to ask if is it worth going with the OC build you suggested? I know it is entirely up to me but if you were in my place, would you go for it? If there will be any updates on the shop I'll post it here so things like dropping of prices or new stocks will be put into consideration. Thanks again in advance!

 

[lehtv]

For gaming, overclocking can be worth it in terms of improving framerate stability. Not maximum framerates so much, but minimum frame rates. And it depends - if you don't play CPU limited or CPU heavy games, you're not going to really see any improvement when using just one high end GPU.

However, even in GPU limited games you can see improvement once you upgrade your GPU setup to a level where the CPU's firepower can't keep up so well - then, overclocking helps diminish the bottle neck. But we're talking one or two high end GPUs a couple of years from now, so this is not such an important thing to consider. The main consideration is whether you will benefit from overclocking by doing it now.

 

[Techworks]

well explained... but I still can't make up my mind because I think as of now there is a little or no need at all for overclocking or will I benefit from it when doing it now? based on what you said, I think overclocking may come in handy when time comes that it will be needed. please do correct me if I'm wrong, so going with parts that can be overclocked is more or somewhat "upgrade friendly" right? by the way thanks for being patient in explaining, I'm really new to these stuff so all the help is greatly appreciated.

 

[lehtv]

Yes, having an overclockable CPU (and to some extent, motherboard) is more GPU-upgrade friendly. But if you're not going to do it now, you're probably not going to do it even when you upgrade. I think you should only get an overclockable CPU if you're going to OC it now, even if that doesn't immediately translate into better performance in the games you happen to be playing now.