Hi there! So I am planning to build a new gaming machine after being out of the loop since 2005 when I built my Athlon 64 machine. Straight to the point, it will be a COMPLETE build, including peripherals as I have no PC, except the Macbook I am currently using.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming, mostly Diablo 3, Starcraft 2 and future expansions. Nothing hardcore or any FPS's, at least for now.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Around $850-$1000, preferably "best bang for the buck". The monitor, mouse and keyboard will be separate and not included in the budget.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US, probably Newegg, also open to NCIX as sometimes they have cheaper prices.
4. 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 brand preference.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No current parts.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Minor to average OC, nothing hardcore.
8. What resolution will you be using?
Been out of the loop, but I believe 1920x1080 at max/ultra settings.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
By the time Ivy Bridge drops next week.
X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
I have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate I got from school. No blu ray software necessary.
After going through the other BUILD threads for the past few days, I tried to choose what was recommended, but if something is better or cheaper, I'm open to the suggestions.
CPU: i5 3570k (is the SB i5 2500k a more viable option even if its an "older" chip)
Gonna pair it with this:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
Mobo: I heard the Asrock Z77 was good
ASRock Z77 Extreme4
Is there a big difference between the above and this one?
ASRock Z77 Pro3
RAM: This was recommended a few times.
G.SKILL Value Series 8GB
GPU: Wanted a 7850, but most of them are OoS on newegg.
ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon
PSU: Not sure what I need to look for.
HDD: Primary Crucial M4 128GB SSD Already have one for my Mac and its amazing.
Chose this as a storage HDD.
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB
Case: Not sure for this either, just need one that is quiet and has good cooling. Don't want anything flashy with a million LED's. I was leaning towards a Fractal R3 though. I read aluminum cases are better cooling?
DVD Drive: LITE-ON DVD
I think that's it, not sure what else I could be missing. But a few questions.
1. Is installing an aftermarket heatsink difficult? In this case, the 212? Last time I built a machine was back in '05 and I don't want to end up breaking it
2. I plan to get a 120hz monitor and read it's only possible through Display port? Is that the mini display port on certain GPU's?
3. Is there a "effective" method for case fan placement to get the best cooling? I plan to get my tower on my desk so there won't be anything above it.
4. The Z77 doesnt suport SLI/CF I believe, but I doubt I will need that since I'm not running any graphic intensive games?
Thanks again for the help! :thumbsup:
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming, mostly Diablo 3, Starcraft 2 and future expansions. Nothing hardcore or any FPS's, at least for now.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Around $850-$1000, preferably "best bang for the buck". The monitor, mouse and keyboard will be separate and not included in the budget.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US, probably Newegg, also open to NCIX as sometimes they have cheaper prices.
4. 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 brand preference.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No current parts.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Minor to average OC, nothing hardcore.
8. What resolution will you be using?
Been out of the loop, but I believe 1920x1080 at max/ultra settings.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
By the time Ivy Bridge drops next week.
X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
I have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate I got from school. No blu ray software necessary.
After going through the other BUILD threads for the past few days, I tried to choose what was recommended, but if something is better or cheaper, I'm open to the suggestions.
CPU: i5 3570k (is the SB i5 2500k a more viable option even if its an "older" chip)
Gonna pair it with this:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
Mobo: I heard the Asrock Z77 was good
ASRock Z77 Extreme4
Is there a big difference between the above and this one?
ASRock Z77 Pro3
RAM: This was recommended a few times.
G.SKILL Value Series 8GB
GPU: Wanted a 7850, but most of them are OoS on newegg.
ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon
PSU: Not sure what I need to look for.
HDD: Primary Crucial M4 128GB SSD Already have one for my Mac and its amazing.
Chose this as a storage HDD.
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB
Case: Not sure for this either, just need one that is quiet and has good cooling. Don't want anything flashy with a million LED's. I was leaning towards a Fractal R3 though. I read aluminum cases are better cooling?
DVD Drive: LITE-ON DVD
I think that's it, not sure what else I could be missing. But a few questions.
1. Is installing an aftermarket heatsink difficult? In this case, the 212? Last time I built a machine was back in '05 and I don't want to end up breaking it
2. I plan to get a 120hz monitor and read it's only possible through Display port? Is that the mini display port on certain GPU's?
3. Is there a "effective" method for case fan placement to get the best cooling? I plan to get my tower on my desk so there won't be anything above it.
4. The Z77 doesnt suport SLI/CF I believe, but I doubt I will need that since I'm not running any graphic intensive games?
Thanks again for the help! :thumbsup:
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