New Haswell build

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M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
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Hello all,

I would like your input on a new PC that I plan on building hopefully by next week. Need a 23/24" 1080p monitor within this budget. I love to play competitive FPS so please factor in response time etc. into the decision. Would like to stay 60Hz if 120 is too demanding/reduces performance. no ghosting plz.

Answers to sticky:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming/we browsing/movies/microsoft office/some vmware

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1500.. Able to stretch a bit if needed. Need a monitor within the budget as well. If less than 1500 I will not mind :)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

ON, Canada

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

NCIX, Canada computers, Direct Canada (online only), Tiger direct, Newegg.ca, or any others that you may know of. I travel a lot for my job so I can most likely pick up from store rather than pay for shipping.


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.

Just the Intel Haswell CPU

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

mouse/keyboard/HDDs

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Yes plan on overclocking the CPU a bit. Maybe other devices if you recommend.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

1080p

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

As soon as I've decided on everything. This week or next hopefully.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

Already have.

Here's what I have so far (most of it is from mfenn's recommended sticky, great resource btw :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:):


Monitor - Dell UltraSharp U2312HM 23" LED - $210 - Heard good things about this monitor but worried about the 8ms. Look for a lower response time?
CPU - Intel Core i5-4670K - $230 (limited time!) -
Graphics - XFX Radeon HD 7970 FX797ATDFC Video Card - $ 380 - (Not interested in SLI/Crossfie)
Mobo - MSI Z87-G43 Intel Z87 Motherboard - $120 - Will this support 1600Mhz Ram?
SSD - Samsung 840 250GB - $190 - What's the difference between the one linked and this one? Should I get the 840 pro?
Case - Corsair 200R - $62
RAM - Need input
PSU - Need input

Total so far: $1192

May not be able to reply today but will tomorrow.

Thank you
 
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M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
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www.mfenn.com
What you have listed so far looks good to me.

An IPS panel like the U2312HM will be slower in terms of response time than a 120Hz TN. Whether or not that bothers you is really a personal choice. I would advice trying to find one in stores so that you can observe it in person.

As for RAM and PSU, check these out:

Team DDR3 1600 8GB $52
XFX Core 650W $90
 
M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
20
0
66
Thanks for your reply mfenn. Did some more research and here are the changes:

Monitor - ASUS VG248QE 24" Widescreen LED 144Hz - $280
Case - Corsair 400R - $100 - Really like the features of this case. Cable management, more dust filters, more fans included, the HDD/SDD bays. My question.....how big is the XFX 7970? Will it fit inside this case?
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $30
PSU - XFX 650W PRO650W - $75 - Found it cheaper on NCIX
RAM - Kingston HyperX Blu Black 8GB 2X4GB DDR3 1600 - $60 - Is this Ok? I've decided to only buy from NCIX, Canada Computers, or Tiger Direct.

Updated Total: $1465

Also would I need extra fans for cooling? Is there anything else that I might need?
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
If you have the money I would go ahead and pick up an Nvidia card because you are getting a 3D monitor, while you may not ever even use the 3D, I personally would rather buy a video card that could support it if i ever had interest.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...546&CatId=7387

besides the 7xx series is brand new and the 770 isn't that much more than the 7970 and they tend to trade blows in games more or less, so it isn't a downgrade in performance.
 
M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
20
0
66
Thanks for that suggestion Essence_of_War. But seems that deal is only for newegg.com, not .ca. And Newegg.ca shipping is horrible so not gonna buy from there. However Canada computers is selling it for $105 so going for that.

mnewsham, I checked benchmarks for 770 vs 7970...and the 770 does perform somewhat better. But I haven't heard too many good things about the 700 series....aren't they just overclocked versions of the 600 series? Can I maybe overclock the 7970 to get close to the performance level of 770?

So I guess I'll buy the Kingston HyperX 8GB RAM, unless anyone has a better suggestion.

Getting the Samsung 840 pro on sale at Canada Computers for $220.
 
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M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
Mek. said:
Thanks for your reply mfenn. Did some more research and here are the changes:

Monitor - ASUS VG248QE 24" Widescreen LED 144Hz - $280
Case - Corsair 400R - $100 - Really like the features of this case. Cable management, more dust filters, more fans included, the HDD/SDD bays. My question.....how big is the XFX 7970? Will it fit inside this case?
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $30
PSU - XFX 650W PRO650W - $75 - Found it cheaper on NCIX
RAM - Kingston HyperX Blu Black 8GB 2X4GB DDR3 1600 - $60 - Is this Ok? I've decided to only buy from NCIX, Canada Computers, or Tiger Direct.

Updated Total: $1465

Also would I need extra fans for cooling? Is there anything else that I might need?
Click to expand...

No, you don't need extra fans. Also, the 400R is plenty big enough for a 7970.

As for the RAM, don't buy that because it's rated for 1.65V. You want 1.5V or lower for any Intel processor since Sandy Bridge. Get 1.5V RAM like this Mushkin kit instead.
 
M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
20
0
66
Alrite thanks for your input mfenn. I found cheaper RAM but with similar specs to the one you posted. Here is my updated build:

Corsair Carbide 500R WHITE - $105
CPU - Intel Core i5-4670K - $250 - price increased :(
Graphics - XFX Radeon HD 7970 FX797ATDFC - $ 380
Mobo - MSI Z87-G43 Intel Z87 Motherboard - $120
RAM - Crucial Ballistix BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S0 - $55 - Let me know if it's ok please
PSU - XFX 650W PRO650W Core Edition - $65 - Now with $10 mail-in-Rebate!
Monitor - ASUS VG248QE 24" 1ms (GtG) 144hz - $280
SSD - Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB - $220
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $30

Total: $1505

Let me know if any last minute changes. I'm most likely gonna start buying tomorrow.
 
R

riversend

Senior member
Dec 31, 2009
477
0
0
The Crucial Ballistix RAM will be fine. Good idea to go with the 256GB SSD, more space is always nice to have.
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
Mek. said:
Alrite thanks for your input mfenn. I found cheaper RAM but with similar specs to the one you posted. Here is my updated build:

Corsair Carbide 500R WHITE - $105
CPU - Intel Core i5-4670K - $250 - price increased :(
Graphics - XFX Radeon HD 7970 FX797ATDFC - $ 380
Mobo - MSI Z87-G43 Intel Z87 Motherboard - $120
RAM - Crucial Ballistix BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S0 - $55 - Let me know if it's ok please
PSU - XFX 650W PRO650W Core Edition - $65 - Now with $10 mail-in-Rebate!
Monitor - ASUS VG248QE 24" 1ms (GtG) 144hz - $280
SSD - Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB - $220
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $30

Total: $1505

Let me know if any last minute changes. I'm most likely gonna start buying tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Yep, that Ballistix is solid. The rest of the build looks good to me.
 
M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
20
0
66
I am going with Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 DIMMs.

Cheapest RAM with similar specs i could find. , that Ballistix RAM increased $25...just my luck :(

already bought processor + monitor in store. So many things they didn't have in stock. Ordering online now, total shipping cost for rest of products is around $30.
 
M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
20
0
66
Do I need to buy thermal cooling paste for the CPU?
I probably have some leftover from 7 years ago...can I use that?
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
Mek. said:
Do I need to buy thermal cooling paste for the CPU?
I probably have some leftover from 7 years ago...can I use that?
Click to expand...

Any seven year old paste is likely all dried up by now. The Hyper 212 EVO does come with a small tube of paste though, good for one or two applications.
 
M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
20
0
66
I have received everything except the SSD, case and RAM. They said the order should ship out today (had to back order the SSD :/)

Anyway..... I've been reading a up on the advantages that nvidia has over AMD due to Lightboost technology and zero motion blur and I'm really inclined to return the 7970 for a 770.

Although someone is working on creating a similar utility for AMD users...you never know if/when it will be released.

770's available:
Gigabyte 770 OC 1189MHZ 2GB - $410.
EVGA 770 Video Card - 2GB GDDR5 - $410

Would one of these be a good substitute for the 7970? Or should just stick with the 7970 and hope the utility will work.
 
Last edited:
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
Mek. said:
I have received everything except the SSD, case and RAM. They said the order should ship out today (had to back order the SSD :/)

Anyway..... I've been reading a up on the advantages that nvidia has over AMD due to Lightboost technology and zero motion blur and I'm really inclined to return the 7970 for a 770.

Although someone is working on creating a similar utility for AMD users...you never know if/when it will be released.

770's available:
Gigabyte 770 OC 1189MHZ 2GB - $410.
EVGA 770 Video Card - 2GB GDDR5 - $410

Would one of these be a good substitute for the 7970? Or should just stick with the 7970 and hope the utility will work.
Click to expand...

Lightboost is basically strobing the monitor backlight very quickly, which of course requires a compatible monitor. The U2312HM doesn't support it (and I don't think any 60 Hz IPS does), so getting an Nvidia GPU wouldn't really help you.
 
M

Mek.

Junior Member
Jun 6, 2013
20
0
66
No worries........actually ToastyX just confirmed that he'll release the utility next week for AMD users as well so I'm sticking with this 7970.

U know what else? I'm typing this from my new computer and its FKIN AMAZING! I was getting 500 fps minimums and 800-1000 fps average on a game i regularly play. I have the biggest smile on my face.

I was coming from a 7 year old computer and this upgrade is simply breathtaking :p

Thanks everyone for their input. Greatly appreciated.
 
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