New PC Build, looking for suggestions

[mentalcase87]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.

Gaming BF3, WOW, Skyrim, first person shooters and other graphically demanding games. I am focusing on a gaming build that has no lag when games aren't being played, as well as fast boot and some photo editing but still very very basic with photoshop and maybe some video but again basic for now.

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

1,000 - 1,200

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

US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.

None

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

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148377

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

I am debating on doing watercooling for my CPU and OC on CPU

8. What resolution will you be using?

1920 x 1080 it's a 46" tv I am hoping to get a new one in the future. But it would be another 46"

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

ASAP

I have two very very rough builds which are similar but I have no objections to 100% changing them to something better. I haven't gotten to put much effort into these due to being very busy at the moment. But since my PC is shot I need to get this built.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/haLW

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/h139


Thanks for any help you are able to offer!

 

[dmoney1980]

those 2 builds you have are ok, but I think you are overspending on the mobo. I would recommend the ASRock extreme 4, which cuurrently gets you 8gb of RAM for free from newegg- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...NG&PageSize=20

you can read the review on the motherboard at the link below. As you can see, it offers the same gaming performance as higher priced boards, but offers the fastest boot times and same overclocking
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5793/...-with-ivy-bridge-asrock-asus-gigabyte-and-msi


For the PSU - since you are building a 1k rig here, i would recommend a quality 550-650W unit like a Corsair, Seasonic, or XFX. Everything else looks good. Are you set with a windows OS disc?

 

[mentalcase87]

those 2 builds you have are ok, but I think you are overspending on the mobo. I would recommend the ASRock extreme 4, which cuurrently gets you 8gb of RAM for free from newegg- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...NG&PageSize=20

For the PSU - since you are building a 1k rig here, i would recommend a quality 550-650W unit like a Corsair, Seasonic, or XFX. Everything else looks good. Are you set with a windows OS disc?

Ok as long as the mobo has usb 3.0 I am happy, I have a good speaker system that I use through optical audio as well so I will check out the audio on it.
For the windows disc I should be good to go with the one I have been using and I will check into a better PSU since my PSU is the very reason I am now doing this lol. A nice sized spark and I said F it, time for a new PC.

 

[dmoney1980]

yes that mobo has rear and front I/O USB 3. What case are you using?

Spend the extra $ and get a quality PSU

 

[mentalcase87]

I haven't decided on the case yet. I am going to pick that last based on build and what I am currently at in cost.

 

[dmoney1980]

Well, I can tell you that the Fractal Design R4 is a nice case. I have the mini version of the case below since I have a micro atx mobo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352020

 

[lehtv]

I like how it has nine five egg reviews and that's it. Zero complaints so far, let's see how long it can keep that up

 

[Termie]

Skip the Rosewill PSU - you can get a nice Seasonic modular for a bit more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151093

Or alternatively this Corsair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139020

Yes to AsRock Extreme 4 - that's a definite win.

Skip the 660Ti and go for either the HD7950 (for OK stock speeds and monster overclocking) or the 670 (for great stock performance and so-so overclocking).

Buy this Samsung RAM for the deal of the century (well, except for FREE ram with the AsRock): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096. You see how it doesn't have those giant multi-colored heat spreaders? That's because it's better!

As for the case, you can do well with the Corsair 300R. Much cheaper than the Fractal cases. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139011

Otherwise, nice build. Enjoy!

 

[mentalcase87]

Skip the Rosewill PSU - you can get a nice Seasonic modular for a bit more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151093

Or alternatively this Corsair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139020

Yes to AsRock Extreme 4 - that's a definite win.

Skip the 660Ti and go for either the HD7950 (for OK stock speeds and monster overclocking) or the 670 (for great stock performance and so-so overclocking).

Buy this Samsung RAM for the deal of the century (well, except for FREE ram with the AsRock): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147096. You see how it doesn't have those giant multi-colored heat spreaders? That's because it's better!

As for the case, you can do well with the Corsair 300R. Much cheaper than the Fractal cases. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139011

Otherwise, nice build. Enjoy!

Damn Killin me on the ram lol since I would of gotten it free with the mobo but that is some serious ram! Hopefully I can sit down and try and respec this out shortly. I want to get this thing built.

 

[riversend]

Based on your parts build, I would guess you are just shooting for a moderate overclock and are not going to the extreme on that front. In that case, go with the AsRock Extreme4 and the free RAM, it will do the trick and it is a nice board. You could bump down your overall PSU since there is no SLI/Crossfire going on, down to 450W would work ok. That opens up your PSU choices a bit.

Case, if you have the money, is where you can spend a couple of extra bucks to get something you are happy with: you have to look at it every day, may as well be something aesthetically pleasing.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Damn Killin me on the ram lol since I would of gotten it free with the mobo but that is some serious ram! Hopefully I can sit down and try and respec this out shortly. I want to get this thing built.

The Samsung RAM is great for people who like tweaking their systems to death, but if it's an extra cost (which it is) just don't bother, the RAM you get with the Extreme4 will be just fine for what you plan on doing.

Given your budget, I say just use mfenn's mid-range system build, up the 7950 in the build to a 7970 or a 670 and you're pretty much set (or don't, you won't really need anything that powerful for 1920x1080 gaming IMO).

 

[dmoney1980]

I like how it has nine five egg reviews and that's it. Zero complaints so far, let's see how long it can keep that up

yeah, flawless reviews are rare on newegg

 

[mentalcase87]

I have changed my build around a bit, the graph card has been changed and I added a case. I really wanted a case with USB 3.0 on the front and this one claims to have it but also says in the video it's 2.0 so I am slightly confused. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hfi8

 

[Termie]

I have changed my build around a bit, the graph card has been changed and I added a case. I really wanted a case with USB 3.0 on the front and this one claims to have it but also says in the video it's 2.0 so I am slightly confused. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hfi8

Great build, go for it. That's an updated version of the HAF 922, I believe. They added USB3. You could also go for the Corsair 300R, as I suggested earlier, which is cheaper and has been highly praised: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6055/corsair-carbide-300r-case-review-corsair-for-the-masses

It's more modern than the HAF and will probably be easier to work with. There are two versions of the 300R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scription=300r

 

[mentalcase87]

Great build, go for it. That's an updated version of the HAF 922, I believe. They added USB3. You could also go for the Corsair 300R, as I suggested earlier, which is cheaper and has been highly praised: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6055/corsair-carbide-300r-case-review-corsair-for-the-masses

It's more modern than the HAF and will probably be easier to work with. There are two versions of the 300R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scription=300r

I changed the case, the price comes out exactly the same because I picked the clear case one...But I am wondering if I really need that.

 

[mfenn]

Great build, go for it. That's an updated version of the HAF 922, I believe. They added USB3. You could also go for the Corsair 300R, as I suggested earlier, which is cheaper and has been highly praised: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6055/corsair-carbide-300r-case-review-corsair-for-the-masses

It's more modern than the HAF and will probably be easier to work with. There are two versions of the 300R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scription=300r

:thumbsup: Agree on the case. The HAF designs are getting long in the tooth. Otherwise the build looks good to me.

 

[Termie]

I changed the case, the price comes out exactly the same because I picked the clear case one...But I am wondering if I really need that.

The clear case is just for looks - depends if that's important to you.

BTW, the Rosewill PSU is fine, but if you can get a Corsair/Seasonic for a few dollars more, I'd go in that direction.

 

[mentalcase87]

OK! So my full total is $1059.80 ATM tax and shipping included I have changed the build slightly with a new PSU. That price also doesn't include the rebates because odds are I might not bother with them because well..im lazy and rebates suck! My buddy is pushing me to do it so who knows.

Now I believe I am still missing things, like maybe sata cables? I have one for my current HDD. I also notice that for the HDD they offer a "upgrade kit" which includes stuff in it, I don't believe I need this but I have never had a SSD and I believe I would only need a Sata cable for it and it would fit right into a mounting bay? I am guessing the thermal paste that comes with the CPU is sufficient? I will probably buy fans for it later since they are cheap but ill wait to see how hot it gets. I will also see how much I can OC with this cheaper but well reviewed CPU Cooler, I honestly prob won't get around to OCing because I never did with my old pc that I built 4 years ago.

This is what I believe the final build =) http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hfvu

 

[Termie]

OK! So my full total is $1059.80 ATM tax and shipping included I have changed the build slightly with a new PSU. That price also doesn't include the rebates because odds are I might not bother with them because well..im lazy and rebates suck! My buddy is pushing me to do it so who knows.

Now I believe I am still missing things, like maybe sata cables? I have one for my current HDD. I also notice that for the HDD they offer a "upgrade kit" which includes stuff in it, I don't believe I need this but I have never had a SSD and I believe I would only need a Sata cable for it and it would fit right into a mounting bay? I am guessing the thermal paste that comes with the CPU is sufficient? I will probably buy fans for it later since they are cheap but ill wait to see how hot it gets. I will also see how much I can OC with this cheaper but well reviewed CPU Cooler, I honestly prob won't get around to OCing because I never did with my old pc that I built 4 years ago.

This is what I believe the final build =) http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hfvu

That's a perfect build. Nice work!

Here are the responses to your questions:
(1) The motherboard should come with all the SATA cables you need. Don't buy any.
(2) The case only has two fans, but many fan mounts, so yes, eventually you might want to buy a few more, but it will work fine for now with the stock fans.
(3) An SSD will fit on the drive sleds provided with the case. No need to spend more on an SSD with a desktop mounting kit.
(4) The CoolerMaster 212 fan will come with thermal paste - it should be sufficient for your needs.

So, in short, you're all set.

 

[mentalcase87]

That's a perfect build. Nice work!

Here's a few responses to your questions:
(1) The motherboard should come with all the SATA cables you need. Don't buy any.
(2) The case only has two fans, but many fan mounts, so yes, eventually you might want to buy a few more, but it will work fine for now with the stock fans.
(3) An SSD will fit on the drive sleds provided with the case. No need to spend more on an SSD with a desktop mounting kit.
(4) The CoolerMaster 212 fan will come with thermal paste - it should be sufficient for your needs.

So, in short, you're all set.

Awesome thanks a ton! I will order this tonight, now for the anxious waiting!! ughh lol

 

[Termie]

Awesome thanks a ton! I will order this tonight, now for the anxious waiting!! ughh lol

A couple of other things to note:
(1) you don't have an optical drive - just want to make sure that wasn't an oversight.
(2) you don't have an OS selected.
(3) the EVGA GTX670 FTW that you've selected is a great card (I have one), and $400 is a fair price for it. But NCIX is pretty bad about pulling the bait-and-switch, and the website says they have "ONE" card at that price. You could end up paying a few dollars more - Newegg's price is $407, so make sure it isn't more than that.

 

[mentalcase87]

A couple of other things to note:
(1) you don't have an optical drive - just want to make sure that wasn't an oversight.
(2) you don't have an OS selected.
(3) the EVGA GTX670 FTW that you've selected is a great card (I have one), and $400 is a fair price for it. But NCIX is pretty bad about pulling the bait-and-switch, and the website says they have "ONE" card at that price. You could end up paying a few dollars more - Newegg's price is $407, so make sure it isn't more than that.

One and 2 I have from my old system. And I am getting the card from amazon which will also get me borderlands 2 free lol. But thanks for catching all that!

Also how is ncix when it comes to shipping? I was also going to use the free 2 day shipping trial for newegg, everything else is amazon prime.

 

[sonicanatidae]

This may be a good time to consider upgrading your optical, if they are basic drives.

NewEgg has a truly awesome dual-layer capable ASUS DRW-24B1ST drive for $19.99 shipped. The drive has almost 2800 5-star reviews and burns everything but HD/Blu-ray. I've bought 3 so far and all have been excellent for me.

clickie:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

 

[mfenn]

Awesome thanks a ton! I will order this tonight, now for the anxious waiting!! ughh lol

Hmm, did you recently change the GPU to the EVGA or did I just overlook it earlier?

At any rate, I would not buy that card because it has a sub-par cooler compared the available choices in the same price range. This Gigabyte has a better cooler and costs less.

 

[mentalcase87]

Mfenn I had recently changed it you aren't crazy. Reviews showed it to be amazing with a great price so I figured might as well it fits the budget. I'll get that one instead thanks for thw suggestion.

And sonic I never ever use my drive, I use my phone and flash drives as well as my 1tb external to get things on the computer or anywhere I need it. But for that low price maybe its not so bad to pick up a faster one.