Request for help with new build

[QuantumMechanic]

Here is my plea for help, Goku. I'm hoping for an i7 but I'm not sure if that's reasonable at this price point. What do you suggest?


1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?
Targeting $1,000 but am a bit flexible with that number

2. Where do you live (Please list if possible town, state, and country)?
California

3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?
Planetside 2, like a mofo

4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically.
I will need everything for the desktop itself (already have monitor)

5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts.
No

6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?
My current monitor is 1680x1050. Which is not 1080p I guess? I would like to support 1080p in the future though.

7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit?
I'll need 64bit windows.

8. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on.
I'm not looking for anything special here. Don't need multiple graphics card support.

9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?
No.

10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?
Probably within a couple of weeks.


Edit: one option I'm reserving is getting a pre-built machine, and then just swapping in a beefier power supply and graphics card. This is well within my comfort zone - I haven't built a machine from the ground up before.

[Rbstr]

If you're swapping the powersupply and graphics you're doing like half the work of building a whole new machine already.
An i7 requires to much sacrifice in other components, an i5 gets you nearly all of the performance and i7 does.

Here's something to start with, I went over budget by $45...because I think the 670 is worth it...but you can think about stepping down to AMD's $350 offering, and also lowing the CPU to the i5 3550. Can probably save ~$10 on the memory too by going with a 1.5v set.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cMvc

[Goku]

Only problem I see with Rbstr's build is the 3570K. If he doesn't intend to overclock there is really no reason to get it as it can save him money getting a 3450 with a B75 or lower chipset.

I just got a 7950 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127667) from Newegg for $310 after MIR. Once I sell off the 3 games it should come to about $270ish. I'm loving the card and if you don't want to spend in excess of $300 I recommend it. Even the 7970 at $400 level now is tempting.

I'll do a build tomorrow to see if I can do anything different (not saying yours isn't good Rbstr). I'm not feeling too good right now and meshing components/numbers will just given a worse headache.

[QuantumMechanic]

Thanks for the info and build Rbstr. In addition to that I think I'd just need a DVD burner and a NIC and that would be a pretty mean machine.

I didn't realize that i7 and i5 were similar in performance.

Also looking forward to what you come up with later, Goku.

As a side note I live nearby the Santa Clara Micro Center, and it seems they have some good deals that are for in-store pickup only. I found that i5 CPU for a significantly better price:

http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?N=4294966995+4294941032&ekw=i5

If I were to get a pre-built machine and then add a upgraded power supply and GPU then I'd probably go with this:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0390975

It's pretty close to what Rbstr came up with (although the drive is bigger and slower, and the memory is slower as well).

[Goku]

Oh you are near a MC? This changes everything.

I don't recommend doing prebuilt -> upgrading. Best off learning how to do this. Really isn't that hard at all and its a good skill to have. Have you ever looked up guides on youtube with it? Its easy.

[Rbstr]

You won't need an NIC...unless you use wireless, I guess (there are NICs that are gamer marketed...waste of money IMO).

If you're near an MC that's great. You can get a much better deal on a mobo/CPU combo. I'd stick with the 3570K in that case...you get 200mhz more over the 3550 besides the overclocking capability.
They also have that ASRock motherboard for a bit cheaper.

...That pre-built is actually pretty well priced. Considering you get Win7pro in there too. I'm kind of surprised, actually.
But it uses a pretty slow harddisk and you still end up better off DIY.

[NumbaOneStunna]

You also dont need a Z77 board if you are not overclocking, get an H77.

[Goku]

Alright.

From MC:

Intel Core i5 3570K - $189.99 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577)
ASRock Z77 Pro3 - $44.99 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387627) (with combo)

Total = $234.98 + $18.21 (tax) = $253.19

From Amazon:

MSI Radeon HD7950 - $329.99 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007NG3WR2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Hitachi Deskstar 3.5-Inch 1TB HDD - $89.99 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/cart/view.html/ref=gno_cart)
XFX ATX 550 Power Supply - $63.99 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RJ8EKI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Antec One Hundred - $56.07 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006TVQU6C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
PNY Optima 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) - $38.99 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DHNAGM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive - $17.99 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057FRTPW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit - $90.65 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q0PT3I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

Total = $687.67

Grand total = $687.67 (Amazon) + $253.19 (MC) = $940.86

Now I looked around. Really is not worth even going for that $150 3450 and getting a cheap motherboard. Nets you only about a $20 savings and you will be loosing a lot in terms of features. 3570K + cheap Z77 from MC is the best route.

Now the total for mine comes to $940.86. What can you do with the extra money? Get this GTX 670 (http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GV-N670OC-2GD-GeForce-Windforce-Graphics/dp/B0080I06WQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1343052172&sr=8-3&keywords=gtx+670) instead of the 7950 I listed or go for a SSD. I personally prefer the SSD. You have awhile before ordering so you can in a hot deal for these, like this one (http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/77176/buy.com-128gb-crucial-m4-2.5-sata-iii-mlc-internal-solid-state-drive-ssd-ct128m4ssd2). I would setup a deal alert on that site, so when it comes in you can order one. That 7950 overclocks quite easily also. You can likely hit 1000MHz just by pulling the slider over the overclocking program, which nets you as good performance as a 7970 ($70 more and ties with the 670 mostly). With voltage tweaks I was able to get 1150MHz stable with it, I'm loving the card right now.

[NumbaOneStunna]

I like Goku's build, its perfect. Not saying Rbst's is bad at all either, they are almost identical.

I wish I had a MicroCenter.

[QuantumMechanic]

Alright, thanks for all of the suggestions and help guys. I appreciate it!

[QuantumMechanic]

I just checked Micro Center's website, and their Santa Clara location's last day of business was yesterday. LMAO. F'ing economy.

[Goku]

Wow really thats really stupid. I heard they were opening 4 new stores, lol no idea they closed one...

Did you look into overclocking? Otherwise its a b75 and 3450.

3450 - http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-3450-Quad-Core-Processor-Cache/dp/B007SZ0ECE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343098643&sr=8-1&keywords=3450
B75 - http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-Micro-Motherboards-GA-B75M-D3H/dp/B007R9CRGW/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343098692&sr=1-4&keywords=b75

[QuantumMechanic]

Fry's is a lot more popular here than Micro Center. I've driven by the Micro Center for years but never even stepped foot inside the place.

About overclocking, I don't really know anything about it so I'm not planing on doing it. I assume I'd have to upgrade the CPU fan, maybe add some case fans etc. Not sure how it would affect power usage either. And I don't particularly like having a PC that sounds like a jet airplane right next to me.

[Goku]

A lot of the times the aftermarket CPU cooler is quieter then a stock cooler actually. I don't see any need to add case fans either. Power usage probably isn't that much higher either. If you aren't interested no point in pursuing it however. That mobo and cpu I linked will suffice. Have you checked up on youtubes guides at all for building computers?

[Bags]

That GPU is out of stock on amazon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127667

^ here it is for $20 cheaper and you get 3 free games.

[Goku]

NE charges tax to Cali. Figured by the time its in stock he will be ready to order. Unless he wants those games...

[Bags]

NE charges tax to Cali.

Ahh, didn't catch that.

[QuantumMechanic]

Also this time around I wanted to stick with the "standard" Intel + Nvidia combo. I've had an AMD processor before, and I've got an ATI card in this current machine right now.

Whenever a game has GPU-specific bugs, it's usually on ATI cards it seems. I guess they test more on Nvidia as they are more common.

So I'm checking out some PC building how-to videos now. I've done mostly everything before except for installing the CPU on the mobo and installing the mobo into the case. Well, correction. When I was a kid I upgraded my Apple][ to a Apple][+ by pulling out a 48k chip and replacing it with a 64k chip. So how much harder can this shit be? :P

[Mutant]

Also this time around I wanted to stick with the "standard" Intel + Nvidia combo. I've had an AMD processor before, and I've got an ATI card in this current machine right now.


Nothing "Standard" about Intel + Nvidia combo. (They have no love for each other, in fact Nvidia would give its left arm to gain an x86 licence and Intel have ensured they will never get one, and intel destroyed Nvidia's once profitable chipset business)

Just right now i5 3570K + GTX 670 hits the right performance/$ spot for enthusiasts.




Whenever a game has GPU-specific bugs, it's usually on ATI cards it seems. I guess they test more on Nvidia as they are more common.

This is a bit unfair, both Nvidia and AMD have their own issues just as both have cards fail, While ATI had poor drivers for a period, that was 10 years ago now, I suspect you might hear about AMDs issues more due to the larger green fanboy horde.
What is fair to say though is Nvidia pay(or give lots of free stuff) way more developers and engage in shady non competitive business practices to cripple AMD. (http://hexus.net/tech/news/graphics/20991-amd-nvidia-batman-arkham-asylum-aa-fiasco-telling-truth/) or helping developers add useless features just to help their own cards in benchmarks (http://techreport.com/articles.x/21404/6), the irony of that "feature" is next gen AMD(GCN) is much better than nvidia next gen (Kelper) at generating geometry (580 has 16 while 680 has 8 geometry units). so AMD now 'wins' in Crysis 2.

So buy what fits your needs and gives the best value when you want it, Intel / AMD / Nvidia / Other.


So I'm checking out some PC building how-to videos now. I've done mostly everything before except for installing the CPU on the mobo and installing the mobo into the case. Well, correction. When I was a kid I upgraded my Apple][ to a Apple][+ by pulling out a 48k chip and replacing it with a 64k chip. So how much harder can this shit be? :P

Glad to see you now intend to build yourself, best way for sure.

[Goku]

Also this time around I wanted to stick with the "standard" Intel + Nvidia combo. I've had an AMD processor before, and I've got an ATI card in this current machine right now.

Whenever a game has GPU-specific bugs, it's usually on ATI cards it seems. I guess they test more on Nvidia as they are more common.

So I'm checking out some PC building how-to videos now. I've done mostly everything before except for installing the CPU on the mobo and installing the mobo into the case. Well, correction. When I was a kid I upgraded my Apple][ to a Apple][+ by pulling out a 48k chip and replacing it with a 64k chip. So how much harder can this shit be? :P

Both Nvidia and AMD have potential issus in games. AMD just has the worse reputation due to having pretty bad drivers years ago. I had AMD cards for since 2009 in my computer. Just fall of last year I had a 560 Ti in there. I noticed no difference in driver quality or game bugs. Now if you are talking about multi gpu Nvidia does have the upper hand there, I will admit that. Go for what you want of course, but don't be blinded by myths.

[QuantumMechanic]

Well I pulled the trigger and ordered the GPU that Rbstr suggested (Gigabyte GTX 670 (http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GV-N670OC-2GD-GeForce-Windforce-Graphics/dp/B0080I06WQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343252985&sr=8-1&keywords=gigabyte+gtx+670+windforce)). I checked out some reviews and they were very favorable of this card amongst all GTX 670s, so between that and the fact that PS2 was running on GTX 670's at E3 I'm pretty happy with this choice.

Screw Micro Center, I'm going to swing by Fry's tonight and see how many of the parts I can pick up locally. Time to get this project rollin!

[QuantumMechanic]

Ok, I need help with one more thing. I just stopped by Fry's, and it looks like they have all the components I need. And they will match Amazon's prices (including shipping).

But they don't have that ASRock Z77 motherboard. In fact they don't have any ASRock motherboards at all.

They do have plenty of Asus, Gigabyte and MSI motherboards though. AIX, Z77 supporting the 1155 Core i5 3570k processor that I'll get.

But motherboards are probably my weakest area, I simply don't know enough yet to be able to pick out a good one that is compatible with my processor. USB 3.0 would be nice enough, I need SATA of course, and an integrated intel graphics chipset would be nice (so I can start up windows before I install the graphics card), but I don't know if that's standard or not. I'm assuming a fast network interface is standard.

So any suggestions for an Asus, Gigabyte or MSI motherboard that will work well for me? Here's what Fry's has: http://www.frys.com/category/Outpost/Electronic+Components/Computer+Components/Motherboards/

[Goku]

Quantum are you going to overclock? If not just get the 3450 with a h77 or B75 mobo and call it a day.

[QuantumMechanic]

I'm not going to overclock at first, no. But now that I'm getting into all this crud I want to leave that door open. I might do it in a couple of years when I feel like I need a bit of a speed boost.

[Goku]

The MSI Z77-G43, Gigabyte Z77-U3H, and Asus Z77-V LX are all good budget choices in my opinion. Choose whichever looks best cosmetically to you.

[Rbstr]

All Z77 motherboards should have at least 2 USB3.0 slots and 2 SATA 6gb/s ports, IIRC. You'd probably have at least 4 more of USB2 and 2-4 more SATA 3gb/s on an ATX sized board. The fancier the board the more USB3.0 and SATA 6 you'll get. Plus SLi stuff and fancy heatsinks and expensive branding.

Onboard graphics is in all Z77s (actually it's part of the CPU you're buying, the motherboard simply has to provide support and the ports) and basically all motherboards made will have integrated sound and gigabit ethernet.

The ASRock was the suggestion because it's pretty much the cheapest and not from some shady company. They're a spinoff of Asus and they've kept up to Asus's decent reliability reputation. MSI and Gigabyte are both also well-regarded. The important part is getting the right chipset. You can't really go wrong with any of the three. Your basic Z77 from anyone has probably got all you want.

(so I can start up windows before I install the graphics card)
Even though you could, I can't see much reason for wanting to do this.

[QuantumMechanic]

Thanks again for the help, guys. This is turning out to be a good learning experience for me.

Those boards all seem to basically deliver the same functionality in terms of number of USB, SATA and PCI slots, etc. Interesting that it says they all support Crossfire (no SLI? Not that I require it).

So I'm going to go with the MSI Z77A-G43. Mainly because of it's supposedly easy to use BIOS interface (aren't they all), but moreso because it has "OC Genie II". Yes, this is overclocking for noobies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBSfEPDZtjA

As this guy with the great accent will tell you (while rambling on for 3 minutes with his friend "Mr Green Ogre"), this mobo lets you overclock with the push of a single button. Now that's something I'd be willing to try.

[Bags]

When I used the built in auto OC with my motherboard (an MSI z68-something other) it gave a very poor OC because it made the voltage very high so it got very hot. Just a word of warning.

[QuantumMechanic]

Heat is already a concern of mine. I've got my current machine inside a "PC cubby-hole" that is built into my desk. Problem is, there's very little air circulation in there (even with the cubby hole door open).

As a test, last night I closed that door and while playing Witcher (1, not even 2) the core temp went up to 84 degrees.

My other concern is sound. I don't like wearing headphones all the time, and I don't like having a noisy computer drowning out the sounds of my games. Closing the cubby hole door is good for sound and bad for heat. Keeping the door open is good for heat and bad for sound :P

And the new case I'm getting is a lot better ventillated but most likely noisier (Antec Three Hundred Two).

I'm hoping a 620 watt PSU will handle the extra power requirement from overclocking ok. The GTX 670 recommends only 550w.

[Goku]

You better get a aftermarket cooler like the Coolermaster Hyper 212+/EVO at the very least.

[QuantumMechanic]

Gotcha, on it.

My GTX 670 just arrived a few minutes ago... well ahead of schedule (was supposed to arrive sometime early next week). Everything else I'm picking up locally today and tomorrow, so it looks like I can get started on building this bad boy this weekend. Stoked.

[QuantumMechanic]

This is my post of appreciation. Thanks to Goku, Rbstr and everybody who chimed in, my first custom built gaming PC is up and running (and installing lots of updates as we speak). I appreciated the help so much I finally made that donation to psu.com too.

The total cost after tax was close to $1200. A bit over budget but I'm happy with what I got. This is the build I ended up with:

Intel Core i5 3570k
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU cooler
MSI Z77A-G45 motherboard
Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600mhz (2x4 GB) RAM
Gigabyte GTX 670 GPU
Antec HGC 750 watt PSU
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200RPM HD
LG 24x DVD RW
Antec Three Hundred Two chassis

Here is the finished product (I know my cable management needs a lot of work):

http://i.imgur.com/w89tX.jpg

I got this baby ready in time for beta, yeah! Thanks bros.