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New gaming PC build time, several years

post #1 of 24
Thread Starter 
Hello guys,
I haven't built a PC in several years...so I haven't been keeping up on hardware. I am looking to build a gaming PC that can run Guild Wars 2, Borderlands 2, DayZ, The War-Z, etc on very high gfx at decent resolution. I would like to keep it around $1k for the full build, definitely not over $1400.

-I do not care if I go AMD or Intel for the processor, whatever you guys recommend.

-Same with mobo, whatever you guys recommend as long as it's 2-card SLI ready. Onboard sound works for me too, so no soundcard. My current mobo is EVGA, i've had great luck with EVGA and Asus in the past, but times do change...

-For video cards I would like to stay nVidia. I want to build a computer that's SLI ready but i'd like to wait to buy a 2nd card after the price drops...so like a year down the road. I am more than willing to buy a near top of the line card right now though, but just one! No quad SLI boards please, that's overkill for me.

-I have no idea which SSDs are good or bad for gaming. I just need one that's about 320g in size for the OS and games+apps. I already have storage HDs so no need for that.

-Whatever PSU you guys recommend for 2-card SLI ready. Same with RAM, what's standard these days? 8g? Both my current RAM and PSU are Corsair brand which seems to be a good brand.

-One kicker is I want a plain-jane case. No side window, no flashy stuff, just a normal looking case. I would like 120mm fans though, maybe 2 intake and 1 exhaust? Something like that. I like having 2 for intake to cool HDs.

-Also I have all my peripherals already, just need to build a PC.

As far as overclocking i'm really not too worried about it. I haven't really bothered with my current PC. Just looking for something that can run the games above on highest gfx settings. As you can see from my current PC specs I can't do that on some newer games and it sux.

Also is Amazon and Newegg still the go-to places to buy new parts?

Thanks a ton guys, I haven't posted here in a while. Feel free to ask my more questions as i'm probably missing stuff. I'll keep a close eye on this thread.
post #2 of 24
Thread Starter 
OK i've been browsing threads and here's what someone recommended:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 612 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R
Power Supply: Corsair 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($24.97 @ Newegg)

Is that a good and pretty 'reasonable' top-of-the-line CPU and motherboard combo?

Still not sure which SSD to get that's 250g or 320g

Any other suggestions? Also still wondering if Intel is the way to go over AMD or not.
post #3 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by morrow View Post

OK i've been browsing threads and here's what someone recommended:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 612 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R
Power Supply: Corsair 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($24.97 @ Newegg)
Is that a good and pretty 'reasonable' top-of-the-line CPU and motherboard combo?
Still not sure which SSD to get that's 250g or 320g
Any other suggestions? Also still wondering if Intel is the way to go over AMD or not.

Intel Ivy Bridge(3570K) is way beyond what AMD have at this point, the best gaming CPU for your money. Link from Techreport


Get this Extreme 4 offer at Newegg It comes with 8G of G.Skill Ares DDDR3-1600 Ram(same spec as your Corsair Vegenance) Free for 134.99 total.

Optical Drive get the cheapest DVD Burner avaliable, you wouldn't feel the difference either way and that's $10 wasted.
SSD wise get a good 240/256G STATIII SSD(I recommend Samsung 830 but OCZ Vertex 4 might be good as well), that's enough for your games and OS.

You will boot on average 20 seconds faster and load games 15 seconds faster(espically on loading intensive games like Battlfield 3, my SSD saves me 1 minute every hour(4 match loads an hour).

What about a Discrete Graphics card?(I recommend a GTX 670 as it is really close to a GTX 680 in performance (-5%) and $100 cheaper), The Gigabyte OC & MSI PE models are both pretty good in cooling/Overclocking, I prefer the Gigabyte because it is cheaper without the rebate and I can't be bothered to do rebates.

Gigabyte N670-OC-2GD(my card), on sale with a 10% off promocode: 359.99 after the code.

What monitor are you using/planning to buy, what resolution/FPS will you be gaming at?
Edited by sherlock - 9/13/12 at 11:56am
     
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16GB NAND 64GB Samsung Class 10 UHS-I micro SD card Android 4.2.2+NovaTouchwiz 5" FHD SAMOLED 1080X1920 Display 
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post #4 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by morrow View Post

OK i've been browsing threads and here's what someone recommended:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 612 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R
Power Supply: Corsair 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($24.97 @ Newegg)
Is that a good and pretty 'reasonable' top-of-the-line CPU and motherboard combo?
Still not sure which SSD to get that's 250g or 320g
Any other suggestions? Also still wondering if Intel is the way to go over AMD or not.

That is an awesomely solid build route. I am sorta surprised, most people come in here and go "Look what I want to build", and it has really odd selections and things that don't make sense. You have selected the best gaming processor, no question there. AsRock makes awesome motherboards and just loads them for the money, solid choice. Corsair power supplies are good as well, my understanding is SeaSonic makes many of them.

A suggestion I would make is on your cooler. Cooler Master just came out with this, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103176, it has been getting really strong reviews and showing awesome results. The one you selected would work as well, but since the Ivybridge processors are a little warmer than Sandy, I would say go for the TPC in the link.

Lastly, the SSD. Crucial M4's, Samsung 830's, both strongly recommend, I have a Mushkin Enhanced, and it is great. I try not to recommend OCZ, there seems to be a higher failure rate on those and updating the Bios isn't end user friendly. Right now with pricing I would grab a 256GB, they can be hand for under $200, I have seen sales as low as $150.
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post #5 of 24
i just built almost the same thing sorta.

I highly suggest make sure you get the low profile version of the corsair vengeance otherwise you will have trouble finding a CPU heatsink that will clear the ram because its so tall. only other option is removing the heat spreaders.

heatsinks that work with that ram are CM hyper 212+, a noctua heat sink, and the thermalright TRUE or Archon. and a couple others but those are the popular ones
    
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post #6 of 24
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the killer replies guys. Let me revise my list:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103176
Mobo & RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
Case: Corsair 300R
Power Supply: Corsair 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: cheapest SATA one possible

Will the above CPU cooler have any problems interacting with the RAM in the RAM+Mobo combo? EDIT: also wondering about this and if it's worth it over an air cooled heat sink http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181015&Tpk=corsair%20hydro%20series%20h60

I'm still looking at which nVidia 670 to get. Previously I had EVGA (warranty) brand. Will this case cause any space issues with SLI or is it big enough (still reading through the 300R thread...)
Edited by morrow - 9/13/12 at 12:21pm
post #7 of 24
Thread Starter 
Also why does that mobo have onboard video? Back in the day that was always junk. Do most motherboards just have that available these days even if you don't want it?
Quote:
What monitor are you using/planning to buy, what resolution/FPS will you be gaming at?
Sorry forgot to answer this. Well I haven't bought a monitor yet as i'm holding off. Currently re-arranging my place. Not concerned about it right now. I currently game on a 720p LCD TV as my monitor.
Edited by morrow - 9/13/12 at 12:23pm
post #8 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by morrow View Post

Thanks for the killer replies guys. Let me revise my list:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103176
Mobo & RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
Case: Corsair 300R
Power Supply: Corsair 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: cheapest SATA one possible
Will the above CPU cooler have any problems interacting with the RAM in the RAM+Mobo combo?
I'm still looking at which nVidia 670 to get. Previously I had EVGA (warranty) brand. Will this case cause any space issues with SLI or is it big enough (still reading through the 300R thread...)

The EVGA 670 FTW is good and should SLI just fine on your Mobo(1 slot space between the two, however with any SLI you should add side panel/bottom fans if possible to facilitate cooling. If I were you I consider the Corsair 400/500R over the 300R as they offer more side panel cooling options than the 300R.

Mobo audio these days are pretty good, Extreme 4 come with 7.1 HD audio with Realtek Drivers and they sound pretty good to my ear.

I still recommend the Gigabyte 670 OC over the FTW, as it is on sale on newegg for 359.99 after a 10% off code, much cheaper than FTW @ 407.99 while their OC ability are comparable, while the Gigabyte offers better cooling/noise at the same fan speed(custom cooler have the advantage over Blower cooler). I own this card and I chose it over the FTW for the above reasons.

Keep in mind now that EVGA have dropped their lifetime warranty policy for newer cards, their 3 year warranty is a lot like everyone else. Gigabyte for example offers the same type of registration-free warranty for the same length(3 year).
Edited by sherlock - 9/13/12 at 12:27pm
     
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post #9 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by morrow View Post

Also why does that mobo have onboard video? Back in the day that was always junk. Do most motherboards just have that available these days even if you don't want it?

The processor itself has a GPU on die, this started a little while back. So if you don't buy a discrete card like a GTX 670, you can run the GPU that is built into the CPU. Which are more powerful than what you used to get with the traditional on-board.
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post #10 of 24
that g.skill aries will be fine since its low profile ram and does have super tall heat spreaders on it.
    
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CoolingOSMonitorKeyboard
212 EVO P/P SP120 Win7 Hannspree 23" Generic multimedia 
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CoolingOSMonitorKeyboard
212 EVO P/P SP120 Win7 Hannspree 23" Generic multimedia 
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