Advise on new Build

[djf711]

Hi
FIRST TIME POSTER (Bare with me)
I hope I am on the right board. I feel like building a new system to replace a Gateway Desktop. This will be my second Build.
I want to play games (Black Ops, Far Cry 3, etc) Watch HD Video and Listen to High Quality Audio!!

My 1st Build which I will still be using!!

ASUS 97p550-E LX
Intel i5-655k LG 1156
GigaByte ATI Radeon Series HD5770
Seasonic X series 660W (80 plus)
Intel SSD 330 Series 240GB
Seagate Barracuda 32MB 7200 rpm 1TB
LG Super Multi Blue Ray WH10 10x
Coolmaster Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler
Coolmaster CMStorm Case

I am Looking at the Intel i7 3770k 3.5 GHz LGA 1155 to start (Micro Center has price of $229) I am open to any and all suggestions for this Build!!

Thank You in advance for any Feedback!!!

[ludi]

(Bare with me)

Uhm...no thanks

Looks like a good setup overall, but wondering about the graphics card -- that's an old model. Are you re-using it from another build, or buying a new card with the upgrade? A Radeon 7850 would be more in line with your other components.

Good choice on the SSD, although if it proves too pricey, the Crucial M4 256GB is also a suitable alternate.

[superjawes]

I actually didn't response because I am not sure what's going on...I think that parts list is the current system (which is not changing, therefore cannot be salvaged into a new system), but so far, only the 3770k is listed for the new build...again, if I understand correctly, which I may not.

For starters, it would probably be best to outline a budget for this system. Then, take a look at the most recent System Guide to see what generally lines up at that budget.

[djf711]

I am Keeping the other System as is!

My Budget is around $1200 for the new build. I am open to all suggestions on a new system. Thanks David

[Arclight]

Processor
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz....................$229.99

Motherboard
ASUS P8Z77-V LGA 1155 Intel Z77 ....................$189.99

RAM
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)....................$45.99

Video card
MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB....................$299.99

SSD
Intel 335 Series....................$199.99

HDD
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB....................$84.99

Case
NZXT Phantom....................$119.99

PSU
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze ....................$89.99
Grand total: $1260.92

Prices taken from newegg.com at the time of posting.

[DPete27]

Archlight is on the right track, but I'd offer a couple tweaks:

Since you mentioned you'll be shopping at Microcenter you can grab an i5-3570K and an AsRock Pro4-m for $260 total. Great combo, I've been perfectly happy with mine (see signature). Or the i7-3770K is on sale for $230 right now. That brings your total with the Pro4-M to $300. The i7 won't really get you any better framerates though, I'd classify it as more of a luxury purchase for your use.

A 2x4GB = 8GB kit of DDR3 1600MHz RAM with a voltage of 1.5V or lower typically go on sale for around $40 at newegg. Wait for sales and just make sure reviews are decent before buying. The specific brand or kit doesn't matter much at all. Here's a low-voltage kit from Mushkin that would do just fine.

GTX 660Ti is a great performer and delivers smoother framerates than the 7950 so that's a great choice. It beats the pants off your existing 5770 which is roughly equivalent to a 7750 these days.

Why not grab a 2+ TB hdd. 2TB on up pretty much have the same cost/GB so it's just a matter of how much space you need for your movies and music. If you've got a 240GB SSD, you probably wont have to store any programs on your mechanical hdd so a 2TB 5400rpm drive like this is a great option.

Case is really up to you, we can help make suggestions based on whether you prefer quiet cases, more airflow, ATX, mATX, etc.

Get the Hyper 212 EVO since it has an improved heatpipe layout and fan. On sale for $25 after MIR at newegg right now.

[clone]

Post by Arclight on Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:44 am
Processor
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz....................$229.99

Motherboard
ASUS P8Z77-V LGA 1155 Intel Z77 ....................$189.99

RAM
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)....................$45.99

Video card
MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB....................$299.99

SSD
Intel 335 Series....................$199.99

HDD
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB....................$84.99

Case
NZXT Phantom....................$119.99

PSU
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze ....................$89.99
Grand total: $1260.92

Prices taken from newegg.com at the time of posting.

if his budget is around $1200 I suspect that's after taxes and shipping.

with this in mind too much is being spent on the 240gb Intel 335 SSD when a 120gb Intel 520 will suit while shaving $50+ tax off the total price, yes it's smaller than the 335 but storage is being handled by the platter drive anyway, the SSD is being used to give blistering speed and the 520's are fast while 120gb is more than enough for an OS and several applications.

also while it's a nice motherboard the reality is that Asus has a slew of very nice and fully capable motherboards for $120.00 which will shave another $80.00+ tax off the final price.... you aren't paying for extra speed when it comes to motherboards and beyond the most bare bones $50 ones it usually isn't even about overclocking, the extra coin almost universally is offering little more than an e-penis extension from a practical standpoint.

next up is the video card which certainly is nice... but then again the entire 660 series is fast, really fast and an Asus GTX 660 OC will fill the bill while shaving another $80 + tax off the total price.

these three changes alone will get him a system far better than needed, far better than his quoted system while keeping him under budget after taxes and shipping.

on a side note: as a general rule I find computer cases to be a personal choice issue best left on the lower end of the budget.... their are literally a hundred + excellent cases that can be had in the $40 - $75 range that offer the same functionality as their more expensive brethren reducing the discussion to namebrand & some additional styling.... again another $50 + tax could be shaved off the price just by looking for the case you want without a price minimum restricting your freedom of choice.

finally while the cpu & power supply are both great given the low power consumption demands of todays cpu's and graphics cards another $30 could easily be shaved off the power supply by going with an Enermax NAXN 550 watt Tomahawk II psu and absolutely no loss in longevity or compromise in performance would be experienced.... it's up to personal choice but functionally you will not be able to gain anything by spending more than needed on a powersupply...... you could even go down to a 450 watt NAXN and save another $15 but with the difference only being $15.... meh.

[DPete27]

clone is right about the PSU. An i5 and GTX 660Ti system only needs a 430W PSU. Load power consuption will be around 250W.

[djf711]

If I can get the Intel i7 3770k Ivy Bride 3.5 GHz LGA 1155 for $229 i am not better off than the Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz....................$229.99??

[clone]

if you can get a similar clocked Core i7 for the same price as an i5 then yes the i7 is the way to go because it comes with additional cache and hyper threading.... in this case the extra 100mhz helps as well.

[kumori]

You mentioned in the original post that you are interested in high quality audio.

You don't have a sound card in your current build which would dramatically help with audio. The kind of audio output your interested in (surround sound gaming vs. music) will effect this choice.

The most entry level are the Asus Xonar DG (or DGX).

[DPete27]

You mentioned in the original post that you are interested in high quality audio....

Yeah, you'll definetly want to get a sound card. The Asus Xonar line is definetly a favorite of Tech Report. review here

Just an FYI, that 2TB WD Green hdd that I suggested earlier is on sale for $100 right now with promo code EMCJHHN97

[djf711]

Thanks For All for all the advise!!
This is what I have so Far

Asus P8z77-v lx
Intel i7-3770K
CoolMaster Hyper 212 EVO
8G G. SKILL Trident X F3-2400C10D-8GTX (OVERKILL????)
Seasonic X Series 650W Gold 80 plus PSU
EVGA G Froce GTX 660 ti
Fractal Define R4 Case
Asus Xonar DGX Soundcard
2TB Seagate Barracuda HD

Need to order an SSD (Have intel 330 240gb in other system and happy with it!! Paid $134 at newegg 2 months ago hopefully go on sale after the new year)
Think of ordering ASUS 24X DVD Burner for $19 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827135204 Have a LG BR in other rig and never seem to use the Blue Ray!!

Thanks again!!! David

[DPete27]

8G G. SKILL Trident X F3-2400C10D-8GTX (OVERKILL????)

Yes, overkill, 1600MHz is fine.

Have intel 330 240gb in other system and happy with it!! Paid $134 at newegg 2 months ago hopefully go on sale after the new year

Good luck, I haven't seen prices in the $0.50 / GB in a while.

Think of ordering ASUS 24X DVD Burner for $19

I had one of those, didn't like the noise it made on startup so I sold it and went with an LG model. Other than that, it worked fine though.

[clone]

Yeah, you'll definetly want to get a sound card. The Asus Xonar line is definetly a favorite of Tech Report.

are soundcards really worth it?

I stopped buying them in 2006 because integrated got "good enough".... I just couldn't find any tangible gains offered by add in sound and have since considered it a throwback only bought by those who believe that comps have to have "these things" regardless of merit.

I'm not saying anyone is wrong only that as a set it and forget it kind of buyer integrated sound works pretty good.