Personal computing discussed

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hobojohn512
Gerbil In Training
Topic Author
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:06 pm

How is my build

Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:15 pm

I will be using it for gaming, movies, music, and web surfing. I'm looking to play games such as Total War: Shogun 2, Total War: Rome 2, Fallout 4, Far Cry 3, Day Z, Skyrim, and Battlefield 3. My budget is 700-850 Dollars. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Could I overclock this? Is this a good GPU/CPU combination? Thanks.


PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zSSu
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zSSu/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zSSu/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $748.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 11:50 EST-0500)

I also already have a Dell Ultrasharp 23 inch (1920 x 10800), a mouse, a keyboard, and M-Audio BX5 D2s.
Last edited by hobojohn512 on Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:50 am, edited 2 times in total.
 
hobojohn512
Gerbil In Training
Topic Author
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:06 pm

Re: How is my build

Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:18 pm

Also, Would there be any full size cases that you guys would recommend instead of this case because I would prefer a full-size case.
 
Firestarter
Gerbil Elite
Posts: 773
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2004 11:12 am

Re: How is my build

Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:56 pm

The build looks pretty balanced, but no, you won't be able to overclock the CPU. You need a i5-3570K or a i7-3770K for that, and you'd probably want a bit more 'enthusiast' motherboard to go with it. For reference, I have the 2500K and an Asrock P67 Pro3, and I have my CPU running at 4.3GHz. I could clock my CPU higher, but the motherboards thermal protections would kick in. So, if you want to overlock, you'd have to at least invest in an unlocked processor, and you'd want a proper tower cooler as well for your CPU, or things will get noisy and hot. Adding that would put you almost over budget I think.

edit: Also: Welcome to TR!
 
BIF
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2458
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 7:41 pm

Re: How is my build

Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:30 pm

I have a Cooler Master HAF 932. I believe the current model is the "HAF X". HAF stands for High Air Flow. Big slow fans, mesh construction, plenty of room for big motherboards and you could even put two water loops in there if you were so motivated.
 
hobojohn512
Gerbil In Training
Topic Author
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:06 pm

Re: How is my build

Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:36 am

Thanks! I've decided to switch out my case for the Cooler Master HAF 912
 
Khali
Gerbil XP
Posts: 405
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:31 pm

Re: How is my build

Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:49 pm

I went with the i5-3570k recently, I currently have it overclocked to 4.4 GHz. Runs real smooth and cool.

I went with the Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T case and I love it. Quiet, lots of room inside for the build, and looks great. If you don't want white they are offering a free Seagate Barracuda 500GB HD with the Black version of the case at Newegg right now.

Only thing I would suggest you might consider adding in is a SSD for your boot drive. You don't have to spend big bucks and get a big one. A 64 GB should be plenty big enough for windows. You will be amazed by how fast your computer will boot up and be ready to use.
 
DPete27
Grand Gerbil Poohbah
Posts: 3776
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 12:50 pm
Location: Wisconsin, USA

Re: How is my build

Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:30 pm

Khali wrote:
consider adding in is a SSD for your boot drive. You don't have to spend big bucks and get a big one. A 64 GB should be plenty big enough for windows

I would suggest saving ~$110 for a 120GB SSD. Anything less than 90GB and you're significantly losing performance and file management becomes a nuissance.
Main: i5-3570K, ASRock Z77 Pro4-M, MSI RX480 8G, 500GB Crucial BX100, 2 TB Samsung EcoGreen F4, 16GB 1600MHz G.Skill @1.25V, EVGA 550-G2, Silverstone PS07B
HTPC: A8-5600K, MSI FM2-A75IA-E53, 4TB Seagate SSHD, 8GB 1866MHz G.Skill, Crosley D-25 Case Mod
 
steel-the-deal
Gerbil
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:55 am

Re: How is my build

Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:02 pm

 
Bashiba
Gerbil
Posts: 47
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:16 pm

Re: How is my build

Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:30 am

On your parts list you have microcenter for the CPU, that price is in store only. And if you do plan on going there you can get the 3570K for $189.99 plus $50 off the motherboard of your choice which ends up making it about the same price as the 3470 and motherboard.
 
ludi
Lord High Gerbil
Posts: 8646
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2002 10:47 pm
Location: Sunny Colorado front range

Re: How is my build

Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:17 am

DPete27 wrote:
I would suggest saving ~$110 for a 120GB SSD. Anything less than 90GB and you're significantly losing performance and file management becomes a nuissance.

Even better -- the Samsung 840 (not the 840 Pro) 120GB is currently $95 at both Amazon and Newegg.
Abacus Model 2.5 | Quad-Row FX with 256 Cherry Red Slider Beads | Applewood Frame | Water Cooling by Brita Filtration
 
superjawes
Minister of Gerbil Affairs
Posts: 2475
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 9:49 am

Re: How is my build

Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:47 am

Definitely point out what stores you can walk into to buy components. As mentioned, places like Microcenter do have some nice in-store deals, and gerbils can sniff those out for you pretty quickly for you.

As for cases, unless you're going to use the space in a full case, I would not recommend a full ATX case. I'm starting to work out a build myself that would eventually house a few hard drives and two GPUs, but even then I'm not looking at anything bigger than a Corsair 650D. Mid-size ATX towers will have a ton of space inside - more than most users will use.

And to expand on that theme, if you decide you don't need all of that extra room, a mATX motherboard could also be a good choice to save some cash and still have enthusiast features and PCI/PCIe slots.

I think the SSD has been covered, but definitely work one in with your budget. There are lots of high-value 120 GB SSDs that will make your system snappy.

And a final thought I usually forget to think of, see if your school/employer has a Windows home-use program. It's always nice if you don't have to worry about adding a Windows license to your budget.
On second thought, let's not go to TechReport. It's infested by crypto bull****.

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