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1800 Gaming Computer, first time build

C

cellophane-noodles

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 4, 2006
Messages
80
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I will be mainly gaming, as well as surfing the web and watching movies.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
My budget including tax and shipping is 1800, nothing over.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
I live in Princeton, New Jersey (United States).

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, CPU COOLER, MOTHERBOARD, MEMORY, STORAGE, VIDEO CARD, WIRELESS NETWORK ADAPTER, CASE, POWER SUPPLY, OPTICAL DRIVE, OPERATING SYSTEM, MONITOR, KEYBOARD, MOUSE.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Not reusing parts.

6) Will you be overclocking?
I don't plan on overclocking, but I want space to change my mind.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1080, 24''

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Tonight if I can, just want confirmation on the build.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
I'm a first time builder, and have literally no idea what any of this means. (sorry)

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No

I plan on running Skyrim, Dota 2, COD, Bf3, and Borderlands on maxed graphics smoothly and to have a long-lasting pc.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.00 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: NZXT HAVIK 140 90.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($130.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($188.23 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($443.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($23.39 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm Trigger Wired Gaming Keyboard ($102.64 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Optical Mouse ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1757.61
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-20 22:07 EDT-0400)
 
I am fairly certain I can put together a better list than that but I wouldn't honestly bother with Haswell and the 700 series nVidia cards so close by now. If you absolutely need to get a computer right now I'd say its a good build with need for a little tweaking.
 
The Micro Center price of the i5-3570K is an in-store special... and I'm pretty sure that your "local" Micro Center closed its doors well over an hour ago.

You need to make a few changes:

- Grab the i5-3570K from the cheaper of NewEgg or Amazon. (The NewEgg promo code for the processor doesn't work with any combo deal -- and it expires at 3:00 AM EST.)

- Grab the Asus P8Z77-V LK instead of the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H. The Asus board is known to be a pretty good overclocker.

--- If you can't afford the above processor and motherboard, drop down to something you can use. The i5-3470 is nearly as fast as the i5-3570K at stock speeds. Since you mentioned no "must have" motherboard features, a board like the Asus P8B75-V should have everything you need at a much lower cost. You can't overclock with that setup, but you'd save well over $70 from those two parts alone.

- Drop the NZXT HAVIK 140. Instead, go with the cheaper yet still effective Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus.

- I don't know enough about the Rosewill PSU to recommend it. I feel more comfortable recommending the more expensive Corsair CX600, which is more than enough for the HD 7970.

- Do you really need the GHz edition of the HD 7970? The "plain" (OK, slightly overclocked above stock) version is a better deal.
 
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.49 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($188.23 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($443.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($23.39 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($66.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Cooler Master Storm Trigger Wired Gaming Keyboard ($102.64 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Wired Optical Mouse ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1760.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-20 23:20 EDT-0400)

Better?
 
Don't count the after-rebate amounts. The before-rebate total exceeds your $1800 limit.

I missed this last time, but you need to buy RAM with low-profile heatspreaders so they don't interfere with the placement of the CPU cooler. Unfortunately, the low-profile version of the Corsair Vengeance RAM costs about $10 more.

If you want to cut this down to $1800 before rebates, you may have to make a few compromises. Which price- or performance-related "corners" are you willing to cut?
 
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The HIVE is a fine enough PSU, just as reliable as the CX series and is considered tier 2 on the Eggspert page. I'd question the choice of that keyboard though.
 
sakerfalcon said:
The HIVE is a fine enough PSU, just as reliable as the CX series and is considered tier 2 on the Eggspert page. I'd question the choice of that keyboard though.
Click to expand...

I trust HardOCP and JonnyGuru over Eggspert for PSU reviews as they use a more elaborate testing method to confirm whether or not the PSUs can handle their rated loads. Then again, the Corsair CX series isn't as good as Corsair's other PSU model lines; I recommended the CX600 as a (relatively) cheap alternative to Rosewill.

I believe that the OP chose the keyboard due to the mechanical Cherry MX Black switches, but mechanical keyboards carry a price premium over most "gaming" keyboards. I don't know if the OP prefers Cherry MX Blacks or he's trying them out for the first time... but there are cheaper mechanical keyboards available.
 
So no chance of you waiting until June/July for Intel's Haswell CPU and LGA 1150 motherboards release?
 
My only suggestion is to buy an external USB 2 optical drive instead of the internal one. You'll hardly ever use it and having it as an external device will improve the internal airflow.
 
everything looks good but I prefer to buy the mobo and cpu from microcenter versus amazon.
 
Your "local" Micro Center store is at least 45 minutes away -- and that's one way.

Are you still willing to make the trip? Can you wait a few more weeks for Haswell?

And what about the keyboard? Do you have any experience with using a mechanical keyboard (or, more specifically, Cherry MX switches)?
 
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