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Advice building a new gaming PC

Susquehannock

Susquehannock

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Jul 26, 2005
Messages
4,994
Hi all. It has been some time since I have posted here. The nForce2 system (see sig below) which I built 8 years ago is still running nicely, but is grossly outdated (to say the least). Looking to build a new gaming PC and greatly appreciate any help & advice you can provide. Thanks! :cool:


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, Photoshop, and web browsing.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1k to $1.2k for PC build ... plus price of TV/monitor.


3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
USA, Baltimore Maryland

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.
Case, Mobo, RAM, Vid card, PSU, CD/DVD drives, Bluetooth 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 re-using anything. This will be an entirely new build.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Would like to OC, but it is not essential.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Have no monitor at this time. Possibly buy a new TV and use that?

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next 30-60 days.


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.
USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No. Need new OS too.
 
you looking to stay with amd or go with intel?
 
bigted said:
you looking to stay with amd or go with intel?
Click to expand...
Either or. No particular brand loyalty here. Seems I heard Intel has a new CPU socket coming out soon.

Think I'll stop by the New Egg site, make up a parts list, and see what it comes out to.
 
Hello Susquehannock,

I would suggest you goto the Microcenter in Baltimore. They have a great deal with $50 off a mobo when you purchase a processor with it. They will price match with newegg as well so be sure to check the prices on newegg to see if its cheaper. Below will help you get started on your build.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASROCK Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Z77 ATX ($89.99 w/ purchase of processor @ Microcenter)
Memory: Ballistix Sport 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 ($77.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
*this is not including tax

Total is $840.92 which leaves you with $359.08 to spend on a monitor/keyboard setup.

Hope this helps.
 
Yes, that helps a lot. Thanks to both of you for the tips. Looks like Microcenter is the place for me. A shame they don't have a Delaware location as I could save myself 7% sales tax. I'll be going there for the TV purchase anyway.

$359.08 gives me some good breathing room. Still need to get an OS since I am currently running WinXP.

Couple quick questions:

1] - Are older ATX cases (2005 era) compatible with these newer Mobos?
If so I will re-use my current heavily modded case.

2] - I see the Z77 boards are PCI Express 3.0 capable. Is going with a 3.0 graphics card worth the extra money at this time?
I don't mind paying a little extra for future speed capability & compatibility.

> Edit
Never mind ? #2. Think this article answered my question:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012...gpu_gaming_performance_review/14#.US452leM3cs

:cool:
 
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Susquehannock said:
Yes, that helps a lot. Thanks to both of you for the tips. Looks like Microcenter is the place for me. A shame they don't have a Delaware location as I could save myself 7% sales tax. I'll be going there for the TV purchase anyway.
Click to expand...
Wait just to be clear: How far is Microcenter from you?
Susquehannock said:
1] - Are older ATX cases (2005 era) compatible with these newer Mobos?
If so I will re-use my current heavily modded case.
Click to expand...
Technically yes. However just because the motherboard fits doesn't make an ATX case a good choice for a modern system. There are other factors involved like fan size used, space for the GPU, cooling layout, etc. As such, some of those 2005 era cases aren't good for modern systems these days. So what case do you have now? Are you using 120mm fans? What mods did you do to that case?
Susquehannock said:
2] - I see the Z77 boards are PCI Express 3.0 capable. Is going with a 3.0 graphics card worth the extra money at this time?
I don't mind paying a little extra for future speed capability & compatibility.

> Edit
Never mind ? #2. Think this article answered my question:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012...gpu_gaming_performance_review/14#.US452leM3cs
Click to expand...
Every new and worthwhile video card is PCI-E 3.0 at this point in time. So it's nothing to worry about. That article technically doesn't answer your question since it's talking about PCI-E 3.0 video cards connected via PCI-E 2.0 or PCI-E 3.0.
 
Heat703 said:
Hello Susquehannock,

I would suggest you goto the Microcenter in Baltimore. They have a great deal with $50 off a mobo when you purchase a processor with it. They will price match with newegg as well so be sure to check the prices on newegg to see if its cheaper. Below will help you get started on your build.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASROCK Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Z77 ATX ($89.99 w/ purchase of processor @ Microcenter)
Memory: Ballistix Sport 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 ($77.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
*this is not including tax

Total is $840.92 which leaves you with $359.08 to spend on a monitor/keyboard setup.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

How do you get the deal where that motherboard is $90 with purchase of processor?

Edit nvm, and its actually 79.99. I got the 600W version of that PSU instead of the 500 cause its only 10 more dollars, figured might as well.
 
Last edited:
darkhunter139 said:
How do you get the deal where that motherboard is $90 with purchase of processor?
Click to expand...
Just buy both the motherboard and the CPU at the same time from Microcenter. They'll knock off $50 if you do so. And no, it's not online: in-store only.
 
Wait just to be clear: How far is Microcenter from you?

Both Microcenter you linked are about half hour from me.

Technically yes. However just because the motherboard fits doesn't make an ATX case a good choice for a modern system. There are other factors involved like fan size used, space for the GPU, cooling layout, etc. As such, some of those 2005 era cases aren't good for modern systems these days. So what case do you have now? Are you using 120mm fans? What mods did you do to that case?


It is a larger size ATX case (21"x17"x7.5") with 4 5.25 bays and extra 4" above the PSU. Two 120mm fans - 1 front, 1 side. Both blowing in with top blow hole. Here is a webpage I made several years back.
http://home.comcast.net/~susquehannock_md/mypage1.html
(various components have been changed since, but you get the idea)

Every new and worthwhile video card is PCI-E 3.0 at this point in time. So it's nothing to worry about. That article technically doesn't answer your question since it's talking about PCI-E 3.0 video cards connected via PCI-E 2.0 or PCI-E 3.0.

Thanks. That is what I needed to know. Considering upgrading the card recommended above to 3gb model.

:cool:
 
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Susquehannock said:
Wait just to be clear: How far is Microcenter from you?
Both Microcenter you linked are about half hour from me.
Click to expand...
All righty then. Heat703's build is a start but it can be improved:

- Ditch that PSU since it's overpriced. I recommend this higher quality and modular PSU instead:
$90 - Seasonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W Modular PSU

- If you do get a new case, ditch that Coolermaster that case since the Corsair 200R is a far far better case (i.e better cooling, more room, better looks, front panel USB 3.0, etc) and costs the same:
$60 - Corsair Carbide Series 200R ATX Case

- The reliability of that Toshiba 1TB drive is pretty bad. I'd spend the extra cash for a WD 1TB Blue:
$74 - Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive

- You have quite a bit of extra cash. So might as well get a great SSD since that'll make a huge difference in the overall performance of the system:
$237 - Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD

Susquehannock said:
It is a taller case with 4 5.25 slots and extra 4" above the PSU. Two 120mm fans installed. Here is a webpage I made several years back.
http://home.comcast.net/~susquehannock_md/mypage1.html[/COLOR]
Click to expand...
Hmmm, the location of the HDD racks pretty much blocks a lot of video cards out today. In addition, I don't see much room for cable management and you really need three 120mm fans: one for the side, one for the rear, and one for the top for optimal cooling. Considering your relatively high budget, $60 for a new case that'll outperform your modded case is well worth it.
Susquehannock said:
Thanks. That is what I needed to know. Considering upgrading the card recommended above to 3gb model.
Click to expand...
Don't. Not worth it. Just get the GTX 670.
 
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Great! :) All the things you said make sense to me Danny Bui.

SSD - been wondering about that. Also contemplating which Windows version to go with.
 
OK ... here is what I came up with. The ASRock mobo is $79.99 with CPU purchase right now. As you can see I opted for an upgraded case.
Going with a HDD for now, but will probably upgrade to SSD later.

Any comments, critiques, or additions welcome.

__________________________________________________________________________

RAM: Ballistix Sport 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-1600 ($77.99 @ Microcenter)

Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Z77 ATX (79.99 @ Microcenter with CPU purchase)

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor ($189 @ Microcenter)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0 ($76.99 @ Microcenter)

Case: Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower ($129.99 @ New Egg w/$20 instant rebate)

Vid card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 GC 2GB ($339 @ New Egg with $40 rebate card)

PSU: SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W ATX12V ($89.99 @ New Egg)

__________________________________________________________________________

Microcenter item total = $345.98 (+ $24.22 sales tax) = $370.20
New Egg item total = $599.97 (+ $5.99 shipping) = $605.96

Grand total = $976.16

Which gives me plenty of breathing room for bluetooth keyboard & mouse.

:cool:
 
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After doing some reading, I am seriously considering paying an extra $110 for the ASRock Z77 OC Formula Mobo instead. The thin PCB on the Extreme4 has me concerned. And I like what has been said about the OC Formula so far. Price will be $189 at Microcenter with CPU purchase.

Unless someone can give me a good reason not to.
 
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I'm upwards of 40 builds with the Asrock Extreme 4 and have never once considered the pcb as a problem. You'll be fine unless you're mounting some ridiculous cooling system that weighs a ton.

Personally I loved the board so much I rebuilt my gaming system with it. You'll be fine with it.
 
Thanks for the real world experience Climber. Guess I am trying to talk myself into spending more $$$ for a more durable overclocking board. It has been a long time since there was any point tweaking my current system. Really would like to get back into it.
 
The Extreme 4 is a very good overclocker. It varies of course but my gaming rig with an i5 3570k is sitting at 4.4 without any serious tinkering
 
Susquehannock said:
After doing some reading, I am seriously considering paying an extra $110 for the ASRock Z77 OC Formula Mobo instead. The thin PCB on the Extreme4 has me concerned. And I like what has been said about the OC Formula so far. Price will be $189 at Microcenter with CPU purchase.

Unless someone can give me a good reason not to.
Click to expand...
In addition to what Climber said, even if you wanted a better/higher quality mobo, I'd rather recommend the Asus P8Z77-V, MSI Z77A-GD65, or Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H over that AsRock.
 
Thanks for the recommendations Danny. Something for me to look into. Appears I missed out on the Galaxy GTX 670 GC deal at New Egg. No biggie. Never being one to rush into things, another deal will surely come along before I get around to buying everything within the next 30-60 days.
 
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