Build help, $1200 budget

[Ahchoo]

Hello all, long time lurker, first time poster. I've browsed these forums for many years for build advice, and I would appreciate any help you could provide for planning this build.

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

Gaming/General Use

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

I would like to stay around $1200 with tax/shipping

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

Dallas, TX. I was planning on buying most of the components from Micro Center.

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, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, SSD, HDD, case, PSU

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

Sound card, keyboard, mouse, monitor, optical drive

6) Will you be overclocking?

No

7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?

24" 1920x1200. I do plan on getting a 2nd 1920x1200 monitor sometime during the life of this PC, but I won't be doing multi-monitor gaming.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

I'm planning on buying the parts early next week

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 don't need anything special from the motherboard

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

I have a transferrable Windows 7 Pro license


The parts I was thinking about are:

CPU: i5 4670k - $199.99 (CPU/mobo combo from Micro Center)

Cooler: Hyper 212 Plus - $29.99

Mobo: MSI Z87-G41 - $69.99 (Combo pricing)

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 8 GB DDR3-1600 $44.99 (Originally 54.99, $10.00 off with purchase of CPU)

SSD: Samsung 840 PRO 256 GB - $239.99

HDD: Toshiba 2TB 7200 RPM - $84.99

Total: $725.21 with tax

As you have noticed I'm missing a GPU, case, and power supply. The GPU is the area I need help with, as that will be the most expensive component. I've been out of touch with the latest hardware since I built my last computer 5 years ago. Almost all of the graphics card discussions I have seen involve multi-monitor configurations. I'm looking for a card that will be able to handle games at 1920x1200 for the next few years. I was looking at the 7950/7970 due to the free games, but I'm not sure how well it will handle new games coming out in the next few years.

As for the PSU I see that the Micro Center page for my area has the Corsair CX750M for $74.99 (89.99 original with 15 dollar discount for buying 4th gen Intel CPU). Do you have any opinions regarding this power supply?

Can any of you recommend a case for the build?

Also how reliable are OCZ Vertex 2s? I got 2 120GB drives as a gift from a friend, but a quick search on these forums seems to show that they aren't very reliable. Using them would open up more money for a GPU, but if they aren't worth the hassle I will get the Samsung drive.

As a reference I'm upgrading from an E8400, 4GB ram, 4870.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Konstantinnovation]

Looking at your parts list, you should aim for a 770 GTX. That would run you about $400 if you order it.

Your Stuff + 770GTX = 1125.21

75$ left for a case and a PSU, which is a bit too narrow a budget so I would rebudget some of your parts:

SSD: Save about $30 and don't get the pro.

Spend 50$ on a corsair 500W PSU, and spend whatever rest of your cash on a case to your liking.

If you want a SEXY looking case, then you won't have a sexy GFX card... So decide what parts matter to you the most. You may go a little over but your gaming will thank you.

Alternatively, you can try to get a used 680GTX which would be less than 400 now.

What are your priorities?

 

[Dangman]

HDD: Toshiba 2TB 7200 RPM - $84.99

Those drives haven't been all that reliable according to the guys over in the Data Storage subforum. I'd spend the extra $10 for the more reputable Seagate 2TB:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...s_Desktop_35_Internal_Hard_Drive_PH3200U-1I72

Almost all of the graphics card discussions I have seen involve multi-monitor configurations. I'm looking for a card that will be able to handle games at 1920x1200 for the next few years. I was looking at the 7950/7970 due to the free games, but I'm not sure how well it will handle new games coming out in the next few years.

If my math is right, you have roughly ~$325 left after getting the PSU and case. That pretty much means that you should be getting the HD 7950.

As for the PSU I see that the Micro Center page for my area has the Corsair CX750M for $74.99 (89.99 original with 15 dollar discount for buying 4th gen Intel CPU). Do you have any opinions regarding this power supply?

Not a fan of the quality of the PSU itself. Nor would I recommend using a $50 PSU to power close to $1150 worth of parts considering how important the PSU is. If you have to buy from Microcenter, then I recommend the following PSUs:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/361181/High_Current_Gamer_750W_Gamer_Power_Supply_HCG-750
http://www.microcenter.com/product/399154/HX_Series_HX650_650_Watt_ATX_12V_Modular_Power_Supply

Do note that your system doesn't require anywhere near the amount of power I'm recommending. However, Microcenter doesn't have good pricing or a selection of high quality 550W PSUs. Well at least in their online store anyway. Anyway, the Antec is non-modular which means cable management will be a bitch but it is cheaper. The Corsair is a tad more expensive but is modular and therefore cable management will be easier.

Can any of you recommend a case for the build?

The cheapest cases I generally recommend are the NZXT Source 210 Elite and the Corsair 200R. That $50 to $60 give or take there.

Also how reliable are OCZ Vertex 2s? I got 2 120GB drives as a gift from a friend, but a quick search on these forums seems to show that they aren't very reliable. Using them would open up more money for a GPU, but if they aren't worth the hassle I will get the Samsung drive.

Very unreliable drives. I would not bother using them. Since you need to free up some cash, go with Konstantinnovation's recommendation: the regular Samsung 840 250GB.

 

[Ahchoo]

Thanks for the help so far.

Looking at other posts of yours in reference Danny Bui, it seems you recommend the SeaSonic G 550W PSU. I can get free shipping on it via Amazon.

I'm now considering reusing the Cooler Master Centurion 590 from my last build (I was initially going to sell the whole old system to a friend). Is there anything special with newer cases that warrants me getting one over the Centurion?

Will I notice a large difference between the 840 Pro vs 840? Also the Micro Center near me has a $20 discount on the Pro that they don't list on the product on their website.

If I reuse the case and get the SeaSonic PSU and Seagate HDD and keep the pro the total stands at $800.97 before the GPU

If I drop the pro my total before GPU is $757.67 (The non-pro samsung has a $20 discount when buying an intel 4th gen CPU)

At either of those prices, if I'm willing to go a bit over-budget should I get the GTX 770 or should I stick with the 7950 or 7970? For example, with the 840 Pro and the EVGA GTX 770 from Amazon, I calculate the total to be $1244, which I would be fine with. With the 840 non-pro the total would be $1201.

 

[Dangman]

Looking at other posts of yours in reference Danny Bui, it seems you recommend the SeaSonic G 550W PSU. I can get free shipping on it via Amazon.

Solid choice.

I'm now considering reusing the Cooler Master Centurion 590 from my last build (I was initially going to sell the whole old system to a friend). Is there anything special with newer cases that warrants me getting one over the Centurion?

Significantly better cable management, front panel USB 3.0, possibly better quality, a bit more room, etc. But the Coolermaster 590 is worth reusing for the time being.

Will I notice a large difference between the 840 Pro vs 840?

Performance wise, not really. Quality, possibly.

At either of those prices, if I'm willing to go a bit over-budget should I get the GTX 770 or should I stick with the 7950 or 7970? For example, with the 840 Pro and the EVGA GTX 770 from Amazon, I calculate the total to be $1266, which I would be fine with. With the 840 non-pro the total would be $1201.

Kinda hard to say to be honest. The GTX 770 does outperform the similarily priced HD 7970 and the cheaper HD 7950. However, do note that the HD 7970 or HD 7950 does include $100 to $135 worth of games (Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, Crysis 3, and Bioshock Infinite) right now from Newegg. So in terms of price to performance, the HD 7970 and HD 7950 cards are the better choices once you factor in those games. But without those games, yes definitely the GTX 770.

 

[Ahchoo]

I think I'm going to go with the Sapphire 7970 Ghz Edition from NewEgg. Will probably order the parts on Monday.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Dangman]

Good luck with the build!

Oh and if you don't already, add or move a fan to the side of the Coolermaster 590 as an intake for better GPU cooling.