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Need help on my first build.

D

daimlerpogi

n00b
Joined
Aug 10, 2012
Messages
6
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Primarily gaming(BF3, SC2, Diablo3, Skyrim, and the upcoming games)

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$700-800 with shipping

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

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, RAM, CASE, MOBO, HDD, DVD-Burner, GPU, PSU

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes but only the CPU.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
20" 1680x1050

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within two weeks.

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.
Crossfire/SLI support.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I already have Win7 ultimate 64bit.


This is what I have in mind:
Core i5 2500k Sandy Bridge - $219.99
GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 - $119.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $45.99
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular - $89.99
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit - $159.99
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 - $89.99
LITE-ON Dvd burner - $16.99
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $69.99

TOTAL - $817.76(Shipping included)

Any thoughts and recommendations to lower the cost?
 
The first one is a 20 min drive. This is the first time I've ever heard of MicroCenter and it's good to know there is one near me! :D Thanks Danny!

So, any suggestions on a $700-800 build?
 
Swap the CPU and mobo for this slightly faster and newer motherboard combo from Microcenter:
$265 - Intel Core i5-3570K CPU + MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard Combo

Swap the RAM for this $6 cheaper RAM (you won't notice a performance difference):
$40 - G.Skill Value Series F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

Swap the PSU for this $15 cheaper yet significantly higher quality PSU instead:
$75 - Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W PSU

Swap the hard drive for this more reliable model:
$90 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Swap the DVD burner for this $4 cheaper but still same quality DVD burner:
$18 - LG GH24NS90B DVD Burner

Ditch that cramped case and go with this $20 cheaper but roomier and equal quality case instead:
$40 - NZXT Source 210 Elite Black ATX Case

If you still have some leftover cash and really want a good deal, I recommend spending the extra cash for the HD 6950 2GB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987
 
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I would get a 6950 instead of the 6870. That 1GB memory will suffer if you play Skyrim at high resolutions in the future.
 
the Sourse 210 is a good Case for the price..here is a pic of it..I added a 212evo Cpu cooler for $30..


http://s1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii608/AP514/


This is the build I did for a buddy..you can hide the cables alot better on the back side making the look alot cleaner and improving AIR FLOW.

AP514

P.S.
Hey DANNY.....Do you not Recommend the GA-Z77X-D3H any more in this price range ??
 
Last edited:
AP514 said:
P.S.
Hey DANNY.....Do you not Recommend the GA-Z77X-D3H any more in this price range ??
Click to expand...
It's still on my recommended list but I don't recommend it often since the HardOCP review of that Gigabyte mobo came out.
 
Hum I see the -UD3H but not a review of the -D3H (the ASUS is a great board also).....the -UD3H is a bit better board it seems than the -D3H (Bios reset button and an 8 pin board power ect)

Mine has been a good board.....so far... getting ready to do some O/C beforeIi put in the GTX680.
I will let you know how it goes..

AP514
 
AP514 said:
Hum I see the -UD3H but not a review of the -D3H (the ASUS is a great board also).....the -UD3H is a bit better board it seems than the -D3H (Bios reset button and an 8 pin board power ect)
Click to expand...
My logic was: If the UD3H didn't fair too well, then the D3H, the lower quality version, might not be great either.
 
I wasn't able to do the build suggested by Danny due to unexpected circumstances. Planning to buy the parts next week. Is the build still worth it? Any changes to be made especially the gfx card?
 
daimlerpogi said:
I wasn't able to do the build suggested by Danny due to unexpected circumstances. Planning to buy the parts next week. Is the build still worth it? Any changes to be made especially the gfx card?
Click to expand...
Yeah you're looking at a different build:
$285 - Intel Core i5-3570K CPU + Asus P8Z77-V LK Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard Microcenter Combo
$45 - Corsair CMV8GX3M1A1333C9 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$195 - Gigabyte GV-R785OC-2GD Radeon HD 7850 2GB PCI-E Video Card
$75 - Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$16 - LG iHAS124-04 DVD Burner
$80 - Corsair 650TX V2 650W PSU
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite Black ATX Case
$27 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156
----
Total: $773 shipped plus tax on the CPU and mobo.

Now you get a faster video card and slightly larger and better quality PSU. In addition, the above better overclocking motherboard and 3rd party HSF will allow for some pretty decent overclocks.
 
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