SRL Archive - Help

Making a build for my sister (gurl gamurz!)

This will be a nice upgrade from her Pentium 4 Processor, 1GB or DDR(2?) RAM, and 40GB hard drive!

Updated Build:
http://puu.sh/1LXz6

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144267

MoBo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

ANY upgrade from her previous PC will be a big deal to her, so I don't want to go too overboard to spend too much on things I don't need to, but on the other hand I want it to last for many years and be good enough for most games (doesn't have to be highest settings though).

Feeling pretty good about most of the parts but suggestions on a MoBo or PSU would be nice (how big of a PSU should I get? Find one for a fair price) (Can you find a cheaper MoBo that still has good specs/is reliable?)
Just shave off $ where you can she could probably be just fine with a lower processor too.


As for GFX cards, I have no clue, there are so many out there now and my brain hurts researching them all! I don't know what's new or or old what anything right now!
Like I said she wishes to game, but doesn't NEED the best graphics card out there, so just list me the 'best' card for different price ranges and I'll pick whichever one we can afford in our budget.

Take a look at nvidia gtx6xx series

I always spend as much, or more on the Graphic card, than the processor.

I have a Nvida EVGA 660, works like a pro. 2 GB Video memory. Make sure your motherboard can support it tho.

Dont get an i5 3550 get an i5 3570k
Also that mobo is overpriced/unnecessary get like a 95$ one if she isnt oc'in. Which I doubt she will based on cpu choice

For gpu look into amd radeon 7770 and gtx 650 both good for their price

And psu can be like 450w bronze
On my phone so yeah. Longer post tomorrow if still needed.

i have an Nvidia EVGA GTX660 aswell. works awsome for everything i want, i would reccomend it, it's a good price to performance in my opinion. if that's too much maybe a radeon 7770, my friend has it and it works alright but the 660 is far better.

Why 3570k > 3350k?
I'm guessing it's better for not too much more money?
E: Hmm 3570 has "Intel HD Graphics 2500" and 3350k has "Intel HD Graphics 4000"
4000 is a way bigger than 2500 so obviously it's way better DUH!
E: Meh either way I'm going to be using a Graphics Card, so that doesn't matter too much. The 3570 is just .1GHz better but only $10 more so yeah why not… :)

MAYBE I'll/She'll overclock a little, but I doubt I'll be too necessary with that processor, so yeah I don't need a very special/fancy Mobo, just one that works. Thanks.

450W enough for all this, I'd have no clue, thanks.
More suggestions on PSU Wattage please!

Thanks for gfx cards I'll look into them.

use this to figure out how many watts you need, go like 50 over it.

From: Nebula
use this to figure out how many watts you need, go like 50 over it.

Thanks a lot, I've seen these before but damn this one is really simple and clean!

If she's a gamer, what games is she into? For med games go 4GB of RAM, for games like counterstrike I would go 8GB.

From: YoHoJo
Why 3570k > 3350k?
I'm guessing it's better for not too much more money?
E: Hmm 3570 has "Intel HD Graphics 2500" and 3350k has "Intel HD Graphics 4000"
4000 is a way bigger than 2500 so obviously it's way better DUH!
E: Meh either way I'm going to be using a Graphics Card, so that doesn't matter too much. The 3570 is just .1GHz better but only $10 more so yeah why not… :)

MAYBE I'll/She'll overclock a little, but I doubt I'll be too necessary with that processor, so yeah I don't need a very special/fancy Mobo, just one that works. Thanks.

450W enough for all this, I'd have no clue, thanks.
More suggestions on PSU Wattage please!

Thanks for gfx cards I'll look into them.

The i5 3570k is factory unlocked (overclockable) . The 3550 doesn't overclock as easily. Also go with a 120 gig ssd instead of a hard drive if all she does is gaming.

From: ___
If she's a gamer, what games is she into? For med games go 4GB of RAM, for games like counterstrike I would go 8GB.

You want dual channel and ram is cheap.
Just get 2x4gb 1600 ram.

Take a look here
http://www.sythe.org/technology/1499353-best-builds-different-price-points.html

Pretty good builds.
Id go for
I5 3570k
Gigabyte mobo
2x4gb 1600 ram
2tb 3.5" 7200 rpm hdd
75$ case of choice with usb3.0
Radeon 7850 2gb
550w bronze psu
Total like 230+110+35+120+75+200+80= 800-850$

Can go like 500$ with good enough performance for her
I3 3220 w/ radeon 7770 and 450w psu 1tb hdd
Or
Go AMD like phenom x4 and cheaper mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157304 (cheaper)
vs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837

Go for the first yeah?

The power supply is probably the last thing you want to choose because its dependent on what other hardware you get.

I have a GTX 670 and I'd just like to say.. the 6xx series is probably more than you want to get her. I play almost every game at 60fps on max settings, so you could go a little lighter than a 6xx - a 5xx series would be good.

I've never used either of those motherboards but I have heard of both and I don't think you'll have any problems with either of them for this build. Only reason you would want a more expensive board is if you're into heavy overclocking or using more than 1 GPU.

Edit: Specifically, I have the GTX 670 Superclocked+ 4GB. But even the regular GTX 670 is probably overkill.

Not going to use more than 1 GPU and if I overclock it will be light if anything.
Don't I need to buy my own heat sink, I hear Intel first come with stock?
Thanks for GPU help.
What games (higher resource intensive ones) do you run?

From: YoHoJo
Not going to use more than 1 GPU and if I overclock it will be light if anything.
Don't I need to buy my own heat sink, I hear Intel first come with stock?
Thanks for GPU help.
What games (higher resource intensive ones) do you run?

You shouldn't have to. My i7-3770k came with one.

I play Battlefield 3, Skyrim, Guild Wars 2, Borderlands 2, The Sims 3, etc.

From: Alpha Kue
You shouldn't have to. My i7-3770k came with one.

I play Battlefield 3, Skyrim, Guild Wars 2, Borderlands 2, The Sims 3, etc.

Most of this range comes with the stock cooler, altho on new egg, I believe thats also the box it comes in, in the picture, but i can find 0 mention of a heatsink in the description, I would double check or email and ask :D

your OP post > processor > "Cooling Device
Heatsink and Fan included"

stock fans work o.k. under the circumstance of not overclocking
(note: the line above my comment should example that the box is carrying a default heatsink)

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837

HDD:
$14 more, but interface it twice as fast, better quality (IMO), twice the cache size, 5yr warranty instead of 2 year
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

RAM:
Ram in first post is good choice

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
May not be as pretty but it is a lot better quality.

@Hobbit

Mobo is priceyer than my pick:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157304
Not going to do any crazy OCing so this one should suffice.

Thanks a lot for HDD suggestion, those are to very important specs/warranty!

I like the RAM I picked a lot, I have it in my own computer and it's amazing!

Swapped my CPU for that one already, thanks!

My sister is pretty set on the case she picked she likes green/the looks of it :/

Thanks.

Still trying to figure GFX card.
Is there anything in between the Nividia GeForce 650 and 660?
650 has only 1GB model, 660 has only 2GB (right?) and the permanence difference is huge!
Something in between would be nicer.

I'll post latest build tomorrow in OP and bump again.

E:
Apparently I haven't done enough research and above specs/info are not accurate, halp.

E:
Basically, want something that can run BF3 on Medium/High(if budget allows) with good-decent FPS.
Also can someone explain the GTX 500s and 600s and explain which are better than which in order? Or tell me the pattern.

E:
Price max for it is $150ish so basically find me best bang for my buck card for ~$150!
Looking like GTX 560 is best I can do:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121446
Seems very nice :D!
E: Looks like this card is MORE powerful that I need! People saying it can run BF3 in ULTRA with no problems (a few seeings on high or a few multipliers lowered). But it fits within my budget! All other parts/specs seem fine so why not splurge on gfx?

If you can find cheaper cards that will still run BF3 on high settings with good FPS please do suggest.

Sorry for this mess! Will clean up tomorrow :p

At least pay $5 more on the mobo and get the bette chipset. z77 instead of z75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297

From: Hobbit
At least pay $5 more on the mobo and get the bette chipset. z77 instead of z75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297

Great catch! Done!

Update:
http://puu.sh/1Jmeg

Thinking of lowering GFX card. Other suggestions appreciated!

New build is looking good but I suggest getting a 560ti instead of a normal 560
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425

But as you said you are thinking of lowering GFX card I'd get this one instead
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102993
180$ for 560, 130$ for 7770, 230$ + 20$ gift card for 560ti
So basicly for 50$ more you have a 560ti and for 50$ less you have a 7770.

But if you are spending 230$ you could also get a Radeon 7850 2GB.
Basicly the same performance as a 560ti, in some games it's better and in some games it's worse.

And also in your last post about saying 2GB is a lot better than 1GB.. 2GB is only needed if you are playing on a resolution higher than 1920x1080 or if there is a massive amount of textures, anti-aliasing, shading, etc. such as BF3 on Ultra.

All in all I think this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102993 might be your best choice based on what you said.

It performs good enough in games, should be around 50 FPS on high settings in most games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6BxqSFEa2k

Had to lower price range, need to stick around $700
Latest:
http://puu.sh/1LXz6

Suggest away.
If you find better/sameish parts at better price let me know.
Sorry if I forgot anything already suggested!

From: YoHoJo
Had to lower price range, need to stick around $700
Latest:
http://puu.sh/1LXz6

Suggest away.
If you find better/sameish parts at better price let me know.
Sorry if I forgot anything already suggested!

Its looking pretty good, but 4GB ram is a tad low for gaming, i dont believe the price difference between 4-6-8GB is that big so maybe a little more ram if possible? i do alot of gaming and from experience when you want to alt-tab to other stuff (browsers etc) aswell, it fills up fast >.<,

I dont know if it would make any price difference but the CPU is maybe a tad too good for that graphics card, if all you did is game on it (obviously nobody would not use a PC for other tasks aswell) the CPU would likely not be under much pressure, personally i prefer to have a better processor because it makes for a better overall computer build, but if your really trying to price crunch :)

EDIT - Your HDD pick says "Bare Drive" so i assume it doesent come with power/sata cable(is your PSU modular?) and do you have a SATA6 Cable?

Two of my friends have 4GB and seem to be just fine, but I have 8GB and I like it :), never sure if I've gone over 4, but I had/have the same concern as you, and you're right 8 is not much more than 4, I'll find some cheap 8GB with decent specs to get then! Thank you.

Well this i5 Ivy comes out to the same price as the lowest/cheapest i5 Ivy at newegg after the $15 coupon code is applied so why not huh?

From: YoHoJo
Two of my friends have 4GB and seem to be just fine, but I have 8GB and I like it :), never sure if I've gone over 4, but I had/have the same concern as you, and you're right 8 is not much more than 4, I'll find some cheap 8GB with decent specs to get then! Thank you.

Well this i5 Ivy comes out to the same price as the lowest/cheapest i5 Ivy at newegg after the $15 coupon code is applied so why not huh?

I'm currently using 6 and i feel constantly like i need more, but i guess thats because i always have simba/smart open aswell no matter what I'm doing :D would of got 8 too but my 2000Mhz ram kit only came in 6,

Yeh downgrading slightly on processors is pointless, wont save you barely anything for any loss in performance :p

Do you know if your HDD pick comes with the SATA6/Power cables? i assume you wont have spares lying around, just looks worrying because it says "bare drive"

^Great call!
I'll throw in some SATA cables, always good to have extra!
RAM will be upped to 8GB

The GFX card seems to be able to run BF3 on ultra! (did a quick Google benchmark search) which is better than my HD6870! I'll look into that more later.

From: YoHoJo
^Great call!
I'll throw in some SATA cables, always good to have extra!
RAM will be upped to 8GB

The GFX card seems to be able to run BF3 on ultra! (did a quick Google benchmark search) which is better than my HD6870! I'll look into that more later.

Your building this yourself from scratch yea? theres probably a bunch of little stuff like that that may or may not come included these days,

Did we ever find out if that CPU has the stock cooler included?

Does the stock cooler come with Thermal Paste? do you want to use a better $10 aftermarket Paste?

Mounting Screws, Cables, Paste, etc, can't think of much else off the top of my head that from experience sometimes doesent come included with the orders and then your stuck having to wait days more to order things, these days i have so many old builds i almost always have plenty of spares of everything so i forget what they include and what they dont now lol,

But for me if you cant mount a HDD when it arrives because it doesent have screws and end up leaving it just resting in the drive bay I never get around to actually securing it in :p

Any last words?
This is latest:
http://puu.sh/1LXz6