Is this build good enough? First-time builder

GoldFishBP

New member
Hey guys, I just wanted to see if any one could have a look at the components I have chosen for my first build to see if they are any good. Thanks.

CPU: Intel i5-3570k
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper TX3
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB
Motherboard: AsRock Z75 Pro3
GPU: Asus GTX 770 Direct CU II OC
Case: Zalman Z5
HDD: Western Digital AV 250GB 7200rpm
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B5ST
PSU: Coolermaster GX600W

I'm from the UK
Budget - £800/$1208
No Monitors, KB or Mouse.
I get Windows 8 because I'm in college
Gaming res: 1920 x 1080, 1920 x 1200
I might overclock.
Full build. But taking HDD's from prebuilt PC.
 
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Tell us a budget and use for the rig. Otherwise aimlessly telling you it's good won't help you in the process of learning what's good and what's not.

Take a look at this thread and then come back and edit your previous post with the updated information.. will help us a lot more in helping you! Link
 
I'd probably change just about everything. On that budget I'd pick up a 4670K, a Z87-GD65 Gaming, a 7970 GHz Edition, a Switch 810, a Corsair AX650, a low-end WC kit from XSPC, then grab some fast 8GB DDR3 kit, no optical drive. Add a 120GB SSD to that and I think you'll be mostly fine.
 
I'd probably change just about everything. On that budget I'd pick up a 4670K, a Z87-GD65 Gaming, a 7970 GHz Edition, a Switch 810, a Corsair AX650, a low-end WC kit from XSPC, then grab some fast 8GB DDR3 kit, no optical drive. Add a 120GB SSD to that and I think you'll be mostly fine.

if that fits in the budget, this
case can be changed though, not everyone likes the switch 810
 
Are you using 1080p or 1200p?

IMO go for an i5-4670k, any MSI or GB motherboard, 770/7970ghz, Seasonic or Corsair psu, 8gb ram. Case is all personal but i always recommend Fractal Design:)

But IMO if your budget allows i say get a 240gb+ ssd. Changes the way you will ever use a PC simply by how fast they are and responsive.
 
if that fits in the budget, this
case can be changed though, not everyone likes the switch 810
Nothing beats the Switch 810 in terms of watercooling options in that price range. It's ideal for a 240 and if he wants to add his GPU into the loop later on he can simply chuck in a 360. Sure, he could settle for less but then he'll be limited to AIO units with no possibility of expansion.
 
I'd probably change just about everything. On that budget I'd pick up a 4670K, a Z87-GD65 Gaming, a 7970 GHz Edition, a Switch 810, a Corsair AX650, a low-end WC kit from XSPC, then grab some fast 8GB DDR3 kit, no optical drive. Add a 120GB SSD to that and I think you'll be mostly fine.

That isn't in my budget..
 
GPU and case are mostly preference, not much to chose between the GTX 770 and the 7970 on cost grounds. Would change away from the a Zalman case and like NEverBackDown said, Fractal Design cases are pretty damm good.

Ivy is about the same price as Haswell, might as well go with a Haswell base.

Main thing I'd be trying to get into an £800 PC is an SSD though
 
first of all, is there a serious reason for that 1155 socket? except perhaps that "could be cheaper" Z75 board? otherwise most of us will suggest the 1150

i am also currently(means more than couple months) making my "virtual" build, so here are the basics

CPU : 4570S (oc: 4670K)
MB : MSI H87-G43 (oc: Z87-G43 or higher)
Memory : Kingston HyperX Genesis 2x4GB 1600MHz
GPU : MSI GTX770 Gaming (N770 TF 2GD5/OC)
SSD : Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB
the rest is ok IMO, the DVD is same as mine :lol:

from my experience, it helps deciding, whether you want it for
a) playing on it (decent CPU and GOOD GPU will do just fine)
b) playing with it (won't last you long, you migh want new "plaything" soon)

for your "might overclock" will probably any Z87 board do just fine
as mentioned, sticking to MSI or GB will most certainly be a safe bet
 
GPU and case are mostly preference, not much to chose between the GTX 770 and the 7970 on cost grounds. Would change away from the a Zalman case and like NEverBackDown said, Fractal Design cases are pretty damm good.

Ivy is about the same price as Haswell, might as well go with a Haswell base.

Main thing I'd be trying to get into an £800 PC is an SSD though

Haswell costs more than a i5-3570k and I heard it gets extremely hot.
Cases are a personal preference as you said..
Could I just buy a SSD for the OS?
 
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Here's what i would suggest. Keep in mind i reside in the US so i have no idea the prices in the UK/Europe. Your budget is 800-1208 pounds so i'm going to pick a 1000 pound budget(or in my case just over $1500).

I'm assuming this a gaming build so it may change depending on needs.
CPU: 4670k
Mobo: MSI G45 Gaming/Gigabyte Z87X D3H depending on preference of aesthetics
Ram: Mushkin 8gb blackline series(any 2x4gb set of ram is fine as long as 1600mhz)
Psu: Seasonic 660X platinum(any 650/750watt psu is perfectly fine.) I choose this because of little overclocking you will do, you won't need much more power.
Case: Personal preference here but I'm picking a Fractal Design Arc Midi R2
GPU: Gtx 770 Gigabyte windforce
SSD: Crucial M500 240gb
Some items were on sale and or have rebates but nonetheless
Total= 1299.93$ or about 860.71 pounds. Obviously under the 1000 pound limit i held myself but oh well.

Prices may or may not be more expensive where you live but this is a good starting point.
 
Read my OP.. £800 - $1200.

I was showing the price in US Dollars because there must be some US users on here.

Ah I see where the confusion has arisen. £800/$1208 might have been a better format when you added your budget. At first glance I too read your budget as £800 TO £1200 due to the hyphen.
 
Go on the website you buy all your stuff from and add all the items i selected to your cart to see what the price will come out to be. That should give you an idea on how much it will cost.
 
Damn inflation on products i see. Is there anything in the spec list you think you could cut on? Such as a smaller ssd or cheaper psu etc.?
 
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