New build suggestions

Kopesetic

Kopesetic

New member
Title says it all. I'm currently waiting on my taxes to come in and while I am I'm considering a few different builds that I would like to get some opinions on. Trying to stay within a $1200 budget.

First Build
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k
MB: Asus Maximus V Gene
Ram: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 8GB
Cooler: Corsair H100i w/SP120 Push & MX4 TIM
GPU: EVGA Superclocked GTX 660 ( non-ti )
PSU: EVGA Supernova GOLD 650

Second Build
Case: Corsair Carbide 500R Black
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k
MB: MSI Z77A-GD65
Ram: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 16GB
Cooler: Corsair H100i w/SP120 Push & MX4 TIM
GPU: EVGA Superclocked GTX 660 ( non-ti )
PSU: Corsair HX650 650w

Third Build
Case: NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k
MB: MSI Z77A-GD55
Ram: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 16GB
Cooler: Corsair H100i w/SP120 Push & MX4 TIM
GPU: EVGA GTX 660 ti 3GB
PSU: Corsair HX650 650w

Fourth Build
Case: NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k
MB: MSI Big Bang Z77 MPower
Ram: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 16GB
Cooler: Corsair H100i w/SP120 Push & MX4 TIM
GPU: EVGA Superclocked GTX 660
PSU: Corsair HX650 650w

These are a few setups I'm considering at the moment. I do plan on upgrading the system over the next year when funds permit me to do so. These builds are meant to be start-up project platforms just to get me started off. I plan to get a Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB SSD later but it's not exactly in the budget at the current time so I'll be using a Seagate Barracuda 1TB SataIII drive in the meantime since it's $60 on Newegg.

Additionally, the builds with 16GB of ram were selected because the motherboards come with an 8GB stick for free and I'd perfer using dual channel instead of single.

Please feel free to post your own build setups within a $1200 budget that you feel I would be better off with. This will be my first performance build so I'm 'somewhat' flying blind and to be honest I'm looking for a decent look for the system as well as performance, so a decent build within $1100 leaving $100 for sleeved cable extensions and better case fans would be nice as well but not mandatory. The system is mainly being geared for gaming in titles like SWTOR, WoW, GW2, BF3, etc. I also plan to OC the CPU @ 4.5Ghz

Thanks
 
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What's with you and nVidia..?
a 7850/7870/7870 TLE will be much better value for money, and in most cases better performance overall too...
You're spot on about everything else though, but you could get away with a decent 550w PSU, if you need a little more cash towards something else :)
 
I've always used EVGA GPUs and I've been very happy with the quality so thats why I'm more inclined to go nvidia than amd. Also I get a $30 combo discount with my CPU and that PSU on newegg so that seemed like a solid deal to go for.
 
Out of the four; definitely the fourth...

I'm with iBeInspire though, the only reason to buy an Nvidia GPU now is either because you need the CUDA technology (for instance when doing rendering) or because you already have a load of games that use PhysX and you want to enjoy the extra eye candy. If you don't do/have either. Go with an AMD card mate...
 
Ok, well given those suggestions, whats you guys impression of this card:

MSI R7870 Hawk
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127681

Also, after looking over the prices I'm leaning toward this build:

Case: NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k
MB: MSI Z77A-GD55
Ram: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 16GB
Cooler: Corsair H100i w/SP120 Push & MX4 TIM
GPU: MSI R7870 Hawk
PSU: Corsair HX650 650w
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128 GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB Sata III
Optical: Samsung DVD Burner

How does this look? Puts the price @ $1100 so far
 
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Kopesetic said:
Ok, well given those suggestions, whats you guys impression of this card:

MSI R7870 Hawk
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127681

Also, after looking over the prices I'm leaning toward this build:

Case: NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k
MB: MSI Z77A-GD55
Ram: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 16GB
Cooler: Corsair H100i w/SP120 Push & MX4 TIM
GPU: MSI R7870 Hawk
PSU: Corsair HX650 650w
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128 GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB Sata III
Optical: Samsung DVD Burner

How does this look? Puts the price @ $1100 so far
Click to expand...
At that price how much extra to go the mpower and a 120 sandisk ssd
 
$60 more for the MPower
$30 less for the SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX


Edit: Oops, I completely forgot to add the H100i price.
$1242 for same build with MPower and SanDisk instead
$1202 with GD65

I can either stretch the cost or go back to the GD55 or GD65. What you think?

Looks like I'm going to have more planning time than expected now. IRS is giving me the run around with my return so it looks like its going to be another few weeks before I'm able to order any build I settle on.

I'm thinking I might have to defect from the US. Anyone got room in their basement? lol j/k ( or am I )
 
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If you can do it get the mpower and the sandisk, I used a sandisk 120 for awhile myself and it was a great little drive the only reason I changed was to get a bigger drive. And as to the mpower a lot of the forum members have it and love it.
 
The mpower is really for heavy OC'ing, a MSI 55/65 will also get you to 4.5ghz. With the money saved from the mpower get a higher end gpu as that will be your biggest performance booster along with an SSD.
 
Another thing I wanted to point out is I do plan to SLI or Xfire whichever card I settle on later when I have the money to do so. I also don't like the idea of the MPower only having 2 Sata III ports onboard. I know its not a big let down, but I plan to have 2 2TB HDDs and an SSD system drive.
 
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Try to go for a 7870 Tahiti LE if you can find one on sale, very very good card for the money and is close too performance to a 7950(at stock.) :)
 
So I've heard. Newegg had one for $256 and I was going to get it but they've sold out already. But I still have time to find another.
 
That or a 7950, ethier card is a great value for money, a 660ti sells for same price as a 7950 and is far slower. Nvidia need to change their price points before they become bang for the buck
 
Feronix said:
Out of the four; definitely the fourth...

I'm with iBeInspire though, the only reason to buy an Nvidia GPU now is either because you need the CUDA technology (for instance when doing rendering) or because you already have a load of games that use PhysX and you want to enjoy the extra eye candy. If you don't do/have either. Go with an AMD card mate...
Click to expand...
nah mate, that only applies if you only play the latest games. i struggled with a 7950 for weeks until i RMAd it, going to get a 670 now, i hope that will run bc2, cod4 and quake fine.
 
SeekaX said:
nah mate, that only applies if you only play the latest games. i struggled with a 7950 for weeks until i RMAd it, going to get a 670 now, i hope that will run bc2, cod4 and quake fine.
Click to expand...

So you are saying amd is not for gaming? Are you trying to troll? Seriously you struggled with a 7950 on some of the easiest games to run? Etheir you don't know what drivers are(not that you would really need them for those games) or you honestly just don't like amd.
 
I have a 670 FTW myself and I love it so I'm definitely not fanboying :p

But when it comes down to price/performance ratio AMD is just the better choice if you use it purely for gaming imo. And tbf, Quake and Call of Duty 4 are not really demanding games ;)
 
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