My First Build

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1

Hi, I'm new to building PCs so I would like some help with my build. This is going to be a gaming build.

1. Are these parts compatible

2. Any better parts

3. I'm trying to keep my build at least below $1300. I'll be fine if i go just a bit over

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k Quad-Core Processor 3.4GHz LGA 1155 (I plan on overclocking and yes I know that the Sandy Bridge can overclock better but I'd like your guys' opinion first) $215 (Amazon)

CPU Fan: NZXT HAVIK-140 CPU Cooler w. Dual 140mm Fans $57 (buying it with a friend, $4 off, YAY!!!!!1)

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $120

GPU: XFX Double D FX-787A-CDFC Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFirex Support Video Card (I plan on overclocking) $240

RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model 994015 (I plan on overclocking) $115

Storage: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $80

Power Supply: XFX Pro750W XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80Plus 750 Watt Power Supply (Silver) $104 (Amazon)

NZXT Switch 810 White CA-SW810-W1 Steel/Plastic ATX HYBRID Full Tower Gaming Computer Case (I want a full tower case because I might want to upgrade later and that I couldn't find any good ATX Mid Tower cases that could fit my fan. If you know a good ATX Mid Tower go ahead and tell me) $170

Case LED: BitFenix BFA-AAL-20WK6-RP Alchemy Aqua LED-Strip White 20cm (I know these aren' needed but I like them. If you can get rid of these to get something better like a graphics card or something else, go ahead)  $21

WiFi: ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n PCI Express 300/300Mbps Transfer/Receive Rate 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS support $27

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack $90

 

I found all these parts at Newegg except for a few that I found at Amazon (shown in the build) and they all added up to about $1250 w/o shipper. If you can suggest any other places that are cheaper, go ahead.Thats my entire build. If you find any things that a some what casual gaming computer doesn't need, then go ahead and tell me. Thanks

2

16GB at 2133 is a bit pointless for this budget and theres no need to overclock the memory if your buying that speed right off the bat and wouldn't be worth it. I would suggest downgrading to 8Gb if it's for gaming and spend the saving on a better cooling system for your CPU if you plan on overclocking.such as the H80/H100/H100i and use tutorials on youtube to help fit it if your unsure how.

Below is the link to the H100i:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-H100i-All-In-One-Digital-Performance/dp/B009ZN2NH6/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356400789&sr=1-2

This should help your processor help much better stable overclocking and will boost your fps compared to what will be mostly unused RAM in your system (which you can upgrade later for very little cost if you desired) your LEDs is your own discretion if you wanna scrap them to reduce the cost of the H100i even further.

3

Your choice of CPU does tend to run hot and good cooling is imperative. The sealed one piece liquid cooling will help with the temperatures. If you go with an H100i make sure it is second generation as they have eliminated the pump noise that they were notorious for. That being said, fan cooling your CPU also helps to cool your RAM and other parts on your motherboard. The CPU fan that you have chosen is a good one. Check out as many bench marks for both as you can before making your final decision. Everything else looks good unless you can find a few bucks for an SSD for your OS. I like the LED lights for your case. I use a couple of cold cathode for mine simply because I like the look and since I’m the one looking at it, they are worth it.  

4

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tZJv i7, 2tb hd, 60gb msata cash, 7970, 750w evga psu, your cooler and cass, all for

  and the amd 7900 seires cards come with $150 of free games. also if you want to get in buget you can go i5 and still have all the gaming horsepower

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tZKv    or http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tZNB (with the os)

 

5

the best i can do http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tZSP with windows 7 (windows 8 is cheaper)

6

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/u1a6

So I've taken some tips you guys have given me and edited my build. I am still trying to stick around the $1300 goal. There are somethings I am wondering though.

1. Are the two graphics cards worth it?

2. Do I need a better power supply?

3. Will my motherboard even fit two graphics cards along with my WiFi adapter?

 

I've also decided that I am probaly not going to overclock to save money on buying a different fan. I am also willing to get rid of the LED lights. So let me know what you guys think and edit it however you'd like.

7

Forgot one thing. If the two graphic cards are worth it, do they come with the bridge or am I going to have to buy it?

8

You'll need at least an 850 or 750 if you're crossfiring! 

Don't crossfire right off the bat btw...It's supposed to be like you get one card, then instead of buying a whole new card you can just add to it whenever you need to. 

I suggest a 7970, Western Digital Black 1Tb Hard drive, Corsair or XFX 750 Modular Silver Certified PSU. 

When you take money off the case, you'll realise it's so much money freed up you were overspending. You can get a fractal R4 in white with a window for 110$, Or an NZXT Phantom!

9

if your trying so save money on the gpu's you should go with 660ti they will out profrom the 7870 and sli drivers work nicer than crossfire. or go with 660's they are just as fast as 7870's (you also left out the msata ssd? you can always ad one later. the 6 gpu's will be gpu's will be slightly faster than 1 7970 but you dont get $150 in free games with the 7800series cards only the 7900 cards

if you want 2 gpu's http://pcpartpicker.com/p/u3LM other than that opinion very nice

10

Thanks for the tips guys. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/u5IB Here is my final build. If there is anything wrong with it just tell me. I am going to add a SSD later if i need it. And I that i should really change my case to save money but I like this case and I will probaly upgrade my PC in the future.

11

if you want to move to water cooling in the future then get the biggest cass you can. I have the half 932 with a triple rad in push pull, but back to your build. you should be getting a larger psu 600w+ and the ocz mod max you had in one build isn't bad.

here is a good antec psu also http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=67325&vpn=HCG-620M&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1033

12

ps: i would like to encourage you to get the best single gpu you can now like the 7970 not only do you get 3 free games a $150 value you also will be able to easily sell it when the 8970 comes out or the 780

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http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ubfD There is my final build... I hope. If there is any problems with it just tell me. I think its fine though.

14

Woops, I forgot to change the CPU into a i5-2500k so I can overclock.

 

15

The build looks great! Although I'd switch out the 7970 for this one.