New Performance/Gaming Computer Build, budget ~$1500 give or take

[vawrvawerawe]

New Performance/Gaming Computer Build, estimated cost ~$2,100

I currently have an MSI gaming laptop, a GT780DX. It is a very good computer, and I can play Skyrim on Ultra. It is an amazing PC, and for laptops it hardly gets any better than this. However, I have decided that since I have two laptops and I never take this laptop anywhere because it is a little too big to carry around, I will build a serious work/gaming PC instead and actually save money (or break even) and have more performance.

Moreover, I am realizing that to have a real PC it really expands my storage capabilities. I recently bought a 3TB USB 3.0 external for $250 and it was a good deal. But I already used up all but 300mb in only 1 month (although a lot was backing up my current hard drives).

So I realized that having a desktop, I can add in new 2TB 3.5" hard drives for less than $100 each. That Significantly decreases cost of storage and expansion.

I have done a bunch of research on parts. I have been dancing around doing this for over a year, and now it is time to move forward.

Since I just bought two 24" 1080p monitors, I won't be needing monitors. I also have a trackball (I don't like mice, just trackball) and also I just bought a nice illuminated keyboard. So now all I need is the tower. EDIT: I returned the Logitech illuminated keyboard and instead got the challenger ultimate keyboard.

After monitors and peripherals, I want to spend a max of about $800 - $1000 on the actual PC. So far it seems to be working out, but I could use some input as to me selections. I have two main builds, an AMD build and an Intel build. Both fit the budget, and the AMD of course is a little bit less expensive. (UPDATE: HOLIDAY BUILD!!)

================================================

PICTURES OF CHOSEN PARTS FOR BUILD:

Peripherals:​

Spoiler

(LED) $250 - Samsung SyncMaster 24" 1080P HDTV/Monitor
(LED) $200 - Dell 23.5" 1080P Monitor
(KBD) $50 - CHALLENGER ULTIMATE Multicolor Backlight Gaming Keyboard Black KB-CHU003US - SALE - was $100
(MSE) $50 - Kensington Orbit Trackball with Scroll Ring
(BTH) $10 - V4.0 Mini USB Wireless Bluetooth Class 2 Dual Mode Also V2.0 + Dongle EDR Adapter
(ADAP) $6 - 2.5" to 3.5" SSD HDD Mounting Bracket Adapter Kit by BYTECC - Fits two 2.5" HDD in one 3.5" Bay
____________

= $646

Build 1: AMD | TOTAL: $1561​

Spoiler

(Case) $55 - Antec Gaming Series One ATX Mid Tower
(RAM) $60 - 16GB (2 x 8GB) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB 1600 DDR3
(PSU) $70 - OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W /or/ CORSAIR CX600 600W
(HDD) $80 - 2TB SATA2 HDD Somewhere
(ODD) $35 - Internal DVD RW

= $305

(Mobo) $130 - MSI 990FXA-GD65V2 /or/ ASRock 990FX Extreme3
(CPU) $200 - AMD FX-8320 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.0GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core
(GPU) $250 - SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition OC 2GB

= $580


[Peripherals]
(WIFI) $30 - Wireless-N 600 PCIe Card - EDIMAX EW-7722PnD N600 Wireless Dual-Band Adapter

= $676

Build 2: INTEL v.A | TOTAL: $1626​

Spoiler

(Case) $55 - Antec Gaming Series One ATX Mid Tower
(RAM) $60 - 16GB (2 x 8GB) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB 1600 DDR3
(PSU) $70 - OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W /or/ CORSAIR CX600 600W
(HDD) $80 - 2TB SATA2 HDD Somewhere
(ODD) $35 - Internal DVD RW

= $305

(Mobo) $130 - EVGA Z68 SLI Micro 120-SB-E682-KR LGA 1155 /or/ GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H ($150) /or/ GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H ($189)
(CPU) $265 - Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4 GHz Quad-Core
(GPU) $250 - SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition OC 2GB

= $645


[Peripherals]
(WIFI) $30 - Wireless-N 600 PCIe Card - EDIMAX EW-7722PnD N600 Wireless Dual-Band Adapter

= $676

Build 3: INTEL v.B - HOLIDAY SALES!! | TOTAL: $2108 (final price higher because of decision to get 2x graphics cards crossfire and more hdd and ssd)
Note: Included mostly upgraded parts that are around the same price range. So the cost is almost same as other builds (still less expensive) but is a better and more powerful build!​

Spoiler

(Case) $40 - Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower - SALE - was $60
(RAM) $77 - Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866
(PSU) $60 - CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE -- HUGE SALE $45 OFF + $25 MIR
(ODD) $17 - ASUS 24X DVD Burner - SALE
(HDD) $225 - Western Digital WD Green WD20EARX 2TB 64MB Cache SATAIII 6.0Gb/s x3 (6TB) - SALE 2TB SATA3 HDD
(SSD) $115 - OCZ Agility 4 256GB SATAIII 6.0Gb/s

= $534


(Mobo) $99 - MSI Z77A-G45 - SALE - was $130
(CPU) $300 - Intel Core i7-3770K - Found one at MicroCenter.com (Before tax and shipping $229). - SALE - was $320 EDIT: Microcenter didn't work out. Bought on Newegg on Black Friday for $300 free ship.
(GPU) $475 - SAPPHIRE HD 7950 3GB GDDR5 CROSSFIRE DUAL (x2) - Crazy Deal

= $874


[Peripherals]
(WIFI) $20 - D-Link DWA-566 Dual Band Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11a/g/n PCI Express Up to 300Mbps - SALE! (was Newegg for $100 sale for $70)
(EXT) $4 - 4x Extra 18" black color SataII Cables
(EXT) $20 - Sata3 Extension Cables x5
(EXT) $10 - DVI Cable

= $700

DIDN'T BUY​

Spoiler

(Case) $65 - COOLER MASTER HAF 912 - SALE
(Case) $80 - COOLER MASTER HAF 922 - SALE + $15 rebate
(GPU) $248 - GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 - SALE (only reason is because I got the 7950)

SOLD OUT:
(RAM) $60 - 16GB (2 x 8GB) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB 1600 DDR3 - SALE

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Nice trance song I just found, for your enjoyment:

 

[xxdozer322]

build 3 hands down.

 

[n3rdf1ght3r]

I would go with Build 3. I also have an old OCZ ModXStream 600W lying around that I could sell to you if you are interested, could prolly save you some money. I live in Canada though so ya.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

I would go with Build 3. I also have an old OCZ ModXStream 600W lying around that I could sell to you if you are interested, could prolly save you some money. I live in Canada though so ya.

I live in Washington so Canada is actually very close. Right now I can get a 750W for only $60, but if you are selling the 600W for cheap then I will consider it.

Then again, others have warned me about buying used. Because then my system is not covered by warranty if it causes a problem and destroys my motherboard.

 

[DrunkenMafia]

You need to squeeze an SSD in there it makes a huge speed difference to any pc and hunt around to try find a 660ti or 7950.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

You need to squeeze an SSD in there it makes a huge speed difference to any pc and hunt around to try find a 660ti or 7950.

That is a really great idea - for only $100 now you can get a 120GB SSD.
Only thing is, considering market volatility surrounding SSD prices, it may be economical for me to hold off and upgrade that later. 6 months from now a 120GB SSD might be $80 or less. Point is, SSD is not urgent and it's a one-time buy. Unlike graphics cards, which there's always a newer and better one, SSD on the other hand is just storage; once you buy it, it will be kept for many years. I suppose that's why I didn't include it in the build. Just like, I intend to get like 5 or 6 more 2TB HDD, just not all at once. And for me, it would be more beneficial to spend $100 for 2TB more storage, then for the SSD performance increase.

I'm going to guess you meant 7850 though? Because a 7950 is $320 (actually there is one on NewEgg for $180 after $20 rebate)

I just checked and the 7870 is worlds ahead of the 7850: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=548

EDIT:
I get it now. You were making suggestions for better graphics cards.
660ti is actually really good. So is 7950. 7950 however will be expensive until you can find it on sale.

660ti is $300 (20 mail-in-rebate card), MSI N660 Ti PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-...
7950 is $300 (20 mail-in-rebate card), but also includes Free 3 games w/ purchase, limited offer SAPPHIRE 100352-2L Radeon HD 7950 3GB 384-bit GDDR...

 

[n3rdf1ght3r]

I live in Washington so Canada is actually very close. Right now I can get a 750W for only $60, but if you are selling the 600W for cheap then I will consider it.

Then again, others have warned me about buying used. Because then my system is not covered by warranty if it causes a problem and destroys my motherboard.

LOL for 60 bucks the 750W is the better deal. I think the least I can let it go for is 50$CAD shipped.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

So hey guys, am I missing anything? Obviously I'm going to do build 3, but are there are parts I am going to need that I don't have listed? Like fans or something?

 

[n3rdf1ght3r]

So hey guys, am I missing anything? Obviously I'm going to do build 3, but are there are parts I am going to need that I don't have listed? Like fans or something?

I would say to add a small Cache SSD to speed up your system and a good aftermarket CPU cooler(unless you already have that, then nevermind)

 

[drdeathx]

My honest opinion, save the money and go AMD 8320 and up the GPU to a 7970 or GTX680. If you game this will be a better rig. BTW, what will you use the desktop for? That is a good question for the recommendation.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

My honest opinion, save the money and go AMD 8320 and up the GPU to a 7970 or GTX680. If you game this will be a better rig. BTW, what will you use the desktop for? That is a good question for the recommendation.

It's primarily a work computer but also for gaming.

-merged-

What is the difference between this motherboard:
MSI Z77MA-G45 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
And the one I have in the OP:
MSI Z77A-G45 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s US...

It's $7 more and there is an "M" in the model name

 

[drdeathx]

It's primarily a work computer but also for gaming.

-merged-

What is the difference between this motherboard:
MSI Z77MA-G45 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
And the one I have in the OP:
MSI Z77A-G45 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s US...

It's $7 more and there is an "M" in the model name

I would seriously consider AMD to save a few $ and up that GPU. For your requirements, that would be better for you... IMO

One is an ATX and one is Micro ATX

 

[vawrvawerawe]

I would seriously consider AMD to save a few $ and up that GPU. For your requirements, that would be better for you... IMO

One is an ATX and one is Micro ATX

You don't understand what kind of work I do. I don't merely do Word documents. I need as much power as I can get my hands on. The faster and more powerful the computer, the more work I can get done.

Thanks for the clarification regarding the M. It seems the cheaper one is better, just larger.

 

[cdawall]

i would seriously consider amd to save a few $ and up that gpu. For your requirements, that would be better for you... Imo

x2

You don't understand what kind of work I do. I don't merely do Word documents. I need as much power as I can get my hands on. The faster and more powerful the computer, the more work I can get done.

Thanks for the clarification regarding the M. It seems the cheaper one is better, just larger.

What do you do then? Does it support true multithreading? If it does than the 8320 is a substantially better choice for now and the future.

 

[Am*]

Whichever build you're going with, build 1 will be much cheaper with a lower end motherboard (990X, forget 990FX) & same CPU elsewhere (8320 can be found for $170, check microcenter). If going with build 3, go with a 3570K instead. Just pocket the difference towards a better GPU now or later on when you upgrade.

 

[Sasqui]

(Mobo) $99 - MSI Z77A-G45 - SALE - was $130
(CPU) $269 - Intel Core i7-3770K - Found one at MicroCenter.com; perhaps I can find another that does not require to purchase in-store. - SALE - was $320
(GPU) $248 - GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 - SALE

= $616

Whichever build you're going with, build 1 will be much cheaper with a lower end motherboard (990X, forget 990FX) & same CPU elsewhere (8320 can be found for $170, check microcenter). If going with build 3, go with a 3570K instead. Just pocket the difference towards a better GPU now or later on when you upgrade.

If you can get to Microcenter, motherboards are $40 off if you buy a CPU, I walked out on Saturday with a 3570K and a Gigabyte UD5H for $330, including tax.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

Should I get 32GB RAM? only $30 each free ship DDR3 1600

 

[vawrvawerawe]

x2
What do you do then? Does it support true multithreading? If it does than the 8320 is a substantially better choice for now and the future.

Graphics and extreme multitasking. 8320 was my orignal choice. Other have convinced me to do the Intel build.

Whichever build you're going with, build 1 will be much cheaper with a lower end motherboard (990X, forget 990FX) & same CPU elsewhere (8320 can be found for $170, check microcenter). If going with build 3, go with a 3570K instead. Just pocket the difference towards a better GPU now or later on when you upgrade.

Good idea; only thing is I don't have to decide on the processor tonight, but I do need to buy the motherboard tonight to get it for $99!

If you can get to Microcenter, motherboards are $40 off if you buy a CPU, I walked out on Saturday with a 3570K and a Gigabyte UD5H for $330, including tax.

I REALLY WISH WE HAD A MICROCENTER AROUND HERE!!! p.s. Washington tax is 9.5%!!! -- that's why we buy everything online and out-of state (NOT from Amazon because there is tax in WA!)

 

[Am*]

If you can get to Microcenter, motherboards are $40 off if you buy a CPU, I walked out on Saturday with a 3570K and a Gigabyte UD5H for $330, including tax.

Lucky sod. We'd have to pay that sort of money in pounds because all our asshole retailers fix prices, which means we never get these sorts of killer deals unless someone is going bust.

Should I get 32GB RAM? only $30 each free ship DDR3 1600

No, don't waste it. 16GB is way more than enough. Put the rest towards a GPU.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

No, don't waste it. 16GB is way more than enough. Put the rest towards a GPU.

Ok.

So, what I have to decide on and buy today (to get the sales):
Motherboard
PSU
Case
RAM
DVD Drive

buying those from the OP, Build 3, except for getting the $29.99 deal of Antec 300 Case, total is:

$316.94 to pay now [minus] $50MIR = $266.94

Only thing I'm still not sure of is the case. Antec Gaming One is only $25 more, and would only increase today's cost by $10 and no worry about MIR for that one.

 

[Sasqui]

No, don't waste it. 16GB is way more than enough. Put the rest towards a GPU.

Yes, and get faster, DDR3 2166 or more

 

[vawrvawerawe]

Yes, and get faster, DDR3 2166 or more

Oh, I never considered that.

Update: wow, talk about Significantly increasing the price!! just 1866 is more than twice the cost, and 2400 is over 4 times the cost!
I think I'll stick with the 1600 for now and later I can upgrade if desired. Rather spend that extra amount on a SSD than RAM.

 

[Am*]

Ok.

So, what I have to decide on and buy today (to get the sales):
Motherboard
PSU
Case
RAM
DVD Drive

buying those from the OP, Build 3, except for getting the $29.99 deal of Antec 300 Case, total is:

$316.94 to pay now [minus] $50MIR = $266.94

Only thing I'm still not sure of is the case. Antec Gaming One is only $25 more, and would only increase today's cost by $10 and no worry about MIR for that one.

Dude, they are selling the 3570K for $169 bucks...pocket the $100 difference, for God's sake. I would kill for that deal. Hyperthreading won't improve anything for a gaming build, you'll end up regretting wasting the cash on what is a useless feature anyway.

UPDATE: Please tell me where you saw that price for the 3570K for $169

EDIT: It was Microcenter as well. See here.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

Dude, they are selling the 3570K for $169 bucks...pocket the $100 difference, for God's sake. I would kill for that deal. Hyperthreading won't improve anything for a gaming build, you'll end up regretting wasting the cash on what is a useless feature anyway.

Let me take another look.

p.s. I have decided at last on the original case, the Antec Gaming Series One, my original choice in the OP.

 

[vawrvawerawe]

UPDATE: Please tell me where you saw that price for the 3570K for $169

Ok, you are talking about here: http://www.microcenter.com/product/388577/Core_i5_3570K_34GHz_LGA_1155_Processor
Unfortunately, it is In-Store Pickup Only.

In any case, it's not urgent to buy that today wince the sale does not end today anyway. For now I need to focus on the urgent deals.