New $1100 PC Build

[Zigg512]

Hey all, how is your day going?

This is my first post on this post on this forum, so I don't really know if I am doing things wrong and there is some sort of form that I have to fill out for PC builds.

So yeah, I want to build an $1100 PC that I will mainly use for gaming, tons of multitasking, school, VMs, and a bit of Linux.

As far as parts preference goes, I prefer to use a Haswell CPU (not Ivy Bridge since that's a dead upgrade path), but I might let an 8350 slide. I don't really want to use 990fx because the mobos don't have all the bells and whistles Z87 has (PCI-E 3, more USB 3, I'm really paranoid about features, but that's just me.) Anyway, I will be overclocking to around ~4.5-4.6 Ghz.

I want a good PSU (preferably modular and 80 Plus) with 4 PCI E connectors and a mobo that can support SLI/Xfire as there's a possibility that I will do that sometime in the future.

I also want an SSD, and as for the GPU, I want a 760/7950/something that can hold up for the next 3-4 years.

So, yeah, that's pretty much it for me. I do prefer to shop from Newegg and Amazon, but the cheapest/best will work for me. Any thoughts?

 

[RCoon]

Let me just nick the negatives you've described there in the bud.

990FX has almost identical features to the Z77 platform bar PCIE 3.0. The difference between 3.0 and 2.0 may be bandwidth, but I can assure you the gaming performance of both is entirely similar. In extreme situations with 2 dual GPU's, 3.0 might have between 1 - 5% advantage, but besides that, its all snake oil and wolf tickets.
I'm not overly biased between either AMD or Intel, as I've owned two 8350's, a Phenom X6 and an i5 3570k. And after such a period, the difference between the 8350 and the 3570k is impossible to observe unless you're staring at synthetic benchmarks.

The 8350 is capable of driving sli/xfire on any good motherboard (for 990FX, I'd recommend the Asus Sabertooth, ASRock Extreme Series, Gigabyte UD5, MSI GD65), they have all the same features as their Z77 counterparts. Obviously you're looking at Z87 with the new haswell range, but the features are near identical.
If you want to overclock to 4.6Ghz, its going to be a tonne easier on the temperatures with an 8350 and a decent H80i-like AIO. Haswell however runs mighty hot, my 3570k has been delidded to improve temps, and is on a full custom waterloop, and I'm only running on 4.4ghz with a potential of 4.6 at the top end of my temperatures - because I got a very bad overclocking chip.

I'm not going to give you any advice on CPU and MoBo, because there's a whole war over it. I'll just tell you my personal evidence is that the difference between the 8350 and 3570k was invisible.

In terms of SSD, I'd look no futher than a nice 250GB Samsung, if your budget is too low, drop back to a 120GB samsung and a nice 1-2TB HDD (Again, Seagate and WD dont matter, because they're the same drives manufactured, its just WD has a slightly better quality control. That being said, I've run two Seagate 2TB's for 4 years and neither are showing signs of death. It's all luck of the draw.)

In terms of GPU, I used to recommend the 7950 for price performance, but thats not the case anymore. The GTX 760 is king of the hill in terms of price performance, so if I were you, I'd look at the 760 and 770, or the 7950 and 7970.

Most importantly, choose a nice Corsair, XFX, NZXT, Seasonic, Antec PSU. You're going to want 650w for a single CPU single GPU setup, or a 800-850w for a dual GPU single CPU setup. Get Bronze Rated PSU's MINIMUM, but ideally you'll want to check out Silver or Gold certified PSU's. Never buy a cheap PSU, otherwise the rest of your setup will pay for your poor choice.

In terms of RAM, 1600Mhz is the standard. 1866, 2133, 2600 and all those will give you about 1% performance increase in games. There is no point in faster RAM for gaming. Software however can make better use of RAM speeds.
You'll need to get 8GB of RAM for a gaming standard, people can argue all they like, you'll want 8GB RAM minimum for now, and maybe 16GB in future.

I recommend you use PCPartPicker in terms of price comparisons.

you're going to get a lot of red vs green and red vs blue zealots in here, so try to filter out all the bullsh*t that gets spewed out

 

[the54thvoid]

Hi there and welcome

I read somewhere that Haswell cpu's require specifically rated PSU's. I believe they use very low voltage when in low power states and this can cause issues with certain PSU's. I'd do some checking before blindly buying on that front.

On the 760/7950 lasting for 3-4 years - it's all about eye candy. If you game on a large resolution screen (1200-1600p) then you'll probably be turning down a lot of effects in 3-4 years time. Those cards are okay now for up to 1080/1200 but down the line? Not so sure. Consider a single Titan does not get consistent frame rates above 50 on a 1200p screen today, how will that be in 4 years?

I'd err towards 3gb memory sizes whatever card you go for. And crossfire/sli down the line.

 

[RCoon]

I'd err towards 3gb memory sizes whatever card you go for. And crossfire/sli down the line.

This. I forgot to mention. 3GB and 4GB would be ideal for the coming storm of console games. If gaming at 1080p you're going to want a 3GB card. Also, get the best single gpu you can afford now, then in a years time when its not quite cutting it, get another for sli/crossfire.

 

[Zigg512]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Because of the heat issues on Haswell, I'm guessing that 4.2 Ghz would be more realistic.

Any good PCPartPicker lists you guys would recommend. Also, are there any good CPU Coolers you would recommend for my price range for hitting the 4.2-4.3 Ghz zone on Haswell/4.6 Ghz on 8350?

 

[RCoon]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Because of the heat issues on Haswell, I'm guessing that 4.2 Ghz would be more realistic.

Any good PCPartPicker lists you guys would recommend. Also, are there any good CPU Coolers you would recommend for my price range for hitting the 4.2-4.3 Ghz zone on Haswell/4.6 Ghz on 8350?

4.4 on Haswell isnt so hard, it will just run hot.
I recommend an AOI, like the CM Seidon, NZXT Kraken, Antec Kuhler, Corsair H80i, etc. With those you can hit 4.4 - 4.6 on haswell, and 4.6-5.0 on an 8350, depending on what voltages your chip requires.
Without an AIO, or a high end air cooler like the Mount Doom K2, you're OC's will have to be lower.

It all entirely depends on how hot your room is. I could get an 8350 to 5.0ghz in my room, but my friend can barely scratch past 4.6 because the air was still and stale.

 

[Zigg512]

So can you guys give me a sample $1100 PCPartPicker list or something? I need ideas as to what to go for as a whole.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1jl62

 

[RCoon]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1jl62

Dont get an XFX 7950, they're awful, I had two of them.
Get a 4670k instead, and use the money to buy a Samsung 120GB.

The rest I agree with.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1jl7Y

 

[BarbaricSoul]

What's so awful about them? I'm nothing but pleased with my XFX 7970

 

[RCoon]

What's so awful about them? I'm nothing but pleased with my XFX 7970

You've chosen the single fan 7950. The cooling capacity is terrible, and I had the Double Dissipation version.
I would not crossfire these. They are too loud.

Also, sidenote, the NZXT Source 210 is a less than average case, it has no USB 3.0 ports, which the OP kinda wants.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

My 7970 has a single fan cooler on it. It's one of the original 7970 XFX released. I haven't had any cooling problems with it even when I was running WCG GPU work units with it, and it's very capable of running 1200core/1400mem. Granted, I haven't used a single fan 7950 before, but considering my 7970 with a single does a good job, how does the 7950 with the same cooler not? Yeah, the double fan coolers ought to cool better, but atleast in my experience, the single fan cooler is sufficient.

I only picked the 210 because of it's cost and cable management.

 

[RCoon]

My 7970 has a single fan cooler on it. It's one of the original 7970 XFX released. I haven't had any cooling problems with it even when I was running WCG GPU work units with it, and it's very capable of running 1200core/1400mem. Granted, I haven't used a single fan 7950 before, but considering my 7970 with a single does a good job, how does the 7950 with the same cooler not? Yeah, the double fan coolers ought to cool better, but atleast in my experience, the single fan cooler is sufficient.

I only picked the 210 because of it's cost and cable management.

I'm glad your experience with the originals has been good, but the latest iterations have been bad. Most users have said that the cooler is extremely hit and miss. Myself, one card ran at 78 degrees while the other ran at 67. You'd think it was the top card, but it was actually the bottom card running hotter.
XFX have serious quality control issues with their black edition and double dissipation coolers, so I will no longer be buying/recommending them. Most of my GPU's both NV and AMD have been XFX since the 7800 GT up until the 780. I wont be buying any more.

 

[shovenose]

You're going to want an i7-4770K, a single GTX770 for now and later another for SLI, look at a Seasonic power supply nothing even compares.

Yes, you will need a super duper good cooler to OC the Haswell but it will kick FX8350 ass. I switched froman FX8350 to an i7-4770K and the Intel is noticeably better.

The case is a very personal choice but plenty of companies make great cases. Silverstone has been my favorite lately but they're pricey. Check out Fractal Design as well.

Hope this is helpful,
Shovenose.

 

[drdeathx]

If your spending $1100, I would recomend IvyBridge 3770K. The 4770K was somewhat of a flop and you would not have a huge performance difference(at least not noticable). The 3770K is cheaper nd would free up $ for a better SSD, GPU or PSU. I would be called smart money and suit your description of needs perfectly.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

If your spending $1100, I would recomend IvyBridge 3770K. The 4770K was somewhat of a flop and you would not have a huge performance difference(at least not noticable). The 3770K is cheaper nd would free up $ for a better SSD, GPU or PSU. I would be called smart money and suit your description of needs perfectly.

Even if it is "somewhat" of a flop (Still performs on par if not better in about everything) why would he buy old hardware on a dead socket with no room to upgrade later on????

 

[drdeathx]

Even if it is "somewhat" of a flop (Still performs on par if not better in about everything) why would he buy old hardware on a dead socket with no room to upgrade later on????

Not really. Single threaded is on par. Look 1150 will be dead too. I gave my opinion just hate when know it alls disagree. Move on. He has a budget and if you read what I replied you should understand.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Not really. Single threaded is on par. Look 1150 will be dead too. I gave my opinion just hate when know it alls disagree. Move on

Did I not just say that?

Even if it is "somewhat" of a flop (Still performs on par if not better in about everything) why would he buy old hardware on a dead socket with no room to upgrade later on????

1150 will be dead, but its not.

 

[drdeathx]

Did I not just say that?



1150 will be dead, but its not.

One of his pre-requisites is gaming(guess your the smaart one)and if you read my reply instead of trolling, this would free up $ for a better GPU. All sockets die quicky with Intel. If he does decide 4770K he doesn't even have an upgrade path just like the 3770K. Move on. It is not a debate, we are here to help him so he can take this info and make a decision by himself. BTW, the socket is not DEAD. They are still available and will be for sometime. You can still buy an 1155 mobo and an IvyBridge CPU. Dealers still have inventory.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

One of his pre-requisites is gaming(guess your the smaart one)and if you read my reply instead of trolling, this would free up $ for a better GPU. All sockets die quicky with Intel. If he does decide 4770K he doesn't even have an upgrade path just like the 3770K. Move on. It is not a debate, we are here to help him so he can take this info and make a decision by himself. BTW, the socket is not DEAD. They are still available and will be for sometime. You can still buy an 1155 mobo and an IvyBridge CPU. Dealers still have inventory.

You obviously don't understand what I mean by dead.

 

[Fourstaff]

1150 will be dead, but its not.

Lets say Broadwell is 10% faster than Haswell (highly unlikely given that its only a dieshrink and judging by the previous SB -> IVB -> Haswell performance improvements). Would you suggest an upgrade from Haswell to Broadwell? No? Then what's the point in getting 1150 when its effectively dead in every metric?

I am no good with VM, but do we want VT-X for vitualisation? They are only available on non-K parts iirc.

You obviously don't understand what I mean by dead.

What do you mean by dead? I would like an explanation too.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Lets say Broadwell is 10% faster than Haswell (highly unlikely given that its only a dieshrink and judging by the previous SB -> IVB -> Haswell performance improvements). Would you suggest an upgrade from Haswell to Broadwell? No? Then what's the point in getting 1150 when its effectively dead in every metric?

I am no good with VM, but do we want VT-X for vitualisation? They are only available on non-K parts iirc.

It will give you the option to upgrade if you want too, where as you buy Ivy bridge now your are stuck with what you have, and will continue to loose support for it, as long as 1150 is still active.

And VT-x is perfectly fine for virtualization. VT-x is on k chips, and non k chips. Its just the xeon and non k chips have the VT-d (Direct I/O) as well.

 

[drdeathx]

You obviously don't understand what I mean by dead.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead

Definition of DEAD

1: deprived of life : no longer alive

2a (1) : having the appearance of death : deathly <in a dead faint> (2) : lacking power to move, feel, or respond : numb


I understand but others may not. This is not my thread.....

 

[Fourstaff]

It will give you the option to upgrade if you want too, where as you buy Ivy bridge now your are stuck with what you have, and will continue to loose support for it, as long as 1150 is still active.

Its a non-option: you have the option to upgrade, but you will not take the option. How many people upgrade from SB to IVB because of the performance upgrade? I am not sure what you mean by support, can you explain?

 

[MxPhenom 216]

All I am going to say is that he has a budget to make a solid Haswell build, so unless he can get Ivy bridge parts for far cheaper then what they are new retail then maybe it would be worthwhile, but IMO if you are building a new system from scratch go with the most current, and best stuff you can. That's how I look at it, and I don't care if you all don't agree.