Gaming build review/suggestion

BarbaricSoul · May 30, 2012, 12:40 PM

Wassup my beloved TPU community.

I have been charged with the task of building my 10 year old cousin his first gaming computer. I've been given a $500-600 budget. Only thing I need is the tower. Monitor, KB, mouse, and OS are covered. So far, this is what I'm looking at-

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Tur...

ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s...

Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 ...

HIS H777F1G2M Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-b...

PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 500W Modular ...

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatp...

Arctic Silver CMQ2-2.7G Céramique 2 Tri-Linear Cer...

NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black “Aluminum Bru...

price- $603.92

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 12:50 PM

Skip the B75 and try to get this
Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z...

Swap out the PSU
SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 1...

And adjust the ram
AVEXIR Green DDR3-1600 8GB (4GB X2) CL9

brandonwh64 · May 30, 2012, 12:50 PM

I am gonna go out on a limb here and say he probably wont be OCing so why not this build

I3-2120 2core 4thread
H61 motherboard
2x4GB DDR3-1333mhz (<cheaper)
AMD 6870

Then the case/cooler/PSU I would leave the same.

What do you think? It would save money were you can get a better GPU.

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

were you can get a better GPU

The 7770 is actually a very good performer. I agree with his choice there.

BarbaricSoul · May 30, 2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

Skip the B75 and try to get this
Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z...

Swap out the PSU
SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 1...

And adjust the ram
AVEXIR Green DDR3-1600 8GB (4GB X2) CL9

no problem with changing boards and PSU, but I have to ask why the RAM change. The RAM I have selected has the same specs, but is less expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

I am gonna go out on a limb here and say he probably wont be OCing so why not this build

I3-2120 2core 4thread
H61 motherboard
2x4GB DDR3-1333mhz (<cheaper)
AMD 6870

Then the case/cooler/PSU I would leave the same.

What do you think? It would save money were you can get a better GPU.

They want a computer that will be able to keep up with modern games for the next 3-4 years with maybe GPU upgrade. He'll more than likely be using a 1680*1050 monitor The budget is not set in stone. I can go over, so I'm more looking for getting the best I can now. For that, I think the actual quad core will fill the role better than the HT dual core.

Isn't the 7770 about the same performance as the 6870, while using less electricity?

brandonwh64 · May 30, 2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbaricSoul

They want a computer that will be able to keep up with modern games for the next 3-4 years with maybe GPU upgrade. He'll more than likely be using a 1680*1050 monitor The budget is not set in stone. I can go over, so I'm more looking for getting the best I can now. For that, I think the actual quad core will fill the role better than the HT dual core.

Isn't the 7770 about the same performance as the 6870, while using less electricity?

Then you can probably get away with the I5-2300 if its alittle cheaper.

The 7770 is alittle below a 6850 so the 6870 is quite faster in games. The chart below shows performance comparisons.

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbaricSoul

The RAM I have selected has the same specs, but is less expensive.

1.35v on the Aevexir.

EDIT
GIGABYTE GV-R777OC-1GD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition ...

@Brandon

My whole point is the premium does not warrant the extra performance, also could potentially go 7770 crossfire on that Seasonic, can't do that with 6870's.

brandonwh64 · May 30, 2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

1.35v on the Aevexir.

EDIT
GIGABYTE GV-R777OC-1GD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition ...

@Brandon

My whole point is the premium does not warrant the extra performance, also could potentially go 7770 crossfire on that Seasonic, can't do that with 6870's.

Its only around 30$ more for better performance?

entropy13 · May 30, 2012, 01:15 PM

Get cheaper CPU (i3), PSU (Corsair CX430?), mobo (Asrock/Biostar H61 mATX board), case (Xclio, Apevia, HEC), then replace the 7770 with a 7850.

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Its only around 30$ more for better performance?

Yeah I see that now BUT!!!!
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1695905

See if he still got that for sale?

Huddo93 · May 30, 2012, 01:29 PM

Id keep the build as is, skip on the CPU cooler as the stock cooler (since it wont be OC'd) is fine. Use the money saved to go from a 7770 to a 7850.

brandonwh64 · May 30, 2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

Yeah I see that now BUT!!!!
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1695905

See if he still got that for sale?

Yea a used 6950 would be the best bet or a 560 TI

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

Yea a used 6950 would be the best bet or a 560 TI

But in another aspect, he's also getting a copy of Dirt Showdown. Which right now goes for like $40.

brandonwh64 · May 30, 2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

But in another aspect, he's also getting a copy of Dirt Showdown. Which right now goes for like $40.

most of the 6870's come with dirt as well

Avelict · May 30, 2012, 02:26 PM

If you're stuck with going with the 7770, I recommend getting the Sapphire Vapor-X card, cooling is a lot better, while I doubt he would OC it at all, it comes factory overclocked and I've just always liked Sapphire the best for AMD cards.

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 02:29 PM

Barb!!!

Watch the upcoming Shellshockers. You got both an OCZ PSU & a RipjawZ kit.

Crap Daddy · May 30, 2012, 02:35 PM

No point in the cooler, rest is good but GPU has to be the 6870, best bang for the buck right now, 30$ more than the 7770 and it smokes that card. The 7850 is around 100$ more so way over budget.

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crap Daddy

No point in the cooler, rest is good but GPU has to be the 6870, best bang for the buck right now, 30$ more than the 7770

Actually you do make a solid point.

+1 to this
Skip the cooler and go up to the 6870.

BarbaricSoul · May 30, 2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avelict

If you're stuck with going with the 7770, I recommend getting the Sapphire Vapor-X card, cooling is a lot better, while I doubt he would OC it at all, it comes factory overclocked and I've just always liked Sapphire the best for AMD cards.

I'm not stuck on the 7770, infact I'm not even stuck with going with Intel. I'm open to any suggestions.

Jr, I'd like to only use new parts to make any warranty use as easy as possible. Like I said in our PM's, I won't be available for any hands-on maintaince since I'm in VA and the computer is going to Mississippi and a ten year old kid will be it's owner.

Here's what I'm looking at now-

Opps, forgot to drop the thermal paste. Drop the thermal paste and its' cost from that.

Avelict · May 30, 2012, 03:36 PM

If you have a Microcenter anywhere near you, you can buy an i5-2500k for $169.

BarbaricSoul · May 30, 2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avelict

If you have a Microcenter anywhere near you, you can buy an i5-2500k for $169.

177 miles away

Avelict · May 30, 2012, 03:39 PM

>.>

JrRacinFan · May 30, 2012, 03:43 PM

In case you need it:
Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, L...

BarbaricSoul · May 30, 2012, 03:51 PM

F-CK, I forgot needing a HD and DVD drive.

Avelict · May 30, 2012, 03:52 PM

Well Asus' optic drive is $18, and a decent size HDD is like $70.

#edit: Just saw Jr's post, nice deal.

May 30, 2012, 12:40 PM	#1
BarbaricSoul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southeastern Virginia Posts: 3,791 (1.95/day) Thanks: 381 Thanked 1,106 Times in 814 Posts System Specs	Gaming build review/suggestion Wassup my beloved TPU community. I have been charged with the task of building my 10 year old cousin his first gaming computer. I've been given a $500-600 budget. Only thing I need is the tower. Monitor, KB, mouse, and OS are covered. So far, this is what I'm looking at- Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Tur... ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s... Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 ... HIS H777F1G2M Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-b... PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 500W Modular ... COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatp... Arctic Silver CMQ2-2.7G Céramique 2 Tri-Linear Cer... NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black “Aluminum Bru... price- $603.92 __________________ “Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.” “Amd....definitely a blond female.....not much on the cpu side, but always strutting about showing off her gpus......wow that was bad. I apologize.” -ensabrenoir

System Name:	Barb's Domain/ Barb's Cruncher
Processor:	I7 2600k @ 4.2ghz/ I7 860 @ 3.2ghz
Motherboard:	MSI Z68A-GD80(G3)/ Gigabyte P55-UD3R
Cooling:	Corsair H60/ Corsair A50
Memory:	8gig(24gig) DDR3 1600/ 4gig(22gig)DDR3 1600
Video Card:	XFX HD7970 OC'ed 1100core, 1400mem/ 2*MSI HD7770
Hard Disk:	180gb Vertex3 SSD & 500gb Seagate Barracuda 7200.12/ WD Caviar Blue 160gb
CRT/LCD Model:	HP ZR30W 30" 25601600/SOYO Topaz S 24" 19201200
Case:	Lian Li V1200b Plus II/ NZXT Source 210 Black
Sound Card:	Realtek High Definition Audio
PSU:	XFX PRO750W XXX edition/ PC Power Cooling Turbo Cool 860
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Benchmarks:	http://3dmark.com/3dm11/4037778

May 30, 2012, 12:50 PM	#2
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.05/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	Skip the B75 and try to get this Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z... Swap out the PSU SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 1... And adjust the ram AVEXIR Green DDR3-1600 8GB (4GB X2) CL9 __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

System Name:	Mine; Hers; Our HTPC; NAS Box
Processor:	i7 2600k : i3 2120 : Celeron G440 : P4 2.6Ghz Nwood
Motherboard:	Asrock Z68 Extreme4 : Asus P8P67 Pro : Asrock H61M/U3S3 : Dell
Cooling:	CM 212+ w/ scythe jyuni : Stock : Stock :Stock
Memory:	2x4GB Ripjawx 1866 cl9 : 2x2GB Corsair 1600 cl9 : 2x2GB Ridgebacks 1066 cl5 : 768MB PC3200
Video Card:	Palit GTX560Ti 2Gb : XFX HD5770 : Integrated : Integrated
Hard Disk:	2x 750GB Raid 0 + Maxtor 500GB : WD Black 1TB+Corsair Nova 2 64GB : Toshiba 750GB : Leftover ATA133
Optical Drive:	Lite-On DVD-RW : Samsung DVD-RW : None : None
CRT/LCD Model:	AOC 21" : AOC 20" : Philips 42" HDTV : Headless
Case:	Rocketfish : CM HAF 912 : Bgears Cube Style case : Dell
Sound Card:	X-Fi Xtremegamer : Onboard : Onboard : Onboard
PSU:	Tt 750W Modular : Antec 500W Earthwatts : Corsair CX430 : Dell's OEM

May 30, 2012, 12:50 PM	#3
brandonwh64 Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 13,667 (9.89/day) Thanks: 2,165 Thanked 5,382 Times in 3,729 Posts System Specs	I am gonna go out on a limb here and say he probably wont be OCing so why not this build I3-2120 2core 4thread H61 motherboard 2x4GB DDR3-1333mhz (<cheaper) AMD 6870 Then the case/cooler/PSU I would leave the same. What do you think? It would save money were you can get a better GPU. __________________ Cruncher's: All GPU's GPU's: 7970 3GB = 8 Threads 5770 1GB OCed = 2 Threads

System Name:	The StarCrunch Defender!
Processor:	I7 2600K @ 4.5ghz 1.32V
Motherboard:	Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3
Cooling:	Corsair A70 Push/Pull
Memory:	G-Skill Ripjaws 2x4GB DDR3 1866mhz
Video Card:	Gigabyte 7970 3GB Reference Card at boost clocks
Hard Disk:	2x 500GB WD Blue Raid 0 / 1TB WD Black
Optical Drive:	Samsung DVD/R/RW SATA
CRT/LCD Model:	ViewSonic VG2227wm 1080P
Case:	NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
Sound Card:	Onboard Realtek (Azalia)
PSU:	Corsair 750TX
Software:	Windows 7 Home X64

May 30, 2012, 01:15 PM	#9
entropy13 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 3,445 (2.19/day) Thanks: 42 Thanked 1,136 Times in 717 Posts System Specs	Get cheaper CPU (i3), PSU (Corsair CX430?), mobo (Asrock/Biostar H61 mATX board), case (Xclio, Apevia, HEC), then replace the 7770 with a 7850. __________________ MSI P67A-GD65 (B3), Intel Core i5 2500K, Corsair H60, 2x MSI GTX 570 Twin Frozr II/OC, G.Skill RipjawsX (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 RAM, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 2TB, Corsair AX1200, Corsair Carbide 400R MSI Z68MA-ED55, i5 2500K, Noctua NH-U9B SE2, Inno3D GTX 570, Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 1TB, Seasonic X660, Lian Li PC-V600FB The Big Useful List of Free Useful Programs To Use Usually For Free

Processor:	Intel Core i7 3930K\|Intel Core i7 2600K
Motherboard:	Asus Rampage IV Extreme\|Asus Z68 Maximus IV Extreme-Z
Cooling:	Corsair H100\|Corsair H80
Memory:	G.Skill RipjawsZ 32GB (8x4GB) DDR3-1866 RAM\|G.Skill RipjawsX (4x4GB) DDR3-1600 RAM
Video Card:	3x MSI GTX 580 Lightning Xtreme Edition\|2x Palit GTX 580 + Inno3D GTX 580
Hard Disk:	OCZ Vertex 3 240GB, 4x 2TB\|Corsair Force GT 120GB, 2x 1TB, 500GB
Optical Drive:	LG 24x DVD-RW+/- with Lightscribe\|Lite-on 24x DVD-RW+/-
CRT/LCD Model:	3x 23" Chimei CMV-23LH LED\|LG 27" E2750V, LG 23" E2360V
Case:	Corsair Obsidian Series 800D\|Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
Sound Card:	onboard
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower 1350W 80PLUS SILVER\|Corsair AX1200 1200W 80PLUS GOLD
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit w/ Service Pack 1

May 30, 2012, 01:29 PM	#11
Huddo93 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 289 (0.47/day) Thanks: 50 Thanked 56 Times in 53 Posts System Specs	Id keep the build as is, skip on the CPU cooler as the stock cooler (since it wont be OC'd) is fine. Use the money saved to go from a 7770 to a 7850. __________________ Heatware: http://heatware.com/eval.php?id=77797

System Name:	Gaming Rig
Processor:	i7 2600k @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard:	Asus Z77 Deluxe-V
Cooling:	Corsair H100
Memory:	RipjawsX 8GB @ 2133MHz 11-11-11-30
Video Card:	EVGA GTX670 SC @ 1300MHz core
Hard Disk:	OCZ Vertex 4 256GB + 1TB Samsung HDD
Optical Drive:	Normal DVD Drive
CRT/LCD Model:	23" LG W2343T
Case:	Corsair 650D
PSU:	Corsiar AX-850

May 30, 2012, 02:26 PM	#15
Avelict Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 62 (0.12/day) Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts System Specs	If you're stuck with going with the 7770, I recommend getting the Sapphire Vapor-X card, cooling is a lot better, while I doubt he would OC it at all, it comes factory overclocked and I've just always liked Sapphire the best for AMD cards. __________________ *PM if interested in a custom avatar or sig! Click HERE to see some of my artwork!* *My Heatware!*

System Name:	Middleman
Processor:	i5-3570k @ 4.8Ghz
Motherboard:	ASUS P8Z77-V LX
Cooling:	Noctua NH-D14
Memory:	Samsung 8GB 1600MHz
Video Card:	Sapphire 7870
Hard Disk:	WD Caviar Black 1TB / OCZ Vertex 4 128GB
Optical Drive:	Asus DRW 24B1ST
Case:	Cooler Master Haf XM
Sound Card:	Integrated
PSU:	Corsair 800W
Software:	Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit

May 30, 2012, 02:29 PM	#16
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.05/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	Barb!!! Watch the upcoming Shellshockers. You got both an OCZ PSU & a RipjawZ kit. __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

May 30, 2012, 02:35 PM	#17
Crap Daddy Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,314 (2.40/day) Thanks: 966 Thanked 974 Times in 678 Posts System Specs	No point in the cooler, rest is good but GPU has to be the 6870, best bang for the buck right now, 30$ more than the 7770 and it smokes that card. The 7850 is around 100$ more so way over budget.

System Name:	Dusty/Rusty
Processor:	i5-2500K/E8400
Motherboard:	ASRock P67Extreme4/ASRock 4core1600P35
Cooling:	CM Hyper TX3/Intel stock
Memory:	4x2GB Kingston HyperX/2x2GB DDR2
Video Card:	EVGA GTX570SC/Palit GTX560SE
Hard Disk:	WD BlueCaviar 500GB/Spinpoint F3 1TB/Seagate Barracuda 500 GB
Optical Drive:	LG/Asus
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung SyncMaster T220/Samsung 32" LCD TV
Case:	Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced/El Cheapo
Sound Card:	Asus Xonar D1/Denon PMA500AE/Senn HD518/Sony SSB1000
PSU:	Corsair TX650/Corsair TX650M
Software:	Windows 7/Windows 8 Pro

May 30, 2012, 03:36 PM	#20
Avelict Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 62 (0.12/day) Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts System Specs	If you have a Microcenter anywhere near you, you can buy an i5-2500k for $169. __________________ *PM if interested in a custom avatar or sig! Click HERE to see some of my artwork!* *My Heatware!*

May 30, 2012, 03:39 PM	#22
Avelict Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 62 (0.12/day) Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts System Specs	>.> __________________ *PM if interested in a custom avatar or sig! Click HERE to see some of my artwork!* *My Heatware!*

May 30, 2012, 03:43 PM	#23
JrRacinFan Served 5k and counting ... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 16,121 (7.05/day) Thanks: 4,149 Thanked 4,552 Times in 4,027 Posts System Specs	In case you need it: Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, L... __________________ Graphics Artists United™ Request Thread Low Cache CPU Club Solaris Utility DVD 3.0 DanishDevil's Logitech Soundroom TPU Video Gallery Sciencemark Revisited

May 30, 2012, 03:51 PM	#24
BarbaricSoul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southeastern Virginia Posts: 3,791 (1.95/day) Thanks: 381 Thanked 1,106 Times in 814 Posts System Specs	F-CK, I forgot needing a HD and DVD drive. __________________ “Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.” “Amd....definitely a blond female.....not much on the cpu side, but always strutting about showing off her gpus......wow that was bad. I apologize.” -ensabrenoir

May 30, 2012, 03:52 PM	#25
Avelict Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 62 (0.12/day) Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts System Specs	Well Asus' optic drive is $18, and a decent size HDD is like $70. #edit: Just saw Jr's post, nice deal. __________________ *PM if interested in a custom avatar or sig! Click HERE to see some of my artwork!* *My Heatware!*

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