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Is that computer good for gaming?

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Moussa93

Member
Joined
May 3, 2012
Location
Reston
Hi there,
I am building a desktop right now and I'd like to have some advice about it.
This is the first time I am doing this and I'm not even sure if I can assemble it :D

Here are the specs:

Motherboard: Asus Z77 ($224)
Processor: i5 3570K :p ( $229)
GPU: Gtx 680 ($500)
HDD: Seagate Baracuda 2Tb 7200Rpm ($109)
RAM: Corsair Dominator 8Gb ($69)
CASE: Corsair 600t ( $156)
PowerSupply: (I'm still searching. Any advice?)
Optical Drive: Asus ($24)
Monitor: (I am still searching. Advice?)

So what do you guys think about it?
What change would you make?
Since my budget is about $1800 (monitor included), If I could save $100 would be perfect so that I can put ~$250,300 in a monitor ;)

Thank you !!
 
That's an excellent gamer. I see you're at about $1311 now.

Do you plan on doing heavy overclocking? That's a nice mobo but unless you are, you can spend a bit less (~150) on your motherboard and still have good OCing potential. Possibly go for a cheaper mobo and use the extra cash on an i7?

If you're happy with a 23" monitor there's many many TN panels in the 150-170 range. The question is picture quality or size. I have two Asus VH238H and two Acer S231HLbid. The Asus has top notch picture quality, but is thicker and heavier. The Acer has good PQ (after you get the settings right) but is literally a super thin cracker, probably weighs 5 lbs. I use the Acers due to their lightness because they're on very long Ergotron arms with extensions. The Asus would be too heavy for the arms, but if that's not a problem I'd go with the Asus for the PQ.

If you're going larger than that and have never had one that big, remember with a 27" or so you're going to have to sit really far away from it. I did that to myself once, with it on a desk where I couldn't get it more than about 3' from my face, and it was too big. Personally, if I can see pixels it's too close.

Power supplies, I always stick with Seasonic X series or Corsair HX/AX. You can occasionally find Seasonic X650s or X660s on sale for about $100 after MIR.

Don't forget to leave about $100 aside for an OEM version of Win7 64 unless you already have an OS available.
 
That's an excellent gamer. I see you're at about $1311 now.

Do you plan on doing heavy overclocking? That's a nice mobo but unless you are, you can spend a bit less (~150) on your motherboard and still have good OCing potential. Possibly go for a cheaper mobo and use the extra cash on an i7?

If you're happy with a 23" monitor there's many many TN panels in the 150-170 range. The question is picture quality or size. I have two Asus VH238H and two Acer S231HLbid. The Asus has top notch picture quality, but is thicker and heavier. The Acer has good PQ (after you get the settings right) but is literally a super thin cracker, probably weighs 5 lbs. I use the Acers due to their lightness because they're on very long Ergotron arms with extensions. The Asus would be too heavy for the arms, but if that's not a problem I'd go with the Asus for the PQ.

If you're going larger than that and have never had one that big, remember with a 27" or so you're going to have to sit really far away from it. I did that to myself once, with it on a desk where I couldn't get it more than about 3' from my face, and it was too big. Personally, if I can see pixels it's too close.

Power supplies, I always stick with Seasonic X series or Corsair HX/AX. You can occasionally find Seasonic X650s or X660s on sale for about $100 after MIR.

Don't forget to leave about $100 aside for an OEM version of Win7 64 unless you already have an OS available.


Thank you for replying ;)

No, I won't realy overclock my computer. I just wanted a nice and reliable motherboard where I could enjoy the Sata 6 or some futures SSDs.
What do you recommend?

For the screen, since I'm a big FPS addict ( :sn: ), I am searchign for a 120hz Screen. The weight doesn't really matter. For the size, anything from 23 et to 27" will do :D (23" will be perfect, though :) )

For Windows, I do have a version... That's not... OEM :/ !
I guess I'll have to buy one :/
But the thing is I don't want to buy one and then when Windows 8 comes out, buy another one :/
 
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Ah ok, I figured you were talking big monitor :)

Mobo questions: Do you have a preference of ATX or microATX or doesn't matter, and does SLI matter to you? Although with a 680 at 1920x1080 you're not going to need SLI, I promise.
 
Ah ok, I figured you were talking big monitor :)

Mobo questions: Do you have a preference of ATX or microATX or doesn't matter, and does SLI matter to you? Although with a 680 at 1920x1080 you're not going to need SLI, I promise.

Thanks again for replying ;)

What's the difference between Atx or MicroATX? Does it really affect any performance?

And for the monitor, I found that one yesterday: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-GD235HZb...4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336012650&sr=1-4. What do you think about it?
Or do you have something better for the price?

What does SLI mean? Running two graphic cards? No way I'm buying two 680s haha, my wallet won't forgive me for that :screwy: :screwy:

:)
 
mATX is just a physically smaller board than ATX. Everything else works exactly the same. Hardcore overclockers usually use ATX boards because the super high end boards with many many voltage regulator phases are usually full size ATX.

Yes, SLI (for Nvidia cards) and Crossfire (for AMD cards) is using anywhere from two to four graphics cards. They both work just fine on mATX boards, only issue can be card spacing. Sometimes the cards are too close together to get good airflow on an mATX board. If you're not going SLI/Xfire, not an issue.


No OCing, no SLI -- I'd go with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157294

And spend the money you saved on an i7 :)

That's a nice monitor. Just make sure you use a dual-link DVI cable on it for 120hz. Single link and VGA dont have the bandwidth for 120hz
 
Have you seen my computer case? (http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CC600...ectronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336054587&sr=1-1-fkmr0)
Do you think that it's big enough?

And for the motherboard... Heum... I'd overclock it I guess but not everyday, just when I'll feel that I need more power (When I'll be gaming? ). It's about 3/4 hours per day :) ! Sorry, I didn't explain well

For the Dual Dvi, it's this: http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimi...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336054627&sr=1-1 ?


(Thanks for your patience, it's hard to help a noob ^^ )
 
Yep I've done a build in a Graphite. Great case. Plenty big, great cable management, great airflow, and a fan controller built in.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157300

Little more money, more OCing potential. Long as you don't mind Fatality logos :)

With a side window one thing you might look at (if it matters to you) is color coordination. Inside of a Carbide is black. The first Asrock board is all black basically, and the Fatality board is black and red. Lot of reference 680s are red, get some red RAM to match = good looking rig.
 
Awesome !!!!
To sum Up

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157300 ($169)

Processor: i5 3570K: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-35...0E1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336056101&sr=8-1 ($229)

GPU: Gtx 680 (Damn, they're out of stock everywhere???? )

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2Tb : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T3GRN2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($109)

Ram: Corsair Vengeance (Red) : http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336056272&sr=1-19 ($52.99)

Case: Corsair 600T: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O0PAKW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($156)

Power Supply Unit: Seasonic 660 W 80 + Gold http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DRZI4Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($160)

Optical Drive: Asus: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($24)

Monitor: Acer GD235HZBID: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-GD235HZb...4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336012650&sr=1-4 ($304)

Total: 1399 (If GPU =$500)
Monitor will wait for next paycheck ^_^

What Am I missing? I can probably add $75 :D

Mhh, Am I good to go?


EDIT: I'm not very comfortable with the motherboard :s ! Maybe because I don't know the brand :s
It's not possible to have the same motherboard but for Asus or Intel :) ?
 
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Well, I mean if you're playing on one monitor on anything under 1920x1200 resolution, I'd consider your rig overkill lol. But if paying for it is not a problem, then by all means, get the best rig you can afford :D
 
Yep I've done a build in a Graphite. Great case. Plenty big, great cable management, great airflow, and a fan controller built in.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157300

Little more money, more OCing potential. Long as you don't mind Fatality logos :)

With a side window one thing you might look at (if it matters to you) is color coordination. Inside of a Carbide is black. The first Asrock board is all black basically, and the Fatality board is black and red. Lot of reference 680s are red, get some red RAM to match = good looking rig.

Just indulged myself with one of those today:D
 
Well, I mean if you're playing on one monitor on anything under 1920x1200 resolution, I'd consider your rig overkill lol. But if paying for it is not a problem, then by all means, get the best rig you can afford :D

Yes, I'm playing on one monitor ;)

Well, If I can find a monitor with a 2***x1*** resolution, I'll take it :D

I sold my MacBook Pro for $1400 and I have some extra money so I think I should be good :)
 
Yeah for 1080P that system is going to last a long time :)

for a little more money you can get a 2***x1*** monitor but it wont be 3D or 120hz
 
Awesome !!!!
To sum Up

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157300 ($169)

Processor: i5 3570K: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-35...0E1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336056101&sr=8-1 ($229)

GPU: Gtx 680 (Damn, they're out of stock everywhere???? )

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2Tb : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T3GRN2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($109)

Ram: Corsair Vengeance (Red) : http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336056272&sr=1-19 ($52.99)

Case: Corsair 600T: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O0PAKW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($156)

Power Supply Unit: Seasonic 660 W 80 + Gold http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DRZI4Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($160)

Optical Drive: Asus: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER ($24)

Monitor: Acer GD235HZBID: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-GD235HZb...4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336012650&sr=1-4 ($304)

Total: 1399 (If GPU =$500)
Monitor will wait for next paycheck ^_^

What Am I missing? I can probably add $75 :D

Mhh, Am I good to go?


EDIT: I'm not very comfortable with the motherboard :s ! Maybe because I don't know the brand :s
It's not possible to have the same motherboard but for Asus or Intel :) ?

About your comment mentioning the mobo, ASRock is a good company with a lot of high reviews and praise that I've seen from individuals on this website as well as others. Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, Biostar, they're all said to be good boards.
 
Mhh great! Now, the BIG issue:
Where can I find that GRX 680 at $499 :0 ?
And why so much brands :s ?

@Yamitoko, I didn't know that.
Thank you, I'll keep it ;)
 
Mhh great! Now, the BIG issue:
Where can I find that GRX 680 at $499 :0 ?
And why so much brands :s ?

@Yamitoko, I didn't know that.
Thank you, I'll keep it ;)

The reason that there are so many brands when it comes to things like GPU's is because Nvidia and ATI manufacture the actual Graphics Processing Unit itself and then companies like Sapphire, Asus, and MSI buy the GPU's and place cooling fans and heatsinks and such and then they remarket them. It seems the GTX 680 is completely out of stock on Newegg.com Not $499 but closest I'm seeing. http://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-GeForc...DFW8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1336059987&sr=8-4
 
Ohh Okay I see ..
So they're all the same.
Just the fans and accessories are different?

Which one would you recommend?
 
I'm not very comfortable with the motherboard :s ! Maybe because I don't know the brand :s
It's not possible to have the same motherboard but for Asus or Intel :) ?

Sure. Asus Z77 M-Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131833

Asrock is a spinoff from Asus. They were actually "owned by" Asus until a few years ago, but now they're on their own. You'll find a lot of Asrock boards on enthusiast forums, they're pretty highly respected for their "bang for the buck". Between the Asrock and the Asus above, I'd say one is as good as the other.
 
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