PC Build Advice/Review Thread

**Kalmado** · 2013-10-20 06:39

People on tech sites are so cute lol. I sort of figured a 600w would be ok, but I'm just a novice. PC crap is just as bad as car researching. You can find a million different answers for the same question if you look hard enough.

On a side note, Newegg has a 600w 80bronze Corsair psu for $37 after rebates. Now I really wish I hadn't bought my OCZ...

***Blarg*** · 2013-10-20 17:21

So I'm looking to upgrade PSU and graphics card and found these so far and just want to get a final look at them in case there is an issue with any of them or if there are better options for fairly similar prices that I haven't seen yet. Keep in mind I'm in Canada and buying online so I can only use the canadian options.

PSU
Rosewill CAPSTONE-750 750W http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817182073

Graphics
MSI R7850 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC Radeon HD 7850 2GB http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814127663

Is there any compatibility issues if I have a M5A78L-M LX PLUS motherboard? The mobo is pretty cheap that I had to upgrade to quickly when my last one died and I'll upgrade it in the future but for now I just don't want the new stuff to not be compatible. What I'm reading is that my mobo is pci-e 2.0 and the gpu is 3.0 but it's still compatible and won't be an issue.

Thanks

Oh, and the graphics card comes with 2 free games from the silver rewards on this site http://www.amd4u.com/radeonrewards/. I'm thinking far cry 3 for sure but not sure on the other one. Deus ex was popular but I'm not sure if that's my kind of game. Definitely not the racing games either.

**Jojimbo** · 2013-10-20 18:24

750W is overkill for a 7850, and that's a non-modular unit as well. I would go for this 600W Corsair if you are only going to be using a single GPU 600W or this 750W XFX if you want a high quality 750W for future use.

There's this Asus 7850 but it's kinda long and I can't see if that site offers the rewards. This MSI is the cheapest 7850 but relies on a rebate and doesn't have the best cooler. One you picked would work though, what would your budget be?

***Blarg*** · 2013-10-20 19:13

For the graphics I don't want to go over 200 and around 150 was ideal since that's to 200 after taxes/shipping. I currently have a 500W psu (which may cut it close) but figured I would just upgrade it now so it's ready for when I actually start to put together a good pc in the future. I think maybe I'll just get the graphics now and figure the rest out later.

**Builttolast** · 2013-10-20 19:21

Doesn't hurt to have more power than you need. It allows for expansion in the future without another needless upgrade. So the PSU is fine, doesn't have to be modular unless you care about excess cables or cable management. Most of the time the design of the modular PSUs have just as many cables spare. There won't be compatibility issues between PCI-E 2.0 and 3.0 it will just run at 2.0 until you upgrade your board. I would choose this ASUS with better cooling over the MSI though as it will carry through nicely when you do upgrade later on. Just check that your case can handle a 10-11" card.

***Blarg*** · 2013-10-20 19:36

I don't see any difference in cooling in the specifications. Is ASUS just in general known for having better cooling than MSI or am I missing where it lists that.

**Builttolast** · 2013-10-20 20:20

Originally Posted by Blarg

I don't see any difference in cooling in the specifications. Is ASUS just in general known for having better cooling than MSI or am I missing where it lists that.

It's not listed as such but Asus do not use reference boards. They design and manufacture their own with their own direct cu II cooling heat pipes and fans, plus their own power management which provides more stable power to the card. It's a better power and heat design over reference. Worth the extra few bucks.

**Jojimbo** · 2013-10-20 20:53

What CPU and PSU? A good 500W PSU would be fine for a 7850, they draw 110~150W depending on OC.

If you do go with the Asus then I would buy it from here as it's the cheapest place that offers the bundle (Memory Express is cheapest but doesn't offer it). And OCing performance is almost always limited by luck with the GPU, especially on air, I'm also assuming that Asus aren't limiting the max voltage on their 7850s anymore because it use to be you couldn't OC the Asus 7850s as far due to them having a fairly low cap for Vcore.

**Kirin** · 2013-10-27 20:19

So I think my old Samsung SyncMaster 226 BW is on its last legs. I've replaced the capacitors earlier but the same issues are now recurring again and I believe the actual tube is going. So im monitor shopping now.

My secondary is an Asus VW224. I don't mind spending a little extra to get something as close to the SyncMaster as possible, as I've loved this monitor to death and it's been amazing. Any suggestions?

**Gryffes** · 2013-10-27 22:10

Originally Posted by Jojimbo

750W is overkill for a 7850, and that's a non-modular unit as well. I would go for this 600W Corsair if you are only going to be using a single GPU 600W or this 750W XFX if you want a high quality 750W for future use.

There's this Asus 7850 but it's kinda long and I can't see if that site offers the rewards. This MSI is the cheapest 7850 but relies on a rebate and doesn't have the best cooler. One you picked would work though, what would your budget be?

The Direct CU2 on the asus is AWESOME.

I just upgraded to a 280x direct cu2 and holy fuck its quiet as shit and stays incredible cool.

Cannot express enough how much I appreciate it after having a 6990 previously.

**Fade** · 2013-11-02 11:00

Hello guys, I was wondering if I couple please get some help/advice on buying a new gaming desktop PC. My current budget for the build with monitor is about $2000. I'd prefer to purchase a built to order unit. Would like to have an SSD in it and the best Intel CPU/Nvidia GPU as possible. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

**Stromgarde** · 2013-11-03 12:49

Not going to go into detail on the other stuff, but the undisputed king of the GPU market at the moment is the NVidia GTX Titan, which would account for fully half of your budget.

**Prothescar** · 2013-11-03 17:32

Titan isn't really the undisputed king. For hundreds of dollars less, you can get a GTX780 (and soon 780ti) for just about the same performance, and in some cases better performance. Or you could go for dual GTX770s, which would come out to significantly better performance overall for less money. Titan is and always has been an epeen card, nothing more and nothing less, unless you plan on spending thousands of dollars on a 4k display which would be ridiculous.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saved/1FJ5Q1

This sort of system would work. If you don't have an operating system disc handy, it's an extra $100 or so for them to include it.

Full specs:
GIGABYTE X79-UP4
Intel 4820k
16GB (4x4) G.skill Ripjaw X
EVGA GTX780 FTW Edition
128GB Corsair Force GS Series SSD
1TB Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
14x BluRay/DVD/Etc. Internal Optical Drive
Single loop watercooling system

Comes with free gaming mouse+keyboard, Batman: Arkham Origins, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, and Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.

Alternatively: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saved/1FJ5RC

Changes CPU to 4770k, minimal to no loss in gaming performance for less money. Freebies change slightly, instead of FFXIV you get Grid 2.

**Yugl** · 2013-11-03 18:08

Also, if you don't mind building the PC yourself (You preference is noted), you can wait until Q1 for Nvidia's 800 series (Maxwell). That's supposed to offer a significant increase over the current GPUs. You can buy parts during BF to save money and use the remainder to purchase the video card and build the PC.

**Prothescar** · 2013-11-03 18:12

Yeah if you can handle waiting, I would definitely suggest it. Maxwell GPUs will be a major evolutionary step in hardware.

**Melena** · 2013-11-19 15:29

So i'm tweeking my PC build for early next year and I'm trying to figure out what I can cut back on. My first newegg price came out to 2640 after tax and I'd like to chop a bit off of that. I dropped the Samsung EVO SSD from 500gb to 250 which brought the price down to 179ish, and went from the 6core I7 to a 4core I7 which brought it down roughly to 350ish. I was looking at the Asus Sabertooth MB at 319.99 but I suspect it may be overkill, same with the GeForce GTX 770. I've also cut the bluray burner down to a dvd burner.

My system is pretty much for MMO's (FFXIV currently) and some FPS games and RPG's as they catch my interest. Questions are what else can I cut? Is 16gb of 2133 ram overkill? Should I drop to 1800 and is 16gb worth it or am I better off with 8gb? Also I've been hearing the I5's are actually pretty beefy and will be solid. Will that get me 5 years of use barring failures? I don't do any overclocking and not really interested in playing with that, especially with how hot our apartment can get and I really don't want to mess with watercooling. I feel an aftermarket CPU fan plus teh Cooler Master HAF 932 case should be adequate for cooling.

**Jojimbo** · 2013-11-19 16:55

Just for gaming? 2011 is already overkill.

Spoiler: show

Things you could upgrade: Better Cooler but if you aren't OCing then a 212 EVO is fine, Larger HDD, Modular PSU, Case, Optical Drive. Could change GPU if you really want to stay with nVidia.
Things you could cut-back: CPU/MB, if you aren't OCing then a locked CPU and cheaper MB would work just as well. CPU Cooler, again if you aren't OCing then a non-stock cooler isn't required (or could be added in later).

If you have to buy everything from one place then list could do with a couple of modifications due to price differences.

**Melena** · 2013-11-19 18:05

I'd be going with Newegg and sticking with Nvidia. I've never had an ATI card last, and with the exception of my GTX 285, i've never had an Nvidia card give me issues. I'd also be going with Win 7, I hate 8.

**Jojimbo** · 2013-11-19 18:29

Spoiler: show

Could save $28 by getting OS/HDD/SSD from amazon.com, changed cooler cooler/CPU/MB as you have no plans on OCing and are buying from newegg. Changed to Asus GTX 770.

Of course make sure to pop in early next year as prices will be different.

**Melena** · 2013-11-19 19:09

How are the Asus video cards? I've heard mixed things on them. I may need to look at some other boards, it's been a few years but when I used to do system builds when I worked at Fry's MSI boards were hit or miss. Is that still the same?

Thank you though for those #'s, it does give me some leeway as I have about a 1500 budget and this does give me some much needed wiggle room to tweek my build.

Thread: PC Build Advice/Review Thread

Thread Tools

Similar Threads

Yet another PC build thread.

I'm sorry... another PC build thread.

First time building a PC. Seeking advice

New PC build for retrogaming - in dire need of advice

Yet another PC build thread.

Building PC, Need Advice

Typical nub building PC needs advice thread

Yet another PC building thread

Building a PC, need advice on processor :3

Latest Threads

Up & Coming Threads

Hottest Threads