PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Jojimbo]

4.3-4.5 is a relatively low OC, with a NH-D14 you'll be fine; I was doing 4.4GHz with a 212 EVO at ~75c with stock TIM and 4.6GHz at ~65c after delidding and the D14 is a much better cooler. Now I'm on water doing 4.8GHz with max of 50c (although it was a bit cold, normally hottest core is 55~57c)

[Nitsuki]

I think i found the NZXT phantom in steel white to be the clear winner for my case wants. Even though i'd still rock a huge ass coolermaster HAF case.

[Fairy-Killer]

I hit 4.4 with my Phanteks and Rosewill Thor v2 with no problem. Think my max temp was like 45C. Currently running a 4.6 @ 55C max as I don't like to get it much hotter than that. The Noctua and Phanteks that I have are basically the same in terms of cooling so bumping to 4.4 should be easy.

[Nitsuki]

I think i grew out of simple cases, what other cases are super nice and attractive looking other than the NZXT phantom, and the coolermaster 942HAF? Anything but thermaltake, i dislike those.

[Jojimbo]

Antec/Bitfenix/Cooler Master/Corsair/Fractal Design/NZXT/Xigmatek are the brands I most commonly see, although Antec cases are outdated and CM look ugly. How is it possible to grow out of simple cases and start liking CM/NZXT lol

Bitfenix Colossus, Corsair C70/600T, Xigmatek Elysium, NZXT/CM anything...it's kinda hard to find nice/attractive cases for other people, especially avoid ones that aren "simple"

[Mabubeezareel]

Corsair Carbide 400r is what I have and would whole-heartedly recommend. Spacious inside, built like a tank, plenty of cable management options, airflow is great with tons of options for additional fans, and it's good-looking without being obnoxious.

[Caiyuo]

^ another case I really like. My only gripe is ports on the front since I really like when they're placed on top. 300r is a good looking one, too, but I've heard the materials feel sub-par for the price.

[Tyche]

The white Corsair 500r is on sale on newegg right now for $70. Going to buy that, it's an incredibly good deal.

[SilentGrief]

Hi guys, I'm looking to build a new gaming PC from the ground up.

I really have no idea where to start, I was never good at PC parts.

I want something that can run stuff at high-near max which also won't be outdated anytime in the near future.

Some parts are much more expensive here (I'll probably buy those from amazon or newegg) but let's say my budget's $1500.

Once again, no idea where to even begin, so a full listing would be very nice.

Thank you in advance.

[Tyche]

You need a monitor too? You can look at my build here that's been discussed. It's a bit less than your budget, about $1300 without a monitor.

Here's what I'm looking at, it seems to change as I find deals on other parts. I'll probably be about $1300 into it when I'm finished. Only parts I've ordered thus far are the case ($90), PSU ($90), and GPU ($245). I missed the boat on the Samsung 840 pro for $200, but I think I'll still get it regardless.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.77 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($184.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($226.99 @ Mac Mall)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 760W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($159.00 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1408.68
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 11:07 EST-0500)

Take the above build and swap the 660Ti for a 680 and you have as solid a build as you can get for $1500.

[SilentGrief]

Thank you very much for the reply, I appreciate it!

I forgot to mention, but no, I already have a monitor etc.
I'll do a price check on each of those and see what else I can come up with.

[Jojimbo]

I would consider a 7970 as well, unless you want PhysX/CUDA then 7970 is cheaper and if OC'ed is on par with OC'ed 680 (GHz edition is faster if both are at stock, but normal 7970s can often OC very well too).

So something like Tyches build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BL 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($184.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Intel 335 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($188.89 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($115.17 @ Newegg)
Total: $1366.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 14:39 EST-0500)

Case is of course up to your, if you do go for the R4 then might want to get get a couple of Silent Series R2 140mm fans for the front/bottom intake or top exhaust to get some more airflow.

[Brimah]

Im looking to buy a gaming Laptop. It doesn't have to be anything top end, but can run most games out there on Medium - High settings. 14-15.6" Screen preferable. Have been looking at the Lenovo Ideapad Y480 and Y580 (http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/la...y-series/y580/) but not sure if there is better for a similar price. Looking for around 700-800 (... which the Y580 was last week, but went up... anyway) as I would be buying 2, one for myself and one for my wife. Thanks!

[Jojimbo]

• Clevo W150ER/W170ER
• Clevo W350ETQ/W370ET
• MSI GE60/GE70
• Lenovo IdeaPad Y580
• Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
• HP DV6/DV7 (w/ GT 650M)
• Dell Inspiron 17R SE
• Asus N56VZ (Not ES71 model)

From another forum, Y500 looks slightly better than Y480 in your price range. Just make sure you really need a "gaming" laptop, a desktop (even small mITX build) would be much better value unless you need to move around often.

[Brimah]

From another forum, Y500 looks slightly better than Y480 in your price range. Just make sure you really need a "gaming" laptop, a desktop (even small mITX build) would be much better value unless you need to move around often.

I have a desktop that can run games well, but wife needs a laptop for college and wants to be able to play games together. Also like the idea of playing on the couch or in front of the TV rather than in the corner with the desktop. Will look into those! Thanks.

Edit: looking though them, some are a bit more than expected. Where is the best place to price shop or vary to much to be one spot? Also of those, which would be recommended? Seems most are what I'm looking for, just the best price and which to get.

[Glucian]

Hello. Long time lurker. I miss FFXI.

I need everything and I'm looking for the minimum build to play WoW:MoP and possibly GW2 on High settings and achieve 60+ fps while questing and a decent fps while raiding. I've looked at a trinity build and also the fx-6300 but I think this is best. I don't want to overclock really. Just want to build (first time) and start playing. I have about a thousand bucks for the complete package. Any changes/suggestions are welcome. I would like to start ordering this weekend. As a side note I live 25 min. from a Micro Center if that helps.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell S2230MX 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($159.26 @ eCost)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($80.00 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: AZIO Levetron Wired Gaming Keyboard ($14.99 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: Logitech M500 Wired Laser Mouse ($5.66 @ NCIX US)
Other: Speakers ($39.99)

Total: $981.82 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-30 11:06 EST-0500)

[Jojimbo]

That PSU is cutting it far too close imo

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($80.00 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech G110 Wired Standard Keyboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse ($34.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $967.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-30 11:47 EST-0500)

Some changes, case is up to you though. Can also get away with using much cheaper mouse/keyboard.

[Glucian]

Thanks! I like that set up and have saved it. Quick question. Instead of spending a thousand on a pc to play wow and maybe Guild Wars 2 I found an interesting one on Craigslist I could get then use the excess cash on a new TV for the bedroom. Can this get the frame rate desired? High settings is fine. Ultra is not necessary:

Specs:

Intel Core Quad Q9550 2.8GHz
8GB Ram
750GB 7200RPM Harddrive
Creative X-Fi Sound Card
PYN Nvidia GTX 550TI 1GB
Saitek Cyborg Gaming Keyboard
MX518 Gaming Mouse
22" HP HDMI Monitor.

He's only asking $350.

[Jojimbo]

It's a bit dated, but assuming it's fully working isn't a bad deal. WoW would be ok but I have no idea about GW2

EDIT:: Apparently with "best appearance" preset 550Ti averages about 30 FPS and "balanced" gets 45 FPS. This was also done by running through fields, so expect a lot less during group runs.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/guild-...iew-32511.html

[Tyche]

So my build is going to have 7 fans outside of the 2 CPU fans and the PSU fans. (two top exhaust, one rear exhaust, two front intake, one bottom intake, one side intake). Should I buy a 3.5 bay fan controller?