Help with custom built gaming PC

[illnino]

So I'm about to buy a new computer and I've heard the way to do it is to get it custom built. I'll probably go through one of the local businesses in Ipswich like MSY, or I think there's one in Toowoomba too, unless you guys recommend a better/cheaper/easier place or site.

The main reason for this PC will be gaming, but I do a lot of other stuff on there as well. I want the latest games like BF3 and the like to run really well at somewhere near the highest graphical settings, but I really can't afford to go all out. I was recommended the following site by a fellow BF user and would love some thoughts, recommendations or advice on the below setup;

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs_gaming_configs_1

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K $249
Mobo: Asrock Z77 PRO4-M $119 *one guy I spoke to said he has had trouble with Asrock products so stopped using them...thoughts?
RAM: Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1333 $45
SSD: Intel 330 Series 120GB $155 *necessary to have? Same guy told me it probably isn't...
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB (ST2000DM001) $129
GPU: Sapphire 2GB AMD Radeon HD7870 GHz Edition $359 (Use MSI Afterburner – or a similar program – to set the fan speed curve to your liking)
Case: Fractal Design Define R3 $145 *can I get a cheaper model or is this one necessary?
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 520W $79 *guy I spoke to said he recommends just using a 500W one which is 1/4 of the price...thoughts?
ODD: DVD burner $19
CPU HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO $39 (Use Asrock fan control software to tune the fan to your liking)
Extra Fan: 1x Nexus Real Silent 120mm $9 (move the stock exhaust fan up front as an intake fan, install the Nexus fan in its place, use the case's PCI fan controller to tune the fans to your liking)

So, aside from the bold questions above, the other thing I'm not real sure on is the whole "over-clocking" thing. Pretty sure the above video card comes overclocked straight out of the box, correct? Is the extra fan above necessary or is there a better way of doing this? How safe is this setup for overclocking?

Any advice is much appreciated, I know a little about this sort of stuff but clearly not as much as I'd like to

 

[dav3]

I'm on my phone so I won't go into detail now, but.....

asrock is fine, their newer ones are very solid
Ssd isn't necessary if you're on a budget
Grab whatever case you want, just make sure it has a bit of cooling
You'd probably get by with a chapter power supply but posting a bit extra is always good
Stock CPU cooling should be fine

 

[rickyp]

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K $249

- Good choice, have one myself

Mobo: Asrock Z77 PRO4-M $119 *one guy I spoke to said he has had trouble with Asrock products so stopped using them...thoughts?

- I can't find this model? I have the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 which works very well.

RAM: Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1333 $45

- Fine

SSD: Intel 330 Series 120GB $155 *necessary to have? Same guy told me it probably isn't...

- An SSD is only necessary if you have the money for one. I have an Intel, and it works very well, but it fit in my budget so I was happy to get it. If you don't get this, make sure your HDD is a 7200rpm model.

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB (ST2000DM001) $129

- Fine only if you get an SSD, otherwise get a faster HDD

GPU: Sapphire 2GB AMD Radeon HD7870 GHz Edition $359 (Use MSI Afterburner – or a similar program – to set the fan speed curve to your liking)

- Fine, if you drop the SSD however you can upgrade to a GTX 670

Case: Fractal Design Define R3 $145 *can I get a cheaper model or is this one necessary?

- Have this case, is great. You can definitely get a cheaper one though. You'll be sacrificing build quality and airflow, but the computer will still work the same.

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 520W $79 *guy I spoke to said he recommends just using a 500W one which is 1/4 of the price...thoughts?

- I have a Silverstone Strider Plus, which is fully modular to reduce the amount of cables in the case, have a look as it's quite cheap.

ODD: DVD burner $19

- Fine

CPU HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO $39

- Have this too, works very well.

 

[illnino]

Thanks a tonne you guys, am looking to get this ASAP so appreciate the quick replies.

I guess it does beg the question now though;

In your opinion, would I be better off getting the SSD, or instead using that money to get a faster HDD (which one?) and upgrade the GPU to a GTX 670? Which setup would provide the better gaming experience? What would the cost difference be?

Furthermore, is the Sapphire GPU actually overclocked straight out of the box? Is it at risk of overheating at all? Will I need the extra fan at the bottom of the list if I get the Sapphire card? If so, do I need to do this ---> "(move the stock exhaust fan up front as an intake fan, install the Nexus fan in its place, use the case's PCI fan controller to tune the fans to your liking)"? Will a company like MSY who build custom PC's do this?

As you can tell, still a little confused...

Thanks again in advance

 

[dav3]

Thanks a tonne you guys, am looking to get this ASAP so appreciate the quick replies.

I guess it does beg the question now though;

In your opinion, would I be better off getting the SSD, or instead using that money to get a faster HDD (which one?) and upgrade the GPU to a GTX 670? Which setup would provide the better gaming experience? What would the cost difference be?

Furthermore, is the Sapphire GPU actually overclocked straight out of the box? Is it at risk of overheating at all? Will I need the extra fan at the bottom of the list if I get the Sapphire card? If so, do I need to do this ---> "(move the stock exhaust fan up front as an intake fan, install the Nexus fan in its place, use the case's PCI fan controller to tune the fans to your liking)"? Will a company like MSY who build custom PC's do this?

As you can tell, still a little confused...

Thanks again in advance

That's up to you I guess, ssd should give you better all round performance, but the better video card will keep you gaming a bit longer. Personally I'd skip the ssd as it's something you can always add later if you feel the need.

I doubt you'll have to bother with the extra cooling, although this is where having a better case comes in. Even the factory overclocked stuff should run fairly cool

 

[kaysee]

In the process of building one now... 1st time in 15 years, so I had to do some quick "get-up-to-speed" researching... anyway waiting for most of these parts:

Ordered through PC DIY...

Motherboard = ASRock Z77 Pro3 $119.00
GPU = Radeon HD7870 2GB GIGABYTE $378.00
CPU = Intel Core i5 2400 CPU $191.00
RAM = 8GB 1600 (4GB x 2) G.Skill Ripjaws-X $53.00
HDD = Intel 330 SSD 120GB $155.00
PSU = Antec High Current Gamer 520W $78.00
OS = MS Win7 Home Premium 64bit OEM $90.00
CASE = CoolerMaster SILENCIO 550 USB 3.0 ~$100

Total: ~$1,164

I ended up having to change some parts due to supply and new parts coming in.... mainly based around the CPU and HDD, but reverted back to a standard 2TB HDD for $120.

I really wanted that Radeon HD7870 though as they're suppose to be a great "bang for you $" graphics card... outperforming cards $100 more expensive. Waiting for the parts to come in any day now.

 

[rickyp]

Thanks a tonne you guys, am looking to get this ASAP so appreciate the quick replies.

I guess it does beg the question now though;

In your opinion, would I be better off getting the SSD, or instead using that money to get a faster HDD (which one?) and upgrade the GPU to a GTX 670? Which setup would provide the better gaming experience? What would the cost difference be?

Furthermore, is the Sapphire GPU actually overclocked straight out of the box? Is it at risk of overheating at all? Will I need the extra fan at the bottom of the list if I get the Sapphire card? If so, do I need to do this ---> "(move the stock exhaust fan up front as an intake fan, install the Nexus fan in its place, use the case's PCI fan controller to tune the fans to your liking)"? Will a company like MSY who build custom PC's do this?

As you can tell, still a little confused...

Thanks again in advance

It's easier (cheaper?) to add an ssd later, and upgrade the GPU now. If you want to upgrade the GPU later it'll be another $450 - $500. Adding an SSD later will only cost you ~$200.

I wouldn't worry about fan cooling on the GPU too much, it'll be fine if you're leaving it at stock (even if it is stock overclocked).

 

[illnino]

Hey guys, thanks again for all your help.

Ended up going with this;

Intel i5-3450 Core i5 Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H-MVP motherboard
Corsair Air Series A70 High-Performance Dual-Fan CPU Cooler
2x Corsair 4GB ram
Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD
Sapphire ATI Radeon 7970 3GB graphics card
Aywun A1-806 Black Mid Tower ATX Case
Eaton Powerware 6 port surge protecter 10 amps
Samsung 22x Speed DVD+RW Drive
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

-$1300-

Haven't ordered yet as it was a public holiday here in Ipswich today, will order first thing tomorrow and it should be ready by Wed/Thurs. Company is DFW Computers (MSY will probably be about $100 cheaper but they said it will take at least a week - I'm an impatient bugger).

Obviously not too late to change anything if you guys have any last thoughts? Thanks.

 

[dav3]

Are you using the stock power supply from the Aywun? It may be of questionable quality.

 

[illnino]

Are you using the stock power supply from the Aywun? It may be of questionable quality.

Yes, as far as I'm aware. Will do a bit of research on this now

Anything else?

 

[korgmeister]

i wondered for home user, how many using bootleg windows?