Mid Range Gaming Build: Where can I make changes?

[rxq]

So far I have the following parts and I would like some opinions.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.00 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($148.50 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($343.71 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($343.71 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus USB-N53 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($25.19 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N600UBE 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.25 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($170.01 @ DirectCanada)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M90 Wired Laser Mouse
Total: $1368.36
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-24 23:15 EST-0500)

[clg]

Solid build!

What kind of games do you play? I have two entry level Asus monitors, wish I had invested in one quality one. I may be wrong here too, but my thinking is if you ever want to add a second card that psu will be nearing it's limit, so loud and shorter life.

[Luay79]

I'd get some lube and have some music on when I'm paying those prices for the HD7950. Close to HD7970 prices!

Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 Windforce 900MHZ 3GB 5GHZ GDDR5 DVI HDMI 2XDP PCI-E Video Card

XFX Radeon HD 7970 Double D 925MHZ 3GB 5.5GHZ DDR5 2XMINI-DP HDMI DVI PCI-E Video Card
Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 OC 1000MHZ 3.0GB 5.5GHZ GDDR5 DVI HDMI 2XDP PCI-E Video Card

RAM looks incompatible with the cooler. Get the Vengeance LP instead.

Don't know how much you want to overclock, but a single heatsink would be better for me than a double. Not far off cooling wise but much quieter. Both really are enthusiast coolers, so if you aren't really into it, CM Hyper 212 Evo or Arctic i30 should do it for half price.
Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Heatpipe Cooler LGA1366/1156/1155/775 FM1 FM2 AM3 w/ 2x NF-P12 120mm Fans

You should change the monitor to the VN model. Faster response, thinner bezel and newer. Much better for gaming.
Newegg.ca - ASUS VN247H-P Black 23.6" 1ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 80,000,000:1 Built-in Speakers

Here's the main problem with this build, the case with stock cooling. Too many vents means it's going to be noisy. Open heatsink video cards in CF, in a case with only one of two intake 120mm fans blowing at them from far will heat them beyond what is acceptable, making the fans on the videocards spin faster and noisier. You need to add a side intake and top exhaust, and a fan controller, but then how much are you willing to spend before it becomes more sensible to just buy the more expensive case? Just get a Rosewill Thor or HAFX and sleep on it.

I like the bang per $ of your build, but I can't agree with the PSU. It's bronze and aint that cheap to begin with, and even though your wattage won't reach 500W, I think it isn't good enough and you need to splash more cash for it.

This is a good deal. Brand new Seasonic Gold KM3 model rebrand by XFX and plenty of headroom for overclocking.
Newegg.ca - XFX P1-750B-BEFX 750W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply

or Seasonic G series
Seasonic G Series 650W ATX 80PLUS Gold Modular 120mm Fan Power Supply PSU DC to DC

My last pickle is, you don't have a HDD.

[rxq]

Thank you both for the suggestions.

Luay79

That is a good catch on the ram and heatsink.

I chose that Noctual D14 heatsink because it is currently on sale at about the same price as NH-U12p. I may change it to the CM Hyper 212 as suggested as I dont overclock much.

You brought up some things I haven't considered before. As long as it is cool, quiet, and doesn't have any annoying LED lights, I will be fine with it. Most cases are marketed to fir my criteria making narrowing down my choices difficult.
What do you think about Fractal R4 as oppose to the HAF X? It looks like it has the side intake and top exhaust and the Fan Controller. I dont really like the design the cases Cooler Master has been making.

Another thing I'm not too sure on is the GPU. The HD 7950 I'm considering is priced at $300. Another $50-70 can get me a HD 7970 or 670 GTX. Is the jump worth it? I'm leaning the towards "no" since I dont game that much anymore, but at the same time I want the better option. I guess it all comes down to value performance for price.

[Luay79]

Looks like the thread starter erased his post. Just saying in case someone thought I'm talking to my self!

[Dzzope]

He probably tried to edit it. To the OP, don't edit posts while your a trial member. (really wish that was removed or totally disable the edit button for trials)

[rxq]

Yeah, I edited post to make changes to my hardware selection. How do I get rid this trial membership? 10 posts?

[rxq]

Hi everyone, here's my updated list.

As mentioned in a previous post that wont appaer, thanks for all the help so far.
You brought up many good points LUAY79.

I will either change the Heat Sink or RAM.

CASE instead of CM HAF X, what about the Fractal R4? I like the simplicity of the design.

GPU: Would the additional $50 be worth the upgrade to a HD 7970 or an 670 GTX? If so, which of the two?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.00 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($148.50 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($344.97 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus USB-N53 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($25.19 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N600UBE 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.25 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($170.01 @ DirectCanada)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Corsair Vengeance M90 Wired Laser Mouse
Total: $1025.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 15:59 EST-0500)

[JayDeeHobbit]

Originally Posted by rxq

Hi everyone, here's my updated list.

GPU: Would the additional $50 be worth the upgrade to a HD 7970 or an 670 GTX? If so, which of the two?

I don't see a PSU in there rxq.

For the GPU I just bought 2 of these GTX670's for less than the card you linked when the MIR is included (they have gone up but I got mine for $350 with a $40 MIR = $310 right now still $330 after MIR)
Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 GC 1006MHZ 2GB 3004MHZ GDDR5 Dual Fan SLI 2xDVI HDMI DP PCI-E DX11 Video Card

[Dzzope]

R4 is a nice case, watch as many reviews on cases as you can stand / are interested in, your going to have to look at it for quite some time.
Make sure they have all the features you want / are quiet enough / have enough room for whatever you may want to do.


There is no PSU/HDD/SSD there and 2 wifi adapters.


On the PSU 550W bronze is plenty for this build but I would bump to 750 if you ever plan on going for dual cards. Just get a good quality one, Gold is great but I REALLY disagree with "you need to have it"

Your paying alot for a keyboard that isn't even mechanical.. yes it's back-lit but to be honest how often do you look at your keyboard while playing or how often do you type in the dark?
I find all LED's on everything really distracting, especially watching movies. Your shout, I know I wouldn't pay it but it really is personal preference(you'll hear this allot).

At the price for the mother-board I would look at MSI. ONLY reason for this is they have Canadian based RMA center if anything goes wrong.

On the monitor.. really from every (modern) TN panel I've used has been ok.. not matter the price they don't really get better or worse and @$170 for that one your damn near (or possibly in) 23"IPS panel territory
And you will notice a difference with that.. TN, get the cheapest panel that has ok reviews and hasn't got major issues with failures. Otherwise look at either IPS or 120hz.

GPU, only you'll be able to tell if enough is enough.. you need to look at reviews and decide.. AMD will be better bang for buck, especially with their bundle.
Add to that that Nvidia seems to have more problems optimizing for AMD's partnered games than visa versa.. Nvidia need a price-cut to be worth it IMO.
7970 will easily stay with a 680 (game dependent) if not better it and for the price of a 670.. and a 7950 will match the 670(or close to) for quite a bit less
I have a 670 and it's plenty for 1080 gaming, crysis3/far cry3 and the like might push it now but I never had any issues in any game with every single setting to max.


Personal preference if you want to spend now and hold onto the card a LITTLE bit longer or save the bucks.