Hardware Building a new PC for 2013!

Phillyman · Jul 25, 2013

So my aging Core2Duo (Q6600) computer died the other night, so I decided to build a new computer. To be fair, I think the power supply died, but hey...it's a week until my birthday so might as well go all out. Here is what I have ordered so far!

http://rtmgs.co/robs-new-pc

and by Christmas I hope to add on to it with the following.....

http://rtmgs.co/christmas-upgrades

PityOnU · Jul 25, 2013

Cheers, mate.

Seems odd to spend >$2000 on a gaming rig and then only put a 660 in it, though.

Phillyman · Jul 25, 2013

PityOnU said:
Cheers, mate.

Seems odd to spend >$2000 on a gaming rig and then only put a 660 in it, though.

You know, I am not dead set on the video card. Last time I went balls to the wall on a graphics card....was back when the Radeon 9700 Pro was all the rage. I am a casual gamer, usually just a few steam games here and there. I have had Diablo 3 sitting on my desk for 4 months now and still have not installed it. I am really into older games like Diablo 2, Quake 1 and 2, Doom...etc.

PityOnU · Jul 25, 2013

Phillyman said:
You know, I am not dead set on the video card. Last time I went balls to the wall on a graphics card....was back when the Radeon 9700 Pro was all the rage. I am a casual gamer, usually just a few steam games here and there. I have had Diablo 3 sitting on my desk for 4 months now and still have not installed it. I am really into older games like Diablo 2, Quake 1 and 2, Doom...etc.

I mean it's all up to you and what you want to do with it. It just struck me as odd as pretty much everything else you've used in the build will be future-proof for years to come.

jomaper · Jul 25, 2013

I feel like people waste so much money on -useless- RAM. I mean, unless your work on editing or something, why would you even want 16gb?

PityOnU · Jul 25, 2013

jomaper said:
I feel like people waste so much money on -useless- RAM. I mean, unless your work on editing or something, why would you even want 16gb?

It's so cheap - why not? Plus, being about to say you have 32GB of RAM triples the size of your ePenis.

Phillyman · Jul 25, 2013

jomaper said:
I feel like people waste so much money on -useless- RAM. I mean, unless your work on editing or something, why would you even want 16gb?

My wife wants to do photograph as a side job and I want to start doing Youtube videos.....so for running Photoshop and Premier....I think it will help. I also like to spin up virtual machines to play older games in, so I can dedicate out a few gigs over to each of those.

exangel · Jul 25, 2013

If you're getting Haswell, why get DDR3 1600?

Why would you spend so much on a power supply that isn't even modular? Get this one instead.. it's more efficient too! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088 (Corsair PSUs are manufactured by SeaSonic in case you had some brand loyalty there.) edit: Only $5 difference with the $20 off promo. I actually ordered one early this morning because I'm upgrading my graphics card.)

ASUS has had some decline in quality over the years. I personally prefer Gigabyte and MSI motherboards from my experience over the past 3-4 years. (I still like ASUS displays though.)

I highly recommend getting an i5-4670k and spending the difference on a better video card. If you intend to get a high end video card during the next generation, as a self-professed casual gamer you will probably be fine with the integrated graphics device until then. Just get better RAM..

I do not see an aftermarket CPU cooler on your list. I highly recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099)

edit: PS about RAM and your christmas upgrade list. You don't need more, you need better. You will see zero increase in performance in Windows between 16 GB and 32 GB and the Haswell platform supports much faster RAM. 16 GB DDR3 2400 is dramatically better than 32 GB of cheap stuff

Ethevion · Jul 25, 2013

Nice build. I have a suggestion for you though. Sell Diablo 3 ASAP.

jomaper said:
I feel like people waste so much money on -useless- RAM. I mean, unless your work on editing or something, why would you even want 16gb?

I have 8GB of RAM and don't feel like it's enough. The only editing I do is in Photoshop and I have it set to use almost all of it. WHen applying filters like max radial blurs it causes some lag. Besides, PityOnU is right, RAM is cheap enough so you can stock up

Originality · Jul 25, 2013

So your needs are...?
Casual gaming (integrated graphics, check). Desktop replacement (new core parts, check). Overpriced dual-screen mount (Christmas present, check).
EDIT: Photoshop (extreme RAM size, check... but faster is better).

Yeah, I got nothing. It looks like you just want a fast workstation that's heavy on multitasking and possibly emulation, but considering we're only in an inbetween phase in computer generations, it's not great value for money.

Since you picked a CPU designed for overclocking, get an after-market cooler. Even if you don't overclock, it will make it run cooler and quieter which means it will last longer.

EDIT: I got ninja'd.
To reflect exangel's comment, Haswell gets a significant boost from faster RAM, so it's advised to get 2400Mhz RAM for a 7-15% boost (usually at only $10-25 more).
EDIT2: Asus have not declined in quality, they've only extended their range. The Maximus VI Hero still has the highest performance in gaming, although Gigabyte's higher end Z87 motherboards are actually better overclockers. Just wait for the Maximus VI Extreme...

Phillyman · Jul 25, 2013

Here is the core of what I am upgrading from.......I have a 128 SSD drive in there, but cant remember which one I ordered.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor BX80562Q6600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
got two sets of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

exangel · Jul 25, 2013

Phillyman said:
My wife wants to do photograph as a side job and I want to start doing Youtube videos.....so for running Photoshop and Premier....I think it will help. I also like to spin up virtual machines to play older games in, so I can dedicate out a few gigs over to each of those.

In that case I retract my statement about subbing the i7 with the i5. It'll be worth it to future-proof in the long run, given your budget. But definitely get the CPU cooler I recommended (as a minimum.. there are some higher end options, but even if you're not OCing, get the 212 Evo), and also get some Arctic Silver 5 to use for the thermal pad.

PityOnU · Jul 25, 2013

exangel said:
and also get some Arctic Silver 5 to use for the thermal pad.

Is this stuff even considered any good anymore? I used it almost exclusively in the past, but found myself having to "replace the paste" every couple of years.

exangel · Jul 25, 2013

PityOnU said:
Is this stuff even considered any good anymore? I used it almost exclusively in the past, but found myself having to "replace the paste" every couple of years.

It's still the best that isn't an adhesive, as far as I'm aware. It's been a few months since I looked it up.

Originality · Jul 25, 2013

I go with Zalman's TIG. Has a little brush inside that makes for a perfect application every time (it's like doing your nails).

AS5 is not the best, but it's cheap and cheerful, which is why it's the favourite for many system builders. I can't remember where I put the magazine which had the TIG labs test...

trumpet-205 · Jul 25, 2013

AS5 is not the best, and no longer recommended by DIY builders because it has 200 hours of curing time and being capacitive (it'll does damage to the board if spilled).

MX-2 and MX-4 are better paste.

Personally I don't think Haswell K processors are worth it. OC headroom is quite small so I recommend people running stock on these processors (which are still blazing fast).

ASUS motherboard does not have the best performance per dollar spent ratio. Honestly I would take Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H, MSI Z87-GD45, or ASRock Z87 Extreme4 over it.

Phillyman · Jul 25, 2013

Ok, I grabbed the SeaSonic Power supply, the aftermarket cpu cooler and the mx-4. As for the memory, I will change that out around Christmas.

techboy · Jul 25, 2013

Looks nice. I can't say too much about the Intel CPU since I strictly build AMD, but the K series Intel stuff has always been overpriced in my opinion. I'd get a non-K Intel 4770, or go for an AMD FX-8350 instead, which is nearly comparable to a 4770 (non-K), has twice the cores (arguably better for multitasking, but some dispute this), and is half the price. If OC'd right, the 8350 might be able to outperform a non-K 4770.

Also, ASUS MoBos aren't the best around anymore. I had two DOAs in a row last time I used them, and my prior system had an ASUS that gave nothing but headaches. I'd look at MSI. If you need something hard to get nowadays (IDE, a floppy controller, etc.), then AsRock is where to look. They make a few boards with old (and occasionally strange) features on them.

The RAM...for $5 less, you could get 1866.

For the power supply, I see you mentioned switching it for a SeaSonic...good choice.

PityOnU · Jul 25, 2013

techboy said:
Looks nice. I can't say too much about the Intel CPU since I strictly build AMD, but the K series Intel stuff has always been overpriced in my opinion. I'd get a non-K Intel 4770, or go for an AMD FX-8350 instead, which is nearly comparable to a 4770 (non-K), has twice the cores (arguably better for multitasking, but some dispute this), and is half the price. If OC'd right, the 8350 might be able to outperform a non-K 4770.

Twice the cores is good, but AMD continues to get creamed in single-core performance - so much so that I'm willing to question the accuracy of the benchmarks you linked.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-8350-vishera-review,3328-17.html

Phillyman · Jul 25, 2013

techboy said:
Looks nice. I can't say too much about the Intel CPU since I strictly build AMD, but the K series Intel stuff has always been overpriced in my opinion. I'd get a non-K Intel 4770, or go for an AMD FX-8350 instead, which is nearly comparable to a 4770 (non-K), has twice the cores (arguably better for multitasking, but some dispute this), and is half the price. If OC'd right, the 8350 might be able to outperform a non-K 4770.

Also, ASUS MoBos aren't the best around anymore. I had two DOAs in a row last time I used them, and my prior system had an ASUS that gave nothing but headaches. I'd look at MSI. If you need something hard to get nowadays (IDE, a floppy controller, etc.), then AsRock is where to look. They make a few boards with old (and occasionally strange) features on them.

The RAM...for $5 less, you could get 1866.

For the power supply, I see you mentioned switching it for a SeaSonic...good choice.

Everyone that was buying that mobo was mentioning that DDR 1600 RAM, so that is what I got. I am already going to have trouble offloading that CoolerMaster PSU. I am either going to take a 15% restocking fee, plus shipping it back charge.....or I am going to take a hit trying to offload it on eBay. With Craigslist it may take weeks or longer to find someone who will bite. So I am not looking to do the same thing with the RAM at the moment, but what 1866 DDR3 were you looking at that was $5 cheaper?

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