PC Purchase ~$2000

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#786833 25-Mar-2013 18:26

We need a separate thread for the SSD size debate :)

Personally I still find 120GB completely workable and that's with a bunch of pretty big dev tools (multiple Visual studio versions, SQL server, etc) all on the SSD along with a couple of large games.

If you're one of those people who might play 10 different games in a week this might not work for you, but I play maybe 2 or 3 different games in a month, so my approach is just install all games to your HDD, and any games you plan to play a bit move the install folder to the SSD and put a symlink in it's place on the HDD.

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Hganavak

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#786842 25-Mar-2013 18:50

sidefx: We need a separate thread for the SSD size debate :)

Personally I still find 120GB completely workable and that's with a bunch of pretty big dev tools (multiple Visual studio versions, SQL server, etc) all on the SSD along with a couple of large games.

If you're one of those people who might play 10 different games in a week this might not work for you, but I play maybe 2 or 3 different games in a month, so my approach is just install all games to your HDD, and any games you plan to play a bit move the install folder to the SSD and put a symlink in it's place on the HDD.

Awesome, cheers for your advice (and everyone else).

Do you get much of a performance upgrade from the i5 to i7? I was under the impression the only advantage was hyperthreading, which is generally underutilized by programmers regardless?

sidefx

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#786851 25-Mar-2013 19:05

I probably wouldn't bother with an i7. The i5 definitely seems like the sweet spot; TBH if you do have money burning a hole in your pocket then I would go for 240GB SSD before i7 ;-)

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
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Hganavak

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#786864 25-Mar-2013 19:39

Hmm, it's another $150ish to upgrade to a 240GB SSD. Are you able to have multiple SSD's? I.e. if I need to upgrade later

timmmay

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#786927 25-Mar-2013 20:59

Yes you can have as many disks as you have SATA ports, and you can always add more ports. I have two SSDs (60GB OS and programs, 120GB photo data), and three hard drives inside my PC.

bener

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#786968 25-Mar-2013 23:13

All looks awesome - I just built a new PC with the Samsung 840 Pro (newer model) in it - it is brilliant. Could be worth looking into?

I've never had any issues, my last drive was a standard 840 120GB. I do what everyone else says, install software and OS on SSD, and use standard drives for storage.

I reckon your idea of adding another SSD later is a good one, you have multiple SATA 3 connectors on that board.

Hganavak

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#788482 28-Mar-2013 11:40

Hi guys,

Someone from here who owns a PC building company and saw this thread has quoted me the following, how does the compare to the CL build?

Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H Motherboard
Intel Core i5 3570k 3.4GHz IVY BRIDGE
Kingston 120GB SSDNow V200 (Sandforce Controller)
G.SKILL Ares 8GB DDR3 1866MHz DDR3 Desktop Memory
Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA3 64MB
CoolerMaster GX 550W Power Supply – Ultra Silent
Gigabyte GB-N670OC-2GD Overclocked GeForce GTX670 2GB GDDR5
NZXT Phantom 410 in Black
1 Year RTB Warranty

And for comparisons sake the CL build:

Intel Core i5 3570K Ivy Bridge 3.40GHz 6MB 95W LGA1155
ASUS P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 ATX Ivy Bridge Socket 1155
Mushkin BlacklineFrostByte 997055 16GB(2x8GB) DDR3-1600
Samsung 840 Series 120GB SATA3 SSD (MZ-7TD120BW)
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 64MB SATA3
Gigabyte GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX670 OC 2GB
NZXT Phantom 410 Crafted Mid Tower Chassis Black/Orange
Seasonic G-550 550W 80Plus Gold Power Supply 1
Standard Hardware Installation + 2yr RTB Warranty + OS Config

They are both for $2000

Thanks again for all your advice guys! It really is very much appreciated.

Equinox IT

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timmmay

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#788485 28-Mar-2013 11:45

16GB RAM is nice, but honestly unless you need to keep a lot of data cached in memory probably isn't necessary. WD green drives are slower and cheaper than Seagate Barracuda. Research the Kingston drive, though Sandforce is a good controller. Overall it will be pretty much the same thing though, slightly slower in some areas but probably not enough to make much practical difference.

Krishant007

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#788492 28-Mar-2013 11:48

dont go for the western digital green hard drive. they dont perform that great.

you can go with the i5 3570 processor instead of the 3570k - the motherboard that the person quoted is H77 chipset meaning that u wont be able to overclock so no use getting the k processor

I dont really know much about kingston ssd's. havent heard anything about them. overall i would lean towards the CL build. they are using better components in my opinion.

Hganavak

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#789224 29-Mar-2013 13:05

Krishant007: dont go for the western digital green hard drive. they dont perform that great.

you can go with the i5 3570 processor instead of the 3570k - the motherboard that the person quoted is H77 chipset meaning that u wont be able to overclock so no use getting the k processor

I dont really know much about kingston ssd's. havent heard anything about them. overall i would lean towards the CL build. they are using better components in my opinion.

Could you explain this please?

timmmay

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#789227 29-Mar-2013 13:17

The post seems to be saying you can't overclock with the H77 chipset, so there's no point getting the K varient of the processor - which is more expensive as it's able to be overclocked. It's like buying a car that goes faster on premium petrol, but only giving it regular. Kind of.

Krishant007

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#789248 29-Mar-2013 13:55

Ya. the K processors are able to be overclocked. But the motherboard given does not support overclocking. Plus, I dont think you will be overclocking so no use spending the money to get something you wont really use

SpookyAwol

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#789309 29-Mar-2013 17:00

Theres about $30 difference between the normal cpu and the 'k' version
Between motherboards, there's a difference of about $50

So I guess the choice is whether you want a bit of overclocking or not and save yourself $80 to put to other use.

3570K + P8Z77-V

Or

3570 + GA-H77M

Im running a 3570K and a GA-Z77 with 120gb Samsung 840. Ive had a good run with gigabyte products.
1 copy of BF3 takes up 20gb and the OS + office and other basic program files takes up 40gb

If you are prepared to keep an eye on HD space and juggle programs if space becomes an issue, then 120 is enough. Besides they will only get cheaper (I hope!) and its easy enough to upgrade

Also +1 on going with CL, Playtech etc. Make sure they price match as they do give a good deal and good service

Hganavak

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#789435 29-Mar-2013 21:37

Cheers for pointing that out guys. I don't know the first thing about overclocking. If I do choose to overclock, will I need to invest in new cooling hardware too?

Also, anyone know anything about mid vs full sized towers? I notice the CL build is only for a mid sized tower. Wont this be worse for cooling/adding parts in future?

Quoted
Full sized

kiwijunglist

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#789452 29-Mar-2013 22:47

Hganavak: Hi guys,

Someone from here who owns a PC building company and saw this thread has quoted me the following, how does the compare to the CL build?

Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H Motherboard
Intel Core i5 3570k 3.4GHz IVY BRIDGE
Kingston 120GB SSDNow V200 (Sandforce Controller)
G.SKILL Ares 8GB DDR3 1866MHz DDR3 Desktop Memory
Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB SATA3 64MB
CoolerMaster GX 550W Power Supply – Ultra Silent
Gigabyte GB-N670OC-2GD Overclocked GeForce GTX670 2GB GDDR5
NZXT Phantom 410 in Black
1 Year RTB Warranty

And for comparisons sake the CL build:
Intel Core i5 3570K Ivy Bridge 3.40GHz 6MB 95W LGA1155
ASUS P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 ATX Ivy Bridge Socket 1155
Mushkin BlacklineFrostByte 997055 16GB(2x8GB) DDR3-1600
Samsung 840 Series 120GB SATA3 SSD (MZ-7TD120BW)
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 64MB SATA3
Gigabyte GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX670 OC 2GB
NZXT Phantom 410 Crafted Mid Tower Chassis Black/Orange
Seasonic G-550 550W 80Plus Gold Power Supply 1
Standard Hardware Installation + 2yr RTB Warranty + OS Config
They are both for $2000

Thanks again for all your advice guys! It really is very much appreciated.

Computer lounge build is WAY better, much nicer components and would overclock a lot better as well. Also GP Forums is better advice for gaming PCs.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

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