~1100$ Gaming computer

[Exodusx32]

I've been watching LinusTechTips for about two years now because of a common interest in computers. I've however never been able to afford a "real" gaming machine until now. As a result of watching LTT for two years I feel pretty confident about my choice of components but would like some feedback if there is anything that should be replaced.

First of, the computer will basically only be used for gaming on a single 1080p monitor. My budget is as the title says somewhere in the neighborhood of 1100 US dollars(I live in Sweden so the conversions might be a little off). I'm looking for as much performance as possible for my money but don't want the lowest tier of things that I'll probably keep for a long time such as the case or PSU. I've therefore opted to put a little more money towards those components rather than pure performance. I have all the peripherals and software I need so all the money will go towards the computer itself.

 

The system would look something like this;

 

Fractal Design Define R4 - A little on pricey but I'd rather spend a little more on one good case than buy another one after the first one breaks. I also really like this case in particular.

 

Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB 1333 MHz - (The link is 1600MHz but I'll buy 1333MHz) Basically the cheapest 8gb kit of RAM I could find.

 

WD Caviar Blue 1TB - The cheapest 7200 RPM 1TB hard drive I could find.

 

AMD FX-8320 - Much cheaper than an Intel platform with a 3570k. From what I understand the 8320 is basically a 8350 that's clocked slightly lower which made me pick this one as I'll overclock it to match a stock 8350 or higher than that. It's also cheaper.

 

Asus M5A99X Evo R2.0 - Seems like a motherboard with all the necessities such as internal USB 3.0 and stable overclocking capabilities.

 

Noctua NH-U9B SE2 - Seems like the budget version of the D14. I'm just wondering if it will be able to sufficiently cool the 8320 if it's overclocked. Is it enough or would I need something like a Noctua D14 or a Thermalright Silver Arrow to cool it properly?

 

Sapphire 7950 - The cheapest 7950 I could find. I chose to spend more on the GPU than the CPU as most games nowadays benefit more from a powerful GPU.

 

Fractal Design Tesla R2 500W - Very cheap 80+ Gold certified power supply. The fact that it's non-modular doesn't really matter that much since almost all the cables will be used. My only concern is if it will be able to properly power the system. There is always the 650W version but I'd rather get the 500W version as it is cheaper.

 

To sum it up; is the distribution of the budget good? I could get a 8350 or maybe even a 3570k if I replaced the 7950 with a 7870. I'll probably add a SSD and possibly a soundcard in the future when I've got more money.

Will 500W be enough to power this? I don't think I'll get a CrossFire setup in the near future so that isn't really anything I'm concerned about.

Is that CPU cooler enough to cool that CPU when overclocked? Which also brings me to the general airflow of the case. Will the two included fans be enough? I planned on opening the moduvent panel in the side as an exhaust from the graphics card, putting both the included fans in the front as intakes and letting the CPU cooler blow air out the back. Would getting an additional fan or two help the cooling much or would the two included fans in setup as I mentioned/any other way be sufficient?

Wow, this post turned out a little longer than I thought it would :) . If you managed to get all the way through, your'e awesome and thanks for taking the time to read it all. And thanks in advance for any feedback.

[TheMail]

In my opinion, I think an i5 3570k or 2500k would be a good option

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=69230

 
thats a pretty good LGA1155 mobo

 

It will give you better performance than the 8350... and the 2500k is usually a decent price

[Godlygamer23]

Going to an 8350 will likely not be worth it. It's just clocked higher. You could overclock the 8320 manually to where the 8350 is at for free. A 7870 is a great option for 1080p gaming. Perhaps the best price to performance ratio.

[Morfy]

A 2500k with a solid board will rock your world, but if you like AMD and can make use of the 8 cores, go with the 8320, best of luck.

[Exodusx32]

In my opinion, I think an i5 3570k or 2500k would be a good option

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=69230

 

thats a pretty good LGA1155 mobo

 

It will give you better performance than the 8350... and the 2500k is usually a decent price

Getting that motherboard and a 3570k would cost about 45$ more. And a 2500k costs even more. I'm already at the limit of my budget but I might be able to cut back on some things.

[Exodusx32]

A 2500k with a solid board will rock your world, but if you like AMD and can make use of the 8 cores, go with the 8320, best of luck.

The problem with that is that I need a "solid board". I don't really think the http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=69230 would really count as a solid board so that would probably significantly increase the cost of the build.

[TheMail]

Getting that motherboard and a 3570k would cost about 45$ more. And a 2500k costs even more. I'm already at the limit of my budget but I might be able to cut back on some things.

check ebay, i saw some very reasonably priced 3570k's and 2500k's

but even if you dont go with intel, itll still be a great rig :)

[Exodusx32]

check ebay, i saw some very reasonably priced 3570k's and 2500k's

but even if you dont go with intel, itll still be a great rig :)

I'm not really patient enough to get something of Ebay  :) . I've been waiting for this for 2 years so I'm really eager to finally get this as soon as possible. Do you think the 7950 would be bottlenecked by a 8320 that's overclocked, but not to the extreme? If so I might just get a 7870 or try to cram an intel platform in there.

[iSuzak]

You could save money by just having a Psu certified bronze and not gold, also you won't be bottlenecked at all by your cpu when overclocked

[Exodusx32]

You could save money by just having a Psu certified bronze and not gold, also you won't be bottlenecked at all by your cpu when overclocked

Good to hear about the bottleneck. I didn't find any PSU that was that much cheaper to the point where it was worth it without significantly decreasing the quality of it. And the PSU is one of the thing I hope I will be able to keep for a relatively long time so I think it's worth it to spend a little more money on it.

[TheMail]

I'm not really patient enough to get something of Ebay  :) . I've been waiting for this for 2 years so I'm really eager to finally get this as soon as possible. Do you think the 7950 would be bottlenecked by a 8320 that's overclocked, but not to the extreme? If so I might just get a 7870 or try to cram an intel platform in there.

I totally get it :D

enjoy your build!

[iSuzak]

Good to hear about the bottleneck. I didn't find any PSU that was that much cheaper to the point where it was worth it without significantly decreasing the quality of it. And the PSU is one of the thing I hope I will be able to keep for a relatively long time so I think it's worth it to spend a little more money on it.

 

You should take a look at seasonic Psu then, they make really good stuff ;)

[Exodusx32]

I totally get it :D

enjoy your build!

Thanks. I'm almost looking forward to actually building the computer more than having it for gaming and stuff.

 

 

You should take a look at seasonic Psu then, they make really good stuff ;)

Yea, they do but I think I'm sticking with this one as the Seasonic in the same price class either were 80+ bronze or modular and more expensive because of that. And I might be a little biased because Fractal Design is Swedish :) . But 500W should be enough even with overclocking if I don't add another GPU or other power sucking thing?

[Morfy]

Any modern CPU won't bottleneck.End of story.Excepting intel i3s and athlons...

[Morfy]

Also look at my rig, close to 1100$, and it runs like a champ!

[iSuzak]

Thanks. I'm almost looking forward to actually building the computer more than having it for gaming and stuff.

 

 

Yea, they do but I think I'm sticking with this one as the Seasonic in the same price class either were 80+ bronze or modular and more expensive because of that. And I might be a little biased because Fractal Design is Swedish :) . But 500W should be enough even with overclocking if I don't add another GPU or other power sucking thing?

On a single Gpu setup, you won't have any problems, even with heavy overclocking ;)

[Exodusx32]

Also look at my rig, close to 1100$, and it runs like a champ!

It's a nice build but I'd have to get a lot cheaper GPU to be able to afford and well, Never Settle all day!  :) . But in all seriousness though I think I'm gonna stick to what's in the original, except upgrade the cooler to the Noctua NH-U12P SE2 as it's basically 10$ more and seems to deliver a lot more cooling performance. All my questions have been answered and I feel pretty sure that it'll be one of the best performing setups I can get with my budget.

 

On a single Gpu setup, you won't have any problems, even with heavy overclocking ;)

Nice to hear. Does anyone have any input on the fans? Is it really worth it to get extra ones if I have 2 intakes in the front, opened the moduvent in the side panel for the graphics card and use the CPU cooler to blow air out the back?

[WoodenMarker]

Here you go: These parts and your case should be good.