1k Gaming Build

[Harl0]

** Project build now active HERE **

Hi Guys

Looking to put together a new gaming rig for around £1000 give or take.

I am actually building 2 PCs one for myself primarily for gaming; not massively looking into overclocking just want a rig that will boot quickly and easily cope with my games out of the box. The most demanding game being BF3; would like to run as close to ultra as possible within my budget.

The second for my father as a business PC, primarily for video/ image editing; using Corel Draw, Photoshop etc. Essential this PC deals with these tasks quickly. Some of the files he deals with are rather large and his current PC takes its time moving/ loading files and generally slow at times! An intriguing idea is running on onboard graphics freeing up funds to sepnd on other components?

I've put together a rough idea of the build with the help of a couple of mates, would like to know what you all think - any suggestions welcome!

First Build – Gaming

M/B - Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H Intel Z77

CPU - i5 3570k

GPU - Sapphire HD 7950

PSU - Corsair AX750

RAM - Corsair LP 8GB

CPU Cooler - Corsair H60

HDD - Samsung Spinpoint F3

SSD (for o/s +games) - Crucial M4 128GB

Case - Corsair Carbide 500r

Second Build - Performance

Only difference; i7 3770k using onbaord graphics and 16GB RAM !

Cheers,
Jason

 

[Harl0]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Do you need OS and an optical drive for both builds?

Thanks Idleman!

Sorry missed those off - Windows Home Premium 64bit and probably the generic O/C CD/DVD drive as it wont be used much on either systems.

 

[Harl0]

Thanks guys for the input!

Quick question; noticed most spec the Baracuda HDD not the Spinpoint,
HD7950 or HD7850 not a 670? I guess from research the D3H is pretty similar to the DU3H with less O/C ability?

 

[Harl0]

Thanks honosuseri - Do you think the work build will function just as well utilising on-board graphics?

Also for sheer gaming pleasure, most realistic, GTX 670 or HD7970? Im leaning towards the 680 due to Nvidia physx

 

[Harl0]

LOL Love it! I saw a video for Dishonored and the guy was wearing a TShirt coloured this way (Dishonored). I covet it muchly lol



If he doesnt game then leave the GPU out. The i7 CPU has hyperthreading and it does sound like he will use it, quicksync can be used without having a dedicated GPU in the system. He can always add say a 660 if he wants to play games with you, CUDA support helps "justify" the upgrade. I put a much larger storage drive in but you can alter the spec and price to suit your/his needs.

I personally would go for a 670. It's a cut down 680 but they cut off very little and clocked it a little slower, we can overcome the later with overclocking. I do use CUDA and although PhsyX isnt widely used it's nice if you play the games that do use it (its not just on the 680). However you do get a lot of bang for your buck with the 7950, it is cheaper and you do get games free with it, makes it very very tempting.

Will be going with the extra storage me thinks, will give the onbiard graphics a go

Originally I was leaning towards the GTX 670 due to physx but not many games currently support it... I use a 24" 1920x1080 monitor, will I see a noticeable difference between the 7950 and 7970?

Cheers.

 

[Harl0]

Thanks for sharing information. Actually I had also the same question in mind for a long time anyways you started this thread & I am so happy.

Ordered the MSI HD 7950

After a lot of research I decided the GTX 670 is a damn good card, but over priced for my needs.

The HD 7950 trumps the GTX 670 in almost every way and is a few £££ cheaper, no brainer for me...

Both a great cards, really looking forward to putting the HD 7950 through its paces!

 

[Harl0]

670 vs "Boosted" 7950

The 670 is technically better, although the new AMD drivers should improve those benchmarks. AMD have cut their prices and bundled a lot of free kit to help "persuade" people onto their GPUs. No shame in taking advantage of their offer. For gaming I think you will be more than happy with the 7950, which is why I used it in my spec.

Good luck with the builds. Would be nice to see a build log (with pics) for atleast one of them. I know it's faff but we can help you through the build, if god forbid you have any problems or further questions

Cheers pal, like you said AMD have dropped their prices recently and considering the nice games bundle, thought why not!? Also been using AMD GPUs for few years now and so far, they have never let me down! Hopefully made the right choice!

Should be alright with the build not my first time haha Will take few pics where I can.

Thanks to everyone's help managed to take advantage of weekly offers bringing the build well under budget which is always a bonus

 

[Harl0]

** Project build now active HERE **