Resurrecting an old thread for a gaming pc, 900 budget

Redfox25

As the title suggests, I had a thread on here in Jan to build a gaming PC.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056851243


Thanks for all the advice of those that helped out with suggestions and answered my noob questions.

I didnt get to order it then so Im wondering if anything has changed in the 3 odd months since or are the builds listed still solid.

I will redo the questionnare for completeness.
1. What is your budget? 900 euro

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming, Internet, Watching Films

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? No

5. Do you need a monitor? Yes

5a. If yes, what size do you need. 22-23

5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future?

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? Keyboard but can get one locally.

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? Yes , just so long as it doesnt require brain surgery or doesnt sound like a jet fighter taking off when its running.

8. How can you pay? Credit Card/Pay pal

9. When are you purchasing? within 2 weeks. (unless there is a good reason to wait a few weeks for new processors or gpu's)

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? Dublin


Just with regard to OC'ing, Im willing to try it thanks to the advice of Marco and Challenge from before.
Just so long as its not massively loud and easy enough to do.

Monitor wise, I like the reviews of http://lb.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=62093&agid=1649 in here.

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

Redfox25

No takers?

Im sure the builds havent changed that much since.
Not sure about AMD vs Intel but im sure they will both work nicely.

BloodBath

I'll take the bait. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Item|Price
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+|€123.59
ASRock 970 Pro3, AM3+, ATX|€62.99
8GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws-X PC3-12800U CL9|€47.24
Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT Boost, 2GB GDDR5, DVI, HDMI, 2x Mini DisplayPort, lite retail|€220.33
BitFenix Merc Alpha|€33.65
2 x BitFenix Spectre 120mm Lüfter - all black|€11.98
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|€46.34
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s|€59.28
Samsung SH-118AB schwarz|€12.71
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Intel/AMD|€27.99
LG Flatron IPS234V|€149.00
MS Windows 8 64bit (SB-Version) Englisch|€85.37
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€899.46

Redfox25

Blood

Looks good, very similar to earlier builds with a beefed up GPU.

Any difference between your one and http://www.hardwareversand.de/2048+MB/57546/Gigabyte+Radeon+HD+7870+GHz+Edition%2C+2GB+GDDR5%2C+PCI-Express.article

Otherwise looks fine.

Do i need to buy thermal paste or leads for monitors or connections on the motherboard?

How straightforward would that be to OC for a newb like myself?

BloodBath

Yes the 7870xt uses the same tahiti gpu as the 7950 and 7970. It performs better than normal 7870's. It's pretty close in performance to the 7950.

You won't need thermal paste, the cpu cooler comes with some decent paste. You might need a lead or adapter for the monitor. It will come with a 2 pin german plug.

Overclocking is pretty easy these days. I haven't done any amd overclocking lately so I don't know about that but those chips overclock a lot. Gpu overclocking is easy. There's plenty of guides knocking around on the net anyway. Just do a little research and take your time with it. You will have good performance at stock anyway.

Redfox25

All parts ordered this evening.

Will stick up a picture when its built. Have watched a few videos on building Pc's, only query is where to add the two fans inside the case. Am sure it will become apparent when its in front of me.


Thanks

BloodBath

No problem.

I'd go with bottom and top-front intakes. Consider more fans down the line if you want better airflow.

Redfox25

Its just a matter of keeping an eye on the temp of of the CPU I assume so?

I will do some research on software to do that. Im sure that there is lots.

BloodBath

It will be fine but overclocking will push your temps. The better your airflow the better your temps will be and the more you can overclock. 3 case fan will be enough to get you started anyway.

HWMonitor is a good program for monitoring voltages and temps. There's lots of programs though.

Gumbi

BloodBath wrote: »

It will be fine but overclocking will push your temps. The better your airflow the better your temps will be and the more you can overclock. 3 case fan will be enough to get you started anyway.

HWMonitor is a good program for monitoring voltages and temps. There's lots of programs though.

As a side note, would having the side of one's case not on help or hinder temperatures?

BloodBath

It depends. It should improve temps though but leaves you open to dust and hair being sucked in and will be noisier.

Gumbi

BloodBath wrote: »

It depends. It should improve temps though but leaves you open to dust and hair being sucked in and will be noisier.

My mobo is being sent away tomorrow for RMA, I had the option of adding other items to the order if I so wished. I didn't select this option, but I'm sure if emailed HWVS they would add these items to the return package with my new mobo. I was considering getting some case fans now that I've addressed my GPU's fan problem (sagging was causing a fan noise which was relatively annoying at speeds of 45% plus) so as to aid overclocking.

I accidentally broke the case fan on my case (I was adjusting my CPU cooler while it was on lol and the screwdriver hit a blade). I have this fan which is currently not being used https://www.hardwareversand.de/80mm/10324/Xilence+Power+Geh%C3%A4usel%C3%BCfter+8cm.article

bu mine is the 120mm version. I'm thinking I might benefit fro the small investment into some case fans? What do you think?

My case is the NZXT Gamma Tower

Thank you as always

BloodBath

Go for it. If you're overclocking stuff you want decent airflow. How many 3 pin fan connections are free on your motherboard?

I take it you have 0 case fans at the moment?

I'd go for 3 or 4 of these anyway.

http://www.hardwareversand.de/120mm/53795/BitFenix+Spectre+120mm+L%C3%BCfter+-+all+black.article

You might need one of these as well depending on how many fans you get and how many board connections you have free.

http://www.hardwareversand.de/Power/54752/BitFenix+3-Pin+zu+3x+3-Pin+Adapter+60cm%2C+sleeved+schwarz+schwarz.article

Gumbi

BloodBath wrote: »

Go for it. If you're overclocking stuff you want decent airflow. How many 3 pin fan connections are free on your motherboard?

I take it you have 0 case fans at the moment?

I'd go for 3 or 4 of these anyway.

http://www.hardwareversand.de/120mm/53795/BitFenix+Spectre+120mm+L%C3%BCfter+-+all+black.article

Well, I have the aforementioned Case fan (120mm) but I wasn't using it. I see this fan was a lot cheaper than the fans you're recommending (I paid 2 18 for it 2 years ago but never ended up using it). Is it worth using this fan or are these fans better?

My Z77 Pro3 is currently packaged for delivery to Germany tomorrow So I can't check how many connections it has on it.

BloodBath

These are a good budget option but will be quite loud at stock speed but you can reduce that through the BIOS if using the board connections.

Gumbi

BloodBath wrote: »

These are a good budget option but will be quite loud at stock speed but you can reduce that through the BIOS if using the board connections.

I'm happy to pay 6 euro for a pair/trio of good fans, if they're worth it. Like I said, I currently have the xilence fan, I'm assuming this is a budget option; the spectre's suggestion are better?

Gumbi

- 2 x CPU Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
- 2 x Chassis Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
- 1 x Power Fan connector (3-pin)

From the Asrock site. Currently, though my computer is out of action, I am only using the 4 pin header for the fan mounted on my CPU's heatsinnk (Cooler Master Hyper 212+). So it seems I have 5 fan connections, one of which is used, and 3 of which are 3 pin connectors. So it seems like I'm OK on that front.

BloodBath

A bit better but the artics are fine if you turn them down a bit.

Gumbi

BloodBath wrote: »

A bit better but the artics are fine if you turn them down a bit.

Might as well get them then. 3 of em for just over a tenner is very nice. I also have my xilence fan. I might throw that on the hyper 212 for some push/pull action and have 3 arctics set up in my case. I imagine the arctics will help with the VRM cooling at higher temps on my 7950.

As always, thanks for your help

BloodBath

No problem. I wouldn't bother with the push pull. It has almost no effect on those with the rear 120 being so close.

If you have 4 case fans go with a side and front intake and a rear and top exhaust.

Gumbi

BloodBath wrote: »

No problem. I wouldn't bother with the push pull. It has almost no effect on those with the rear 120 being so close.

If you have 4 case fans go with a side and front intake and a rear and top exhaust.

Thanks! I'll figure it out I suppose, I haven't mounted chassis fans before. This might allow me to hit 4.7/4.8 ghz on my 3570k which would be amazing I'm currently (well last I benched, as I said, I haven't had a PC for the last 3 weeks ) hitting 80 - 85 max on one core (other cores slightly lower) with 20 runs of IBT at max preset.

I have read that AsRock boards apparently under-report actual voltages by a certain amount, but I don't think that's a concern as temperature limitations as opposed to voltage limitations are the thing to watch for while using a budget cooler like mine, so I should be safe.

Redfox25

BloodBath wrote: »

No problem.

I'd go with bottom and top-front intakes. Consider more fans down the line if you want better airflow.

Installed these two fans in the front, no problems there.

When installing the HDD , it goes into the 3.5inch bays and is sitting touching the back of one of the fans and is sticking out a good bit into the case itself.

Should i remove one of the fans to allow the HDD to slide further into the front of the case or will it be ok?

(PSU, CD drive and the two fans went in no problems, have to figure out the Mobo and cpu/cooler yet.


Edit, maybe I should move this to the building forum. ?

BloodBath

You could move the top front to a bottom intake to put the drive in further if you want.

Is there much clearance under those merc alphas?

You should build the cpu, ram and cooler on the table outside the system then screw the board into the case.

You can test it before you put it in as well to make sure everythings working.

It's easier that way.

Redfox25

BloodBath wrote: »

You could move the top front to a bottom intake to put the drive in further if you want.

Is there much clearance under those merc alphas?

You should build the cpu, ram and cooler on the table outside the system then screw the board into the case.

You can test it before you put it in as well to make sure everythings working.

It's easier that way.

Underneath, a bit of space but not lots.
Will be it any harm to have the hdd touching the back of the fan?
Looking at it, the board will be miles away from the back of the hdd case as it currently sits, leaving the two fans alone at the front.

BloodBath

As long as it's not touching the blades it should be fine.

It won't matter as the airflow should come across the board feeding the cpu and gpu coolers and exhausting out the rear and top.

Redfox25

Day 2 of build

Well really hour 3 or so.

HDD is in, DVD drive in, PSU in.

Set up the cooler on the mobo tonight and that was fun, took me ages to figure it out and 5 mins to fit it.
Ram in too.

GPU and leads to sort out tomorrow night then power it on.
I have the feeling that if I knew what I was doing it would be a one hour job.
Ah well its all good.

BloodBath

No harm in taking your time. Better safe than sorry.

Redfox25

All bit installed, case closed up.

Turned it on, no explosions so thats good.
Loaded the windows cd and nothing happening.
Not sure if the gpu is the problem.

Monitor is working, says its entering a power saving mode and goes blank.

Am i missing something simple or do i need to crack it open again and look for loose connections?

Any help greatly appreciated, as always.

Edit , just to clarify, there is no beep when it starts up. I can hear the HDD spin up and the fans are on. The power light is on on the PSU and on the display on the top of the case.

CD drive did open but closed straight away. Gently held it open to load the Windows CD.

Redfox25

Cracked it open, checked all connections , all secure.

GPU fans start up on power up, then stop then come back on a few seconds later. Seems well sited on the Mobo. Power connections, checked and seem ok. Its two sets of 6 from the psu, unless it needs more ?

On the off chance it was dodgy RAM, i took out one stick, then tried it with one in each slot then tried the removed ram in each slot, no joys.

Added an external speaker, no beeps when starting up.

Possible I have the HDD in SATA socket 1 so its trying to boot from it and not finding anything so flipping out a bit and not doing anything.

Will add a photo of it after i figure out how best to post photos here.
And sleep too.

Gumbi

Redfox25 wrote: »

Cracked it open, checked all connections , all secure.

GPU fans start up on power up, then stop then come back on a few seconds later. Seems well sited on the Mobo. Power connections, checked and seem ok. Its two sets of 6 from the psu, unless it needs more ?

On the off chance it was dodgy RAM, i took out one stick, then tried it with one in each slot then tried the removed ram in each slot, no joys.

Added an external speaker, no beeps when starting up.

Possible I have the HDD in SATA socket 1 so its trying to boot from it and not finding anything so flipping out a bit and not doing anything.

Will add a photo of it after i figure out how best to post photos here.
And sleep too.

How is the monitor attached to the monitor? Try connecting directly to the mobo without the card (disconnect the card).

Redfox25

Gumbi wrote: »

How is the monitor attached to the monitor? Try connecting directly to the mobo without the card (disconnect the card).

Its with a HDMI cable.
Must hunt around for a usb cable to try and connect the mobo and the monitor tonight so.

Gumbi

Redfox25 wrote: »

Its with a HDMI cable.
Must hunt around for a usb cable to try and connect the mobo and the monitor tonight so.

A USB cable won't carry a video signal to a monitor. There is probably an HDMI/VGA port on your motherboard. Your monitor to one of these ports in order to rule out a problem with your graphics card.

BloodBath

Did you connect the additional 6/8 pin power cable/s to the graphics card?

Redfox25

There are two six pins side by side on to at the back. Did i miss one?

Redfox25

One thought it says on the gpu box that a 500 watt psu needed. Mine is 450. Could that bea problem?

Redfox25

I dont think the Mobo has a discrete GPU so i dont think i can connect it to the monitor, need to check that some more .