November 2012 Gaming PC Builds

Gaming PC Builds of the Month: November 2012

November 2012 Gaming PC Builds:

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November 2012 Gaming PC BuildsIntroduction:

One exciting thing in November for all PC building enthusiast and newbies alike, are the Black Friday deals that go on in the United States. If you have visited Newb Computer Build before you will know that I link to Amazon.com quite a bit when referring to hardware, so I would just like to mention to keep checking out their Black Friday and Monday Cyber Deals Page for any upcoming hardware sales that may be happening, which may enable you to purchase these or similar gaming pc builds at even cheaper cost!

Furthermore, it is another fine gaming PC builds. This month and last has proven to be pretty stable and as such the builds are remaining strong and fearless, so there are not a ton of changes for any of you who have been waiting for the new months builds; so enjoy.

Like Newb Computer Build – 

$500 Gaming PC Build - Newb Computer Build

Monthly Gaming PC Build ( $510 ): November 2012

(Game at Smoothly with Medium – High settings at 1920X1080 resolutions)

Gaming PC Build Recipe:

All hardware is linked to Amazon.com – You Can also try   Amazon.ca (CANADA) • Amazon.co.uk (UK) Newegg.com (US) • Newegg.ca (CANADA)  Scorptec.com.au(AUS)  pccasegear.com (AUS) to shop for these parts.
 
Processor: Intel Core i3-3220 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 Ghz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 – BX80637i33220
Price: $119.99
Motherboard: MSI LGA1155/Intel B75/DDR3/SATA3 and USB 3.0/A and GbE/MicroATX Motherboard B75MA-E33
Price: $62.87
Graphics Card: MSI Computer Corp. ATI Radeon HD7770 1020 MHz 1GB DDR5 PCI-Express 3.0 x16 Graphics Cards R7770-2PMD1GD5/OC
Price: $129.99
RAM: Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX
Price: $38.32
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD5000AAKX
Price: $59.99
Power Supply: Antec VP-450 450 Watt Energy Star Certified Power Supply Price: $46.96
Computer Case: Apex Computer Technology PC-389-C 10bay ATX Tower No Psu USB / Hd PC389C
Price: $29.99
Optical Drive: Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive – Bulk – IHAS124-04 Version C (Black) Price: $24.00
Estimated Price: $ 510.21 

Overview: $500 Gaming PC Build

The $500 build this month has had a few changes to accommodate for some  price changes. Still using last months newly release Intel Core i3 3220 processor, this build is still a basic solid build for its price.

For roughly $500 you will be able to play any game out while still getting decent performance in event higher end games. By no means is this build an over the top gaming PC, but you are most definitely getting a great bang for your buck.

$500 Build Performance –

Here are the 3D Mark 7 benchmarks using the Intel i3-3220 processor and the Radeon HD 7770 graphics card with 8GB of RAM – http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4635698

Intel i3 3220 processor and Radeon HD 7770 graphics card

Upgrade suggestions for the $500 Gaming PC Build:

The hardware below are all moderate increases from the hardware listed in the main $500 build and they can all be considered compatible with one another.

If you are ever stumped or have any questions as to the compatibility of any hardware please get in contact with me or leave a comment below and I will try to respond as soon as I can.

Want other suggestions? Then leave a comment and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.

Overview: The Gaming PC Hardware

Intel Core i3-3220 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 Ghz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 – BX80637i33220 Price: $119.99

The second month in a row using the Intel Core i3 3220 processor – This is a perfect upgrade over the previous Sandy Bridge Intel i3-2120, we now have the newer line up of Ivy Bridge i3 processors from Intel. This Intel Core i3-3220 will give you a slight boost in performance for your budget gaming pc and uses less power.

Intel i3-3220 2 cores 3.3GHz clock speed 4 threads

Technical Details:

  • L3 Cache
  • Ivy Bridge
  • Socket 1155

MSI LGA1155/Intel B75/DDR3/SATA3 and USB 3.0/A and GbE/MicroATX Motherboard B75MA-E33 Price: $62.87

This motherboard was chosen last month for its affordability and to accommodate the new Ivy Bridge i3-3220 processor. At a price point of only $59.99 it has pretty much anything you will need in a build at this price – a couple of RAM slots with enough room to double the amount of RAM included in this build (8GB), 1x PCI Express 3.0 port for your graphics card, and some USB 3.0 ports.

Technical Details:

  • CPU: LGA1155; Supports 3rd Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3/Pentium/Celeron Processors
  • Chipset: Intel B75
  • Memory: 2x DDR3-1600/1333/1066 DIMM Slots, Dual Channel, Max Capacity?of?16 GB
  • Slots: 1x PCI-Express 3.0 x16 Slot; 1x PCI-Express 2.0 x1 Slot; 1x PCI slot
  • SATA: 1x SATA3 Port; 3x SATA2 Ports
  • Ports: 8x USB 2.0 Ports (4 rear,?4via headers); 4x USB 3.0 Ports (2 rear,?2via headers); 1x PS/2 Mouse Port; 1x PS/2 Keyboard Port; 1x VGA Port;?1x HDMI Port; 1x RJ45 LAN Port; Audio I/O Jacks
  • Power Connector: 1x 24pin ATX Power Connector, 1x 4pin ATX 12VPower Connector

MSI Computer Corp. ATI Radeon HD7770 1020 MHz 1GB DDR5 PCI-Express 3.0 x16 Graphics Cards R7770-2PMD1GD5/OC Price: $129.99

A slight switch this month, we now have a very affordable Radeon HD 7770 graphics card holding the graphics card spot in the $500 pc build. You should be able to squeeze out some pretty decent gameplay at resolutions of 1920X1080 in most games.

Technical Details:

  • PCI-Express 2.0 x16 bus interface
  • 256-bit DDR5 memory interface
  • Microsoft DirectX 11 Support
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Support
  • ATI Eyefinity Technology, support up to 3 displays

Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX Price: $38.32

A well priced package of 8GB RAM, you cannot go wrong and this will probably be the maximum amount of RAM you will ever need for this $500 build, so no worries here. And if you ever want more in the future, you can get up to 16GB.

Technical Details

  • 8GB Kit including two 4GB modules of 1600MHz Class 9 DDR3 Desktop Memory
  • Utilizes HyperX module with faster latency timing for higher performance and speed
  • Specifically designed and tested for compatibility in various makes and models of desktop computers
  • From the industry leader in PC memory
  • Non-ECC Low-Latency 240-pin unbuffered DIMM type
  • Model: KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX
  • Item Package Quantity: 1
  • RAM Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM
  • Memory Storage Capacity: 8.0 GB
  • Memory Speed: 1600 MHz
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD5000AAKX Price: $59.99

Western Digital 250 GB Caviar Blue

Western Digital 500 GB Caviar Blue

A slight price drop for the $500 Western Digital hard drive this month. The infamous 500Gb Western Digital hard drive that has held this spot for a long while, still does.

Performance Details From Western Digital’s Website:

Performance Specifications
Rotational Speed 7,200 RPM (nominal)
Buffer Size 16 MB
Load/unload Cycles 300,000 minimum
Transfer Rates
Transfer Rate (Buffer To Disk) 126 MB/s (Max)
Physical Specifications
Formatted Capacity 500,107 MB
Capacity 500 GB
Interface SATA 6 Gb/s
User Sectors Per Drive 976,773,168
Metric
Height 26.1 mm
Depth 147 mm
Width 101.6 mm
Weight 0.69 kg
Temperature (English)
Operating 32° F to 140° F
Non-operating -40° F to 158° F
Temperature (Metric)
Operating -0° C to 60° C
Non-operating -40° C to 70° C
Electrical Specifications
Current Requirements
Power Dissipation
Read/Write 6.80 Watts
Idle 6.10 Watts
Standby 0.70 Watts
Sleep 0.70 Watts

Product Details

  • WD Caviar Blue hard drives have a multitude of features to deliver rock solid performance and ultra-cool and quiet operation.
  • 3rd generation SATA interface for 6 GB/s maximum data transfer rates.
  • WhisperDrive technology minimizes noise to levels near the threshold of human hearing.
  • 500 GB capacity holds up to 100,000 digital photos, 125,000 MP3 files, and 60 hours of HD video.
  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
  • 3rd generation SATA interface for 6 GB/s maximum data transfer rates
  • 500 GB capacity holds up to 100,000 digital photos, 125,000 MP3 files, and 60 hours of HD video
  • WD Caviar Blue hard drives have a multitude of features to deliver rock solid performance and ultra-cool and quiet operation
  • WhisperDrive technology minimizes noise to levels near the threshold of human hearing

Antec VP-450 450 Watt Energy Star Certified Power Supply Price: $46.96

This Antec power supply proves a continuous power of 450W  with many positive reviews and a price point of about $35 bucks for a PSU there was no reason not to include it. Also to note, this PSU has a continuous power rating of 450W, which means that it will always give out a continuous amount of 450 watts – in other words this power supply unit is a fantastic deal and will run all of the required hardware in this build perfectly.

Technical Details:

  • 450W of continuous Power!
  • Dual +12V rails ensure greater system stability
  • ATX 12V version 2.3 compliant
  • 120mm fan delivers quiet, reliable cooling
  • Black exterior complements any system

Apex Computer Technology PC-389-C 10bay ATX Tower No Psu USB / Hd PC389C Price $29.99

I had to drop the case slightly this month to accommodate some price changes in the $500 build. This Apex case comes in at only $29 and will be able to house all of your hardware just perfectly. Keep in mind that it does not come with any case fans, so you can purchase som ein the future (about $5 – $10).

Technical Details:

10BAY ATX TOWER NO PSU USB/HD

 

Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive – Bulk – IHAS124-04 Version C (Black) Price: $24.00

I was a tad confused about the pricing on all of the optical drives this months as they did go up in price by what it seems to be an average of $5-$10. The Lite-on optical drive fills the spot once again for the more affordable optical drive – hence why its here…again!

Technical Details

  • Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS124-04 BLACK/BULK (Black)
  • 6.7 x 5.8 x 1.6 inches ; 2 pounds
  • Interface: SATA; Buffer Memory: 2 MB

$1000 Gaming PC Build - Newb Computer BuildMonthly Gaming PC Build ( $979): November 2012

Gaming PC Build Recipe:

Capability: Game with Extreme settings at 1920X1080 resolutions and even High Settings in some games at 2560×1600

All hardware is linked to Amazon.com – You Can also try   Amazon.ca (CANADA) • Amazon.co.uk (UK) Newegg.com (US) • Newegg.ca (CANADA)  Scorptec.com.au(AUS)  pccasegear.com (AUS) to shop for these parts.
 
Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K Processor 3.4 4 BX80637I53570K
Price: $214.99
Motherboard: AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Quad CrossFireX and Quad SLI A GbE ATX Motherboard Z77 EXTREME4 $109.99
Graphics Card: MSI AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5 DVI/HDMI/2xMini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R7950 TWIN FROZR 3GD5/OC
Price: $313.99
RAM: Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX
Price: $39.87
Hard Drive: Western Digital 1 TB WD Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive
Price: $69.99
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA
Price: $105.98
Computer Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Price: $95.12
Optical Drive: Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive – Bulk – IHAS124-04 Version C (Black) Price: $24.00
Estimated Price: $979

Overview: Gaming PC Build ( $1000 )

Not a whole lot of changes in the $1000 build this month other than saving a ton of money for the exact same performance as last months build. Using similar components we save about $30 – $40 for the same performance, while you can save even more if you got the same case as last. However, every month I do like to switch up the cases regardless as there are so many great ones. This month I chose to go with the Antec Nine Hundred (As seen in the higher end build previously), since it is one of the most popular chices of pc case these days.

One notable similarity this month however is the use of the same AsRock EXTREME4 motherboard in both the $1000 and $1500 builds this month. As of the beginning of November 2012, the price of this motherboard is extremely low (pardon the pun) and is a fantastic value. You will be able to easily overclock with it and it has everything you will likely need.

$1000 Build Performance –

Here are the 3D Mark 7 benchmarks using the Intel i5-3570K processor and the Radeon HD 7950 graphics card –  http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4409798

Intel i5 3570K and Radeon HD 7950

 

Overview: The Gaming PC Hardware

Intel Core i5 3570K Processor 3.4 4 BX80637I53570K Price: $214.99

Intel 3570K Prcoessor

Like most processors this month, the Intel 3570K processor still holds strong as the processor of choice for Medium to High end gaming PC builds.

This is the current mainstream high end gamer processor. The Intel 35070K is included in both the higher end and mid range gaming pc builds of the month. This processor is easily overclocked and perfect for all hardware enthusiasts and gamers alike.

The Intel Core i5-3570K has four cores and an unlocked multiplier that allows you to freely adjust the frequency – overclocking made easy! Note: if you plan on overclocking please consider buying an after market CPU cooler such as the Cooler Master Evo 212 included in the Hardware Suggestions section for this $1000 build.

Intel Core i5-3570K 4 cores 3.4 GHz clock speed (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 Socket

Product Details: *From Intel

Essentials
Status
Launched
Launch Date
Q2’12
Processor Number
i5-3570K
# of Cores
4
# of Threads
4
Clock Speed
3.4 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
3.8 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache
6 MB
Bus/Core Ratio
34
DMI
5 GT/s
Instruction Set
64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions
SSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options Available
No
Lithography
22 nm
Max TDP
77 W

AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Quad CrossFireX and Quad SLI A GbE ATX Motherboard Z77 EXTREME4 Price: $109.99

A total flip on the motherboard this month as I am using this same AsRock EXTREME 4 motherboard for both the $1000 & $1500 PC builds. This is because this motherboard will easily overclock your Intel 3570K if you choose too and has dropped significantly in price, so why not take advantage of it? This is a very popular motherboard and recommended by many.

Interested in reading a nice review – Check out the overclockersclub review

Product Details:

  • CPU: LGA1155; Supports 2nd/3rd Generation Intel Core i7/ i5/ i3 Processor; Supports Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology; Supports Hyper-Threading Technology
  • Chipset: Intel Z77
  • Memory: 4X DDR3-2800+(OC)/2400(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066 DIMM Slots, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, Dual Channel, Maxi Capacity up to 32GB
  • Slots: 2X PCI-Express 3.0 X16 Slots (runs at X8), 2 X PCI Express 2.0 X1 Slots, 2 X PCI Slots
  • SATA: 4X SATA3 Ports (one connector is shared with eSATA3 port), Two Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10; 4X SATA2 Ports, Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Ports: 8X USB 2.0 Ports (2 rear, 6 via header); 6X USB 3.0 Ports (4 rear,?2 via header); 1X PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port; 1X?VGA Port; 1X DVI Port; 1X Optical SPDIF Out Port; 1X HDMI Port; 1X eSATA3 Port; 1X RJ45 LAN Port; Audio I/O Jacks
  • Power Connector: 1X 24-Pin ATX Main Power Connector, 1X 8-Pin 12V Power Connector

MSI AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5 DVI/HDMI/2xMini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R7950 TWIN FROZR 3GD5/OC Price: $329.99

The same card as used in last months build still holds strong – This MSI card has great airflow & keeps really cool, comes with the MSI overclocking utility, advanced fan speed control; if you are a gamer then you will not regret this purchase.

You will be able to play most if not all games at max settings at 1920×1080 resolutions and will even play well if you have a super high resolution monitor at 2560×1600.

Technical Details:

  • Chipset: AMD Radeon HD 7950
  • EngineClock: 880 MHz
  • Video Memory: 3GB GDDR5
  • Memory Clock: 5000 MHz
  • Memory Interface: 384-bit
  • Connectors: DVI, HDMI,?2x Mini DisplayPort
  • Max. Resolution: 2560 x 1600

Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX Price: $39.87

The same as used in the $500 build both this and last month, but 8GB is a good fit for the $1000 build as well. This package of Kingston 8GB RAM still holds this spot because it is still at the exact same price as last month – holding at $39.99. Last month his package was chosen for its strong Kingston brand name as well as the most affordable price point for a package of 8GB RAM – so here it is again!
Technical Details
  • 8GB Kit including two 4GB modules of 1600MHz Class 9 DDR3 Desktop Memory
  • Utilizes HyperX module with faster latency timing for higher performance and speed
  • Specifically designed and tested for compatibility in various makes and models of desktop computers
  • From the industry leader in PC memory
  • Non-ECC Low-Latency 240-pin unbuffered DIMM type
  • Model: KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX
  • Item Package Quantity: 1
  • RAM Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM
  • Memory Storage Capacity: 8.0 GB
  • Memory Speed: 1600 MHz
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Western Digital 1 TB WD Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive Price: $69.99

The price of this newer Western Digital Blue drive dropped slightly this month by about $5. This is the newer version of essentially the Western Digital Caviar Blue line of hard drives now called simply, the Western Digital Blue.

Product Details

  • WD Caviar Blue hard drives have a multitude of features to deliver rock solid performance and ultra-cool and quiet operation.
  • 3rd generation SATA interface for 6 GB/s maximum data transfer rates.
  • WhisperDrive technology minimizes noise to levels near the threshold of human hearing.
  • 1 TB capacity holds up to 200,000 digital photos, 250,000 MP3 files, and 120 hours of HD video.
  • Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA Price: $105.98

This 750 watt solid PSU is a great choice for this $1000 gaming pc build. It will support all of the hardware no problem and allows plenty of room for adding hardware later on.

Product Details:

  • 80PLUS Bronze certified, delivering up to 85% energy efficiency at real world load conditions.
  • A dedicated single +12V rail offers maximum compatibility with the latest components.
  • Exceptionally low noise level by varying fan speed in response to temperature.
  • Over-voltage and over-current protection, under-voltage protection, and short circuit protection provide maximum safety to your critical systems
  • Universal AC input from 90~264V. No more hassle of flipping that tiny red switch to select the voltage input!
  • A five year warranty and lifetime access to Corsair’s legendary technical support and customer service.
  • An ultra-quiet double ball-bearing fan delivers excellent airflow
  • The latest ATX12V v2.31 and EPS 2.92 standards and it is backward compatible with ATX12V 2.2 and ATX12V 2.01 systems.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Price: $95

A very well rated and received case – The Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel case has been out for some time and is used by many. Plenty of room for all of the hardware included in this build, plus plenty plenty more!

Technical Details

  • Unique Top mounted 200mm TriCool exhaust fan to cool the hottest system
  • Perforated front bezel for maximum air intake
  • Two front loaded HDD cages for up to 6 hard disk drives
  • The HDD cages act as air ducts to take air in more efficiently. Optional middle 120mm fan bracket to cool the hottest graphic cards or CPU
  • Two 120mm TriCool blue LED front fans to cool hard disk drives

 

Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive – Bulk – IHAS124-04 Version C (Black) Price: $24

 I was a tad confused about the pricing on all of the optical drives this months as they did go up in price by what it seems to be an average of $5-$10. The Lite-on optical drive fills the spot once again for the more affordable optical drive – hence why its here…again!

Technical Details

  • Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS124-04 BLACK/BULK (Black)
  • 6.7 x 5.8 x 1.6 inches ; 2 pounds
  • Interface: SATA; Buffer Memory: 2 MB

$1000 Gaming PC Build Additions / Swap Suggestions

Note: Prices are in additional $ amounts… These additions are to act as additional or supplemental hardware the the Gaming PC Build Recipe Above

Add a SSD Boot Drive: OCZ Technology 128GB Vertex 4 Series SATA 6.0 GB/s 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (SSD) With Industry’s Highest 120K IOPS And 5-Year Warranty – VTX4-25SAT3-128G = + $104.99
– Switched from the previous Kingston SSD
Add a Blu-Ray Optical Drive: LG Electronics WH12LS30 12X Blu-ray SATA Writer Drive = + $79 – Perhaps you are a movie buff?  or need to Backup Media etc. Then swap this for the optical drive and you can add blu-ray burn / read functionality!LG Electronics WH12LS30 12X Blu-ray SATA Writer Drive - WH12LS30K
 Do CROSSFIRE with another MSI AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5 DVI/HDMI/2xMini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R7950 TWIN FROZR 3GD5/OC = + $313.99  Better CPU Cooler (To Overclock Intel 3570K): EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler M020-00-000234 = + $51.99 This cooler is rated to perform slightly better then the cooler master hyper 212 evo.

Additions / Part Swaps Overview

If you are thinking of upgrading your system beyond the basic $1000 build, then the recommendations above may be for you. If you have any further questions regarding upgrades or suggestions please leave a comment below the article.

$1500 Gaming PC Build - Newb Computer BuildMonthly Gaming PC Build ( $1334 ): November 2012

Gaming PC Build Recipe:

Game with Extreme settings at resolutions of 2560×1600 – How perfect is that!?

All hardware is linked to Amazon.com – You Can also try   Amazon.ca (CANADA) • Amazon.co.uk (UK) Newegg.com (US) • Newegg.ca (CANADA)  Scorptec.com.au(AUS)  pccasegear.com (AUS) to shop for these parts.
 
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 – BX80637I53570K
Price: $229.99
 
CPU Cooler (For OverClocking): Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R1)
Price: $31.48
Motherboard: AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Quad CrossFireX and Quad SLI A GbE ATX Motherboard Z77 EXTREME4
Price: $109.99
Graphics Card: Diamond AMD Radeon HD 7970 PCIE 3G GDDR5 Video Graphics Card 7970PE53G
Price: $409.99
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16 GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600MHz PC3 240 Pin DIMM Memory CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10
Price: $79.24
Hard Drive: Western Digital 1 TB WD Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive
Price: $69.99
SSD Hard Drive: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240 GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (MKNSSDCR240GB-DX)
Price: $164.99
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 850 Watt ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Bronze (TX850M)
Price: $132
Computer Case: Corsair Carbide Series White 500R Mid Tower Computer Case (CC-9011013-WW)
Price: $117.98
Optical Drive: Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive – Bulk – IHAS124-04 Version C (Black) Price: $24.00
Estimated Price: $1334

Overview: Gaming PC Build ( $1500 )

November is a great month to purchase the $1500 build if you are planning on saving a ton. The exact same build as last month dropped by about $150 – $200, so yes it is a great deal. No major changes or additions other than using the Corsair Carbide series 500R white gaming pc case; which looks totally awesome.

$1500 Build Performance –

Here are the 3D Mark 7 benchmarks using the Intel i5-3570K processor and the Radeon HD 7970 graphics card –  http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4792768

Intel i5 3570k and Radeon HD 7970

 

Overview: The Gaming PC Hardware

Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 – BX80637I53570K Price: $229.99

Intel Core i5 3570K Processor

It has been said that the Intel 3570K is the best price per core performance gaming cpu with the ability to overclock unsurpassed in this range. Want to read some benchmarks on the Intel 3570K? – Then check out some of techradars benchmarks.

I have included an aftermarket CPU cooler – the Cooler Master EVO, which will make overclocking a simple feat while keeping temperatures under control. I dare you to try overclocking up to an easy 4.8GHz!

Intel Core i5-3570K 4 cores 3.4 GHz clock speed (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 Socket

Product Details: *From Intel

Essentials
Status Launched
Launch Date Q2’12
Processor Number i5-3570K
# of Cores 4
# of Threads 4
Clock Speed 3.4 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency 3.8 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache 6 MB
Bus/Core Ratio 34
DMI 5 GT/s
Instruction Set 64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions SSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options Available
No
Lithography 22 nm
Max TDP 77 W

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R1) Price: $31.48

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R2

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler

I have used the Cooler Master 212 EVO CPU cooler for months because it is still a basic well rated and performance CPU cooler that is priced very cheap when compared to others of its caliber. Yet another month with a slight price drop in the Cooler Master hyper 212 Evo CPU cooler!

Product Details:

CPU Socket Intel Socket:LGA 2011 / 1366 / 1156 / 1155 / 775 *AMD Socket:FM1 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+ / AM2
CPU Support Intel:Core™ i7 Extreme / Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 / Core™2 Extreme / Core™2 Quad / Core™2 Duo / Pentium / CeleronAMD:FX-Series / A-Series / Phenom™ II X4 / Phenom™ II X3 / Phenom™ II X2 / Phenom™ X4 / Phenom™ X3 / Athlon™ II X4 / Athlon™ II X3 / Athlon™ II X2 / Athlon™ X2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™
Dimension 120 x 80 x 159 mm (4.7 x 3.1 x 6.3 in)
Heat Sink Dimensions 116 x 51 x 159 mm (4.6 x 2.0 x 6.3 in)
Heat Sink Material 4 Direct Contact Heat Pipes / Aluminum Fins
Heat Sink Weight 465g (1.03 lb)
Heat Pipes Dimensions ø6mm
Fan Dimension 120 x 120 x 25 mm (4.7 x 4.7 x 1 in)
Fan Speed 600 – 2,000 RPM (PWM) ± 10%600 – 1,600 RPM (PWM) ± 10% (EU Version)
Fan Airflow 24.9 – 82.9 CFM ± 10%24.9 – 66.3 CFM ± 10% (EU Version)
Fan Air Pressure 0.3 – 2.7mm H2O ± 10%0.3 – 1.7mm H2O ± 10% (EU Version)
Fan Life Expectancy 40,000hrs
Fan Noise Level (dB-A) 9 – 36 dBA9 – 31 dBA (EU Version)
Bearing Type Long Life Sleeve Bearing
Connector 4-Pin
Fan Rated Voltage 12 VDC
Fan Rated Current 0.22A0.19A (EU Version)
Power Consumption 2.64W2.28W (EU Version)
Fan Weight 104g (0.23 lb)
  • Well-balanced cooling performance provides fin optimizations with perfect balance between high and low speed operations.
  • Wide-range PWM fan with unique wave-shaped blade design for excellent airflow.
  • 4 Direct Contact heat pipes with the patented (Continuous Direct Contact) technology – creating a perfect, sleek surface for heat conduction.
  • Versatile all-in-one mounting solution supporting the latest Intel LGA 1366 /1155 and AMD FM1 / AM3+. Includes the LGA 2011 mounting bracket.

AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Quad CrossFireX and Quad SLI A GbE ATX Motherboard Z77 EXTREME4 Price: $109.99

I am using this same AsRock EXTREME 4 motherboard for both the $1000 & $1500 PC builds. This is because this motherboard will easily overclock your Intel 3570K if you choose too and has dropped significantly in price, so why not take advantage of it? This is a very popular motherboard and recommended by many.

Interested in reading a nice review – Check out the overclockersclub review

Product Details:

  • CPU: LGA1155; Supports 2nd/3rd Generation Intel Core i7/ i5/ i3 Processor; Supports Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology; Supports Hyper-Threading Technology
  • Chipset: Intel Z77
  • Memory: 4X DDR3-2800+(OC)/2400(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066 DIMM Slots, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, Dual Channel, Maxi Capacity up to 32GB
  • Slots: 2X PCI-Express 3.0 X16 Slots (runs at X8), 2 X PCI Express 2.0 X1 Slots, 2 X PCI Slots
  • SATA: 4X SATA3 Ports (one connector is shared with eSATA3 port), Two Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10; 4X SATA2 Ports, Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Ports: 8X USB 2.0 Ports (2 rear, 6 via header); 6X USB 3.0 Ports (4 rear,?2 via header); 1X PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port; 1X?VGA Port; 1X DVI Port; 1X Optical SPDIF Out Port; 1X HDMI Port; 1X eSATA3 Port; 1X RJ45 LAN Port; Audio I/O Jacks
  • Power Connector: 1X 24-Pin ATX Main Power Connector, 1X 8-Pin 12V Power Connector

Diamond AMD Radeon HD 7970 PCIE 3G GDDR5 Video Graphics Card 7970PE53G Price: $409.99

Used again this month and even a nice drop in price by about $10. Even the main models of the Radeon 7970’s have the capacity to be pretty overclocked easily, which makes the value of the Radeon HD 7970 comparable to any of the $500 graphics cards (ex: GTX 680 used last month for the $1500 pc build). This card will have you playing any game without any problems at Max Settings with resolutions soaring up to 2560X1600 easily.

Product Details:

  • Play the latest PC games supporting DirectX 11.1
  • Work and Productivity Application
  • Video playback and editing
  • HD video playback (Blu-ray and HD DVD) and editing
  • Everyday home computing applications with Windows7
  • GCN Architecture

Corsair Vengeance 16 GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600MHz PC3 240 Pin DIMM Memory CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10 Price: $79.24

2x 8GB = 16GB RAM kits have been dropping in price month to month and are becoming so increasingly affordable there really is no reason not to get 16GB of RAM in a build in this price range.

Product Features:

  • 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 for AMD and Intel Dual Channel processors
  • Speed: 1600MHz
  • Timing: 10-10-10-27
  • Pin Out: 240 Pin
  • Voltage: 1.5V
  • Density: 16GB (2x8GB Module)
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty

Western Digital 1 TB WD Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive Price: $69.99

The newer version of the Western Digital Blue series of hard drives, this 1TB drive will have plenty of room to store a ton of gaming media.

Performance Details:

  • WD Blue hard drives have a multitude of features including third generation SATA interface with 6 GB/s transfer rate, plus rock solid performance and ultra-cool and quiet operation.
  • WhisperDrive technology minimizes noise to levels near the threshold of human hearing.
  • SoftSeek technology streamlines read/write seeking algorithms, resulting in more efficient operation.
  • 1 TB capacity holds up to 200,000 digital photos, 250,000 MP3 files, and 120 hours of HD video.
  • 2 year limited warranty.

Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240 GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (MKNSSDCR240GB-DX) Price: $164.99

Solid States drives are so much affordable now and with 240GB of space sto store your operating system and a bunch of most played games is perfect. This is a well performance Muchkin Chronis SSD that will have you loading your OS and games amazingly fast!

Technical Details

  • Max Sequential Read Up to 560MB/s and Max Sequential Write Up to 520MB/s
  • Up to 90,000 IOPS Random 4KB Write
  • SATA 3.0 (6Gb/s) interface (backwards compatible with SATA 3Gb/s and 1.5Gb/s)
  • TRIM support (OS/driver support required)
  • 3.5″ desktop adapter bracket included
  • Access Time <0.1ms
  • Built-in BCH ECC (Up to 55 bits correctable per 512 byte sector)
  • High speed MLC NAND

Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 850 Watt ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Bronze (TX850M) Price: $132

The Corsair Enthusiast Series Modular Power Supplies are at similar prices as the non-modular versions, so pick it up quick. 850 Watts is plenty of wattage for this hardware with so much more to spare for additions of hardware in the future (or now if you choose too!).

Product Details:

  • 80PLUS Bronze certified, delivering up to 85% energy efficiency at real world load conditions.
  • A dedicated single +12V rail offers maximum compatibility with the latest components.
  • An ultra-quiet double ball-bearing fan delivers excellent airflow at an exceptionally low noise level by varying fan speed in response to temperature.
  • Over-voltage and over-current protection,
  • Universal AC input from 90~264V. No more hassle of flipping that tiny red switch to select the voltage input!
  • A five year warranty and lifetime access to Corsair’s legendary technical support and customer service.
  • The latest ATX12V v2.31 and EPS 2.92 standards and it is backward compatible with ATX12V 2.2 and ATX12V 2.01 systems.
  • Under-voltage protection, and short circuit protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components.
  • Brand Name: Corsair
  • Model: CP-9020003-NA

Corsair Carbide Series White 500R Mid Tower Computer Case (CC-9011013-WW) Price: $117.98

This Corsair Carbide case is a very affordable solid case. Excellent airflow for keeping cool, easy to use, solid materials, SSD holder, plenty of room for larger hardware & plus it looks so sleek.

Product Details

  • Optimize airflow and keep your system neat and tidy using the intelligent cable management system.
  • Removable hard drive cages for optimum GPU airflow and to accommodate GPUs up to 452mm in length
  • Mesh side panel can accommodate two 120mm or 140mm fans, or included 200mm fan for outrageous cooling potential.
  • Built-in multi-channel fan controller for optimal cooling adjustability.
  • Front panel includes USB 3.0, Headphone, Mic, multi-channel fan controller, and an LED on/off switch.
  • Built-in compatibility for SSDs in the six hard drive bays gives you the flexibility you need.
  • Install or upgrade your CPU heatsink quickly with the easy-access backplate cutout.
  • Keep your system cool with up to 10 fan mount locations (four 120mm, six 120mm/140mm)

Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive – Bulk – IHAS124-04 Version C (Black) Price: $24.00

I was a tad confused about the pricing on all of the optical drives this months as they did go up in price by what it seems to be an average of $5-$10. The Lite-on optical drive fills the spot once again for the more affordable optical drive – hence why its here…again!

Technical Details

  • Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS124-04 BLACK/BULK (Black)
  • 6.7 x 5.8 x 1.6 inches ; 2 pounds
  • Interface: SATA; Buffer Memory: 2 MB

$1500 Gaming PC Build Additions / Swap Suggestions

Note: Prices are in additional $ amounts – These additions are to act as supplemental or swaps for the hardware in the $1000-$1500 Gaming PC Build recipe above

Swap the Processor for an i7 –

Intel Core i7-3770K Quad-Core Processor 3.5 GHz 6 MB Cache LGA 1155 – BX80637I73770K=  $309.99 (this price has dropped for October)

Double the Graphics Power w/ Crossfire and add one more: 
Diamond AMD Radeon HD 7970 PCIE 3G GDDR5 Video Graphics Card 7970PE53G = + $419.99
Corsair Hydro Series H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CWCH80)Better CPU Cooler (To Overclock Intel 3570K): Corsair Hydro Series H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler (CWCH80) = + $86.26
Larger SSD: Crucial 512 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT512M4SSD2 = + $399.99 ($512 GB of pure Solid State Drive – You may even be able to skip and go with just this if you do not need the extra room!)

Overview: Additions / Part Swaps

Following as the $1500 for November 2012 did not change much from last, neither did the additions. So as previously stated –

If you have some extra cash to spend or want ideas of what else you could add /swap in place of what is already included in the $1500 gaming PC build, then you may be interest in the above ideas. The Intel i7-3770K may be of interest to someone wanting to splurge a tad more on an i7 processor; this may be good for someone that does much more than gaming. Or perhaps you want to really get the most graphics power you can, then perhaps going CrossFire and purchasing two 7970 cards (great idea for future upgrade perhaps?). Or, perhaps you want to go with just a Solid State Drive so purchasing a 512GB SSD would make sense as to utilize its as a main drive.


Concluding November 2012’s Gaming PC Builds:

There were minimal changes coming into this month from last, but prices have dropped significantly; mainly in both of the mid range and high range builds. This has made these already great value builds even more affordable. And not to mention November will be full of hardware sales and black fridays deals, so keep a look out. If you find any of interest please do not hesitate to leave a comment to share with others.

Remember if you liked this article to visit the  Newb Computer Build Facebook Page as I would greatly appreciate any love and / or participation here!

November 2012’s Gaming PC Hardware Overview Video:

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Comments 11

  1. Hey Corey what can you say about this build?I’m on a budget kinda…

    I5 3470
    As rock h77 pro4
    Sapphire 7870 OC
    8GB G.SKILl RAM
    Seagate Barricade 1TB 7200 64
    Antec one case
    OCZ fatal1ty 550W modular power supply
    Windows 7 home premium 64bit

    1. Post
      Author

      Hey Sif 🙂

      That looks to me like a pretty decent build and will perform quite well and everything is of value and reputable. What have you priced it out to be?

    1. Post
      Author

      Hey Derptoad,

      You are correct, you will need to include an operating system if you do not already have one as I do not include it in the builds. If you already do not own or have access to an operating system you can purchase Windows 8 for about $99 for the systems builder version, or $66 for the upgrade version (if you already have windows 7 and you are upgrading to windows 8).

  2. Hi, it’s been almost 10 years since I built my last pc for gaming, after that I switched to consoles for gaming and Mac for the rest, so I’m like totally a rookie here. I have a question, following your list of components do I have everything I need? For example I’m thinking about the thermal glue to put between the CPU and the Cooler… does things like that come with the parts they are related to?

    1. Post
      Author

      Hey Paolo,

      You bet, you will have everything you need in terms of hardware. ie. Thermals Glue comes pre-applied to processors nowadays as well come with stock heatsinks. The only thing to keep in mind is what you are going to use as an operating system, since I don’t generally include that into my builds. If you have any more questions let me know.

      1. Good to know 😉
        I’v been following this website for some time, it’s a very good resource for someone like me that would like to build his own pc but doesn’t have the knowledge. I intend to buy a gaming pc sometime next year, so I’ll definetly follow your monthly builds when I’m going to do that 😉 and obviously ask you a lot of questions XD

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          Author
  3. Obit will be posting his AMD Build again this month right??
    Really looking forward to his build because of the recent launch of the new FX processors like the 8350.. 😀

    1. Post
      Author

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