The September 2012 Builds Have Been Posted – Click here!

August 2012 Gaming PC Builds:

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• Gaming PC Build of the Month (< $500 ): August 2012
• Gaming PC Build of the Month ($500 – $1000 ): August 2012
• Gaming PC Build of the Month ($1000 – $1500): August 2012

Gaming PC Builds of the Month Introduction:

Welcome to the August 2012 edition of the Newb Computer Build Gaming PC Builds of the month. This month is actually moderately exciting for me as is has officially been 1 year since I started doing these monthly builds and we have not missed a beat.

This month we have a few changes and revision, including reverting the $500 build back to using an Intel 2120 / Radeon HD 6850 instead of the Pentium G850 / GTX 560 setup used previously. I have decided to revert back to this setup after looking at several benchmark comparisons that proved the Intel 2120 / Radeon HD 6850 to slightly outperform the latter; even though they are close I think it is an overall better purchase.

Also, both of the higher end builds have got quite the push in graphics power this month with an upgrade in graphics card. With the $1500 build having the most changes due to a significant price drop in the previously included hardware. Yes the motherboard and the processor stayed the same, but almost everything else has had a nice finite tweak in quality.

So take a look and read the build introductions and hardware overviews to learn more! 

-Plus I urge anyone & everyone to like Newb Computer Build on Facebook and you will be granted an eternity of good luck

Monthly Gaming PC Build ( $518 ): August 2012

(Game at 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)  to shop for these parts.

 

Processor: Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 – BX80623I32120 Price: $109.99	Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Intel H61 Micro ATX DDR3 1333 Motherboard Price: $64.99
Graphics Card: Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB PCI-E Video Card (100315L) Price: $149.99	RAM: Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX Price: $39.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD5000AAKX Price: $69.99	Power Supply: Antec VP-450 450 Watt Energy Star Certified Power Supply Price: $34.98
Computer Case: NZXT Technologies Source 210 Computer Case (Black) Price: $31.99	Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black) Price: $16.99

Estimated Price: $ 518 (little over – but worth it on a budget!)

Overview: Gaming PC Build ( < $500 )

So I have reverted back to using the Intel 2120 processor / Radeon HD 6850 graphics card setup because after looking at some Futuremark  3D Mark benchmarks I decided it was a more worthy option than the Pentium G850 / GTX 560 setup. Although the latter setup will still perform similarly, I believe the choice I have made will prove to be more future proof and an overall better choice for gaming plus has its other uses over and above.

See the 3D Mark 7 benchmarks below – or take a look at them for your self – http://3dmark.com/compare/3dm11/3073906/3dm11/3957026

After taking a quick look at the benchmarks for the Intel 2120 / Radeon HD 6850 versus the Pentium G850 / GTX 560 we can see that the Intel 2120/ Radeon HD 6850 outperformed on each graphics test. Although not by a huge amount, it still did.

The $500 gaming PC will still be able to play most game at medium to high settings (depending on the type of game) at resolutions of 1920X1080 (recommended).

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.

• Processor: Intel Core i5 Processor i5-2310 2.9GHz 6MB LGA1155 CPU (BX80623I52310) ($179.99)
• Motherboard: Gigabyte Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 2133 LGA 1155 Motherboard GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 (Z68 BOARD – although not a huge improvement, so go for a graphics card or processor upgrade first!)
• Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB Graphics Card (1024 MB, GDDR5, PCI-E 2.0 16x, DVI-I x 2, Mini-HDMI, SLI-Capable)
• Hard Drive: Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD10EALX
• RAM: none (8GB is plenty for this build however you could save some cash going to 4GB if you wished)
• Power Supply: Corsair Builder Series CX600 600 watt 80 Plus Certified Power Supply Compatible with Intel and AMD Platforms ATX 700 CMPSU-600CXV2
• Computer Case: GAMMA Classic Series ATX Mid Tower Interior Steel Chassis (Black)
• Optical Drive: None (no reason for an increase in optical driver performance)

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 i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 – BX80623I32120 Price: $109.99

After the slight induction of the Pentium G850 processor last month, I have decided to re-introduce the more powerful Intel 2120 based on the Futuremark’s 3DMark Benchmarks comparing the Intel 2120 / Radeon 6850 & the Pentium G850 / GTX 560. Essentially, the pairs come out to the exact same price, however price per performance wins with the Intel pairing!

Intel i3-2120

2 cores

3.3GHz clock speed

2 threads

Technical Details:

• Process Type: Intel Core i3 Processor i3-2120 Frequency: 3.3 GHz DMI: 5 GT/s
• Intel Smart Cache: 3 MB Process: 32 nm Socket: LGA1155
• Power Consumption: 65 W Max Memory Bandwidth: 21 GB/s Graphics Base Frequency: 850 MHz
• Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency: 1.1 GHz This processor is a Dual Core Processor
• This processor supports Hyper-Threading Technology This processor supports Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
• This processor supports Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology This processor supports Thermal Monitoring Technologies
• This processor supports Intel 64 This processor supports Idle States
• This processor supports Intel Fast Memory Access This processor supports Intel Flex Memory Access

ASRock H61M/U3S3 Intel H61 Micro ATX DDR3 1333 Motherboard Price: $64.99

The ASRock H61M/U3S3 is a  fantastic MicroATX H61 budget motherboard for the $500 build this month. Basically…it is a basic motherboard for a very affordable price. Up to 16GB of RAM (more than ever needed with this build), a couple SATA3 ports and even a couple of USB 3.0 ports

Technical Details:

Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB PCI-E Video Card (100315L) Price: $149.99

As mentioned under the Intel 2120 processor description, this month I have reverted back to using the Radeon HD 6850 and the Intel 2120 processor combination as this price per performance as well acts as a stronger future proofing, even for a budget build such as this one. As a reminder, the benchmarks comparing the processor and graphics cards of last month can be seen here.

Technical Details:

Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX Price: $39.99

A load of 8GB of RAM that will probably last the lifetime of your budget $500 gaming PCs lifespan, this 8GB set of Kingston Technology HyperX RAM will do the trick. Even thought the ASRock motherboard included this month only supports up to 1333mhZ RAM speeds, this package of RAM comes in at lower prices than its slower competitors and nevertheless, this is a Sandy Bridge processor build, so the speeds are actually negligible anyways!

Technical Details

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD5000AAKX Price: $69.99

This Western Digital Blue Caviar 500GB drive has seen this share of monthly gaming pc builds appearances, but this is because it has enough space, at the right price, speeds and ratings that there is no reason to change it up.

Performance Details From Western Digitals’ 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: $34.98

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.

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

NZXT Technologies Source 210 Computer Case (Black) Price $31.99

Finding a budget case is easy, but finding one that has reasonable materials used is not so easy. You could save a few bucks and go with the case used last month (Will make the price cap a little closer to $500!) and be just fine, however I love NZXT for a budget case solution. Made of materials like steel and allowing enough space for all your stuff with some room to breath, there is no reason that this budget case is not worth the extra few dollars. Plus I always find it nice when there is a bottom mounted PSU, as it does help with ventilation.

Technical Details:

• Bottom Mounted PSU ? Positioned for the most effective PSU ventilation
• Wire Management Support ? 20mm space for a neat and easy build
• Aluminum Textured Panel ? Accents the chassis for a clean, modern look and feel
• Dual 120mm Front Intake ? Takes advantage of front facing HDD bays for excellent airflow
• CASE TYPE Mid Tower Steel / FRONT PANEL MATERIAL Plastic / Aluminum-like finish /DIMENSIONS (W x H x D) 195mm x 440mm x 495.5mm
• COOLING SYSTEM FRONT, 2 X 120mmREAR, 1 X 120mm @ 1200rpm (included)TOP, 1 X 140mmBOTTOM, 1 x 120mm
• DRIVE BAYS 3 EXTERNAL 5.25″ DRIVE BAYS 8 INTERNAL 3.5″ HDD Drives / WEIGHT 6.5kg /MOTHERBOARD SUPPORT ATX, MICRO-ATX
• VGA Clearance Maximum 230mm w/ hard drive, 330mm w/o hard drive /CPU Heatsink Support 160mm / Wiring Space 20mm

Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black) Price: $16.99

The basic and simple Sony optical Drive used last month, but it went down in price by 1 whole dollar (seriously). My notion is that if you find one cheaper, get it. otherwise, this will be a fine choice for installing software from CD/DVD and burning backups of whatever you like onto CD/DVD.

Product Features

Technical Details

Monthly Gaming PC Build ( $996 ): August 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)  to shop for these parts.

 

Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K Processor 3.4 4 BX80637I53570K Price: $214.99 (decreased from $230)	Motherboard: Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 AMD CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI W/HDMI, DVI Dual UEFI BIOS ATX Motherboard GA-Z77X-D3H Price: $144.99
Graphics Card: XFX ATI Radeon HD7950 3 GB DDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2x Mini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card (FX795ATDFC) Price: $329.99	RAM: Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX Price: $39.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD10EALX Price: $87.62 (decreased from $94)	Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified Power Supply Compatible with Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and AMD platforms – TX650 Price: $89.99
Computer Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1) Price: $71.73 (decreased from $79)	Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black) Price: $16.99

Estimated Price: $996

Overview: Gaming PC Build ( $500 – $1000 )

The mid range build is continuously the most popular as it always boasts great gameplay in games at HD resolutions of 1920X1080 and even plays games not to bad at 2560X1600 resolutions. This gaming pc build is a definite solution for anyone with a below $1000 budget!

This month we continue the trend of upgrading the mid range builds graphics – we see a significant increase in graphics power from the previous Radeon HD 7850 to a new Radeon HD 7950.

Also, I have swapped the motherboard from the previous MSI Z77 to a well rated Gigabyte Z77 GA-Z77X-D3H and the RAM for a very well priced package of 8GB Kingston RAM.

Enjoy!

Overview: The Gaming PC Hardware

Intel Core i5 3570K Processor 3.4 4 BX80637I53570K Price: $214.99 (decreased from $229.99)

The new 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!

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

Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 AMD CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI W/HDMI, DVI Dual UEFI BIOS ATX Motherboard GA-Z77X-D3H Price: $144.99

A very fair priced motherboard that is one of the more popular Z77 boards to date. Toms Hardware even rated it “tom’s hardware 2012 approved!” recently in their “Seven Sub-$160 Z77 Express Motherboards, Reviewed” article.

Product Details:

• CPU: Support for Intel Core i7/i5/i3/Pentium/Celeron processors in the LGA1155 package. Chipset: Intel Z77 Express Chipset
• Memory: 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory. Dual channel memory architecture. Support for DDR3 1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules. Support for non-ECC memory modules. Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules
• Audio: VIA VT2021 codec. LAN: Atheros GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 Mbit).
• Support for 2-Way AMD CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI technology. Expansion Slots: 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4. 3 x PCI Express x1 slots. 1 x PCI slot.
• Storage Interface: 2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors. 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors. 1 x mSATA connector. Support for RAID 0/1/5/10. Marvell 88SE9172 chips: 2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors. Support for RAID 0 and 1
• Back Panel Connectors: 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port/1 x D-Sub port/1 x DVI-D port/1 x HDMI port/6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports/2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports/1 x RJ-45 port/1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector/5 x audio jacks
• Internal I/O Connectors: 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector; 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector; 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors; 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors; 1 x mSATA connector; 1 x CPU fan header; 3 x system fan headers; 1 x front panel header; 1 x front panel audio header; 1 x S/PDIF Out header; 1 x USB 3.0/2.0 header; 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers; 1 x serial port header; 1 x Clear CMOS jumper; 1 x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header
• USB: Up to 4 USB 3.0/2.0 ports. Up to 6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports. VIA VL800 chip: Up to 4 USB 3.0/2.0 ports

XFX ATI Radeon HD7950 3 GB DDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2x Mini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card (FX795ATDFC) Price: $329.99

A significant upgrade in graphics card this month from the previous Radeon HD 7850 to this fine XFX Radeon DH 7950 due to recent price declines!

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: Radeon HD7950
• Engine Clock: 800 MHz
• Memory Clock: 5.0 GHz
• Memory Interface: 384-bit
• Max. Resolution: 2560 x 1600

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

• RAM: 3072 MB
• RAM Type: DDR SDRAM

Graphics and Display

• Graphics RAM: 3

Ports and Connectivity

• S-Video Out Ports: 1
• VGA Video Out Ports: 1

Cases and Expandability

• Size (LWH): 10.5 inches, 4.4 inches, 1.5 inches
• Weight: 3.1 pounds

Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2×4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX Price: $39.99

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

Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD10EALX Price: $87.62 (decreased from $94)

This is a quality hard drive from a quality company and 1TB for a Gaming PC is plenty! This is why I have used this hard drive ever since the prices have dropped. You cannot go wrong here, just check out the performance details below

Product Details

Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified Power Supply Compatible with Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and AMD platforms – TX650 Price: $89.99

The power supplies in the builds change seldom and this month is no caveat. The Corsair Enthusiast series in my opinion is still a great PSU and will be sufficient for this builds any any upgrades.

Product Details:

• Conforms to the latest ATX12V v2.31 and EPS 2.92 standards, and is backward compatible with the ATX12V 2.2 and ATX12V 2.01 standards
• A dedicated single +12V rail offers simple configuration and maximum compatibility with the latest graphics cards and other components
• An ultra-quiet, 140mm double ball-bearing fan delivers excellent airflow with exceptionally low noise levels by varying fan speed in response to temperature
• Complies with the European Union ErP Directive (2009/125/EC) so the power consumption of the whole system, in either standby or off mode, can be less than 1W when used with a properly configured, ErP-compliant motherboard
• 80 PLUS® Bronze certified, delivering up to 85% energy efficiency under real-world load conditions
• Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.99
• Universal AC input from 90~264V
• Over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, and short circuit protection provide maximum safety for your critical system components
• High-quality Japanese capacitors provide uncompromised performance and reliability
• A five year warranty and lifetime access to Corsair’s legendary technical support and customer service
• Safety Approvals: cTUVus, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TÜV, CCC, C-tick

Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1) Price: $71.73 (decreased from $79)

The second month in a row I have used the Cooler Master Storm Enforcer computer case. This case comes with everything from a front I/O panel with USB 3.0, dust filters, cable arrangement, a strong reinforced front door, and plenty of room for all of the large hardware components. This Storm Enforcer also won Tom’s Hardwares “Five More Mainstream Gaming Cases, Rounded-Up” back in June and is now considered “Tom’s Hardware 2012 recommended buy“.

Product Details:

Technical Details

Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black) Price: $16.99

I generally use the same optical drive for every build for a given month. This is a basic and simple Sony optical Drive used last month, but it went down in price by 1 whole dollar (seriously). My notion is that if you find one cheaper, get it. otherwise, this will be a fine choice for installing software from CD/DVD and burning backups of whatever you like onto CD/DVD.
Product Features

Technical Details

Additions / Part Swaps Overview

All of the additions and / or part swaps are meant to act as suggestions for what you could do if you have a little bit extra to spend or what you could keep in mind for future upgrades down the road.

Above there is a nice Kingston HyperX 3K 120 GB SSD drive that could be used as an operating system drive to boot up your computer faster as well as a few games. This SSD was included in this months SSD’s of the month over at Toms Hardware. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cooler as an affordable CPU cooler that can help keep your CPU cooler while trying to overclock (and highly recommended for this Ivy Bridge processor), this in turn can increase the potential overclocking frequencies. You could add an LG Electronics Blu-Ray drive if you have a collection of Blu-Ray movies or want to “back-up” anything onto Blu-Ray disks. OR another suggestion above is to add a second XFX ATI Radeon HD7950 graphics card in Crossfire (a great thing to keep in mind for future upgrading potential).

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Monthly Gaming PC Build ( $1480 ): August 2012

Gaming PC Build Recipe:

Game with Extreme settings at resolutions of 2560×1600 – Easy as 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)  to shop for these parts.

 

Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 – BX80637I53570K Price: $214.99 (down from $229)   CPU Cooler (For OverClocking): Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R1) Price: $35.55	Motherboard: ASUS Intel Z77 ATX DDR3 2400 LGA 1155 Motherboard P8Z77-V PRO Price: $207.99
Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GTX680 SuperClocked 2048MB GDDR5, DVI, DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, 4-way SLI Ready Graphics Card Graphics Cards 02G-P4-2682-KR Price: $499.99	RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP Performance Memory Modules 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) CML16GX3M2A1600C10 Price: $104.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD10EALX Price: $95.81 SSD Hard Drive: Kingston HyperX 3K 120 GB SATA III 2.5-Inch 6.0 Gb/s Solid State Drive SH103S3/120G Price: $104.99	Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA Price: $107.60  (modular!)
Computer Case:  Fractal Design Define R4 Cases, Black Pearl (FD-CA-DEF-R4-BL) Price: $105.45	Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black) Price: $16.99

Estimated Price: $1480

Overview: Gaming PC Build ( $1000 – $1500 )

I always like to look back and compare how prices change from month to month and looking back at the price of the hardware for the $1000 – $1500 July 2012 build from last month you can actually save a combined $100 which is pretty significant.

That being said, this frees up a ton of space for adding more power to the high end build for August 2012 – including the addition of a GTX 680 Graphics card (an upgrade over the previous GTX 670), the new Fractal Design r4 pc case, corsair vengeance 2 pack of 16GB ram, and a Corsair Enthusiast 750W modular power supply. Not to bad of a month for the $1500 build!

Overview: The Gaming PC Hardware

Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 – BX80637I53570K Price: $214.99 (Down from $229)

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: $35.55

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 calibre.   This month you save about $5 dollars from last and this is still the go to 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.

ASUS Intel Z77 ATX DDR3 2400 LGA 1155 Motherboard P8Z77-V PRO Price: $207.99

This is such an amazing high-end  Z77 motherboard that I have yet, used it again in the higher end gaming pc build. According to FutureMark’s Hardware Channel, 1.58% of all motherboards being purchased currently are this one. This makes the ASUS Intel Z77 P8Z77-V PRO one of the top four selling motherboards overall (including incompatible boards).

Product Details:

ChipsetsNorth BridgeIntel Z77

MemoryNumber of Memory Slots4×240pinMemory StandardDDR3 2600(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333Maximum Memory Supported32GBChannel SupportedDual Channel

Expansion SlotsPCI Express 3.0 x162 (x16/0 or x8/x8)PCI Express 2.0 x161 (@x4)PCI Express x12PCI Slots2

Storage DevicesSATA 3Gb/s4SATA 6Gb/s4 x SATA 6Gb/sSATA RAID2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0,1,5,10 support
4 x SATA 3Gb/s ports with RAID 0,1,5,10 support

Onboard VideoOnboard Video ChipsetNone

Onboard AudioAudio ChipsetRealtek ALC892Audio Channels8 Channels

Onboard LANLAN ChipsetIntel 82579VMax LAN Speed10/100/1000MbpsWireless LANWiFi IEEE 802.11b/g/n

Rear Panel PortsPS/21 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse portVideo PortsD-Sub + DVIHDMI1 x HDMIDisplayPort1 x DisplayPortUSB 1.1/2.02 x USB 2.0USB 3.04 x USB 3.0S/PDIF Out1 x OpticalAudio Ports6 Ports

Internal I/O ConnectorsOnboard USB4 x USB 3.0 + 8 x USB 2.0Other Connectors1 x CPU Fan connector(s)
4 x Chassis Fan connector(s)
1 x Optional Fan connector(s)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x System panel(s)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x EPU switch(es)
1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)

Physical SpecForm FactorATXDimensions12.0″ x 9.6″Power Pin24 Pin

FeaturesFeaturesDual Intelligent Processors 3 with SMART DIGI+ Power ControlSMART DIGI+ – Get a Blazing Performance Boost and CPU Wattage Cut in Half!Wi-Fi GO! – DLNA Streaming and Remote Desktop Made EasyFan Xpert 2 – The Most Customizable Fan ControlsUSB 3.0 Boost – Faster USB 3.0 Transmission with UASPQuad-GPU SLI and Quad-GPU/3-Way CrossFireX Support!

EVGA GeForce GTX680 SuperClocked 2048MB GDDR5, DVI, DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, 4-way SLI Ready Graphics Card Graphics Cards 02G-P4-2682-KR Price: $499.99

A superb upgrade over the GTX 670, this months high end gaming pc build includes the GTX 680. Allowing you to game at Extreme settings at resolutions of 2560X1600 easily.

This is the fastest available single GPU card out right now. Want to play anything without any discretion – then GET THIS!

Product Details:

Corsair Vengeance LP Performance Memory Modules 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) CML16GX3M2A1600C10 Price: $104.99

I have switch the RAM up from the last few month from the four pack of Corsair RAM totalling 16GB to this dual package of Corsair RAM that equals up to 16GB. This will leave the future up upgrading to more RAM cheaper as you will only require two other sticks to double it up.

Product Features:

• Density: 16GB (2x8GB Module)
• Speed: 1600MHz
• Timing: 10-10-10-27
• Pin Out: 240 Pin
• Voltage: 1.5V
• Limited Lifetime

Cases and Expandability

• Size (LWH): 5.31 inches, 0.59 inches, 5.98 inches

Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue SATA III 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive – WD10EALX Price: $95.81

The usual, Western Digital with tons of storage for a gaming PC. Having this 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue hard drive will provide plenty of space for your Gaming PC, especially if you put Windows 7 and your most played games on the 120Gb SanDisk SSD also included in this build.

In fact a great idea if you were eager would be to try and go with an SSD only build if you don;t mind getting rid of some HD space. Right before writing this article an individual in the comments in Junes build asked me if he could specifically do this since he currently uses under 100GB anyways. I thought it was a fantastic idea!

Performance Details:

Rotational Speed 7,200 RPM (nominal) Buffer Size 32 MB Load/unload Cycles 300,000 minimum Transfer Rates Transfer Rate (Buffer To Disk) 126 MB/s (Max) Physical Specifications Formatted Capacity 1,000,204 MB Capacity 1 TB Interface SATA 6 Gb/s User Sectors Per Drive 1,953,525,169 Physical Dimensions English Height 1.028 Inches Depth 5.787 Inches Width 4.00 Inches Weight 1.52 Pounds Electrical Specifications Current Requirements Power Dissipation Read/Write 6.80 Watts Idle 6.10 Watts Standby 0.70 Watts Sleep 0.70 Watts

Kingston HyperX 3K 120 GB SATA III 2.5-Inch 6.0 Gb/s Solid State Drive SH103S3/120G Price: $104.99

This is the perfect boot disk and storage space to put your most played games on, which will in turn increase boot times. This Kingston HyperX  SSD is a ‘solid’ choice this month for a 120GB range SSD.

Technical Details

• Package includes 2.5-Inch SSD, 3.5-Inch bracket and mounting screws
• 555MB/sec read and 510MB/sec write speeds
• Faster boot times and application loads than hard drives
• No moving mechanical parts gives it longer life and ability to handle rougher conditions
• Backed by Kingston’s three year warranty and free technical support
• 2.5-Inch SSD Drive with 9.5mm height
• Support for SATA Rev 3.0

Cases and Expandability

• Size (LWH): 7 inches, 9 inches, 2.38 inches
• Weight: 1 pounds

Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA Price: $107.60

I have for months used the generic Corsair Enthusiast Series power supplies, however (and for reasons beyond my understanding) the Corsair Enthusiast Series Modular Power Supplies are the same price as the non-modular versions, so pick it up quick. By going modular yo can clear up some of that cord clutter and leave more space for you gaming PC to breath and plus it just looks cleaner.

Product Details:

Fractal Design Define R4 Cases, Black Pearl (FD-CA-DEF-R4-BL) Price: $105.45

This is the brand spankin new Fractal Design R4 PC Case. A very sleek looking minimal design that is said to hided  dense, sound-absorbing material which can significantly decrease noise. Fractal has made the case wider to accommodate air flow, which is also said to keep the inside a tad cooler via “maximum airflow”.

In my opinion – this case looks fantastic!

Product Details

• Pre-fitted with dense noise absorbing material
• ModuVent System allows the user the option to have unrivaled silence or optimal airflow
• Top fan positions now allow slim 240/280mm radiators to be mounted
• Two SSDs can be installed on the back of the motherboard plate
• Top HDD cage (5 HDD) can be rotated 90 degrees or removed for additional airflow
• A wider case body allows for much improved cable routing capability behind the motherboard, now 26 mm (8mm wider)
• Fan controller is integrated in the front panel and supports up to 3 fans
• Select slim radiators can be mounted in front fan holder (requires the bottom HDD cage to change position)

Ports and Connectivity

• USB 2.0 Ports: 2

Cases and Expandability

• Size (LWH): 20.6 inches, 9.1 inches, 18.3 inches
• Weight: 27 pounds

Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black) Price: $16.99

As a reiteration of this Sony optical drive in both of the previous ones above –

” I generally use the same optical drive for every build for a given month. This is a basic and simple Sony optical Drive used last month, but it went down in price by 1 whole dollar (seriously). My notion is that if you find one cheaper, get it. otherwise, this will be a fine choice for installing software from CD/DVD and burning backups of whatever you like onto CD/DVD. “

 

Product Features

Technical Details