DISCLAIMER

This is just an example mid-range enthusiast's build that I’d like to recommend based on my acquired building experience and knowledge of a range of PCs, including enthusiast/gaming-oriented systems. I have been a regular community member on Overclock.net and HardOCP since 2008. I will explain my thought process about them, and go over some general knowledge regarding them. I will have two more builds as well for those who are on tighter budgets, along with those who are willing to spend more for the greatest performance. So if this might seem too expensive for you, don’t worry as I will be releasing a cheaper lineup too. Note that I am in no way affiliated or work with any of the above companies. Please note that this may not be the only ‘one’ answer to your needs, as budgets and requirements can vary, which is why this setup is aimed to be mid-range – set at a reasonable price without jeopardizing performance by still having some of the latest and best of the best components. There are a number of alternatives that can be chosen as well, and they will be pointed out and explained throughout the article, since I do like to consider other feasible options as well. Furthermore, I presume you or somebody else will be able to assemble the system, since we are purchasing all the components individually. Lastly, I have not included the OS, Monitor and any other additional peripherals that one may need, so once again, these will need to be bought separately.

CPU – Intel Core i5-3570k

The Intel Core i5-3570k was released in spring 2012 and belongs to Intel’s 3rd generation of their Intel Core processors, and is codenamed the Ivy Bridge family should you want to refer to this technical name. It is approximately 10%-15% faster than its predecessor, also known as the Sandy Bridge family (i5/i7-2xxx series, i.e. 2500k/i7-2600k). All in all, this makes it significantly faster than their first generation of Intel Core processors, known as the Intel Core i5-650/750/760 and i7-860/870/920/930/940/950 that was released in the year 2008-2009. Thanks to the technological advances in its internal architecture design, it also uses a lot less power, whilst still being more powerful than its predecessors. This is because it is based on a 22nm fabrication, whereas the previous gen was based on a 34nm and 45nm design. What does this mean may you ask? It means the actual chip itself within the metal casing is of that size, and ultimately, means that it can fit in a lot more transistors and other micro-parts than it could before. I chose the i5-3570k CPU due to a number of reasons. As with all i5 series of Intel’s Core processors, they are aimed to be more affordable, delivering the best bang for the buck for gamers and everyday users, since they offer great performance in most games as well as good power for CPU intensive tasks such as video encoding, mass image manipulation, rendering and 3D modelling. Note that this is where the i3 falls in for those on a budget, as they target audience that may not be playing as intensive, demanding games or even using their system to carry out such professional jobs, as it wouldn’t be as powerful. As such, the i3 being a lower-end CPU was not considered at all, since they tend to be dual-core CPUs, and have very low cache sizes. This would leave us with the i7 series, however, it does cost significantly more, and whilst the i7-3770k is faster than the i5-3570k, the price difference between them is substantial. Therefore it would actually prove to be a waste for most gamers, since the main difference that separates the i5 and i7 is a feature called Hyperthreading. Hyperthreading is a feature that is only present in Intel’s most high-end CPUs that gives the CPU the ability to automatically double its cores, aka threads, so that CPU intensive tasks such as video rendering can be done faster. However, these ‘cores’ would be in a virtual setting, and in this case, it does not really mean 4*2=8 cores. Examples of the kind of tasks where Hyperthreading really shines include:

• Video editing, encoding, rendering
• Image manipulation (i.e. Photoshop)
• Graphics Design/animation (i.e.)
• 3D modeling (3D Studio Max)
• Data 'churning' for Science/Engineering/Medical study (for example. folding)

For users who just play games, this makes no difference since Hyperthreading is not a supported feature in most games as of mid 2012, and therefore does not result in a FPS increase for the most part. On a sidenote, it will greatly benefit those who use their PC as a workstation, as they tend to require a high amount of processing power. If you wish to learn more about this feature that is the main selling-point for Intel Core i7 processors, go here. With this considered, the extra cost of the i7-3770k would not be worth justifiable as it costs so much more, and money could be more appropriately spent elsewhere, and this is assuming the user just play games, since Hyperthreading will not be utilized. For example, a more powerful GPU may be more affordable and would make more sense for a gamer, instead of a Core i7 CPU, since as previously mentioned; it would be more aimed at those who use their PC on a regular basis for professional jobs. If this does apply to you, then do replace the i5-3570k with an i7-3770k, otherwise, the i5 is not that much slower and is significantly more powerful than all of AMD’s offerings, including their 8-core FX ‘Bulldozer’ CPUs. So if you do regularly carry out the kind of tasks listed in the above, then do consider the i7-3770k, as Hyperthreading will prove beneficial. However, if you do none of the above, then the i5-3570k would be the most perfect match-up, and as I have stated, it’s not that much slower than its bigger i7 brother when it comes to gaming. Lastly, the –K designated at the end of the CPU indicates that it is an unlocked processor, meaning that it has an unlocked CPU multiplier. This allows it to be overclocked freely, and these Intel Core processors are heavily based on the multiplier when it comes to overclocking, i.e. specifying a multiplier of 44x in the BIOS means that you want the CPU to run at 4.4Ghz, as it would make it 44x100, with 100 being the BLCK, a setting that should be untouched at present. Even if you are still not intending on overclocking, it would still be great to have the possibility to do so present, as overclocking these families of i5 and i7’s have only simplified over the years. Should you feel that you do not intend on overclocking whatsoever and you have absolutely no intentions to do so in the future, then you can step down to the i5-3550 or i5-3450 to save yourself some money. Note that as these particular models do not have a –K in the end, this of course means their overclocking capabilities will be limited, but this should not matter to you as I presume you have already decided that you won’t be doing any of that and just want to save as much money as possible. You can find these ones here - Core i5 3450 nebo Core i5 3550 Lastly, here is also the i7-3770k if you suspect you will make use of Intel’s Hyperthreading technology.

CPU Cooler - Be quiet! Dark Rock Advanced

I'd like to recommend this cooler should you decide to overclock the i5-3570k. A Corsair H80 is also an excellent choice if it can be found. Up to a mild or soft overclock should be appropriate, as Intel's Ivy Bridge CPUs inevitably produce a lot of heat, and on a technical standpoint, this is mainly due to its small 22nm design. Nonetheless, this cooler should be perfectly capable of up to a 4.4Ghz overclock should you decide to get more performance out of the CPU.

RAM – Corsair Vengeance Blue 8GB (2x 4GB)

This particular memory was chosen for two reasons. First, it is backed by Corsair, renowned for their high quality control, customer support and the reputed brand they are amongst the Industry internationally. Secondly, with memory prices falling gradually, 8GB has become the norm, since it is more than enough for most people. Alternatives include the RipjawsX or RipjawsZ memory series G.Skill, a company who specialize in memory products only, but their products were not present on CZC. Nonetheless, the Corsair Vengeance Blue would be equally as good, and are by no means inferior in any context. Note: If you do manage to find such memory from G.Skill elsewhere, then that would be great as well, but you will probably not notice any actual performance difference between the listed Corsair Vengeance ones. This is because your system will largely be based on the CPU and, for games, the GPU. Note that more memory has little to no effect on a game’s FPS or performance nowadays (unless you’re stepping up from an ancient 1GB amount, but you’d probably need an entire overhaul if it’s that bad). 8GB is the sweet spot for just about anyone. Also, please ensure that the Windows you install is a 64bit version, as 32bit systems are unable to support more than 4GB of RAM! (you can always reinstall windows with the correct version at any time should you be willing to do this).

Motherboard – Asus P8Z77-V LK

First, this motherboard was chosen because it natively fully supports the i5-3570k, being an unlocked processor, means that it would strictly require a Z77 chipset motherboard, as opposed to a Z75, Z68 or other chipsets, since they wouldn’t be able to support it properly. It supports all processors that belong to the Ivy Bridge family, and so do the other two that I have listed at the end. These motherboards offer all the expected features that were only present in the older, high-end boards, such as USB 3.0, SATA 6G and even Intel Gigabit LAN. Not everyone will utilize these features, but they have become mainstream and are now widely found. It is also worth mentioning about an advantage of UEFI BIOS, as this is a new type of BIOS that allows the user to use his mouse to navigate through the pages. It’s also a lot more user-friendly, as there is more use of colour and even images. Previously, this was not possible or was only present in specific motherboards of a specific brand. Now, it can also be found in Gigabyte’s models. Over time, these features have become more available on mid-range motherboards, which is great because they’re more affordable and still have all the latest functionality for device support. Thirdly, this motherboard was also chosen because it facilitates overclocking a bit better than the other ones at this price range, and in technical terms, it’s additional power phases and even the VRMs (voltage regular modules) are cooled more better. An alternative, which is equally as good, would be the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H, which is priced similarly and can be found here In terms of features and build quality, it is equally as good and both motherboards would be most fitting for such a budget, as they are aimed at the mid-range bracket, with all the expected features that one may need. There is not strictly a right or wrong answer here, as both the Gigabyte and Asus boards listed should do the job very well. Furthermore, here is another motherboard that is much lower budget oriented than both of the ones mentioned (MSI Z77A G45) Once again, the features are roughly identical and this is also a very solid motherboard from MSI that offers a lot of overclocking tools and support as well. UEFI BIOS, USB 3.0, SATA 6G are also supported. Personally, I would prefer Asus or Gigabyte, but MSI are also great and this one should be more wallet-friendly if you don’t mind looking at an alternative.

Case – Fractal Design R3

When it comes to cases, some people say it can be a subjective thing as ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’. It may just be a case and some people do want it to look appealing, but there are some of the factors that ought to be met first, especially if you’re going to spend a lot on your PC. This is because you’ll obviously want your case to be able to support everything else effortlessly and without any doubts of any possible size incompatibilities. First, there are roughly 3 types of cases, and they include micro ATX, mid ATX and E or AL ATX. The one I chose is a mid ATX, as the motherboard that I chose belongs to that size family. As the name implies, it would therefore be medium sized, and should fit my motherboard without a problem. Consequently, a micro ATX case would not fit a standard ATX motherboard, as it would most likely be too small. Now that we have the size ruled off, we may want to think about other features in a case. First and foremost, you’ll want the GPU (video card) to be able to fit inside the case without a problem as well, since some cards may be wider in length than its PCI-Express slot. The Fractal Design R3 has a very spacious inside that should accommodate very large graphics cards without a problem. It was also chosen because of its features to aid in cable management. Whilst not everyone is obliged to perform to the best of their ability in tucking in cables and making the internals of their PC neat and tidy, I would like to emphasize that a less cluttered system results in improved airflow and even less surface area for dust to stick to, resulting in a more cooler environment for your components to operate in, thus increasing their lifespan. Once again, the Fractal R3 has a number of holes to route cables through, as well as a panel that can be opened at the back to tie and manage the intended hidden cables. Lastly, as stated in the beginning, I chose this particular case because it looked very elegant, classy and just not too overwhelming or fancy in any way. There are of course, once again, a number of other alternatives that I’d like to point out should you find this case to be too expensive. As I said, I chose this case not only because of the looks, but also due to its size in the interior, as well as all the functionality to aid in cable management. Here is an alternative should you wish to step down on the price: Coolermaster Dominator CM-690 Here is also another good choice if you don’t mind the looks; Fractal Design Core 3000, has a very spacious interior and support for adequate cable management.

Graphics Card – MSI R7850 Twin Frozr II

First and foremost, I just wanted to go over some general information about modern-day graphics cards, as I feel that new buyers or even experienced users should be made aware of it. Note that a GPU is actually a chip, much like the CPU, but housed in a bigger casing, with power circuitry and all the other components that let it run. Vendors like Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, and Sapphire design this ‘housing’ only in order to accommodate and allow the chip itself to work. Firstly, the brand (vendor) of the video card does matter greatly, as certain vendors have different warranty and policies regarding customer service and returns. For example, MSI deal with customer warranty via serial number, so you do not necessarily need the original receipt, as there will be a sticker printed on the back of the graphics card that has a serial number on it. This not only applies to MSI, but also to Asus. It may be worth considering this since it means the warranty can be transferrable easily should you decide to sell the card in the future or even buy a used one, as you will know that you’re still in good hands, assuming the covering period has not expired yet. On a personal note, I see this as a big advantage as not every vendor does warranty via serial number, since I may be left stranded should I lose my receipt and their policy is strictly based on that. In this case, MSI is my brand of choice when it comes to such video cards, as they also make good aftermarket cooling. The Twin Frozr II name on their product corresponds to their ‘signature’ name of their cooling system used on the video card, as it enables the video card to run at much lower temperatures than normal, reference designs by AMD. Other vendors have their own designs also, such as Asus’ DirectCUII (Direct Contact two) and Gigabyte’s Windforce. These terms refer to the vendors’ custom cooling designs, something AMD/NVIDIA, the manufacturer of the actual GPU chip itself, do not carry out. Think of the reference cooler as a stock cooler for a CPU. It can be noisy, doesn’t cool the best and is designed straight from the manufacturer, i.e. Intel would say they want a stock cooler that is automatically given to all customers in the box. The same applies to GPUs – vendors can either stick to AMD/NVIDIA’s default cooling design or make it themselves. In this case, MSI’s Twin Frozr II cooler is one of the best performing coolers in the market and helps to keep temperatures to a minimal. The result is also less noise and potentially improved overclocking potential. Lastly, the HD7850 series was chosen because it is a very good model for performance, whilst keeping it affordable and still faster than the previous generation of competing cards. These include the GTX 560, HD6870, HD6850, etc. In addition, its large memory also helps for those who runs with monitors larger than 1920x1080p, and as this particular model from MSI is a non-reference one, it should also overclock reasonably well should you wish to squeeze out more performance out of it. Note that the HD7850 series was released in autumn 2012 once again, which makes it very new, and still being able to draw less power due to the technological advances in the manufacturing process of the actual chip, just like what has happened to CPUs over the years. If you wish to step up to the bigger brother, the HD7870, please see here: ASUS HD7870-DC2-2GD5. The HD7870 is up to 20% faster than the HD7850, but the price is also significantly more and may prove to be a problem for those on a budget. With that considered, the HD7850 tends to be a bit better value, especially since NVIDIA’s equivalent at this price point has still not been released yet (GTX 660TI). Specifically, the HD7870 I chose is also of non-reference design by Asus, which should give it more powerful cooling power, coupled with a strong power delivery system for stability, long-lasting performance and even overclocking headroom.

PSU (Power Supply Unit) – Seasonic S12-620W

A power supply is one of the most important (or if not the most important) component of any PC, particularly if the system is of high calibre and technical standards. This is because it becomes the beating heart of the PC, fuelling all the components the required power to keep everything up and running for the countless number of hours that pass by. This particular model was chosen for a number of reasons. First, Seasonic are known for their high build quality of power supplies, and from that we can learn of their high reliability, stability and expected performance. It is worth mentioning that Seasonic are also the OEM manufacturer for a number of other companies, including Corsair, so the fact that such a company chose Seasonic speaks for itself in terms of their preferences. Therefore, many of the likes of Corsair’s PSUs are also made by Seasonic, such as their high-end and premium gold rated AX series. 620W will be more than enough power, since the CPU and GPU we chose are extremely efficient in their latest design. We could safely step down to 500W and that will still be enough since these two main components will draw very little power. However, just to be future proof and should users wish to purchase another GPU, provided their sanity enables them, this PSU will be able to handle it without a problem. Furthermore, this particular PSU is also Bronze rated in the 80 PLUS certification chart, which is another nice addition since it means it is up to 85% efficient. There are also those who will argue that more power may be needed or that we should get a lower rated PSU. I chose this 620W one because it will be more than enough power for our system, and it is always a good habit to have some extra breathing space when it comes to power requirements. A PSU will only use as much power as the components require, so a 620W PSU isn’t going to be instantly using up 620W from the socket if the PC doesn’t need that much juice. In this case, we simply just have a lot of headroom to work with, which is great for future-proofing your build should you ever get a more power-hungry GPU.

Gaming Peripherals

I'd like to personally recommend SteelSeries when it comes to solid and great quality mice, keyboards and headsets. Their products not only cater towards gamers, but a wide range of users as well, since they also have Mechanical Keyboards and MMO-oriented mice.