Description
Use this build for some 1080p gaming, browsing the web and for school.
Part Choice Notes:
CPU: I purchased this CPU and PSU in early 2013 for around $425 with tax (15% where I am) because I could pick it up in store. The difference between this and the 3570k was around $60 (with shipping, taxes, etc.) so I splurged so I didn't have to wait or fear UPS leaving my stuff on my doorstep again.
CPU Cooler: I purchased this cooler mainly because of teksyndicate's review, and the fact that it competes with a H100. I bought another for my other build because of how nice it looks, and the neat LED fan. I bought the thermal compound because it came with a free noctua case badge <3
Motherboard: This is pretty much the best Z77 ITX overclocking motherboard, and it was blue, so it matched the case! If I didn't already own the 3770k I would have bought the z87 impact or z87 stinger.
Memory: This kit was on sale september of 2012 for $85. The cheapest 8gb kit was selling for $65, so I bought this one.
Storage: I got the OCZ SSD from a friend who bought it a while back (near launch). My Seagate 1.5TB drive has been in 3 builds so far and has served well.
GPU: I bought this GPU a few weeks after launch, perfect for 1080p gaming and I plan on refreshing it when i get a new monitor.
Chassis: The prodigy is the best chassis I've ever built in, it's very versatile and is just smart.
Fans: Bought the Spectre LED for $8 when I bought the chassis.
PSU: Bought this for around $85 when I got my CPU. Very nice PSU although I wish I got one with a higher efficiency.
ODD: I got this ODD hoping to watch some blu-rays on my computer in 2011. Never got around to it but it's nice to know it's there.
Case: Prodigy was a bit of a challenge to build in but i made it work. The layout really isn't geared towards either air or water cooling and any GPU that isn't a blower will throttle. The plastic isn't extremely cheap looking and the handles are nicely solid but cut into your flesh after holding for 5ish minutes. The prodigy also has huge issues with crappy vibration dapening for HDDs and somehow makes fans louder with it's very restricting intakes. I would recommend anyone looking at this case to turn away unless it's >$50.
Keyboard/Mouse: I got the razer blackwidow for $85 last year and although it's loud, it's a pleasure to use. I got the mouse after using a razer ouroboros for 2 weeks. The Nagas are OK mice and are some of the only razer peripherals I've used that work.
Headset: Bought this headset when i was still playing PS3. Bestbuy pricematched it to a Sony store's closing sale so it is probably nicer than anything else I would have got for the price at the time. It's actually a nice headset and the battery lasts long, but it's a shame it dosen't support 7.1 on PC.
imgur gallery (higher res pics): http://imgur.com/a/ME8Ms
Comments