First build mid gaming

[omin_of_deat]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z77 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($229.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($239.00 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.60 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Full (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1378.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-29 18:01 EST-0500)

Thoughts? I'm worried my motherboard is at a higherprice point than the rest of my build and my graphics card is at a lower price point.

 

[TheBigTroll]

-get a better CPU cooler
-dont get a scam board. sabertooth heatshield makes board run hotter
-fast ramis useless
-you dont need more than 8gb for a gaming rig
-if you dont have a touchscreen, id suggest windows 7 instead. and pro is useless if you arent putting more than 16gb of ram
-if you can use 2tb of storage, go ahead but id stick with one

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/uSyo

-the board i chose is rather basic, but it has everything you need. have one myself

 

[colebooner]

^ Agreed, but unless your a huge Nvidia fan then go for the Radeon 7970.

 

[TheBigTroll]

it really depends. a 7970 obviously performs better and is a better value, but it is not quite as stable in drivers and does not have physx for borderlands 2. but then it could be irrelevant to you if you dont play borderlands 2

 

[omin_of_deat]

Where can i look up benchmarks for coolers?

I was looking to try fiddeling with overclocking, how can i tell how well the mobo is going to support that?

I was trying to avoid having to upgrade my ram anytime soon, how long before i would need to upgrade 2x4?

and similar thing goes for windows 8, i'd prefer not to buy the last gen system, because i feel like i will be forced into upgrading eventually.

 

[TheBigTroll]

windows 8 is in the same situation as windows vista.

my ram usage sits at around 25% in when i have COD running the background and firefox with 5 tabs. its enough for the most part

heres a benchmark. its old though but then the i7 920 was a hotter running chip than the i5 3570k and dissipated more watts
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1196/6/

 

[omin_of_deat]

what about mobo benchmarks and comparisons? i have a few more weeks before i can make this purchase, and half the fun is knowing every spec about every part in my build, at least for me.

i appreciate the support.

 

[TheBigTroll]

the motherboards make almost no difference in performance

 

[apache_lives]

Go with Windows 8 seriously, hell download a 90 day enterprise trial and see for your self.

MSI products are rubbish

Agreed on the high performance BS ram not needed, and that over the top BS motherboard, stick with ASUS but no need for that specific one.

No harm in having 16gb but you wont see too much difference if any unless your really pushing it (on the other hand i need/use it etc...)

 

[TheBigTroll]

msi is perfectly fine for this usage. i dont see any problem

 

[omin_of_deat]

why do you say msi is rubbish?

and so for the motherboard i just need to make sure it has the features i'm interested in?

and I do like Nvidia, because i've heard some problems with raedon and also i have heard most games are coded with nvidia in mind, but how big of a difference is the 670 vs the 660 Ti that i picked? is it worth the price difference? i mean 2 660 Ti's are only 120 more than the 670.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-Bronze-Certified-Supply/dp/B008RJZQSW/ref=sr_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356773748&sr=1-10 $84.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair CX750 Builder Series ATX 80 PLUS Bronze Certified Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157330 $124.99
ASRock Z77 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356773772&sr=1-4&keywords=CPU%2Bcooler $29.98 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

http://www.amazon.com/Lite--Super-AllWrite-Layer-Drive/dp/B002YIG9AQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356774528&sr=1-1 $17.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive - Bulk - IHAS124-04 Version C (Black)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231544 $43.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171646 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
SanDisk SDSSDP-128G-G25 2.5" 128GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

[omin_of_deat]

How about this build? Is this a good setup to try tinkering with overclocking?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($334.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.60 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Full (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1326.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-30 04:00 EST-0500)

 

[TheBigTroll]

-i have a much more superior cooler than your build
-the LK has about everything you need. for the price difference between a extreme4 and the LK, its currently not worth it
-you are better off with the SSD i selected. much cheaper $/gb
-mine has a much better cooler, but yours is still fine for the most part
-i have a better power supply
-there is no point of professional windows. you are not going to put more than 16gb of ram in your rig. also, have you tried out windows 8 for a extensive amount of time> if not, id stick with windows 7

 

[omin_of_deat]

Best answer selected by omin_of_deat.