First Gaming Build

[vinchenz0]

I've been wanting to build a gaming rig for awhile and I've checked out a lot of the forums, I came here to check with the experts and make sure I'm going to be ordering everything I need. Any and all advice welcome!

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Kgff

 

[burritobob]

Take this as you will, better performance... and low(er) profile memory
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($127.94 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-I DELUXE/WD Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($182.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($418.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Red) Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm Fan ($12.03 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1336.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[lunyone]

Here ya go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($188.67 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.41 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($392.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1230.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-17 09:35 EDT-0400)

 

[Marcopolo123]

Also good : seasonic(best psu's) ,80+ gold, modular

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr550rm

This case also nice
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4ti

 

[J_E_D_70]

Like luny's better - a couple hundred mhz on an already extremely capable cpu isn't worth $100 more for the h110.

 

[burritobob]

Also good : seasonic(best psu's) ,80+ gold, modular

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr550rm

This case also nice
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4ti

Saying the seasonic PSUs is a warrantless claim in general the "top end" PSUs are Seasonic, XFX, and Corsair in general perform the best.

80+ Gold really has no meaning unless your power is expensive it really won't pay for itself.

Modular is nice.

You really do not need to switch however.

 

[vinchenz0]

Thanks for all the fast responses. Dirtyferret I checked the Asus and I've seen it in a few other bitfenix prodigy cases. I've been debating back and forth between the 670 and the 7970 its really a coin flip to me at this point. Any singular reason why I should pick one or the other?

 

[J_E_D_70]

I'd get 7970 - with new drivers is very fast and comes with $120 worth of aaa games.

 

[burritobob]

Thanks for all the fast responses. Dirtyferret I checked the Asus and I've seen it in a few other bitfenix prodigy cases. I've been debating back and forth between the 670 and the 7970 its really a coin flip to me at this point. Any singular reason why I should pick one or the other?

7970 performs better in just about every game + you get free games like Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite

In general the 7970 is about 10% faster than the 670 at the moment and with the beta drivers it's even better. The only thing that would hinder me from the 7970 in this case is that the case may be to small. Do your research and make the smart choice they are both fantastic cards 1 performs better than the other but the 7970 may not fit.

 

[vinchenz0]

The Sapphire Vapor-X 7970 comes with Crysis 3 and Bioshock Infinite, that plus the performance of the card is enough to win me over. The quality build of the asus cards is what had me going in that direction, I haven't read anything bad about Sapphire though so I'll give them a shot.

I checked to see if the 7970 fits the case and luckily it does!

 

[burritobob]

The Sapphire Vapor-X 7970 comes with Crysis 3 and Bioshock Infinite, that plus the performance of the card is enough to win me over. The quality build of the asus cards is what had me going in that direction, I haven't read anything bad about Sapphire though so I'll give them a shot.

I checked to see if the 7970 fits the case and luckily it does!

And tombraider....

 

[vinchenz0]

The Sapphire Vapor-X 7970 comes with Crysis 3 and Bioshock Infinite, that plus the performance of the card is enough to win me over. The quality build of the asus cards is what had me going in that direction, I haven't read anything bad about Sapphire though so I'll give them a shot.

I checked to see if the 7970 fits the case and luckily it does!

And tombraider....

Even better!

 

[Marcopolo123]

Gold certificate : higher quality of components, higher efficiency= less power consumption, cooler.
Yes the xfx is also very good. You Don't have to switch

For 400$ you get a gigabyte hd 7970, which has one of the best cooling solutions, and its also 150$ cheaper then the asus type ,performance is the same ...

 

[J_E_D_70]

Only go above bronze psu if one or more of the following is true:
- u find a unit on sale at near-bronze price
- electricity is very expensive where u live
- you will have it running under load for the better part of the day all day

Otherwise, you won't get your money back.

 

[vinchenz0]

I finally made up my mind and ordered this build.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MM7M

The only thing different from that list is the memory which is 1600 not 1333....couldnt find the hyper-x red c9 in the list....anyways I already have a few parts in and can't wait to get this thing built. Thanks to everyone for the advice!

 

[Marcopolo123]

Gj