First time builder aiming at $1700 budget gaming PC

[ThunderUp]

Hello everyone! I'm looking at having a new system built seeing as it's much more cost efficient to buy parts separate rather than take a risk with buying from prebuilt companies such as CyberPowerPC or iBuyPower for rigs that are sub par in terms of the budget you're looking at. I'm also not willing to go with quality prebuild companies like Falcon NW or DigitalStorm due to price. Whether I'll be building it or it will be someone else, I'm not sure. I would love to keep it between $1600-$1700 with a bang for the buck 1920x1080 monitor included in said budget, but I'm fine with a 1680x1050. An extra $25-50 shouldn't be too hard to handle in the budget.

Approximate Purchase Date: The next 1-2 weeks

Budget Range: $1600-1700 (Will accept extra $25-50 if the parts are worth it)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: 1. Gaming, 2. web browsing, 3. school work

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg and Amazon

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: 7970 graphics card, intel 3570k processor, 240GB SSD, 1TB HDD

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 (Will accept 1680x1050)

Additional Comments: In terms of a case, I would like something that is a hybrid of classy and flashy that provides good air flow to the system but at a decent price. If there isn't an option like that, than go with classy. I would also like the sound levels to be decent. A quality power supply is also a must. I've heard way too many horror stories about bad power supplies in gaming rigs and the effects they can have.

 

[Deemo13]

Well, all you have to do is fill in the bubbles right?

 

[bigcyco1]

Monitors take your pick

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VH236H-23-Inch-Full-HD-Monitor/dp/B002453K5G%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1056067-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB002453K5G
http://www.amazon.com/VE248H-24-Inch-Full-HD-Integrated-Speakers/dp/B0043T7FHK%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1056067-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0043T7FHK
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VS239H-P-23-Inch-Full-HD-Monitor/dp/B008DWITHI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=#top

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8H77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($115.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($454.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($179.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1482.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-09 17:49 EST-0500)

 

[boulbox]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.97 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.24 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.95 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($454.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($101.93 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer G236HLBbd 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($127.59 @ CompUSA)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1557.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-09 18:04 EST-0500)

the case is quiet and has a fan controller with LED switches if you want it to be of a lower profile.

this leaves you with an upgrade if you would like to have 2 GPUs.

leaves you room to overclock if you would want also

 

[ThunderUp]

I feel I could get a better priced case and still get the results I'm looking for. What about in terms of a cooling unit?

 

[ThunderUp]

Well, all you have to do is fill in the bubbles right?

Well my knowledge level is rather low in terms of computers, building, and all the other stuff involved so I feel I should just take the advice from people with better knowledge then me. I also feel that I may choose a part of two that are incompatible with one or more other parts.

 

[bigcyco1]

Case recommendations take your pick this is really something that you should pick

Case:Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053#top

Case:Antec Twelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATX Full Tower Unbeatable Gaming Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100#top

Case:Thermaltake Chaser MK-I (VN300M1W2N) Black SECC ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133191#top

Case:COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0, Black Interior and Four Fans-1x 230mm front RED LED fan, 1x 140mm rear fan, 1x 230mm top fan, and 1x 230mm side fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160#top

Case:COOLER MASTER CM Storm Series Trooper (SGC-5000-KKN1) Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119245#top

Case:NZXT SWITCH 810 Matte Black CA-SW810-M1 Steel / Plastic ATX HYBIRD Full Tower Gaming Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146089

Case:NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Steel / Plastic Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068#top

Case:COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225#top

Case:Antec DF-85 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087#top

 

[bigcyco1]

Case:COOLER MASTER HAF XM RC-922XM-KKN1 Black Mesh, Plastic, Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119257#top


Case:COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KXN1-GP Black Steel, ABS Plastic, Mesh bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194#top


Case:Corsair Obsidian Series 550D Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139012#top



Case:Antec P280 Black Super Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129179#top

Case:Corsair Carbide Series 400R Graphite grey and black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

 

[ThunderUp]

I'm partial to the Thor V2 and the HAF 932. Both have the cosmetic look I'm wanting and the reviews on them are fantastic. The Thor's price is a bit more appealing, however. Is there anything else I should look into besides the parts you listed? I'm definitely going with a Noctua cooler because they seem widely accepted. But outside of that is there anything else?

 

[bigcyco1]

Well the thing is i am a bit confused you mentioned no overclocking is that a typo or correct?If it's not a typo there is no justifying reason to get a 3570k or a Noctua cooler those are for overclocking your wasting over $100 on stuff that won't be needed or put to it intended use.

 

[ThunderUp]

That's why I'm asking for opinions seeing as I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject. What would you recommend instead?

 

[ThunderUp]

Should I just stick with it in case I decide to try overclocking? And if I were to change my mind and go with crossfire 7970 in the future would there need to be anymore changes?

 

[Phyrexiancure]

No you wouldn't, but the current cpu's even when overclocked cannot handle 3 way crossfire of the top tier graphics cards. So you shouldn't waist money expecting this on things like the motherboard. Overclocking is extremely rewarding, with enough air flow to your cpu, graphics card, and motherboard its not a danger, so you should learn how to do it.

 

[ThunderUp]

If I do end with a crossfire in the future, I'll most likely only go duo

 

[ThunderUp]

Anyone else with ideas?