Gaming PC Build - About to pull the trigger on this one

[Setsukai]

For a budget of about $1,300 I've managed to put this build together for a gaming PC with the help of some amazing people on this site. I just wanted to post it one more time to give it a final pass and make sure it's all good. I do want to note that I've considered the i5 CPU over the i7, but even though I'll use this computer mostly for gaming I want it to be able to do more than that. I plan to have it for several years, after all.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N2DC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N2DC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N2DC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($62.68 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1283.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-29 13:33 EDT-0400)

How does it look, guys?

 

[burritobob]

Get an i5 3570k and then switch out the 670 with a 7970, you will thank me later, better performance at the same price...

 

[TheBigTroll]

-you dont need a i7
-save money on the ram and CPU cooler
-more ssd space over faster SSD anyday
-better video card
-way better psu
-better case

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N3p4

 

[g-unit1111]

For a gaming rig you don't need an i7 - spend that money on getting a better GPU. Also that PSU has to go, there's better ones you can get instead of the Corsair CX. Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.23 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.15 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($418.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1383.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-29 15:31 EDT-0400)

 

[n3cw4rr10r]

+1

 

[mohit9206]

you could drop down from 7970 to 7950 boost and save some cash as 7950 boost easily matches a 670.

 

[Setsukai]

For a gaming rig you don't need an i7 - spend that money on getting a better GPU. Also that PSU has to go, there's better ones you can get instead of the Corsair CX. Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.23 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.15 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($418.13 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1383.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-29 15:31 EDT-0400)

What's the difference between those PSU's? And from what I've found I can get the i7 for the price of the i5, wouldn't the i7 be a better investment in that case?

 

[n3cw4rr10r]

I have the CX750 and cant complain. Its a great psu. IF you can get an i7 for the price of an i5 then why not, but then with similar performance and the i5 priced @ $40 less you could use the extra $$$ else where on your build.

 

[TheBigTroll]

id either get a xfx 550w for single GPU operation or a xfx 750-850w for 2 video card operation depending if you are going to crossfire or not. the cx series are pretty mediocre. you can easily get better units

 

[g-unit1111]

What's the difference between those PSU's? And from what I've found I can get the i7 for the price of the i5, wouldn't the i7 be a better investment in that case?

You're not going to use the extra threads in the i7 for gaming. Unless you're doing a lot of intense multimedia authoring it's not necessary to invest in an i7. The Seasonic PSU I recommended is from one of the best, if not the best, power supply manufacturers in the industry. Many manufacturers including the aforementioned XFX, Antec, and Corsair rebrand their units.

 

[Setsukai]

What's the difference between those PSU's? And from what I've found I can get the i7 for the price of the i5, wouldn't the i7 be a better investment in that case?

You're not going to use the extra threads in the i7 for gaming. Unless you're doing a lot of intense multimedia authoring it's not necessary to invest in an i7. The Seasonic PSU I recommended is from one of the best, if not the best, power supply manufacturers in the industry. Many manufacturers including the aforementioned XFX, Antec, and Corsair rebrand their units.

Alright, I'll switch up my psu in that case. As for the CPU, is the i5 actually significantly better for gaming? The way I see it, there aren't many games that take advantage of multi threading right now, but that could change in the future. If the i5 doesn't provide a significant performance advantage over the i7, I could go longer without having to upgrade my CPU if I get the i7. It all comes down to the differences between them, which I'm still unclear on. Some people say the difference is marginal, others say the difference is huge.

 

[n3cw4rr10r]

For gaming the difference is very minor.

 

[Setsukai]

That was my thought as well.

 

[jesot]

Are you actually able to get to Microcenter? That changes things quite a bit (including the fact that the CPU you chose is $90 cheaper there than anywhere else).

 

[g-unit1111]

Alright, I'll switch up my psu in that case. As for the CPU, is the i5 actually significantly better for gaming? The way I see it, there aren't many games that take advantage of multi threading right now, but that could change in the future. If the i5 doesn't provide a significant performance advantage over the i7, I could go longer without having to upgrade my CPU if I get the i7. It all comes down to the differences between them, which I'm still unclear on. Some people say the difference is marginal, others say the difference is huge.

Just like the differences between the GTX 670 and 680, the differences between the i5 and the i7 in terms of overall performance are so minute that it's not worth the extra $100. I don't buy the people who say there is a huge difference, most likely they don't know what they are talking about. Let's put it this way - take any number of $90K super cars out there. Say a Chevy Camaro Z28, Ford Mustang Boss 302, a Nissan GT-R, and a Porsche 911. These all have engines ranging in the 400 - 500 HP range. But going 80 - 90 miles an hour you maybe will notice a little bit of performance boost between the three cars. That's the equivalent performance boost between an i5 and an i7. Very very minute - you may notice a couple details but most likely you won't.

 

[Setsukai]

Are you actually able to get to Microcenter? That changes things quite a bit (including the fact that the CPU you chose is $90 cheaper there than anywhere else).

Alright, I'll switch up my psu in that case. As for the CPU, is the i5 actually significantly better for gaming? The way I see it, there aren't many games that take advantage of multi threading right now, but that could change in the future. If the i5 doesn't provide a significant performance advantage over the i7, I could go longer without having to upgrade my CPU if I get the i7. It all comes down to the differences between them, which I'm still unclear on. Some people say the difference is marginal, others say the difference is huge.

Just like the differences between the GTX 670 and 680, the differences between the i5 and the i7 in terms of overall performance are so minute that it's not worth the extra $100. I don't buy the people who say there is a huge difference, most likely they don't know what they are talking about. Let's put it this way - take any number of $90K super cars out there. Say a Chevy Camaro Z28, Ford Mustang Boss 302, a Nissan GT-R, and a Porsche 911. These all have engines ranging in the 400 - 500 HP range. But going 80 - 90 miles an hour you maybe will notice a little bit of performance boost between the three cars. That's the equivalent performance boost between an i5 and an i7. Very very minute - you may notice a couple details but most likely you won't.

I actually am able to get to Microcenter. It's about a 30 minute drive, so that's not too bad at all. And if the difference really is that minor I think I might go ahead and get the i7 since the prices are close. I really don't mind spending an extra $50-$100 if I can keep the CPU that much longer without needing to upgrade, and if I go to pick it up at Microcenter it would be the same price as the i5 anyway.

 

[jesot]

From MC, you can get a nice CPU/MoBo combo and they'll give you a discount on RAM. Definitely the place to go for those components. You'd save ~$50 off your components.

You're mostly in-line with what I recommend in that price range. Setting yourself up to get a second 670 down the road.

 

[Setsukai]

I'll try and get out there tomorrow to see what they can do for me. I'm excited to see if they're anything like the electronics store I frequented back when I lived on the west coast.

 

[g-unit1111]

I actually am able to get to Microcenter. It's about a 30 minute drive, so that's not too bad at all. And if the difference really is that minor I think I might go ahead and get the i7 since the prices are close. I really don't mind spending an extra $50-$100 if I can keep the CPU that much longer without needing to upgrade, and if I go to pick it up at Microcenter it would be the same price as the i5 anyway.

CPUs don't depreciate in value the way that GPUs do. The i7-920 you can still get in the $200 range and it's four or five years old. It doesn't matter if you have the i7 or the i5, you'll still be able to use it for a long time to come. The software is always four or five generations behind the hardware, it's part of Moore's law.

 

[Setsukai]

I actually am able to get to Microcenter. It's about a 30 minute drive, so that's not too bad at all. And if the difference really is that minor I think I might go ahead and get the i7 since the prices are close. I really don't mind spending an extra $50-$100 if I can keep the CPU that much longer without needing to upgrade, and if I go to pick it up at Microcenter it would be the same price as the i5 anyway.

CPUs don't depreciate in value the way that GPUs do. The i7-920 you can still get in the $200 range and it's four or five years old. It doesn't matter if you have the i7 or the i5, you'll still be able to use it for a long time to come. The software is always four or five generations behind the hardware, it's part of Moore's law.

Is that so? I guess it doesn't really matter then. Thank you for all the information

 

[g-unit1111]

Is that so? I guess it doesn't really matter then. Thank you for all the information

Yeah I've seen Q6600s from 2006 going for over $150 on eBay.