Gaming pc build, is this build at least decent?

[Dwill770]

Recently I've been wanting to play some games on my pc like star citizen (I know it's not out) and some more demanding games. The problem is that I have an extremely poor computer now (it has a btx motherboard, enough said). So I'm putting some money into at least getting a decent gaming computer. Depending on how fast I get the money I may look into a new display and keyboard. I need feed back on if I'm doing this right or not. Thank you.

Components

Motherboard- GIGABYTE GA-Z77-DS3H Intel 7 Series Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA1155), Intel Z77 Express, 1600MHz DDR3, SATA III (6Gb/s), RAID, 7.1-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCIe 3.0, CrossFireX Ready (http://t.tigerdirect.com/products/2276160)

Processor- Intel Core i5-3570K BX80637i53570K Processor - Quad Core, 6MB L3 Cache, 3.40GHz (3.80GHz Max Turbo), Socket H2 (LGA1155), 77W, Fan, Unlocked, Retail (http://t.tigerdirect.com/products/2373004)

Ram- Patriot Viper Xtreme 8GB Desktop Module Kit - DDR3, 2 x 4GB, 1600MHz, PC3-12800, CL 10, 1.5V - PXD38G1600C10K (http://t.tigerdirect.com/products/8033819)

Storage- Toshiba 2TB Internal Hard Disk Drive - 3.5" Form Factor, SATA III 6 Gb/s, 7,200 RPM, 64MB Buffer - HDKPC09 (http://t.tigerdirect.com/products/7686635)

Graphics card- Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 GV-N660OC-2GD Video Card - 2GB GDDR5, PCI-Express 3.0(x16), 1x Dual-link DVI-D, 1x Dual-link DVI-I, 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, DirectX 11, SLI Ready, Dual-Slot, Fan (http://t.tigerdirect.com/products/4926350)

Power supply- Thermaltake TR-500 TR2 ATX Power Supply - 500W, 120mm Fan, Active PFC (http://t.tigerdirect.com/products/899123)

Computer case- Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Mid-Tower Computer Case - ATX, mATX, 4 x 5.25" Drive Bays, 7 x 3.5" Drive Bays, 2 x USB 2.0 Ports, 2 x Audio Ports, Water Cooling outlets (http://t.tigerdirect.com/products/6531504)


My budget is around $1000




-dwill770

 

[jimthenagual]

What is your budget? It's a decent system you've put together, but it is a few generations old. Not necessarily a bad thing as those parts are still powerful and relevant. The power supply is the weakest link in that build though. Pretty low quality.

 

[Tski7003]

Hey DWill. What type of budget do you have for this build?
In response to the components, the new 97 chipset is out now so i see no reason to not to get mobo with that chipset. A nice Z97 mobo would be great as it is at least future proofing your new build (from my research, a Z97 mobo will accept the new Haswell refresh CPU's when they arrive)
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/ will allow you to choose and swap components, so if you have a budget in mind you could use this and make sure you're getting the best for your money.
Hope this helps, and if you get back to us with a budget we could help spec a system for you.

 

[Dwill770]

What is your budget? It's a decent system you've put together, but it is a few generations old. Not necessarily a bad thing as those parts are still powerful and relevant. The power supply is the weakest link in that build though. Pretty low quality.

I'm trying to keep it under $1000

 

[Dwill770]

Hey DWill. What type of budget do you have for this build?
In response to the components, the new 97 chipset is out now so i see no reason to not to get mobo with that chipset. A nice Z97 mobo would be great as it is at least future proofing your new build (from my research, a Z97 mobo will accept the new Haswell refresh CPU's when they arrive)
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/ will allow you to choose and swap components, so if you have a budget in mind you could use this and make sure you're getting the best for your money.
Hope this helps, and if you get back to us with a budget we could help spec a system for you.

$1000 (around)

 

[jimthenagual]

Here is a build for you to consider.

1. Updated to a z97 chipset motherboard. This will give you more options when/if you ever need to upgrade in the future.
2. Upgraded to a much faster graphics card, the most important piece for gaming
3. High quality PSU

Questions:
1. How aggressive of an overclock are you expecting? The motherboard I chose will be ok for a decent overclock but you aren't going to break any records with it. Same with the cooler. Great for the price, but it's meant for medium overclocks.
2. Not sure if you needed windows and optical drive, but included them in the budget. If you don't need them in the $1000 then you may be able to add an SSD to the build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $993.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-24 12:17 EDT-0400)

 

[Dwill770]

Here is a build for you to consider.

1. Updated to a z97 chipset motherboard. This will give you more options when/if you ever need to upgrade in the future.
2. Upgraded to a much faster graphics card, the most important piece for gaming
3. High quality PSU

Questions:
1. How aggressive of an overclock are you expecting? The motherboard I chose will be ok for a decent overclock but you aren't going to break any records with it. Same with the cooler. Great for the price, but it's meant for medium overclocks.
2. Not sure if you needed windows and optical drive, but included them in the budget. If you don't need them in the $1000 then you may be able to add an SSD to the build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $993.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-24 12:17 EDT-0400)

Thankyou for the help man.

I've never had to overclock before because my computer couldn't handle it (btx) I was wondering if there was a way to still have windows 7 and not 8 maybe?

 

[jimthenagual]

Just as a sidenote, if you don't plan to overclock, we could change the system to a non-k cpu, and a H97 motherboard, and then maybe have enough money to add an SSD to your build. It won't help for gaming frames per second, but it greatly improves windows boot time, and makes windows feel 'snappier'. It's a luxury and not a requirement for a gaming build, but once you've had one you'll never go back.

As for windows 7, no problem at all.

 

[Dwill770]

Just as a sidenote, if you don't plan to overclock, we could change the system to a non-k cpu, and a H97 motherboard, and then maybe have enough money to add an SSD to your build. It won't help for gaming frames per second, but it greatly improves windows boot time, and makes windows feel 'snappier'. It's a luxury and not a requirement for a gaming build, but once you've had one you'll never go back.

As for windows 7, no problem at all.

I probably will be. Over clocking and what's so good about an ssd?

 

[jimthenagual]

Like I said, SSDs just make windows have a much faster response time. When you go to open a program, it is instantly open. Booting up windows takes about 10 seconds.

They are not mandatory by any means, and your system will run games beautifully without one, as an SSD does not improve frame rates in any way.

 

[Dwill770]

Like I said, SSDs just make windows have a much faster response time. When you go to open a program, it is instantly open. Booting up windows takes about 10 seconds.

They are not mandatory by any means, and your system will run games beautifully without one, as an SSD does not improve frame rates in any way.

Sorry I didn't read that, is the mother bored you showed me earlier able to run windows 7, I didn't see an operating system requirement

 

[jimthenagual]

Yes, it will run windows 7 no problem.

 

[Dwill770]

Yes, it will run windows 7 no problem.

alright, thanks a lot dude this had helped me out a lot

 

[jimthenagual]

Couple of notes from pcpartpicker

ASRock Z97 PRO3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.

No big deal, your case doesn't support usb 3.0. You'll be able to use 2.0. If you want usb 3.0 jacks on the front of your case, you'll have to choose a different case.

In order to fit, the Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card may require removing drive bays from the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case. The case only supports video cards up to 270mm in length without removing drive bays, while the video card is 285mm long.

If you plan on having more than two hard drives, then this really isn't a very good case. Most people won't need more than two hard drives so this shouldn't be a problem for you but wanted to confirm.

Here is a picture with the hard drive bays removed:

Here is the case with the hard drive bay still in.

 

[Dwill770]

Couple of notes from pcpartpicker

ASRock Z97 PRO3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.

No big deal, your case doesn't support usb 3.0. You'll be able to use 2.0. If you want usb 3.0 jacks on the front of your case, you'll have to choose a different case.

In order to fit, the Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card may require removing drive bays from the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case. The case only supports video cards up to 270mm in length without removing drive bays, while the video card is 285mm long.

If you plan on having more than two hard drives, then this really isn't a very good case. Most people won't need more than two hard drives so this shouldn't be a problem for you but wanted to confirm.

Here is a picture with the hard drive bays removed:

Here is the case with the hard drive bay still in.

ok, thanks I'll look into that.

 

[Dwill770]

Couple of notes from pcpartpicker

ASRock Z97 PRO3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.

No big deal, your case doesn't support usb 3.0. You'll be able to use 2.0. If you want usb 3.0 jacks on the front of your case, you'll have to choose a different case.

In order to fit, the Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card may require removing drive bays from the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case. The case only supports video cards up to 270mm in length without removing drive bays, while the video card is 285mm long.

If you plan on having more than two hard drives, then this really isn't a very good case. Most people won't need more than two hard drives so this shouldn't be a problem for you but wanted to confirm.

Here is a picture with the hard drive bays removed:

Here is the case with the hard drive bay still in.

ill only be needing one HD, also, is the gtx 660 at least decent or is the other graphics card better?

 

[jimthenagual]

ill only be needing one HD, also, is the gtx 660 at least decent or is the other graphics card better?

A gtx 660 will be feeling its age in today's newer games on ultra settings. You'll likely need to turn some eye candy off if you are playing watch dogs, or BF4 in order to stay above 60fps for example.

Here is a good chart (scroll down the page) showing the tiers of graphics cards, I'd say the gtx660 / R9-270X are the lowest you'd want to go for today's games to be playable at medium settings, then up from there.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html