Intel Build Opinions Needed Please

[Sparco23]

Hello there again my fellow enthusiasts! I am building my first Intel build to replace my FX8350 build and require input please! Ok here goes:

Cooler Master 430 Case
Asus Sabertooth Z77 LGA1155
Intel i7 3770k
Samsung 840 120Gb for (OS and game storage)
Caviar Black 2Tb storage HDD
Corsair Vengeance 12Gb (x3 4gb sticks)
Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHZ OC edition 2gb
Corsair Enthusiast 650 watt 80plus bronze PSU
Hyper 212 Evo with 2 fans in push/pull
5 additional fans installed in case. set up as intake in front/side, exhaust out back and top.

What does the community think? I just want to know if this is the most bang for the buck i can get with an intel build for $1200. I would like to max settings most games with good FPS and play games like SCII and the new Elder Scrolls Online. Is there anything of equal or lesser $$$/quality that you guys would like to see swapped out?

 

[l0v3rboi]

If only for gaming, there would be a few things that I would change in that build.
1) I7 is not necessary for gaming since a lot of current games don't make use of hyperthreading. Stick with i5.
2) 12 Gb of RAM is overkill. 8 Gb is enough.
3) A case with good ventilation will be enough to keep your system nice and frosty. No need for all the extra fans.

Here is what I would do for a build with your budget:
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k) | $189.99 @ Microcenter
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr1) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4) | $134.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9r) | $62.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw) | $92.99 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $64.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42678kr) | $369.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-400r) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750xxxb9) | $74.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $16.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-gfc02050) | $89.94 @ Outlet PC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1202.84
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-13 02:25 EDT-0400 |

You did not list the OS in your build so I'm not sure if you need it. You can take it out if you want and the build will get even cheaper. Also, this build has a better GPU than the one you have.

 

[Sparco23]

If only for gaming, there would be a few things that I would change in that build.
1) I7 is not necessary for gaming since a lot of current games don't make use of hyperthreading. Stick with i5.
2) 12 Gb of RAM is overkill. 8 Gb is enough.
3) A case with good ventilation will be enough to keep your system nice and frosty. No need for all the extra fans.

Here is what I would do for a build with your budget:
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k) | $189.99 @ Microcenter
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr1) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4) | $134.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9r) | $62.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw) | $92.99 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $64.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42678kr) | $369.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-400r) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750xxxb9) | $74.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $16.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-gfc02050) | $89.94 @ Outlet PC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1202.84
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-13 02:25 EDT-0400 |

You did not list the OS in your build so I'm not sure if you need it. You can take it out if you want and the build will get even cheaper. Also, this build has a better GPU than the one you have.

that looks intense as heck! so i dont need the i7 at all? The i5 wont bottleneck my gpu?
Let me take a sec to thank you for your enormous effort and input.

 

[l0v3rboi]

If only for gaming, there would be a few things that I would change in that build.
1) I7 is not necessary for gaming since a lot of current games don't make use of hyperthreading. Stick with i5.
2) 12 Gb of RAM is overkill. 8 Gb is enough.
3) A case with good ventilation will be enough to keep your system nice and frosty. No need for all the extra fans.

Here is what I would do for a build with your budget:
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k) | $189.99 @ Microcenter
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr1) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4) | $134.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9r) | $62.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw) | $92.99 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $64.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42678kr) | $369.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-400r) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750xxxb9) | $74.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $16.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-gfc02050) | $89.94 @ Outlet PC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1202.84
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-13 02:25 EDT-0400 |

You did not list the OS in your build so I'm not sure if you need it. You can take it out if you want and the build will get even cheaper. Also, this build has a better GPU than the one you have.

that looks intense as heck! so i dont need the i7 at all? The i5 wont bottleneck my gpu?
Let me take a sec to thank you for your enormous effort and input.

Nope, it will work as sexy as you can imagine.

 

[Sparco23]

If only for gaming, there would be a few things that I would change in that build.
1) I7 is not necessary for gaming since a lot of current games don't make use of hyperthreading. Stick with i5.
2) 12 Gb of RAM is overkill. 8 Gb is enough.
3) A case with good ventilation will be enough to keep your system nice and frosty. No need for all the extra fans.

Here is what I would do for a build with your budget:
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WVFL/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k) | $189.99 @ Microcenter
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr1) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4) | $134.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9r) | $62.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw) | $92.99 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $64.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42678kr) | $369.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-400r) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750xxxb9) | $74.99 @ NCIX US
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $16.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-gfc02050) | $89.94 @ Outlet PC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1202.84
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-13 02:25 EDT-0400 |

You did not list the OS in your build so I'm not sure if you need it. You can take it out if you want and the build will get even cheaper. Also, this build has a better GPU than the one you have.

that looks intense as heck! so i dont need the i7 at all? The i5 wont bottleneck my gpu?
Let me take a sec to thank you for your enormous effort and input.

Nope, it will work as sexy as you can imagine.

another question: do nvidia cards like the 670 get a boost from an intel cpu?

 

[l0v3rboi]

Yes and No. Yes because Nvidia seem to be more optimized for Intel CPU's. No because your card doesn't suddenly become more powerful.

Also, Haswell (next gen Intel CPU's) are coming out next month I believe. If you can wait until then, you can get the latest generation CPU which should perform better.

 

[Sparco23]

Couple parts you can swich to make build better. Asus makes good MoBo but that sabertooth is not best choice.
Asus V or maybe some other brand like gigabyte. Gigabyte X-D3H or X-UD3H is a solid MoBo for overclocking. Good parts and maybe best quality.

That samsung 840 SSD is TLC take better PRO version (MLC) or cheaper SSD like kingston V300
3*4GB memory is for X-58 build. Take 2*4GB or 2*8GB /4*2GB ,4*4GB or 4*8GB because 1155 build is using two-channel memory system.

Seagate 2-3TB drives are good and cheaper choice. Make sure you take .14 rev drive. They are fast and reliable.
I have two seagate 3TB drives and they work really good. Faster than WD Blue.

That Corsair PSU is not the best one. Id take seasonic x or g serie 450-650w
Or maybe this one. This is one of the best PSU in market today.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182082

3770k is good buy if live near micro center. Price is 230 $ so no need to save money and take cheaper 3570k
http://www.microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor
Available for In-Store Pickup Only.

im a pretty hardcore asus fan but always open to better tech. how does gigabyte match up? x16 bus is a must right?

 

[Gennaios]

i have to point out some mistakes and misunderstandings!

1-for a gaming rig why to pick the 3770k...its very powerful for games and would be totally wasted...so unless you use it for (also) rendering tasks go for the i5!there is no need for the i7!

2-go for a cheaper motherboard like the gigabytes there is no actual need to spend so much money for a motherboard!

 

[Gennaios]

inaccurate...according to latest intel posts they mention that their current cpus are a bit powerful for nowadays games and tasks so they are not going to make any more multicore cpus thats why hasswell can offer only four core cpus!actually there are 12 and 16 core cpus there is nothing new about that!

 

[Sparco23]

i have to point out some mistakes and misunderstandings!

1-for a gaming rig why to pick the 3770k...its very powerful for games and would be totally wasted...so unless you use it for (also) rendering tasks go for the i5!there is no need for the i7!

2-go for a cheaper motherboard like the gigabytes there is no actual need to spend so much money for a motherboard!

what mobo would you suggest that has two pcie 3.0 x16 lanes? i have always bought asus and am very unversed in other mobs.

 

[Gennaios]

its pro cpus like xeon...!of course in one cpu intel has made 8,16 cores!my point is lets say for you personally do you need your cpu to have 12 cores and why?