Need Advice building $1000 gaming PC (First Time)

[hopz]

Hey guys, I'm trying to build a desktop geared toward gaming. It's the first time I've done this so have been researching for a while on these forums and have a basic outline of what I was thinking. I was hoping to start ordering around June 1st. I am also hoping that the new Ivy Bridge and new NIVDIA GTX 660 will be out by then. Here's what i have so far.


Approximate Purchase Date: June 1st

Budget Range: 800-1000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming and school (engineering)

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Country: U.S.

Overclocking: maybe a little bit?

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: would like it to relatively quiet, in my price range, and be able to last me 4 years playing smoothly at max settings (e.g. Diablo 3)




Computer Build

Mother Board
Z77 - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

CPU
i5- 2500K - $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

i5- 3570K? - ? April 29 $225?

GPU
(looking to play D3 and other new games on max setting for around 4 years)
GTX 660 - $260 ish range May 15?
HD 7850 - $260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121623


Case
COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer -$90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240&Tpk=CM%20Storm%20Enforcer

Power Supply
(will this be enough for what I've got so far?)
Seasonic M12II 620 bronze - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

Hard Drives
(was thinking SSD for OS and games, then HDD for storage)
HDD
Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" - $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148844

SSD
SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128D/AM 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Desktop Upgrade Kit - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147137

Memory

G. skills ripjaws series 16GB (4x4) - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231315

Optical Drive

Asus DvD burner - $19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Wireless adapter card
Any - $30

Thanks in advance,
Alex

 

[Maxert]

Dude, we're on the same boat. I've been researching quite a while for my build that's going to be around June-July. and I too have been waiting for Mid-range GTX 600 series and the Ivy bridge and z77 motherboard.

It's hard to choose new gen card cuz sometimes the 'mid range' of new gen card prices is similar to previous gen's higher end cards.
I believe benchmark might be able to show HD 6950 out performing a 7850. But then again, New gen cards are packed with newer features and smaller nm chips.

Gamers would say that you don't actually need more than 8GB of rams, and some will say 4GB is enough. But since you are an engineering student, depending on softwares you use, Rams could be crucial.

And if your engineering need is demanding, i'd suggest a Core i7 series CPUs due to their hyperthreading technology. (if cost is a concern, i might suggest dropping the prices for Case, Rams and SSD)

Personally I decided not to go for SSD for my build. I'm patient, I don't mind 30 second windows booting instead of 15 or longer game load screens. I'm patient and I'm saving money from SSD and putting them towards other components.


Disclaimer, I'm no expert, I haven't even build my own PC yet. But i've been reading a lot for months now.

 

[ohyouknow]

The build is solid but if you could fit a 7870 in the budget I think it would be a great way to top it off. Nvidia is having trouble producing their new cards and the wait and see game might lean towards the former. Cheers and Good Luck.

 

[hopz]

It's good to know that someone is in my boat. I'll have to take another look at the GPU. And yeah that makes sense Have you looked into overclocking at all? do you think it would be viable for this system?