Need help with my Gaming PC Specs!

[cpauler0897]

I'm building my first gaming PC. I spent time on PCPartPicker to narrow the components that I want. I would like a build that can max Crysis 3 or any other GPU-demanding game. I would like the build to last more than a couple years and still run high-end games smoothly with the occasional tweak in graphics.

So what I'm asking is if either of these builds are pretty good? If some parts need to be swapped out? Any advice is welcomed and appreciated 😀

Price Range: Under $1600.

First Build
---------------------------
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GoEt
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GoEt/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GoEt/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.52 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($281.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.64 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1356.01


Second Build
------------------------
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BmbK
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BmbK/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BmbK/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($386.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Sound Card: Creative Labs Audigy SE 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($23.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($168.98 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech 920-000914 Wired Slim Keyboard ($79.99 @ Logitech)
Total: $1490.83

 

[scragnoff]

I'd say go with the 2nd build, but swap out the power supply with a 500w alternative. 750w is excessive.

Also, get an HDD to go with that SSD.

Unless you're a sound connoisseur, I would not recommend getting an external sound card. The onboard sound of that mobo is very good.

 

[cpauler0897]

I'd say go with the 2nd build, but swap out the power supply with a 500w alternative. 750w is excessive.

Also, get an HDD to go with that SSD.

Unless you're a sound connoisseur, I would not recommend getting an external sound card. The onboard sound of that mobo is very good.

Thank you for the fast response 🙂

I completely forgot about the HDD go with the SSD. I, also, was unsure about the sound card. Thanks for the advice on that.

Is the ASUS GeForce GTX 670 a bit excessive right now or is it fine for lasting a couple years(around 4-5 years)? I'm open to downgrading wherever is necesssary.

 

[blazorthon]

If you're looking to max out Crysis 3 in 1080p, anything far weaker than a GTX 670 will probably not be enough.

 

[cpauler0897]

Thanks for the advice

I'm pretty much using Crysis 3 at a template for what I want to be able to handle. I mean I really just want to focus on a GPU that will give me really good fps on any game.

I'll probably stick with the GTX 670 though 🙂

 

[cpauler0897]

Best answer selected by cpauler0897.

 

[blazorthon]

Glad to help

 

[cpauler0897]

I've pretty much completed my build which consists of the PC, monitor, and keyboard.

PCPartPicker Build

Price can still change if I find a cheaper monitor, keyboard, or operating system. (Yay for student discounts 😀 lol)

oh..and I went with the 650W, just in case I plan on doing SLI with the GTX 670s.

 

[blazorthon]

I recommend going for the cheaper Rosewill Tachyon 650W PSU over that Corsair Bronze model (it's a good PSU, but not quite as good, and the warranty is also shorter despite being more expensive) for preparation for SLI and I also recommend going for the Plextor M5S 128GB SSD over the Samsung 840 120GB SSD. The Samsung 840 SSDs (except for the Pro models) all have poor performance, but that is far less important than their poor endurance. It's not yet to the point of being quite too little to be useful for consumer gaming desktops, but it's getting dangerously close IMO.

 

[cpauler0897]

I recommend going for the cheaper Rosewill Tachyon 650W PSU over that Corsair Bronze model (it's a good PSU, but not quite as good, and the warranty is also shorter despite being more expensive) for preparation for SLI and I also recommend going for the Plextor M5S 128GB SSD over the Samsung 840 120GB SSD. The Samsung 840 SSDs (except for the Pro models) all have poor performance, but that is far less important than their poor endurance. It's not yet to the point of being quite too little to be useful for consumer gaming desktops, but it's getting dangerously close IMO.

I went with the SSD you suggested. Thank you for the advice. As for the PSU, I decided to go with a 630W version because it was cheaper.

This is my build without a monitor:

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.64 @ Compuvest)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($403.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Green 630W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1256.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-01 14:36 EST-0500)