New Build, First time Build for gaming

[gamerlana]

Looking to do my first build on a gaming computer. A bit weary of this, but willing to try to save money and get what I want. Have a basic idea of hardware when it comes to what is needed for gaming. Here is what I am looking for:

Approximate Purchase Date: sooner the better

Budget Range: About $1000 or under (after rebates/deals)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Anime, Schoolwork

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: prefer newegg.com

Location: South Carolina, US

Parts Preferences: Prefer Nvidig for gpu, intel for cpu,

Overclocking: Yes (CPU, and maybe GPU)

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Would like to have good air flow for CPU OC, somewhat quiet, and just a reliable yet powerful (for the money) system for gaming hours on end

Why Are You Upgrading: Have a 4 yr old Core 2 Duo E6550 rig with 8800 GTS, just not cutting it for gaming

Definitely looking at a i5 3570K cpu, maybe a 560 ti gpu, a good reliable and fast ssd, about 1 TB of data storage, 8gb ram, nice case with some good airflow (<$100 if possible)

PCpartpicker.com List for ideas:

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.28 @ CompUSA)
Total: $970.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-30 15:53 EST-0500)

Not sure on my build, so any ideas are very much welcomed. Thanks.

 

[malbluff]

Wouldn't drastically disagree with anything there (although yet to be convinced by Windows 8), but offer these alternatives, which may have slightly better mix of quality/ performance, if you don't want facility for SLi. PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($224.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($66.27 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $966.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-30 16:31 EST-0500)

 

[g-unit1111]

PCpartpicker.com List for ideas:

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.28 @ CompUSA)
Total: $970.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-30 15:53 EST-0500)

Not sure on my build, so any ideas are very much welcomed. Thanks.

That build looks good. There's no point in purchasing a 560TI anymore - the Radeon 7850 runs circles around it in the same price range. I'd actually drop the SSD for now in favor of getting a better GPU like the Radeon 7950 or GTX 660TI.

 

[gamerlana]

Are SSD's making much a difference with gaming FPS to be noticeable? I was mostly interested in one for quick bootup/game loading.

Also a case perhaps with removable dust filters would be awesome. Was looking at the Corsair Carbide 400R.

For PSU, I can get by with it not being modular. Not sure which brands are good aside from corsair/antec

Lastly, a mobo that can SLI Im interested in to just throw in another 560 TI, or should I mainly stick with a 660 or 660 Ti?

Hard to decide with so many parts out there. @_@;

 

[malbluff]

Are SSD's making much a difference with gaming FPS to be noticeable? I was mostly interested in one for quick bootup/game loading.

Also a case perhaps with removable dust filters would be awesome. Was looking at the Corsair Carbide 400R.

For PSU, I can get by with it not being modular. Not sure which brands are good aside from corsair/antec

Lastly, a mobo that can SLI Im interested in to just throw in another 560 TI, or should I mainly stick with a 660 or 660 Ti?

Hard to decide with so many parts out there. @_@;

SSDs are certainly nice to have. Makes everything feel "snappy", however far from essential. If you're going to have one, it's best from start. Use it for OS and main games etc., and have conventional HDD for mundane stuff, and backups. Alternatively, get a GOOD HDD, like WD Caviar Black.
Corsair Carbides are good. Not flashy, just good.
XFX are worth considering for PSU. Made by Seasonic.
GTX560Ti not bad, but at price, I would say try for GTX660, or HD7850/7870.
Personally, whilst I like the AsusP8Z77-V, I reckon the best mobo for price/quality/performance (inc SLi), is Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H, at the moment. The ASRock Extreme4 does it all, but not quite the quality.

 

[g-unit1111]

Are SSD's making much a difference with gaming FPS to be noticeable? I was mostly interested in one for quick bootup/game loading.

Also a case perhaps with removable dust filters would be awesome. Was looking at the Corsair Carbide 400R.

For PSU, I can get by with it not being modular. Not sure which brands are good aside from corsair/antec

Lastly, a mobo that can SLI Im interested in to just throw in another 560 TI, or should I mainly stick with a 660 or 660 Ti?

Hard to decide with so many parts out there. @_@;

1. Storage doesn't have anything to do with FPS - it makes games and Windows load faster and reduces lag.

2. The 400R is a good choice.

3. Yes - I use non modular PSUs all the time.

4. Again - the 560TI is not worth purchasing. For the same price the Radeon 7870 is far better, the 7950 beats the 660TI and is cheaper. If you want a motherboard suggestion the Asus P8Z77X-V is a good choice, as is the Gigabyte UD3H and the Asrock Z77 Extreme 4.

 

[aznshinobi]

^+1

Different perspective, check out my $850 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module147092821
Drop the PSU down to this (-$35)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&Tpk=520w%20neo%20eco
Samsung 840 120GB (+$105)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188
Total: $920

OS: http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html
True Total: $990

Also, lol, Mallbuff the parts cost $1011 after a $45 MIR.

 

[gamerlana]

Best answer selected by gamerlana.

 

[gamerlana]

I wonder, how well would a 7870 run planetside 2? That game has some interesting recommended specs. Really would like to play that as well as Far Cry 3, etc etc

 

[g-unit1111]

I wonder, how well would a 7870 run planetside 2? That game has some interesting recommended specs. Really would like to play that as well as Far Cry 3, etc etc

The 7870 is a good card no question but on your budget I'd stick with the 7950.

 

[gamerlana]

Intel 520 120gb SSD or Samsung 840? Although I think the 830 Samsungs have higher write speads. The intel comes with a 5 year warranty though lol

Also, where is this 7950 you refer to? None I look at compare anywhere to the 7870 prices. If yoz know of one,some linkage would be most welcome.

Finally, having trouble finding a nice PSU at a reasonable price and a warranty over 3 years. Was going to pick up the corsair tx650 for $64 with rebate, but out of stock now. The v2 of it it is like $79 tho.

I guess if easier could you please maybe throw together a pc part.picker list of what you recommend gunit?

 

[gamerlana]

Ok so still having trouble picking out some parts, but was unsure if I should start a new thread or just keep this one going. Already grabbed a Corsair TX650 v2 PSU for $69 (5yr warranty ain't bad either!) and a Asus P8Z77V-LK mobo for $124, but havent gotten anything else yet. For those wondering, yes I do plan on either SLI or Crossfire in the future, hench the mobo and PSU.


1. CPU: I know I will get a i5 3570k!

2. CPU Cooler: Any recommendations here would help. As for air cooling, will a hyper 212 evo plus be enough to get a i5 3570k OC'd to around 4.5ghz safely? For 24 bucks it seems like a hell of a deal, but unsure if it will quite give that kind of OC potential on a i5 3570k.

Case: As for the case, Its a shame they don't make a HAF 922 Blue anymore or I would get that. The HAF 922 is good, but its red, and lacks intake airfilters, but has a more robust build over the Corsair 400r which I have been eyeballing. I hear the 400r has flimsy HDD cages and not as many fans from the get go, but has rubber grommets and better cable management. Trying to keep the case cost around or under $100 if possible.

3. SSD: Not sure on a SSD. Have narrowed it down to these 120gb ssd's: Intel 520, Samsung 830, or crucial m4. Unless there is a better ssd than these for the price that is still reliable. The Intel has a 5yr warrarnty.

4. HDD: Going to try and grab a WD Black 1tb for data and misc programs as it is a bit more costly, but has 5yr warranty and a 64mb cache on it!). Obviously 6gb/s is standard practice here.

5. RAM: The Ram I think will be 8Gb of either GSKILL or some Corsair Vengeance (10% off thing right now at newegg for like $32)

6. GPU: As for the graphics card, I am still completely confused on what to get. HD 7870 has the performance, but lacks reliability, but is 256bit. The GTX 660 is not as fast, is 192bit, but it does have a smoother ride. Completely mindf**ked here on deciding.

7. OS: Not sure on either OEM Windows 7 Premium or if I should shell out for Windows 7 Premium Full for future mobo upgrades. I wonder if Windows 8 will be more gamer friendly by the time I upgrade anyways.

8. Optionals: Also, thinking maybe rosewill antistatic wrist strap and demagnetized tools? And perhaps some mk-4 paste for the CPU to help with OC'ing?

For this build I feel safe in increasing the overall price tag to somewhere around $1200 to get more of what I want. I am a hugely picky person sadly and I like to overthink just about every damn thing I do I think that is why this is so hard I suppose. If anyone is willing to tackle this mess of words I just plastered here, then you are just awesome. I have numbered them for easier responding or maybe a pcpartpicker list will be easier, hell I don't know.

 

[gamerlana]

Hmm do I need to repost this for an answer? I wonder.