Advice for my 1k gaming cab build

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I have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor1920x1080 so it's just a Cab setup

Are all the parts balanced with each other or will it bottleneck?

I need to get the parts at fry's as it's close in price with respects to other stores and i can return it if some parts don't work.

If you see something better or something that can be changed please let me know i would like your advice and point of views.
Max budget is 1k but this sounds out to about $1020 with tax.

PNY VCGGTX660TXPB GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP
http://www.frys.com/product/7265393 $274.99

Intel Core i5 3570K Boxed 3.4GHz Unlocked
http://www.frys.com/product/7028371 $229.99

Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 LGA1155 Motherboard
http://www.frys.com/product/7028881 $119.99

Patriot Viper 3 DDR3 8GB 1600MHz Dual Memory (2x4GB)Modules PV38G160C9KRD
http://www.frys.com/product/7275373 $59.99

Cooler Master GX Series 650W Power Supply
http://www.frys.com/product/6159379 $89.99

LG OEM DVDRW 24X Int
http://www.frys.com/product/7356664 $15.99

Toshiba 1TB SATA/600 3.5" Internal Desktop Hard Drive (DT01ACA100)
http://www.frys.com/product/7498085 $69.00

In Win BUC Mid Tower Case
http://www.frys.com/product/6578973 $72.09

RiData DVD-R 4.7GB 100Pk
http://www.frys.com/product/7550876 $12.99
 
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oddlyinsane


The original build you suggested was good to start with. If there was something you could cut down on, I would say the processor, motherboard and the GPU.

Some alternatives include:
CPU
The AMD FX 8350. You may not like the general idea of 'AMD', but be assured that this particular processor is very good indeed. It performs almost on par with the 3570k, with a cheaper price tag as well. The 3570k will...
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n3cw4rr10r

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oddlyinsane

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Well it really depends on what you're going to play mate, though the 660 ti is not going to slow you down. But a 7870 for around 50 less is going to serve you just as well (not to metion the oc capabilities).

I strongly suggest you get an SSD--even if it is just a 64gb boot drive--as it will probably be the the most noticeable performance boost. But getting the 7870 instead will enable you to get a 120gb+ ssd. You can then always get a larger hdd when you need it.
Everything else seems fine.
 
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deity

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"n3cw4rr10r" I would like to get it from one place as if i can. I did look at getting all the parts from newegg but its not going to save me much more. I live by fry's so i can just go to the store and pick it up rather then wait for it to come and then have to send back a part if its bad and get it 2 weeks later and then test it out to see if other parts are working or not and then by that time you wasted 30 days and will have problems if something else doesn't work.

From the research i have found the 7870 is at times 30fps slower then the 600 ti and it was said it should be vs the 7950. I don't know how much fact is in this but it's something to check out.


"oddlyinsane"
I was checking out the Seagate - Momentus XT 750GB Internal Serial ATA Solid State Hybrid Drive for Laptops http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagate+-+Momentus+XT+750GB+Internal+Serial+ATA+Solid+State+Hybrid+Drive+for+Laptops/4919467.p?id=1218577510634&skuId=4919467&st=Solid%20State%20Hybrid%20Drive&cp=1&lp=1

From what i understand this will only load games faster but not effect the over all performance as it is still locked by the hhd of 7200rpm. That being said getting the ssd would speed it up a lot faster but wouldn't you have to have the games stored on the ssd for it to be effective as having it on the 2nd hhd still be at the speed of 7200rpm?

This does help me with every ones feedback and i want you guys/gals to know I'm thankful for the advice thus far.

I don't think i will overclock anything as I'm stuck with just 1k at most. but maybe later down the line i will.

Keep the inputs coming and if i get something wrong please let me know.
 
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oddlyinsane

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Yes, the 7870xt. Tiny voices is right about 3470+h77.

@OP yeah, you will need to install the games on the ssd in order to experience faster loading times. But what i am saying is that you install your OS on the ssd and games on the hdd.

In regards to game loading times on an ssd vs hdd, your looking at anywhere from 10-20 seconds diff. I personally could wait those extra seconds. The momentus XT (man, whats with 'XT' all of a sudden?) is more geared to laptops as they generally only have one drive space. I would not generally advise it for a desktop.

So either:
-60gb sdd+1tb hdd
-120gb sdd (and then hdd when you need it)

Both choices will cost roughly the same ($120-150)

Or you could always get a 240gb sdd :p

edit: 3470+h77 as opposed to 3570k+z77 will save you about $70 which you could use for a bigger sdd and/or anything else (grpahics card etc)
 
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n3cw4rr10r

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It was not only about saving you $$$ but getting you a better valve for your money. Lot of people confuse the 7870 XT/LE with the 7870. Stupid AMD should have named it 7930 or something. 660 Ti = 7870 < 78780 XT/LE.

While I understand your reasoning for trying to get everything at one place, you dont want to regret the fact that you could have got a better gpu for a little less down the road.

Hardocp: "The PowerColor HD 7870 MYST is available for $259.99. The Radeon HD 7870 GHz edition can be had for $209.99 after a $20 mail in rebate. GTX 660 Ti cards start at $239.00 after a $30 mail in rebate.

Compared to the reference Radeon HD 7870 GHz edition, the PowerColor HD 7870 MYST represents a step up in performance from both the Radeon HD 7870 GHz edition and the GTX 660 Ti. At the same time, it is very near the performance level of a Radeon HD 7950, which start at $274.99 after a $20 mail in rebate."

Toms Hardware: "For about $240, you get a better card than the more familiar Radeon HD 7870, based on AMD's Pitcairn GPU. The HD7870 PCS+ Myst Edition manages to almost catch up to the first-gen Radeon HD 7950 (without Boost functionality), which is more expensive.

Overclocking, even without a GPU voltage increase, makes this Tahiti LE-based board as fast as a Radeon HD 7950 with Boost. "

^ From few of the review around the web. Google for "7870 Myst Review"
 
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"tiny voices" From my understanding games will start using hyper threading more as new games come out is this right? If so then wouldn't it be smart to get the processor that at least has 1 thread per core? the i7 has two from what i read but that's a lot more money. I do know a few games use it as of right now. I want to try and make this last as long as i can. The system I'm on now last for 5 to 6 years and it's at it's end now. It would take me about $1300 to $1500 to build a cab that last for 5 years.

"oddlyinsane" So you're saying use ssd for the windows system and paging thus making it faster. Now having the game on an ssd would be nice but can't do that right now. I will have to save for a ssd drive later down the road.

"n3cw4rr10r" I know you guys are really doing a good job of crunching the numbers but the fact i need to get it from one place has to do with pass experiences of getting bad parts and needing to return them. With my computer on it's last legs i don't know how long this one will last and that would leave me with out a computer if i have to wait for 2 weeks for a replacement part and then to only find out something else could be wrong could leave me stuck. I looked for the 7870 tx at frys and bestbuy but didn't see anything other then the normal 7870.

This is good information it lets me know my options and if i can change anything. This is very productive thank you everyone. If you have any other thoughts or inputs it that would be great.



 
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oddlyinsane

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If it isn't available, by all means get the 660 ti. We're just saying that the 7870 XT gives you better bang-for-buck.
Considering you want this build to last as long as possible, the build you initially suggested is quite capable anyway. You can then always add a second 660 ti when you need it, or when prices go down :p

Nevertheless, i highly recommend an ssd at least for the OS. You dont have to put games on the ssd, just the OS. A 60-64gb ssd costs around $60-70 at fry's.
 
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oddlyinsane

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I'll disagree with you, sir. An ssd will give you "one of the best upgrades you can make in terms of general speed boosts" (Lifehacker). Personally, it's one of the most noticeable performance gains as opposed to a better gpu. No one games for even half the time they spend on their computer.

Who said "spend 200 bucks on an ssd"? I said a "60-64gb ssd costs around $60-70 at fry's" for "just the OS".
 
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masterman467

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When was the last time your download speed was faster then your HDD's right speed?
How often do you move 10 gb files around?

Honestly, i fail to see a point to them unless you make things, like videos, graphic design, Photoshop work with huge file sizes, exc. I don't have one, but my father's apple laptop with 2 SSD's does not make any noticeable difference other then being able to move 10GB steam games between them in less then an hour...
 
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oddlyinsane

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Sir, get an ssd for your own computer and you'll notice the difference. A

@OP I recommend an ssd. It'll save you the trouble of reinstalling everything once you do decide to get an ssd (and trust me, you will ;)).
 
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So no facts to back up your waste of money? Ok... I was trying to have an intellectual conversation here...
 
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Hot swappable bays are nothing more than compartments for your drives - it doesn't have anything to do with SATA 2 or 3. HDDs do not require SATA 3, while SSDs do (not that they won't run, it would just be a bottlneck for the SSD).
 
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I'm confused now. I'm looking at the specs for the hot swap and it states in it that its for sata 2.

"Detailed Description
(Manufacturer # KF-1000-BK )

Led light for power & HDD activity
1.0 mm Guide Wire for slim HD
3.5" Internal hot swap rack.
No inner tray required.
Easy transport and secure valuable data.
Easy open latch door.
For standard 1" height, 3.5" SATA H.D.D.
Safety metal key lock.
Patent NSS (Non-Scratch SATA connector).
50,000 times insertion rate.
Supports hot swap.
Supports SATA II (3.0 Gb/s).
Tool-less design for h.d.d. installation.
Tray-less design.
Compatible with all type of PC cases.
Special silicon anti-shock system.
Driver-free support.

the hot swap bay has a connection for the hard drive on the inside and a place to plug in your sata on the back. I'm wanting to know if the connting points on the hotswap bay is passive or if it's limited to sata 2?

The hard drive is a sata/600 thus meaning 6 Gb/s SATA Interface. SATA/300 is a 3GB/s SATA Interface.

Toshiba 1TB SATA/600 3.5" Internal Desktop Hard Drive (DT01ACA100)
http://www.frys.com/product/7498085 $69.00

Am i confused or do i have it right?
 
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oddlyinsane

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If it really had a connector for the hardrive, that would just make things complicated.
Nonetheless, HDDs do not need SATA3. SATA3 is intended for SSDs. So if your not planning on using an SSD, don't worry about it.

Oh yeah, that's just a marketing trick to make you buy the drive. HDDs do not even saturate SATA2, let alone SATA3. And the fact that the hotswap bay can only hold 3.5" drives (i.e. HDDs) that shouldn't mean anything.
 
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oh right because it's only 7200rpm. That is messed up they would do that. Could there by any other reason why they would do this? It just seems so underhanded that i.....kind of feel dirty. o_O
 
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That is really good info. I think my mind is going to explode now. lol Thanks for the info, what other things should i know about?

I don't have the money for an ssd but i will be saving up for one later on. As of right now i got only $930 and that has to include tax of about 8% so i'm trying to re work some stuff some how
 
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oddlyinsane

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The original build you suggested was good to start with. If there was something you could cut down on, I would say the processor, motherboard and the GPU.

Some alternatives include:
CPU
The AMD FX 8350. You may not like the general idea of 'AMD', but be assured that this particular processor is very good indeed. It performs almost on par with the 3570k, with a cheaper price tag as well. The 3570k will always be better, but for gaming and anything in general, you'll be hard pressed to find much if not any difference at all.
At Fry's, it can be had for $199, which is 30 cheaper than the 3570k.

The MSI 990XA-GD55 AMD 990X AM3+ Motherboard for $115 would be an ideal choice. This combo would result in a $35 saving.

The other option would be getting the 3450 or the 3470 (both Intel Core i5) for $195 and $199 respectively. These CPUs are not as good as the two aforementioned, but they are more than enough for gaming. I do stress that they are more than enough for gaming.

The motherboard to go with it would be the ASUS P8B75-M/CSM Intel LGA1155 Motherboard for $80. This combo would equate to a $70 saving.

Those are just some of the alternatives i can think of. If you are really on a tight budget, then IMHO I would get the 3450/70 setup. Not because I have it personally, but I did my research too before purchasing ;)

Finally, as for the GPU, the GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB for $250 would be a really great choice. It is a lesser GPU compared to the 660 Ti, yes, but once overclocked, it would match its performance. This would net you a $25 saving.

The 7850 would probably the biggest money saver. I have it, and I can say that it is more than enough for the most intensive games. What everyone has to realise is that you do not need to max out a game to enjoy it. Look at BF3, low settings and it still looks gorgeous. This power frugal card is available for $200 at Fry's. There are a variety to choose from, all you have to do is choose the best looking.

Moreover, this card should last 2-3 years on medium-high settings. Even if it were only to survive low settings, you can a) over clock, and crazy at that and b) low settings in the future games will be 10x better than ultra graphics in today's games.

All in all, with the above suggestions in mind, you will saving roughly $100 compared to the originally suggested build. These are just my opinions, and it is really your decision at the end,

As always, remember to select a solution once your question has been answered.
 
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deity

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This gives me other options close to what I'm looking for and that's what i was trying to get even if i do or don't go with it i needed to know my options. This has been most helpful and i thank everyone for helping out.
 
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