$1,200 Gaming build advice

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themadtaxi

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Jun 3, 2012
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After some diliberation, I have decided not to buy a next gen console and instead put that money toward my next build. I really appreciate any advice or comments you have, Tom's is always my first stop for build advice and benchmarks!

Purchase Date: Within the month

Budget Range: Right around $1,200

System Usage: Gaming (FPS and Sandbox games like the ARMA series)

Buying monitor: No

Need OS: Yes, I'm planning on Win 8.1 Pro student for $70

Preferred Websites: Amazon, Newegg, Tigerdirct, Microcenter (There's one near me)

Location: Denver CO.

Parts for preference: No

Overclocking: Yes, eventually

Monitor resolution: 1920x1080

Why I'm upgrading: I'm offloading my alienware M17xR4 for improved performance, expandability, and because I like building PC's :D (only built two $600-700 rigs so far)

Here is what I have so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34q0E
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($77.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN3800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($24.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX750B BRONZE 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($69.99)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1230.17
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34q0E
 
Solution
maurelie
I5 4670k paired with GTX 770 will play almost anything on high settings at 1080p, it is pretty good combination.

Here, i changed some things

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western...
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maurelie

maurelie

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Oct 26, 2013
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Hi,
Here are my suggestions:
-I would change the case if you want to utilize the motherboards onboard usb 3.0. The HAF 912 doesn't have front USB 3.0. ( i don't know if this is important to you), but for $15 more you can get Fractal Design Core 3000 USB 3.0., has better cooling (comes with three pre installed fans), modular HHD cages (will allow more flexibility and adding bigger GPU in the future), all black interior, all cables in black and better space for cable management.
-For $59 you can get PSU XFX 650w , which is also great PSU.
-I don't see much use for the Western Digital Caviar Black, since you will be using it as a storage, Caviar Blue 1TB (EZEX model) will do the job just fine and it is $20 cheaper.
 
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themadtaxi

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Jun 3, 2012
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I wasn't sure If I wanted a higher capacity psu for future upgrades, but I'm not planning on crossfire or sli so 650w should do. A friend recommended I get a Caviar Black instead of blue, but after searching some threads here it looks like that might be overkill. Do you think the i5 4570k and the GTX 770 is the best combination for high performance in this budget?
 
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maurelie

maurelie

Honorable
Oct 26, 2013
2,086
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12,960
I5 4670k paired with GTX 770 will play almost anything on high settings at 1080p, it is pretty good combination.

Here, i changed some things

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($328.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN3800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($24.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.08 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($69.99)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1226.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-05 14:26 EST-0500)
 
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themadtaxi

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Jun 3, 2012
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Ok this looks good, thanks!
 
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