[New Build] ~$1300 Gaming PC

WWWHHHAAATTT

Honorable
Apr 24, 2012
5
0
10,510
My computer is 4 years old and I'm looking to upgrade. I've been lurking the forums and am finally posting a build I came up with. This is my first build so I do have that first build anxiety of buying something that isn't compatible, not buying the best, etc... Any feedback and advice would be appreciated.

Approximate Purchase Date: May - June

Budget Range: ~$1300 after Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (SC2, Diablo 3, ME3), Fraps/Video Streaming

Parts Not Required: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, I live <10mins from a Microcenter

Country: Virginia, USA

Parts Preferences: None, but I am more familiar with Intel

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 22" 1680x1050

Additional Comments: Pure gaming PC

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Build
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CPU:
i5 3570K - ~$240?

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

Motherboard: [strike]ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3[/strike]
Replacing above with: ASRock Z77 Extreme4

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Hard Drive 1: Crucial M4 64GB 2.5" SSD

Hard Drive 2: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Full Tower

Power Supply: Antec 650W ATX12V Power Supply

Total: ~$1325.93

I don't believe I missed anything... After looking at reviews after reviews, this is the best build I found for my budget. The only thing I'm kind of unsure about is the motherboard I chose. From what I've searched, it is compatible with the i5 3570K Ivy Bridge, but is another motherboard recommended over over the Z68 Extreme3? Let me know, thanks!
 
If you don't plan on using dual vid cards in the future then give this board a look.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157296 $119.99
ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z77%20Pro4 <----- another look at that board.

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_6?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335332930&sr=1-6 $89.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236 $119.99 FREE SHIPPING
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

or....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239009 $129.99 FREE SHIPPING
Kingston SSDNow V+200 KW-S2120-4B 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (Stand-alone Drive)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703036 $89.99 - $69.99 after mail-in rebate card
PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 600W Modular 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
 

WWWHHHAAATTT

Honorable
Apr 24, 2012
5
0
10,510
Nice find on the cheaper Seagate HD, I'll be adding that.

I never had a dual video card setup, but my idea with this build was to expand/upgrade in the future (~1-2 years?). I think the extra $20 is worth it to leave my options open, but thanks for the suggestion.

That 120GB SSD is really tempting...I will see if I can scrounge up some extra money.
 

Chad333

Distinguished
Jan 10, 2012
36
2
18,535
I will pass along some info another helpful Tom's member gave me yesterday. Microcenter is having a special until 4/29. If you buy your motherboard and processor there they are giving you $50 off your motherboard. That will make the ASrock Z77 Extreme4 $89 and their intel processors are already the lowest price.