Gaming PC for a first time builder ($1000-$1200)

[relentless890]

Approximate Purchase Date: this month

Budget Range: $1000-$1200 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU; Radeon GPU; large case with USB 3.0; quality brand PSU

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: First and foremost, I would like to play games on this PC (for now, primarily SWTOR, Battlefield 3, and Skyrim) on high settings in 1920x1080.

I am kinda struggling between getting a 2500K and a 3570K. Of course it'd be nice to have the latest technology, but I've heard the difference is minimal. Also, since it was just released, it will probably have problems initially. I think I'll get the 3570K, though.

Considering the games I want to play, the radeon series seems like a better buy. I think at this point it will be a 7850, but for a while I was considering skimping a little and getting either a 6850 or 6870.

I think I only need 8GB of RAM - I do not video or photo edit.

I want a SSD and a regular HD. As far as the SSD, I want a Crucial. They've had deals lately for the 128GB at $100, so I'll try to wait for that if that is what people think is good to get.

PSU - looking for a quality brand.

I am unsure about the case. I would like a case that I could possibly reuse in the future. I also want it to be large inside.



I do not have any components so far, but this is what I am considering:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge -- $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO -- $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard -- $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

GPU: ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 -- $260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121623

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) -- $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

HD: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" -- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

SSD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit -- $131
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448

PSU: SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold -- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

Case: Antec Gaming Series One Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -- $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129181

Optical Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner -- $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204


Since I have never built a computer before, what would I have to worry about as far as compatibility between parts?

Any input or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[g-unit1111]

Considering the games I want to play, the radeon series seems like a better buy. I think at this point it will be a 7850, but for a while I was considering skimping a little and getting either a 6850 or 6870.

If it's gaming - don't skimp, I can't stress enough the importance of a good GPU for any budget - the 7850 is an excellent GPU for the price, you can't go wrong. You can also drop the SSD and upgrade to a 7870 and still come in under $1K.

I'm having a bit of trouble with my Asrock board so I'm really not happy with them right now - get this instead for the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128546

Since I have never built a computer before, what would I have to worry about as far as compatibility between parts?

Nothing really - you only have to worry about compatibility if say you're trying to use an i5 on an AM3 board but otherwise everything has been standardized and streamlined for the most part. GPUs are not CPU specific - and anyone who says otherwise is most likely talking out of their ass.

 

[relentless890]

Thanks for the input! I was a little weary about z77 motherboards in general because of lack of newegg reviews; I'll be sure to avoid that asrock board.


What about the whole build? Am I making any amateurish mistakes or does everything look good? What case would you recommend?


Is the SeaSonic PSU enough to power my build? I am considering this PSU because it is fully modular, on sale, and has a 5/5 with 300+ people on newegg. I do think that 650 watts is more than enough, but I would like a little confirmation from the experts before I purchase it. ^_^

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks for the input! I was a little weary about z77 motherboards in general because of lack of newegg reviews; I'll be sure to avoid that asrock board.


What about the whole build? Am I making any amateurish mistakes or does everything look good? What case would you recommend?


Is the SeaSonic PSU enough to power my build? I am considering this PSU because it is fully modular, on sale, and has a 5/5 with 300+ people on newegg. I do think that 650 watts is more than enough, but I would like a little confirmation from the experts before I purchase it. ^_^

Well first off - do not trust store product reviews - you want to pull from a variety of different sources before you decide to purchase a particular product. Going by solely store reviews is never a good way to go. The people who post reviews on Newegg are typically not experts and the negative reviews mostly stem from bad RMAs and things of that nature.

The Seasonic is an excellent choice and will definitely power your whole build.

As far as case choice - the Antec is a decent choice but I'd actually pay a bit more and get something with better cable management like the Cooler Master HAF 912, or if you even wanted to pay a bit more I'd suggest:

- Fractal Design Arc MIDI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352007
- Corsair Carbide 400R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008
- NZXT Phantom 410: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146087
- Antec 1100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178&Tpk=antec%201100