First time gaming build. Around $1000

[SeZMehK]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next month or two.

Budget Range: Around $1000+/- before shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Mainly MMOs like GW2, TERA, and D3), watching movies, surfing the net.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, 2 monitors, I have the windows 7 ultimate upgrade disc if those will help... 1 TB HDD (I will need to double check it since its sitting in an external and not in use.)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference as long as I get my moneys worth

Country: New York

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: I would prefer intel and geforce.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: Currently using 1680x1050.

Additional Comments: Would I need any cables or is everything I need in this list. Please let me know if there are any compatibility issues with the parts I picked. If there are any changes that you think would make this setup run better, please feel free to let me know. This is my first time making a build myself. I'm planning on putting it together myself. Thanks




PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/a2QE
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/a2QE/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/a2QE/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Hard Drive: OCZ Agility 3 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 1.25GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1005.90
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-13 09:30 EDT-0400)

 

[AntiZig]

the only possible suggestion I'd make is to pick up 7 series motherboard and case with USB 3 front panel header. cause say you got a usb 3 flash drive, I see it as a bit of a pain to have to go to the back of your case just to get to usb 3 port. But, if you don't mind, then your build looks just fine.

 

[SeZMehK]

Which board would you suggest?

 

[geofelt]

A good list.
Here are my thoughts:

1) A GTX560ti-448 is a good card, but for your budget, I think something stronger like a GTX670 would be more appropriate. The 3570K is as good as it gets.

2) You really only need a 550w psu for either the GTX560 or a GTX670. Corsair is good.
Also check Seasonic, Antec, XFX, and PC P&C for other quality psu's.

3) I agree with using a Z77 based motherboard. Most any will do.

4) 1333 ram is fine. 1600 is similarly priced, so check that out too.

5) OCZ has been troublesome. See if you can't find a Samsung 830 ssd, or any Intel ssd.
For 24 hours, newegg has a deal on samsung 120gb for $90, using promo code EMCYTZT1751

6) If you love the case, buy it. From a functional point of view, the Antec 300 would serve just as well at half the price.

7) The motherboard will come with sata cables, you don't need anything else. Perhaps a #2 phillips screwdriver.

8) Take the time now to download and read, cover to cover the case and motherboard manuals. Many questions will be answered.

-----good luck-------

 

[Glacyus]

I've been reading lots of GPU reviews and comparing benchmarks across many sites, and pooling and normalizing scores across many sources. I think I have a much better deal suggestion for you graphics card. Newegg has a Sapphire Radeon 6950 for $190. This card should be about 15%-20% faster than a gtx560ti, while being $80 cheaper. Plus you get Battlefield 3 and Dirt 3 as part of the package.

 

[spentshells]

I've been reading lots of GPU reviews and comparing benchmarks across many sites, and pooling and normalizing scores across many sources. I think I have a much better deal suggestion for you graphics card. Newegg has a Sapphire Radeon 6950 for $190. This card should be about 15%-20% faster than a gtx560ti, while being $80 cheaper. Plus you get Battlefield 3 and Dirt 3 as part of the package.

This card also has a dual bios with the option to flash into a 6970 and the card deffinately has decent cooling all other forums show 100% success rates (mind you I wouldn't tell you if I bricked on either)

Also note the 6970 has pulled ahead of the GTX570 with driver updates

 

[SeZMehK]

Thanks guys for your suggestions. After making tweaks, this is what I'm looking at:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/a3az
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/a3az/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/a3az/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($107.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair 550W ATX12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1222.47
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-13 11:39 EDT-0400)

 

[greenrider02]

^+1, I was just looking at the 6950, almost pulled the trigger. It's a great deal for $200 plus BF3 and Dirt3, normally retails at $250. I just can't justify it myself. If I were you, I would get two. $400 for much better performance than 7970...

edit: or a GTX670

 

[SeZMehK]

I prefer geforce hence why I went with 560. I changed to the 670. How's the current build I put up?

 

[geofelt]

I prefer geforce hence why I went with 560. I changed to the 670. How's the current build I put up?

Perfect; don't change a thing.

 

[SeZMehK]

Was wondering, can I use my ultimate upgrade cd after installing home?