New Rig, Advice welcome!!

[delta59]

Approximate Purchase Date: in the next 2 weeks

Budget Range: I would really like to keep in under $1200, but i have a fudge room of about $200 if you have any improvement ideas

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Main is Gaming but also Engineering programs like Autocad, solidworks, Etap(im a EE and CPrE).

Parts Not Required: OS, keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor. Basically im dealing with the case and anything that goes into the case, i have everything else from previous builds.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg or Tigerdirect

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: I really dont care, currently Im running a Intel/Nvidia rig but Im not a fan boy so anything would work

Overclocking: Yes but nothing serious, just some tweaking here and there

SLI or Crossfire: In the future

Monitor Resolution: single 1920x1080 23" Samsung

Additional Comments: Basically Im looking to get a computer that will play all current games on high-ultra settings and will be able to handle upcoming games with minimal upgrades for the next couple years. Im not a big graphics freak so if it can only play future stuff on medium setting, whatever its fine. What Im looking from your you guys is;

• Can I reduce the cost and keep the same performance
• Is there any components that would be better then what I currently have picked out

Finally my favorite color is green, hence the case. So if you can find any parts that would fit in with the green case theme you get bonus points!


Rock On My Friends!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part picked out:

Case: RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156078

PSU: OCZ ZT Series 750W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052

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

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116502

GPU: EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

RAM: GeIL EVO CORSA Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model GOC316GB1600C10DC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144560

Drive: LITE-ON Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM SATA 12X Blu-ray Burner with Blu Ray 3D Feature IHBS112-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106369

Grand Total: $1307.92

 

[g-unit1111]

If gaming is the main focus - you don't need the i7-3770 - go with the i5-3570K instead. 2 x 8GB also isn't needed unless you're working with heavy duty rendering and editing applications - if you are that's fine, if you're not go with something else.

And ditch the case - Raidmax is a truly awful, awful, awful brand. You're better off going with something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

You also might want to upgrade your motherboard to the Extreme 4: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

Otherwise everything else looks good.

 

[TheBigTroll]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/aEs2

my build is slightly different and i will explain

1: the pro4 does not support SLI. i decided to go asus as i know they make very good stuff

2: i have yet to hear about Geil so i have no idea how good they are. i went with 1 kit of mushkin blackline as i have used them in the past and i can tell you they are very good quality. 8gb should be more than enough for games or some programming. if you need more (ram only helps after this point if you video edit), you can always pick up another kit

3:the i7 3770 is not overclockable so i got a i5 3570k instead. for games and some programming, a i5 3570k should be good enough. it isnt that much of a difference between a i7 and a i5 even in programming so i wouldnt worry

4:i added a SSD as it is the component that makes a 1200$ build a 1200$ build. SSDs will make your computer much faster and boot faster. typical SSD boot times are around 20 seconds

5: i went with a xfx xxx 750w power supply since it is more efficent and higher quality. it is also much quieter than the zt750w

6:if you need the blu-ray drive, go get it. if not, a generic dvd burner will be good enough

7: i went with the antec 302 as it is known to have great build quality. then again, if you like colours that much, get it

 

[Patflute]

Get a Crucial M4 64gb SSD for Windows boot and important programs.

You don't need an i7 for gaming, but you might need it for your other engineering stuff. If you don't get an i5-3570k.

You only need 16gb of ram this will be good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Suggest this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265
It's better at sli/crossfire.











I hate when I post late and I'm just an echo of what ^ they say...

 

[g-unit1111]

2: i have yet to hear about Geil so i have no idea how good they are. i went with 1 kit of mushkin blackline as i have used them in the past and i can tell you they are very good quality. 8gb should be more than enough for games or some programming. if you need more (ram only helps after this point if you video edit), you can always pick up another kit

I'm sure it's fine. I bought a kit of Mushkin Silverline for an HTPC and it works great - no complaints.

7: i went with the antec 302 as it is known to have great build quality. then again, if you like colours that much, get it

Never advise anyone to get a Raidmax case - they have the worst build qualities of anyone in the industry - I've used these cases at work and you have no idea how quick they are to fall apart, have zero cable management, and so on, and I've yelled at people I work with about this.

4:i added a SSD as it is the component that makes a 1200$ build a 1200$ build. SSDs will make your computer much faster and boot faster. typical SSD boot times are around 20 seconds

You can always add one later. I'd rather put that money in the GPU than getting an SSD or any high priced storage gimmicks (Revodrive/Velociraptor, etc).

 

[bigcyco1]

here what i suggest changing CPU Cooler:COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 $34.99

CPU Cooler:Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504#top $229.99


RAM:G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416#top $48.99

Case-COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1 Black SECC / ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX PS2 / EPS 12V (optional ) Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240#top $89.99

 

[TheBigTroll]

its already a gtx 670 ftw. what more can you possibly get other than a 680 which the 670 ftw performs very close to.

 

[delta59]

Does anyone know anything about this case?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345008

 

[rwayne]

First of all Delta I gotta say I love your 'No Gold Left Age of Empires II' Avatar. That is awesome.

Second of all I would really like to discourage you on that Raidmax case. It is a rather dated model and there are a lot better quality products on the market.

So lets keep this GREEN.

Do you like Military green? Corsair just came out with this new case that looks awesome. Looks like a something you would see on the battlefield. I love the military style latches, buttons, and handles on this case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139015

My second suggestion would be a black NZXT Phantom Case with a green highlight.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146079

Corsair Vegance is $139 and the NZXT Phantom is $119

Give me some time tonight and I will try to complete a build for you.

I know your target purchase date is 2 weeks away however I would highly encourage you to take advantage of the sale that Newegg is running this week on Windows 7 Home Premium. Only $79 with promo code

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/june-0-2012/ITtopdeals22/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL062212&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL062212-_-EMC-062212-Index-_-E0B-_-Case

 

[delta59]

thanks, I'm going to transfer Win7 from my old pc so I dont need a new one. As for colors I would prefer neon green and jet black like with the NZXT. Its a pretty case but if you know of any others like it I wouldn't mind seeing them. I do plan on adding a SSD later but as g-unit111 said, im dumping that $$$ into the GPU. I also am considering the i5-3570k, but on my workstation I sometimes burn 10 gigs of ram on larger projects so I thinks its best to stick with 16 gigs. Basically its a high-end gaming pc but it also will function as a low-med workstation at home when i need to work on stuff.

 

[rwayne]

This is what I came up with. I tried to go with a green theme but it was difficult. I did find a green power supply however it is probably not the tone you are looking for.

I did however find a nice green interior LED kit you may be interested in. However you would need a window to take full advantage of it.

http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/case_accessories/sleeved_led_kit_-_green

The total cost just came out over $1200. I probably could have found something more cost effective but I was trying to color match some which I did not totally achieve.


LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136247
Item #: N82E16827136247
$16.99

NZXT Crafted Series Phantom Black / Green Trim Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146079
Item #: N82E16811146079
-$20.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99
$119.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
Item #: N82E16822136533
-$30.00 Instant
$149.99
$119.99

EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787
Item #: N82E16814130787
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$419.99

Antec EarthWatts Series EA-750 Green 750W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051
Item #: N82E16817371051
-$20.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$114.99
$94.99

G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231461
Item #: N82E16820231461
$51.99

NZXT CB-LED20-GR Sleeved LED Kit - Green, 2 m
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812170035
Item #: N82E16812170035
$16.99

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Item #: N82E16819116504
$229.99

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


Shipping: $24.65
Grand Total: $1,230.56

 

[g-unit1111]

This is what I came up with. I tried to go with a green theme but it was difficult. I did find a green power supply however it is probably not the tone you are looking for.

I did however find a nice green interior LED kit you may be interested in. However you would need a window to take full advantage of it.

http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/case_accessories/sleeved_led_kit_-_green

The total cost just came out over $1200. I probably could have found something more cost effective but I was trying to color match some which I did not totally achieve.


LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136247
Item #: N82E16827136247
$16.99

NZXT Crafted Series Phantom Black / Green Trim Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146079
Item #: N82E16811146079
-$20.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99
$119.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
Item #: N82E16822136533
-$30.00 Instant
$149.99
$119.99

EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787
Item #: N82E16814130787
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$419.99

Antec EarthWatts Series EA-750 Green 750W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051
Item #: N82E16817371051
-$20.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$114.99
$94.99

G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231461
Item #: N82E16820231461
$51.99

NZXT CB-LED20-GR Sleeved LED Kit - Green, 2 m
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812170035
Item #: N82E16812170035
$16.99

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Item #: N82E16819116504
$229.99

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


Shipping: $24.65
Grand Total: $1,230.56

The NZXT is a far better choice than the Raidcrap case, but lose the sleeved LED cables - that's a waste of money.

 

[azeem40]

2: i have yet to hear about Geil so i have no idea how good they are. i went with 1 kit of mushkin blackline as i have used them in the past and i can tell you they are very good quality. 8gb should be more than enough for games or some programming. if you need more (ram only helps after this point if you video edit), you can always pick up another kit

I'm sure it's fine. I bought a kit of Mushkin Silverline for an HTPC and it works great - no complaints.

7: i went with the antec 302 as it is known to have great build quality. then again, if you like colours that much, get it

Never advise anyone to get a Raidmax case - they have the worst build qualities of anyone in the industry - I've used these cases at work and you have no idea how quick they are to fall apart, have zero cable management, and so on, and I've yelled at people I work with about this.

4:i added a SSD as it is the component that makes a 1200$ build a 1200$ build. SSDs will make your computer much faster and boot faster. typical SSD boot times are around 20 seconds

You can always add one later. I'd rather put that money in the GPU than getting an SSD or any high priced storage gimmicks (Revodrive/Velociraptor, etc).

True, but when you already have the best price/performance GPU on the market, it's fine to get an SSD at $1200 budget.

 

[delta59]

Best answer selected by delta59.