Help on $1000-$1200 PC gaming build

[vntk7]

I plan on building a (future proof) PC soon and wanted to hear your thoughts and comments on this build:

ASUS Intel Z77 ATX DDR3 2400 LGA 1155 Motherboard P8Z77-V : $190

Intel Core i5-3570K: $220

Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 2 GB DDR5 HDMI/DVI-I/Dual Mini DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 11200-00-20G: $260
OR
Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5 DVI-I/HDMI/2x Mini-Displayport PCI-Express Graphic Card GV-R795WF3-3GD: $350

Corsair Vengeance Blue 8 GB RAM: $51

Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP: $100

Corsair Force Series GT 120 GB SATA 2.5-Inch SATA III Solid State Drive: $130

Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM: $100

NZXT M59 Classic Series ATX Mid Tower interior chassis M59-001BK: $50

TOTAL: $1,090 with 7850
OR
$1,180 with 7950


A couple of questions I have:
1. Are these parts compatible?
2. Would the CPU bottleneck if I went with the 7950?
3. In which areas would I be able to swap for cheaper parts but still receive the same, similar or slightly lower performance?
4. Could I get away with a cheaper mobo and if I could what are my options?
5. Is the current PSU overkill?
6. Should I wait until black friday/ cyber monday for the possibility of some of these parts or similar level parts to go on sale?

P.S. I don't plan on playing the latest of graphic hogging games but I do want to be able to max out games like GW2, fallout:nv modded and other games as they come a long

 

[JefferyD90]

If you want a AMD build let me know.

 

[azeem40]

No reason to. Intel is going to kick AMD 20 suns to Sunday.

 

[vntk7]

If you want a AMD build let me know.

I prefer to stick to intel, but i would still like to see your build

 

[azeem40]

Trust us, it is not going to perform as well as Intel at your budget.

I recommend this build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1208.77
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-06 01:15 EDT-0400)

 

[Why_Me]

This build allows you to add another one of those GTX 660 ti's later on in SLI.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1021001 $151.98 save: $18.00 - $20.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1033223 $344.98 save: $25.00 - $20.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING
ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
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=N82E16835103099 $34.99 - $29.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
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=N82E16820231544 $43.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAO

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-AD-7280S-0B-Internal-Drive-Black/dp/B0057FRTPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1344214515&sr=1-1 $16.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036Q7MV0/ref=s9_hps_bw_g147_ir03?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-7&pf_rd_r=1W4SJJJBW0TEZE7JEQSS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1353700742&pf_rd_i=193870011 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM - WD1002FAEX

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extreme-Gb-s2-5-Inch-Drive-SDSSDX-120G-G25/dp/B006EKJCWM $100.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
SanDisk Extreme SSD 120GB GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s2.5-Inch Solid State Drive- SDSSDX-120G-G25

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/4873/nvidia_geforce_gtx_660_ti_2gb_reference_video_card_overclocked/index.html <----- GTX 660 ti 2GB (est. retail $300 & due for release August 16th).

Total: $1,093.41 *not including rebates


http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b $88.73 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77V_LK/ <----- another look at that Asus board along with a link to the latest bios update

http://www.corsair.com/carbide-series-300r-compact-pc-gaming-case.html/ <----- another look at that Corsair case

 

[azeem40]

Is the total with the 660ti or without? Cuz if without, that is over budget.

 

[Why_Me]

Is the total with the 660ti or without? Cuz if without, that is over budget.

That's with the 660 ti. I didn't include Windows. But it still comes under $1,1000 not including $40 worth of rebates.

 

[azeem40]

Nice. What is the difference between your build and the one I recommended?

 

[Why_Me]

Nice. What is the difference between your build and the one I recommended?

$155 and 8 - 10 FPS. Not sure why you went with 1333 RAM though when for a $1 more you could stick in 1600Hz RAM.

 

[Why_Me]

Trust us, it is not going to perform as well as Intel at your budget.

I recommend this build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1208.77
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-06 01:15 EDT-0400)

I don't see a storage drive other than that 128GB SSD. Tack on another $100 to that total right there.

 

[azeem40]

I am forgetful. Ignore my post then.

 

[vntk7]

Thanks for the input. With both of your builds, I tried to mix and match for the best of both worlds!

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K $220
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler $32
Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $140
OR
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $135
GPU: ASUS GTX670-DC2-2GD5 GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $420
RAM: G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAB $45
SSD: SanDisk Extreme SSD 120GB GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s2.5-Inch Solid State Drive- SDSSDX-120G-G25 $100
HD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM - WD1002FAEX $100
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA $114
Rig: NZXT M59 Classic Series ATX Mid Tower interior chassis M59-001BK (Black) $50

Total: $1,216 or $1,221

 

[vntk7]

the gpu, ram and mobo prices are from newegg while the rest are from amazon.
is there a difference between the mobo i choose and the one from the combo? and is this all compatible?

P.S. I already own a copy of windows 7 ult64 and an optical drive

 

[vntk7]

I might end up choosing the ASRock

 

[Proximon]

I have not read all the responses to your post, but you have some good people responding.

I have no problems with ASRock and given the total budget I think your final build is very good. You seem to be planning to SLI with that 750W PSU though.

That almost never happens. What people usually do is plan to SLI or crossfire and then never get around to it. By the time they feel the need it is too late, and there are better, cheaper single card solutions.

So keep the ASRock board but upgrade the PSU with one that has lower wattage.

Rosewill Capstone M $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182263
This is a HIGH END PSU at a great price.

or save money with this XFX 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014

But given the price difference I think the Rosewill is the way to go.

 

[azeem40]

You can get 1.5x the space at the same price of that Caviar Black.

 

[vntk7]

I have not read all the responses to your post, but you have some good people responding.

I have no problems with ASRock and given the total budget I think your final build is very good. You seem to be planning to SLI with that 750W PSU though.

That almost never happens. What people usually do is plan to SLI or crossfire and then never get around to it. By the time they feel the need it is too late, and there are better, cheaper single card solutions.

So keep the ASRock board but upgrade the PSU with one that has lower wattage.

Rosewill Capstone M $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182263
This is a HIGH END PSU at a great price.

or save money with this XFX 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014

But given the price difference I think the Rosewill is the way to go.

So if I don't plan to Sli and crossfire, I should stick with the ASRock and 670?
and thanks for the link to that rosewill, it looks like a great deal!

 

[vntk7]

You can get 1.5x the space at the same price of that Caviar Black.

Can you link that hd please?

 

[Why_Me]

So if I don't plan to Sli and crossfire, I should stick with the ASRock and 670?
and thanks for the link to that rosewill, it looks like a great deal!

For a single card set up then give this a look.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1030161 $326.98 save: $13.00
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
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=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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013 $74.99 - $64.99 after mail-in rebate card
XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

 

[vntk7]

so I choose the combo pack of the i5/ASRock but stuck with the rosewill as its plus gold certification got me.
and with those substitutions my total is now $1,161!
I am planning to pick another rig thou as my prior choice has seem to grow more hideous every time I look its pictures. Any suggestions for an attractive yet affordable case?
I was thinking about this one since it looks quite appealing but a bit pricey at $120, NZXT Crafted Series ATX Full Tower Steel Chassis - Phantom White
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WE9WQO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[kanoobie]

If you are looking for a more affordable but equally attractive case, there is a midtower phantom:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146087

 

[azeem40]

Make that for $20 less than the Caviar Black.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337

 

[Proximon]

The full tower Phantoms don't have USB 3 ports, but the mid tower does.

CM Storm enforcer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240

 

[baconieatdat]

if you want it to be future proof you should look into an i7 cpu so you won't be limited by you i5 cpu.