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Newb First Build $1200-$1300 Gaming/Photoshop

Budget Range:
$1200-$1300
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
Gaming, Photoshop, Office
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
newegg most likely or my local Frys Electronics
Country:
United States
Overclocking:
Yes
SLI or Crossfire:
No
Monitor Resolution:
Monitor will be purchased at a later date
Additional Comments:

I have done some researched and have come up with various components I think would make a nice build for myself. I am looking to build something geared towards medium to heavy gaming and medium photoshop usage. I've tried my best to research many of the components but I'm sure there still might be errors (compatibility?).

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

MOBO: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 $407.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 109.99 (After)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

SSD: SAMSUNG 830 Series 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) 99.99 (After)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE $89.99 (After)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

CD/DVD: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $38.99 (after)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 59.99 (after)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233


Did I choose anything that might be overkill for my needs? or something that needs to be "improved"? I am 100% open for suggestions on the Hard Drives and Case. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
14 answers Last reply
More about newb build 1200 1300 gaming photoshop
  1. Everything looks good. I'll make a few suggestions, though.

    If you don't plan on doing SLI or Crossfire in the future, I suggest you get this motherboard instead...

    ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

    Since you're getting a sandy bridge chip, you won't be able to take advantage of the Z77 chipset features. I wouldn't worry about it anyways. You're not really missing out on anything. The ivy bridge CPUs only have a 5% improvement over sandy bridge clock for clock. The sandy bridge chips run cooler and are capable of being overclocked to higher speeds.

    I suggest you grab this PSU. It's the same price, modular, and higher quality...

    SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

    I suggest you grab some flashier RAM at your price point...

    G.SKILL Sniper 8GB
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

    Forgot to add, if you want, you can grab another 8gb kit I listed above. 16gb of RAM will help out some with photoshopping. It won't be a tremendous difference, but it's something to think about.

    Other than that, everything else looks good. I'll give you a couple of case recommendations. That case is a great case, but there's tons more that will get the job done and look good doing it.

    Corsair Carbide Series 400R
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

    COOLER MASTER HAF 922
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

    Antec Eleven Hundred
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178&Tpk=antec%201100

    If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Hope this helps; good luck!
  2. 3570K is $10 more. Get the 3570K. But +1 to Deus's suggestions.
  3. This is what i recommend: CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)
    Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
    Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($299.98 @ NCIX US)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($299.98 @ NCIX US)
    Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.88 @ Outlet PC)
    Power Supply: Antec 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.99 @ NCIX US)
    Total: $1265.77
  4. This is what I think


    PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fR1z
    Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fR1z/by_merchant/
    Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fR1z/benchmarks/

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)

    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)

    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)

    Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)

    Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)

    Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($389.99 @ NCIX US)

    Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)

    Power Supply: Rosewill 530W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)

    Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)

    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.92 @ Amazon)

    Total: $1266.17

    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-27 22:28 EDT-0400)
  5. Out of all the builds that have been posted my has the most power for gaming, the only downside of it is that it lacks a SSD which you can add later, the Dual GTX660ti will give you 80fps+ on most HEAVY games @1080p with every detail maxed out.
  6. Dual 7950 will still beat it.
  7. obsama1 said:
    Dual 7950 will still beat it.

    Yes, but how are we gonna fit that in his budget?
  8. Dual 660Ti is the same price ad dual 7950's, give or take a few bucks.
  9. obsama1 said:
    Dual 660Ti is the same price ad dual 7950's, give or take a few bucks.


    ohhh!! sorry, i thought you mean dual 7970s, actually the GTX660ti is a bit more powerful (in a few games) than the 7950 and viceversa... could you post a few benchmarks comparing them?
  10. I thought the OP said he won't be doing SLI/Crossfire?
  11. http://media.bestofmicro.com/9/K/348968/original/Skyrim%201920.png
    http://media.bestofmicro.com/9/8/348956/original/MaxPayne3%201920.png
    http://media.bestofmicro.com/8/R/348939/original/BF3%20%201920.png
    http://media.bestofmicro.com/9/3/348951/original/DiRT%201920.png
  12. Thank you all for your replies, I greatly appreciate it. Honestly, I think I will probably stick more towards the recommendations of DeusAres. But we'll see, I don't think I'm going to purchase it REALLY soon so I will have plenty of time to think about the other build recommendations. Once again thank you.
  13. I have a quick question.. do you need an OS? If you don't I may be able to adjust my build.
  14. bctande1 said:
    I have a quick question.. do you need an OS? If you don't I may be able to adjust my build.


    I'll be putting Windows 7 on it.
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