First time putting PC together

[apquijan]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next two weeks

Budget Range: ~$1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, word processing, surfing the web, movies

Are you buying a monitor: Yes



Parts to Upgrade: Everything, building from ground up. I don't even have a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. All items to be considered are listed below.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com

Location: Buffalo, NY, US

Parts Preferences: I prefer Intel and Asus, but am willing to bend if necessary.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Monitor listed below

Additional Comments: I'd like it to run quiet and cool if possible

Why Are You Upgrading: I have a laptop that I use mostly for schoolwork, but when I try gaming on it, it gets hot and the FPS drops to unplayable levels.

Hey everyone, this is my first time putting together a build, so I'd like to get as much feedback as possible. I put something together that I would think is future-proof (which is important for me), but if anyone thinks I can cut some corners while still maintaining performance, I'd love to hear it. Thank you all for taking the time to look at this and here's the list!

Parts

Combo: Core i5-3570K/Z77/16GB/128GB SSD SuperCombo

The combo includes:
- COOLER MASTER Storm Stryker SGC-5000W-KWN1 Black and White Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $159.99

- ASUS P8Z77-V LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $189.99
*** This mobo also comes with G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAB for free, but the combo comes with memory so I might just resell this, but I don't know yet. ***

- COOLER MASTER Silent Pro RS850-AMBAJ3-US 850W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $134.99

- Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K - $229.99

- Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $109.99

- 2 x Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (with LEDs) Model BLT2KIT4G3D1608DT2TXOB - $109.98 x 2

Combined Total: $934.93
Combo Discount: -$89.94
Combo Price: $844.99

Non-combo items:

DVD Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $19.99

Data Drive: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $79.99

Monitor: ASUS VE276Q Black 27" Full HD HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor w/Display Port & Speakers - $289.99
- I wanted to stay around this size monitor because it will double as a TV for my bedroom.

Wireless Adapter: ASUS PCE-N15 PCI Express 300/300Mbps Transfer/Receive Rate Wireless Adapter - $29.00

Video Card: MSI N660 Ti PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - $309.99
- Comes with Borderlands 2 for free (59.99 savings)

Keyboard: Logitech G110 Black USB Wired LED Backlighting Gaming Keyboard - $59.99

Mouse: RAZER DeathAdder Black 5 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Precision Optical Gaming Mouse - 3.5G Infrared Sensor - $49.99

Mouse pad: RAZER Goliathus Gaming Mouse Mat - Fragged Speed Edition - Omega S - $11.99

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM - $139.99

Non-combo items total price: $990.92
Shipping: $39.44
GRAND TOTAL: $1875.35

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I think you should get this combo personally.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1068426
I would then get this SSD ( if you really want one)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227807
I will give you two options for GPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127662. The 7870 is cheaper and usually edges out the 660ti just barely.
You could also get the 7950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150590
it is $10 more has more ram and is significantly stronger than the 660ti(although it trades blows with the 7870 but is more future proof).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150590
Get this edimax network adapter $20 cheaper half the speed but I doubt you have more than 150mbps internet speed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315091
This monitor it is a littler smaller and far cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236079
You will need nothing more than windows 7 home premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
The total for this comes to 1387 (7870) or 1437(7950) This will perform better than yours in gaming and almost any other task. There is no need for more than an i5 in gaming this are for video encoding and things like that and now game will utilize it, you honestly don't need more than an i3 for gaming. You may notice that there is 8gb ram as opposed to 16gb. 8gb is already future proof. Most games recommend 2gb and some require a little more, so 8gb will be fine for years. To restate this PC will perform better than your build, unfortunately you will get sleeping dogs instead of Borderlands 2. Now if you really want it you will still be saving a ton. I am sorry if you feel like I completely tore apart your build but this one will be a better gaming rig.

 

[apquijan]

Thanks for the feedback!

I redid the build using pcpartpicker.com, saw that I'd be saving more money by not just buying from newegg and put in a HD 7950. Changed the monitor, but kept the size because like I said, I want to also use it as a TV.

My PC Build

 

[apquijan]

Also, should I be worrying about overheating?

 

[fire r a g e]

Not unless you OC ridiculously.

 

[apquijan]

Not unless you OC ridiculously.

So would a CPU cooler be necessary if I don't plan to OC?

 

[fire r a g e]

No, you can use the stock fan, unless you are very particular to noise.

 

[Why_Me]

This build allows you the option to add another one of those cards later on in SLI. This build includes an after market cpu h/s (thermal paste included), 128GB SSD w/SF Toggle NAND controller, 1080 full HD HDMI monitor, factory over clocked GTX 660 ti, etc... There isn't any reviews on that Asrock board posted down below for the fact it was just released less than a week ago.


http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Tower-Gaming-Computer/dp/B0055Q7BR4/ref=sr_1_5?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1347348936&sr=1-5 $89.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Carbide Series 400R Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - CC-9011011-WW

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-80PLUS-Certified-Modular-CP-9020015-NA/dp/B008RJZQSW/ref=sr_1_24?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1346646210&sr=1-24 $86.00 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair CX 750 Watts 80PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V/EPS12V Power Supply CP-9020015-NA

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1061098 $152.98 save: $8.00
ASRock Z77 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1050224 $519.98 save: $20.00 - $10.00 Mail In Rebates
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
MSI N660 Ti PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A2EUTVCJXLAJ4K $33.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $19.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_10?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1347349495&sr=1-10 $76.17 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-2-5-Inch-Solid-SDSSDP-128G--G25/dp/B007ZW2LY4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347126230&sr=1-1&keywords=sandisk+128+gb+ssd $89.95 + $0.00 shipping
SanDisk 128 GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (SDSSDP-128G- G25)

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_y $90.46 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005BZNDOO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER $134.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
ASUS VS228H-P 21.5-Inch Full-HD LED Monitor (Black) | 50,000,000:1 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio; Full 1080P with HDMI

Total: $1,294.50 *not including shippping & rebates



If your gaming on wireless then it doesn't get any better than dual band and 5Ghz.

http://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-Gigabit-Router-TL-WDR4300/dp/B0088CJT4U/ref=sr_1_11?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1347076552&sr=1-11 $88.71 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
TP-Link N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (TL-WDR4300)

http://www.tp-link.com/dk/products/details/?categoryid=2166&model=TL-WDR4300 <----- another look at that router

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1983/1/ <---- review of that router


http://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-PCI-Express-Adapter-TL-WDN4800/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=pd_cp_e_0 $41.95
TP-Link 450Mbps Wireless N Dual Band PCI Express Adapter (TL-WDN4800)

http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-WDN4800 <----- another look at that dual band wireless adapter



http://usa.asus.com/Display/LCD_Monitors/VS228HP/ <----- another look at that monitor

http://www.corsair.com/pc-cases/carbide-series-pc-case/carbide-series-400r-mid-tower-case.html <----- another look at that case

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_660_Ti_Power_Edition/1.html <----- review of that MSI GTX 660 ti w/benchmarks

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme3/ <----- another look at that Asrock board along with a link to the latest bios



http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Optical-Gaming-High-Precision-910-002277/dp/B0055QZ216/ref=pd_cp_e_0 $35.39 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Logitech Optical Gaming Mouse G400 with High-Precision 3600 DPI Optical Engine (910-002277)


http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Keyboard-One-touch-Internet-920-002719/dp/B003VAM36K/ref=sr_1_12?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1347349970&sr=1-12 $17.32 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Logitech Media K200 Keyboard With One-touch Media and Internet Keys (920-002719)

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-JQD-00001-SideWinder-X4-Keyboard/dp/B002ZV51DI/ref=pd_cp_e_0 $47.91 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Microsoft SideWinder X4 Keyboard

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-002232-Gaming-Keyboard-G110/dp/B002RRLQIO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1347349970&sr=1-1 $54.98 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Logitech G110 Gaming Keyboard


http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Beach-Force-Gaming-Headset/dp/B006W41W7S/ref=pd_cp_pc_1 $32.24 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Turtle Beach Ear Force Z11 Gaming Headset

http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-GameCom-380-Stereo-Headset/dp/B006ZS5AQA/ref=pd_cp_pc_2 $38.47 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Plantronics GameCom 380 Stereo PC Gaming Headset