New gaming rig build, please help!

Docta96

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Sep 15, 2012
18
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10,510
Hey everyone!
It's another one of those "help this amateur build an awesome gaming rig!!1!1!"... I pieced together a few parts and I want to see what everyone thinks. This rig will be primarily used for gaming, but watching movies/videos, multitasking, maybe making music, and surfing the web are also important.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a couple of months? EXTREMELY FLEXIBLE.

Budget Range: Ideally under $1,000... Is this realistic? As it sits right now I'm already over budget...

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Multi-tasking, Music, Videos, Surfing Internet.

Are you buying a monitor: Maybe someday.

Do you need to buy an OS: Yes, Windows 7 64 bit is included in the parts list below.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference, just want the best deals!

Location: New York, USA.

Parts Preferences: As long as I get the performance and product support I want, I don't care who made it or where.

Overclocking: Maybe...

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe? Ignorance is not bliss :pfff:

Your Monitor Resolution: Doesn't really matter to me. I'm planning on using a 40" flatscreen HD TV for a while.

Additional Comments: I don't care about neon lights or windows or shiny chrome bling, I just want an awesome functioning gaming rig.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My laptop simply cannot keep up with the games I want to check out.

Parts List:
(Please note that not all rebates were applied because some expire in a few days, and I'm not sure when/if I'm going to buy all of these items.)

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded USB 3.0 Item #: N82E16811129021
{$99.99 after instant and mail-in rebates.}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Item #: N82E16822148844
{$149.99 after instant rebate.}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148844

ZOTAC AMP! ZT-60804-10P GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card Item #: N82E16814500269
{$299.99}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500269

RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply, New Version with Build-in ... Item #: N82E16817152036
{$59.99 after instant rebate.}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152036

G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL8Q-16GBZM Item #: N82E16820231539
{$139.99}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231539

BIOSTAR TZ77XE3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS Item #: N82E16813138355
{$129.99 after instant rebate.}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138355

Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K Item #: N82E16819116501
{$329.99}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM Item #: N82E16832116992
{$139.99}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992

SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Item #: N82E16820147163
{$93.99 after instant rebate.}
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163

Things Newegg.com threw in:

NVIDIA Gift - Borderlands2 Free Game Coupon Item #: N82E16800999294
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16800999294

Newegg Promotional Gift Card - $15.00Item #: N82E168GC000001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168GC000001

Tuneup 1-User For System Builder - OEM Item #: N82E16832620050
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832620050

This is just a starting point, NOTHING is "set-in-stone". Thanks for any and all help, I really appreciate it!!
Zac
 

Docta96

Honorable
Sep 15, 2012
18
0
10,510
I should have been more specific. I'm looking to buy as soon as possible, but if it takes longer to configure the perfect system for my needs, I can take longer.
 

idroid

Honorable
Aug 18, 2012
1,525
0
11,960


Here, buy this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.10 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($364.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $970.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-15 21:39 EDT-0400)

READ THIS
 

Docta96

Honorable
Sep 15, 2012
18
0
10,510
Wow, awesome idroid. Thanks so much! Choices choices... both your set up and Azeem's set up sound like they would run games on high settings pretty easily.
 
This build allows you to add another one of those cards later on in SLI for a dual card set up. If you hold off on purchasing a storage drive like that WD Blue 500GB down below until later on you won't have to re install Windows. That way you meet your budget, you have a nice 128GB SSD and when you get another $60 then purchase a storage drive and add it on without any hassle. There isn't any reviews on that board down below for the fact it was released just less than a week ago.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1057031 $112.98 save: $10.00 FREE SHIPPING
Corsair Carbide Series 300R Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

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.1066148 $336.98 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 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A2EUTVCJXLAJ4K $32.42 & 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.amazon.com/Samsung-SH-222BB-BEBE-Internal-Software/dp/B006B7R9PU/ref=pd_cp_e_0 $20.49 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE 22X SATA DVDRW Internal Drive (Black), Bulk without Software

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_3?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1347672097&sr=1-3 $65.52 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive - WD5000AAKX

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.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443 $229.99
GIGABYTE GV-N660OC-2GD GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z $91.05 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

Total: $1,065.38 *not including shipping & rebates


http://www.anandtech.com/show/6276/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-review-gk106-rounds-out-the-kepler-family <---- review w/benchmarks of the GTX 660

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

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

MULTI%20BF3.png
 

idroid

Honorable
Aug 18, 2012
1,525
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11,960


Let me list the difference between his build and mines:

*My build uses a full sized ATX motherboard, his doesn't but its still very good.
*both builds use really tiny heatskins on the RAM...that's good.
*His harddrive has larger capacity for the same price---> +1 Azeem!
*His build uses a more powerful PSU so you can add another GPU anytime!
*My build has a stronger GPU
*Personally i like the storm scout better than the 300r but i think i can cram the Phatom 410 or the 500r...let me see what i can do


i recommend you to get a mix of Azeem's rig and mine... it should look like this:


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.98 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($360.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($101.93 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: Antec TruePower New 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1037.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-15 22:13 EDT-0400)

Edit: READ THIS
 

Docta96

Honorable
Sep 15, 2012
18
0
10,510
Thanks so much everyone, you've saved me hours of searching and my sanity. Or whatever's left! lol So I'll only ask this once because I've seen all of the heated debates online.. But the i5-3570k is a better choice than the i7-3770k for gaming? Also, 8gb RAM is enough? I appologize for my "bigger must be better!" newb attitude.
 

Docta96

Honorable
Sep 15, 2012
18
0
10,510
Ok, going off of the hybrid build you guys came up with, here's the final setup:

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

Athena Power CA-GSB01DA Black 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - OEM
$19.99

Hitachi GST Deskstar 7K1000.C 0F10383 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$69.99

Rosewill RNX-N300X PCI Wireless Adapter
$24.99

GIGABYTE GV-N66TOC-2GD GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$299.99

LOGISYS Computer AT750BK 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$69.99

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-D3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$149.99

Kingston SSDNow V200 Series SV200S37A/128G 2.5" 128GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (Stand-alone drive)
$74.99

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K & CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler Combo
$276.98

Total: $1,006.90
 

That build couldn't get any worse if you actually tried to make it bad. From the case, to the psu to that particular series of Kingston SSD that uses a ansycnhronous controller to the over priced H60. That build is poster material for what not to do with that budget...or any budget for that matter.
 

Docta96

Honorable
Sep 15, 2012
18
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10,510


wtf man, help me out then
 
Get this now and then when you get another $60-$70 pick up a storage drive later on. That way you don't have to reload Windows and you get an SSD out of it. This build allows you to add another one of those cards later on in SLI.

http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hundred-Two-Gaming/dp/B006TVQTHW/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1348281192&sr=1-6 $61.28 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Antec Three Hundred Two Gaming Case, Black

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.1066148 $336.98 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 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A2EUTVCJXLAJ4K $32.08 & 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=N82E16820233186 $38.99 FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SH-222BB-BEBE-Internal-Software/dp/B006B7R9PU/ref=pd_cp_e_0 $20.49 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE 22X SATA DVDRW Internal Drive (Black), Bulk without Software

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 $92.95 + $0.00 shipping
SanDisk 128 GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (SDSSDP-128G- G25)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443 $229.99
GIGABYTE GV-N660OC-2GD GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z $90.84 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

Total: $989.60 *not including shipping & rebates
 

With your budget the 660 ti won't fit in it unless you get totally crap components....like what you had up above.

These benches down below were made with a 660 running @ stock clocks. That Gigabyte 660 I linked is over clocked to the max. Check it out on newegg for the details but it has free shipping from amazon and every dollar counts with your budget.
BF3%20HIGH.png

MULTI%20BF3.png

WoW%20HIGH.png

MULTI%20Wow.png

Crysis2%20HIGH.png

MULTI%20Crysis2.png



http://www.anandtech.com/show/6276/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-review-gk106-rounds-out-the-kepler-family <----- review on Anandtech. Again this review was done with a card @ stock settings.
 

Docta96

Honorable
Sep 15, 2012
18
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hahaha. With my budget limitations, I don't see how I could afford anything but 670 or 660ti. An explanation would have helped.
 

Docta96

Honorable
Sep 15, 2012
18
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10,510
I don't know why, maybe I heard it from someone or something, but I've never thought of AMD being as reputable as Nvidia. BEFORE YOU BURY ME IN COMMENTS, I'd like to be proven wrong because they cost less :) Would there be any compatibility issues using an Intel processor?