1st build gaming rig build - under $1000 any advice?

Pthunder

Honorable
Sep 19, 2012
3
0
10,510
This is my first build and I could use some advice.
I have a budget of $1000 for a solid gaming rig.
No plans to OC right away... then again knowing me it won't take long before I go for it.

Here is what I was thinking for parts along with my questions/reasons:

CPU - I5 3570k - $230 (pci 3.0 worth less over clocking vs SB?)
MB - Asrock extreme 4 - $135 (good reviews...)
GPU - gigabyte 7870 - $240 (with rebate) (best card that fits my budget?)
PSU - Thermaltake 750W - $70 (with rbate) (80 bronze, modular... enough for CF?)
Case - Rosewill future gaming - $50 (bit small, but fan/cooling to price ratio?)
RAM - Corsair 8GB - $26 (with rebate) (good rebate=cheap)
CD/DVD - LG dvd burner - $17 (cheap...will rarely use, but a must have)
HD - Western Caviar Blue - $70 (good reviews...)
OS - Windows 7 home - $100 (need an OS...)
Cooling - hyper 212 - $30 (for future Overclocking)
Misc - Thermal paste - $10
Total - $978



CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153136
Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147108
RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315
CD/DVD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136247
HD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
cooling - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065






 

malbluff

Honorable
Basically pretty good, with a couple of observations, although you are slightly limited, with Newegg.

I don't like Thermaltake for power supply. If you want 750w, for crossfire, your choices are limited, but the Rosewill Capstone is much better. Worth the extra.
A similar thing applies to RAM. That board/CPU supports 1600 MHz, although there aren't any good alternatives at similar price.
For cooler, the EVO version of that is good bit better.
 

odiervr

Honorable
May 1, 2012
343
0
10,810
Pthunder,

Here's what I know:

1. i5 3570K is a great CPU
2. I have the same CPU & MOBO as you have listed (my first build was this summer) however, I would consider the ASRock Z75 Pro 3 for $50 less.
3. Case: pls consider the HAF 912
4. HDD: Pls consider an SDD. You should be able to get a 120/128 GB for under $100. Intel, Samsung 830, and Crucial M4 are all great buys. Just reuse an old HDD from another rig for your storage needs
5. Coolermaster 212 evo comes with thermal paste (saves you $10)

Her's what I think:
1. Not a fan of your PSU brand. Corsair, Seasonic, and PC Power and Cooling are very good brands. I have the PC Power and Cooling Mk III, 600 w PSU. Silent and I love it.
2. Money / Shopping: Compare all prices at, PCpartpicker, newegg, amazon, and tigerdirect.
3. CPU and Motherboard combo prices can't be beat at Microcenters. However, you have to go to the store to buy them. Worth the trip if avail / nearby.
4. Overclock=yes. SLI / Crossfire=no. Just buy a good GPU capable of some overclocking and it will work great until you need to upgrade the GPU.
5. Youtube "newegg computer build" parts 2&3. Then assemble yourcomputer while u watch him assemble his.

I'm of average intelligence and the video walked me right thru it!

Good Luck !!
 

This board down below was just released less than a week ago hence the reason there isn't any reviews out for it yet. It combo's with the cpu to save $13 and it supports dual vid cards SLI/Crossfire.

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.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme3/ <----- another look at that board


http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-PCI-Express-Displayport-Graphics-GV-N660OC-2GD/dp/B00942TK8I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347928241&sr=8-3&keywords=gigabyte+gtx+660 $229.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 OC 2GB GDDR5 PCI-Express 3.0 DVI-I/DVI-D/HDMI/Displayport SLI Ready Graphics Card GV-N660OC-2GD

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z $90.70 & 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/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.amazon.com/Samsung-SH-222BB-BEBE-Internal-Software/dp/B006B7R9PU/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1348081271&sr=1-2 $16.99 & 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/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
 

Pthunder

Honorable
Sep 19, 2012
3
0
10,510
Thanks for all the great advice. You have helped immensely in getting things nailed down and learning that I need to do some shopping around for the best prices.



Micro center has 3570K for $190 and extreme 4 is $85 with purchase of I5 in my area :D THANKS!!!!
212 evo comes with paste??? I guess it helps to read the details :sarcastic:
SSD will be a future investment My old HP desktop started on fire... who knew that when fans stop working things melt and start on fire :whistle: so adequate storage space is my first priority.
HAF 912 seems to have less fans and features than Rosewill future... Not a big fan of looks either :( I'm not opposed to it though if it will keep my system cooler?



Saved some money on Board+CPU so the Capstone or Corsair fits my budget now... Is one brand better than the other or should I use the extra money on a better GPU(BF3 killed my old desktop)?