New Build Motherboard Question

[jrv8]

Hello,

I'm still attempting to pick parts for my new build (first timer) and am wondering if its more so that mobo or the brand name that makes it!

It will be a gaming intensive build, and I would like to play as many games as possible on high settings.

I currently am looking to spend around $1200 on the total build and have narrowed down my Processor to the i5 3570 but that's it! I plan on using newegg to get a mobo/cpu combo deal.

I've seen a lot of recommendations for the ASRock z77 Extreme3 but again I'm new to picking parts.

THANKS!

 

[obsama1]

I'd get the i5-3570K.

The Extreme3 is good, but I have the Extreme 4, and it a great mobo. Best bang for the buck mobo. And it is the king of the sub $150 mobos.

 

[luciferano]

For a $1200 gaming build, I could also recommend your graphics if you want. You could probably afford Radeon 7950 Crossfire and if not, then Radeon 7870 Crossfire or a Radeon 7970 GHz Edition. I don't know if you've heard of it, but here's a great site that might help you:
http://pcpartpicker.com

It doesn't show combo deals, but for picking individual parts, it's great.

 

[obsama1]

Depends on the resolution. If s/he's using 1080p, no reason to get CFX/SLI. Just get a 670 or 7970.

 

[jrv8]

Awesome thank you guys, I have tentatively picked most of my parts on new egg here: http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx

Like I said this is very beginning stages and I'm not 100% so any suggestions are much appreciated.

I can post this as a new thread as well if that's best

 

[jrv8]

I've heard good things about both the 670 and 7950 so either is a great option

 

[pacioli]

For $1200 you should be able to get;
i5 3570K
8 Gb Ram
1 Tb HDD
120 Gb SSD
Case of your choosing ~ $100
650 Watt Corsair PSU
DVD-ROM or BD-ROM
Radeon HD 7950

 

[jrv8]

You think 650 is ok? 750 is unnecessary?

I'd like an SSD but the small size scares me off

 

[luciferano]

650W is almost overkill for that build. A 750W would be overkill unless you wanted to throw in a second 7950, in which case an 850W might be better anyway.

What's wrong with small form factors? SSDs are intended to be able to fit in both desktops and laptops ideally, so they're made in 2.5" form factors most often and the performance advantage over hard drives is generally huge.

 

[pacioli]

650 watts is fine.
A 120 GB SSD will hold several games in addition to the OS. Programs you don't use often can be installed onto the 1 TB HDD

 

[jrv8]

Well I didn't realize the form factor was even smaller! I meant size gigabyte wise as in most SSDs I've looked at are 128 gig where as you can get a terabyte RPM drive.

Thats good info though!