[New Build] $1200 Gaming Build - Advice Please!

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g0ne

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I'm looking to finally upgrade from my e8500 + 2x 4850. I'll be purchasing a new monitor to play at 1920 x 1080. I have one selected but would like input on that choice. I may be OC'ing in the future so I want to leave myself with enough power. I'd like to keep the build under $1200 and that must include OS and monitor.

Any suggestions, tips, comments, helpful pointers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($237.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1104.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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You could honestly save some money and still get a better build.

Check out my $1000 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module147312351
Since you can locally pickup from Microcenter (I assume from your PCPartPicker), you'll save $60 there.
Total: $986

Windows 8 $80: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4864601&sku=M17-8100&SRCCODE=WEM3308TT&cm_mmc=email-_-Main-_-WEM3308-_-tigeremail3308&utm_source=EML&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=WEM3308&cm_lm=dannyhyu@msn.com
Acer 23" monitor $120: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009421

True total: $1186

Save more money, and you'll get a better graphics card, better SSD, a better motherboard, and a better PSU all allowing you to SLI/CF at 8x/8x in the future as well as a nicer tower in my opinion.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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If you're that concerned go with G.Skill Ares or Mushkin Silverline - both have low profile heat sinks.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F4 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1265.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

If you want to stay under $1200 then drop the Vertex 4 otherwise that is what you should get.
 
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G

g0ne

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I really like your build Aznshinobi. If I plan on playing at 1920 x 1080 is there any real benefit in purchasing a 7950 ?

Although I really like your build g-unit, I think the graphics card is a little too much for me. I do think I'll be getting a z77 extreme4 instead of my currently selected mobo.
 
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lt_dan_zsu

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G

g0ne

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This looks a little more definitive.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($237.55 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1240.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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At 1080P, you should go with a 7950. I don't understand what was wrong with my build? The total ended up being less but you got more. A better PSU, the similar motherboard, a better SSD, a better GPU and an equivalent if not better monitor. Plus you got Windows 8 for less than Windows 7.

Check out my $1000 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module147312351
Since you can locally pickup from Microcenter (I assume from your PCPartPicker), you'll save $60 there.
Total: $986

Windows 8 $80: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4864601&sku=M17-8100&SRCCODE=WEM3308TT&cm_mmc=email-_-Main-_-WEM3308-_-tigeremail3308&utm_source=EML&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=WEM3308&cm_lm=dannyhyu@msn.com
Acer 23" monitor $120: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009421

True total: $1186

Even if you didn't get the Microcenter discount, the extra $60 still put you at your current total before rebates.
 
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G

g0ne

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My build is very similar to yours. I did take your recommendation and change the mobo. I probably won't be xfiring but want the board for its OCing ability. The monitor you've posted is awesome, but no hdmi. For the OS, I'd prefer to stick with Windows 7 for the time being. I think I'm going to take your suggestion on the SSD drive though, the Samsung looks great.
 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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But if you get the same price, I don't see why not go with the 7950? If you aren't planning to Crossfire, just go with the Z77 Pro3, the OCing ability will practically be the same.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297&Tpk=Z77%20Pro3

Also you can save more on the PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&Tpk=neo%20eco%20520

Quite honestly if you're playing at 1080P, you should be running a 7950. But that's just me...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006
 
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G

g0ne

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This might be it. Only thing that might be overkill is the power supply. I'm not very familiar with Antec PSUs and don't know if I want to commit to the one aznshinobi is suggesting.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($87.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($237.55 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1157.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
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G

g0ne

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I just noticed that the NZXT Phantom case does not have USB 3.0 headers. Any ideas on a case around $100 that looks nice and has USB 3.0 headers? I like the COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced but its $139.99.
 
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G

g0ne

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($87.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($237.55 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer S231HLbid 23.0" Monitor ($159.90 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1177.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
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B

boulbox

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the 410 rubber grommets are flimsy, the height of the case pretty much makes it almost a full tower, the plastic front and top are flimsy. i think you would have a much better time with a storm scout 2, 500R, or fractal design define. i personally had a 410 and returned it due to being low quality(should of known as it was from NZXT) and gotten me a different case(600T)
 
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G

g0ne

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I'm also looking at the Antec 1100. Looks to be a solid case. My current computer is sitting in an Antec 900 and I have nothing but good things to say about it.
 
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B

boulbox

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i rarely suggest an antec case because i had bad personal experience from them.

Antec cases usually fill flimsy to me so i stay around cases that i know that are of higher quality.

it seems that you want a clear side panel so ill find a few clear side panel cases that are pretty nice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119263

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352023

of course for the antec case, it was a bit long ago so it may have changed serverly.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Huh, I've never had problems with Antec. I like the One, and the 1100 looks very promising as well. I can't really say I'm a fan of the 900 though.
 
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