$800 gaming pc check

[Skygaming03]

So I've been creating a build for a few months now, switching new parts and such, and I think I have a decent build that is around $800 (without windows 7) so I'm here to make sure everything will work together, and if you have any suggestions for parts, please tell me, thanks.

HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840)

Case: Z9 U3 ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (http://microcenter.com/product/400425/Z9_U3_ATX_Mid_Tower_Computer_Case)

GPU: MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 Graphics Card N660 TF 2GD5/OC
(http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GeForce-Graphics-N660-TF/dp/B0094CX8QI/ref=br_lf_m_1000832461_1_3_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&pf_rd_p=1399605342&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000832461&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1FVWFHW0F7631Z8VP0F4

Mobo: ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157296)

CPU: Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor (http://microcenter.com/product/388577/Core_i5_3570K_34GHz_LGA_1155_Processor)

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028)

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428)

Case Fan: Scythe SY1225SL12M 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185058&Tpk=Scythe%20SY1225SL12M%20120mm%20%22Slipstream%22%20Case%20Fan)

I'm sorry if that looks like a mess, but there are links within parenthesis to see the product. Thanks for any responses.

 

[Augray37]

don't forget your optical drive

but yeah, everything looks pretty good to me. if you plan on overclocking, go with the hyper 212 evo as always.

 

[malbluff]

This, I think would give a better balance between CPU and GPU, with better overall performance. You could use HD7950, rather than nVidia, which would give even greater performance, across a broad spread of games. Nothing wrong with your build (apart from missing optical drive), but this slightly better, overall.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $770.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[protogenic]

Ehh looks all good to me. But I have to admit that is a pretty beefy PSU for the build. Not that it matters you one day may decide to upgrade your gpu or sli or something so I would stick with it. And as for the DVD drive buy one off amazon OEM its cheaper by a good 5 bucks.. CPU and GPU are about the same balanced. No need for change there.

 

[DarkSable]

I actually prefer the OP's rig, despite the rule of thumb to spend twice on the GPU that you do on the CPU.

The only thing I have to add is this: Buy an SSD.
It doesn't help framerates, but it makes loading times disappear, and is the single best upgrade to make a computer feel "fast."

 

[Augray37]

This, I think would give a better balance between CPU and GPU, with better overall performance. You could use HD7950, rather than nVidia, which would give even greater performance, across a broad spread of games. Nothing wrong with your build (apart from missing optical drive), but this slightly better, overall.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $770.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

yeah, idk, i think i like the OP's rig at least as well. all you really did here was upgrade the GPU a little bit, but degraded the CPU by going with the 3470, which takes away the easy overclocking that most PC builders like to do.

 

[Skygaming03]

Thank you for everything, now would switching to the 660 ti be that much of a difference? Because it is about a $50 difference. And switching to a 3470, how would that affect me? should I stay with the one I have, or switch to that one. Also, the motherboard, I've heard it doesn't affect your computer TOO much, so would going down $20 hurt me?

 

[Augray37]

Thank you for everything, now would switching to the 660 ti be that much of a difference? Because it is about a $50 difference. And switching to a 3470, how would that affect me? should I stay with the one I have, or switch to that one. Also, the motherboard, I've heard it doesn't affect your computer TOO much, so would going down $20 hurt me?

well, haha, i mean it might hurt you. it just depends. if you go with a 3570k, then yeah you'll probably want a Z77 motherboard, and if going down $20 means you can't get a Z77, then it might no be the best decision. and whether or not going to the 660ti is worth it...nnnhh...it'll be better of course, but it's not quite the leap between the 660ti and a gtx 670. i guess you could get a cheaper CPU and MOBO, OC the old fashioned way if you want in order to meet/beat the stock 3570k, and get an HD 7950. I'm sorry, but that's a @#$% of a card right now. just some thoughts.

 

[Skygaming03]

hmm, so get the 7950, that's $70 more than the 660, but is it really that much better? and do you like the idea of a 3570k, or would you like it better/worse?

 

[Augray37]

well, i've gotten ahead of myself. what resolution and what games will you be playing?

 

[malbluff]

Whilst it's obviously nice to have OC overclocking, but I would reckon i5-3470 + MSI PE GTX660Ti will get better framerates, in most games, than i5-3570K overclocked to 4.4GHz + MSI TF GTX660. Whether the difference is enough, to make up for the "feeling of loss" not having OC, is another matter, of course. With a bit of shuffling, assuming OP has access to Microcentre, for their i5 deals, it would be possible to have both for around $840, with slightly cheaper case, like Zalman Z9.

 

[Skygaming03]

The resolution I have not chosen yet, but isn't there like 1920 x 1080? I think I'll be getting a 32" Asus so if that gives you anything. And games like Skyrim, BF3 (I've played console on both of those games and console runs at 30 fps, so anything more than that is fine for me), Dead Space, etc.

 

[malbluff]

Most monitors at 23" or 24" are 1920x1080. Above 24" some are still that, but you do get ones at 2560X1440, or 2560x1600. Either basic set-up would be OK for 1920x1080, but for the higher resolutions, you may need more. Do you have a Microcentre, in reasonable distance. Their current deals, on i5, make it possible to have overclocking AND the better graphics card, at least close to budget.

 

[Skygaming03]

Yes I live near a microcenter, I have not gone there though. So they have in-store deals that are not always online?

 

[malbluff]

Yes. At the moment (don't know how long for), they have $40+ off i5's, but for walk-in customers only. If local, definitely worth a visit, as they often have deals, not available online.