I have a question about a rig I'm going to build. Help Please!

[lordxarus]

So here are the parts.
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LX ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.98 @ NCIX US)
Asus P8Z77-V
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 750GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.36 @ NCIX US)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 7950 3 GB DDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2x Mini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card (FX795ATDFC)
MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] r-Supplies
PC Power&Cooling Silencer MKlll.




More info:



Need to buy a moniter.
Don't need OS.
Budget 1200ish.
Games: Arma 2, DayZ, Battlefield, Cod, others?




Now to my question.


Should I upgrade to this CPU?
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i7-3770-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B007SZ0EHE/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_1

Also the HDD that I have listed is discontinued I need another one.


Is there anything else that should be changed?


Thanks!

P.S: Where I have several parts I am deciding between them.

 

[blazorthon]

Don't bother getting an i7 for a gaming computer. It has almost no advantage at all over the i5 in almost all games and as for any games that it does have an advantage in, the i5 is already fast enough to not be a bottle-neck.

For graphics around $400, I'd recommend a Zotac AMP! GTX 670 or a Gigabyte Windforce Radeon 7970 GHz Edition.

As for the hard drive, if its discontinued, then I'd have to think that they have no more stock of it, so you'd probably have to buy a different model.

 

[lordxarus]

Sounds good

 

[lordxarus]

Can I have a link to the Gigabyte Windforce Radeon 7970 Google does not seem to return a link to a merchant.

 

[blazorthon]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr797to3gd

Also, for the Zotac card:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/zotac-video-card-zt6030210p

 

[lordxarus]

Thanks man. I know that there is an age old battle between AMD and Nvidia but would you recommend? I am heavily leaning toward the Raedon.

 

[blazorthon]

The Radeon is generally somewhat faster, but the Geforce uses less power. However, the Radeon has the added advantage of almost $200 in free games and that's quite an advantage IMO.

 

[lordxarus]

Ok. Thanks . What does it come with?

 

[lordxarus]

Also what is the best time to buy? I may be wrong but I heard that AMD will be rolling out new cards in December. Then?

 

[lordxarus]

Best answer selected by lordxarus.

 

[blazorthon]

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/amd-never-settle-game-bundles-cards-games,18628.html

Info on the games that come with is in that link.

I've heard the same about AMD, but I'm not sure. If you're willing to wait, then maybe you should, but I haven't heard anything other than rumors. IDK if AMD has actually confirmed that their getting 8xxx series cards out in December.

There isn't exactly a best time to buy. There are always deals of some sort seemingly year round.

 

[lordxarus]

Coolio it seems as though I come in at $1100 which will be nice on the ol wallet. You have been a great help thank you!

 

[blazorthon]

Glad to help.

 

[lordxarus]

Also I need a Monitor for 70-80 dollars. I know it might be a stretch but....

 

[blazorthon]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lenovo-monitor-4431he1
That's the only monitor that I found on pcpartpicker.com under $90. I don't like it, but if you absolutely can't spend more than $80, then it's the only option that I see except for going to Ebay or Amazon and hoping to find a good deal on a good quality and condition used unit.

 

[lordxarus]

Ok sweet . I saw some videos on youtube about the 7670 and it looked kind of weak can you find some good benchmarks for me?

 

[lordxarus]

Arma 2 , Dayz, Battlefield etc. (the norm)

 

[blazorthon]

The 7670 is an entry level re-brand of the Radeon 6670 which is itself a re-brand of the 5670. I was talking about the Gigabyte Windforce 7970 GHz Edition which is nearly the most high-end AMD card of them all.

Sorry, I can't find any benchmarks at all of the current drivers, anything that I pull up would be at least a little outdated as a result of that.

 

[lordxarus]

Hmm that's fine.

 

[lordxarus]

Also should the case be cool enough? Sorry I feel like such a noob I'm a software guy

 

[blazorthon]

That case is plenty for such a build. Heck, there are several cheaper cases that would do the job great too (although many cheaper cases kinda sacrifice the aesthetics that many more expensive cases offer for practicality) if you want to cut a little on cost.

 

[lordxarus]

Sweet, do you think that liquid cooling is worth it?

 

[blazorthon]

Liquid cooling is hard to justify most of the time. It's only really better than air for CPUs when you build a good quality custom loop rather than buy a closed loop pre-made cooler, so it's usually more or less a waste of money unless you're willing to put a lot of work into it or simply can't use a large air cooler.

There's also the risk of leakage. I've heard many horror stories about leaking water coolers and the non-water liquid coolers can be extremely expensive.

If you want to take the risk and are willing to put a little money into it, then you could head on to the water cooling forums for the water cooling experts. They can undoubtedly give you a much better idea of what you could do than I can and heck, maybe there's a good cheap way of doing it that I'm not aware of.

 

[lordxarus]

Sounds good , It seems like I now have more room in my budget can you suggest some monitors?

 

[blazorthon]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/viewsonic-monitor-va2248mled

I've heard good things about this one and it's $125. Does that work for you?