Advice on old vs. new build.

kofshinobi

Honorable
Oct 17, 2012
11
0
10,510
Hey all, I am building a new computer for gaming, not over $1000. I put together one build a few weeks ago, but with Black Friday and all I have adjusted some parts into what I think is a better, cheaper configuration. Here is my old build,

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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($295.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Athena Power CA-GSB01DA (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($53.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $797.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-22 02:40 EST-0500)

And here is the new one.

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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($295.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-249B (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Raidmax 700W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $697.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-22 02:40 EST-0500)

Does anyone see any glaring problems with the new build, or parts that could be better configured? My limit is $1000, but this build used to be around $900, before I changed out parts. I feel it is a great build for the price.
 

kofshinobi

Honorable
Oct 17, 2012
11
0
10,510
Which memory is better, the G Skill Ripjaws or the G Skill Sniper. The Ripjaws has a lower frequency but also lower timing, and the Sniper has a higher frequency and higher timing. They are only a $5 difference right now.