Suggestions for a gaming/ work computer

[icalvint]

Only have about $1000 USD to spend. I will be using this computer for gaming and autocad. This is my first attempt with a computer so I am not too sure if this is a good build or if it'll work. Suggestions to improve this build would be great within my budget. thank you in advance everyone

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pgNo
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pgNo/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pgNo/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($144.84 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($53.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $973.30
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-24 16:36 EST-0500)

 

[rwayne]

Are you actually buying 4 sticks of ram = 16GB?
I think you might be able to trim a little money by getting two 8GB sticks.

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)

$37.99 x 2 = $75.98

16GB of Corsair Dominator Ram = $61.99 + Free Shipping
A savings of $13.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233310

 

[Sakkura]

Are you actually buying 4 sticks of ram = 16GB?
I think you might be able to trim a little money by getting two 8GB sticks.

Or 4 sticks of 4 in a single kit.

Also, you'd want a Z77 motherboard so you can overclock the CPU. If you're not overclocking you can get the same performance cheaper with a different CPU.

I'm also a little puzzled by those HDDs. Anyway, here's an upgraded 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: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($144.84 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($53.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $994.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-24 16:47 EST-0500)

 

[icalvint]

decided to change the build a bit. how does this look to you guys? also realized this is a bit on the steep side considering I still have to pay taxes :/ any other suggestions ?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pnpB
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pnpB/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pnpB/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: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($144.84 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Cougar 560W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.20 @ NCIX US)
Total: $944.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-25 06:11 EST-0500)

 

[Sakkura]

That PSU is bad. Don't skimp on the PSU, if you want to save some money you could go for a cheaper case instead.

 

[icalvint]

alright will do. thanks for everything sakkura. I'll probably stick with everything there along with the psu you suggested previously.

 

[Sakkura]

You're welcome. And I can understand not wanting to get a cheaper case. That Storm Stryker looks kinda cool.