Need advice/help on custom build

MacAndHam

Honorable
Dec 6, 2012
3
0
10,510
So I love pc gaming and figured it was time to build a gaming computer. I know a little bit about computers but I haven't actually built one by myself. I went through tiger direct looking and comparing parts and eventually got this list:

-8GB of corsair RAM
-PCIe wireless adapter (I can't run straight Ethernet cable)
-WD 500GB 7200RPM hard drive
-Ultra 650W psu
-90GB corsair SSD
-660Ti
-Storm Enforcer mid-tower case
-Basic cd drive
-i5-3570K
-MSI Z77A-G45 Intel 7 Series Motherboard

All for about a $1,000...any comments are appreciated!

 

andrewcarr

Distinguished
I say you can do much better. First off I prefer newegg (used to be tiger direct but once I knew what I was doing it became newegg). Secondly Ultra is an awful brand of PSU.

Give me a bit and I'll come up with a better build.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rhzC

You'll have to find what kind of card you want for the WiFi

I didn't know if you forgot about windows (7 or 8 is the same price so your choice) or you don't need it but if you don't need a copy upgrade the GPU to this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006

Lastly if you buy within the next week you'll save 20% on the PSU on newegg (so it's cheaper on newegg than the other site it gives you).
 

MacAndHam

Honorable
Dec 6, 2012
3
0
10,510


I would rather stick with geforce (i'm more familiar with their cards). Also, I haven't decided if I am going to overclock yet, might just stick with a regular 3570. Would it be a bad decision to SLI instead of overclocking? (in the future of course)

Thanks for the comment, I do have an extra copy of windows 7 and a WiFi card by the way. I'll definitely check out newegg as well.
 

andrewcarr

Distinguished
Personally I prefer the AMD cards and I would strongly recommend them. As for the overclock most people do that right away to get the maximum performance out of their products. If you don't intend to overclock you can get a regular i5-3570 but with only a $5 difference I'd still get the K model just in case you'd like to in the future. What I would do though is scrap the CPU cooler since you won't need anything more than the in box Intel CPU cooler then.
i5-3570- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570
i5-3570k- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k

Not needing that and windows frees up a bit of extra money. By any chance can you extend your budget a bit? I only say this because now you can fit a GTX 670 into your build (honestly I refuse to recommend the 660 Ti). But you'll only get one with a refrence cooler which will be louder and the card will run hotter (if you don't want to overclock and don't mind a bit extra heat that's fine though). That would give you this updated build.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rixq
If you can spend a bit extra consider this GPU
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n670pe2gd5oc

As for the overclocking the GPU once again I recommend doing that first. Then if you get to the point you want to add in a second card, you can.

But to add the second card you'd have to switch some of your hardware.
Firstly the motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157330
Secondly the PSU would have to be more powerful.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139040