First build help

[Teampandacrx]

Hey all I've finally decided to take some time (and money) to build a gaming rig which will last me a few years. I would much appreciate someone takin a look at what I have in the wish list so far and offer any guidance. I plan on running either Windows7 or 8, overclocking in the future, and generally just using it for both online and offline gaming, and web browsing.

Case: Thermaltake Chaser MK-I (VN300M1W2N) Black SECC ATX Full Tower Computer Case

MOBO: ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

GPU: XFX Double D FX-787A-CDFC Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL

OS HD: Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (Stand-Alone Drive)

HDD: Western Digital WD RE4 WD5003ABYX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

CD/DVD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

I was contemplating an AMD build because the last time I really helped build a computer the Athlon series was owning the market. After doing research it seems that the Intel Ivy Bridge arch is far superior for gaming then the 8-core monstrosities that AMD is pushing out. I plan on having the OS on the SSD for quick boot and any other files on the HDD. A bit overkill I know but hey if I'm gonna be droppng 1000-1500 for a build its gotta have some sexyness. I chose the radeon GPU because I will crossfire it once I save up for another. The games I will most likely be playing are DayZ, BF3, GTA5 when it comes out, and an assortment of MMORPGs. Today's games are ment to played in thier full beauty and I think this rig will be more then enough with light upgrades down the road to keep up with the ever expanding requirements.
Thank you for any help and direction anyone can offer!

 

[mc_creeper]

Amazing build, everything will work perfectly. Stick to Intel CPU's. (If your going overkill, i7-3770K and AMD HD 7950)

 

[Teampandacrx]

i would love the 3770k and 7950 pairing buuuut im already stretching myself thin with this build as it is.

 

[mc_creeper]

Rather save for a bit more and buy later than get something for a little less and not get the full power. i7 is overkill but would strongly recommend upgrade the GPU.

 

[Emelth]

Change that MoBo out for an ASrock Extreme4 if will do everything you need it and has or is there a specific reason why you need a $200 mobo?

If you switch to the Extreme4 get a CPU cooler (Hyper 212 Evo)

The performance difference in 1866 RAM and 1600 RAM isnt much so if your paying more than $45 switch it to the 1600 and make sure its 1.5V

Put the rest of the money in your pocket or get a better case

 

[mc_creeper]

Agreed on the motherboard, Extreme 4 FTW, Hyper 212 Evo, 1600Mhz Ram. Put the extra into an i7 or 7950

 

[Teampandacrx]

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

so I changed to that MOBO

and
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

that RAM

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler

Added that CPU Cooler

MSI R7950 Twin Frozr 3GD5/OC Radeon HD 7950 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

And possibly that GPU

bringing the base total to 1200$

If I went with the i7 it would increase to 1350$ and that is gonna be a bit more then i budgeted for. Which do you think is more important, upgrading the GPU or CPU.

 

[Why_Me]

Here's a few changes to look at. First off that 500GB mechanical HD is insanely expensive and unneeded seeing how SSD's have been invented. Size up on your SSD and if you feel the need for a storage drive later on then pick one up. That way you don't have to reload Windows seeing how it will already be on your SSD. That psu down below is manufactured by Seasonic for XFX and is rock solid. That Asrock board supports SLI and is pretty much identical to the extreme4 other than two less SATA 6 ports. Two is sufficient. One for your SSD, and one for a storage drive.



http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Modular-240-Pin-Certified-P1750XXXB9/dp/B008O50WGA/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356821486&sr=1-9 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping | Price after rebate: $89.99
XFX 750W XXX Edition Single Rail Power Supply with Semi Modular Cables 240-Pin 750 Energy Star Certified Power Supply (P1750XXXB9)


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157330 $124.99
ASRock Z77 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard


http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1356822006&sr=1-3&keywords=CPU%2Bcooler $29.98 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-sata_6_0_gb-2-5-Inch-MZ-7TD250BW/dp/B009NHAEXE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356821593&sr=1-1&keywords=samsung+256gb+ssd $178.46 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung Electronics Samsung 840 Series Solid State Drive (SSD) 250 sata_6_0_gb 2.5-Inch MZ-7TD250BW

 

[Teampandacrx]

The SSD point you make is a good one. 256 will be plenty of storage and if I need more I can always pick up a cheap external. Will I lose any capabilities with the Extreme3? Mobos are my weak area of knowledge.

 

[Why_Me]

The SSD point you make is a good one. 256 will be plenty of storage and if I need more I can always pick up a cheap external. Will I lose any capabilities with the Extreme3? Mobos are my weak area of knowledge.

None at all. The extreme 3 is identical to the extreme4 other than the extreme3 has two SATA 6 ports, and the extreme4 has 4. Most people will only use 2 SATA 6 ports. One for the SSD, and one for the storage drive. Otherwise those boards are identical.

 

[Teampandacrx]

I was thinking again about the SSD issue and do you think that just buying a 70$ 500GB 7200 RPM HDD would be adequate for the build instead of the 180$ 250GB SSD? It will cut 100$ off the bottom line which will allow for upgrades elsewhere. I understand that the speed at which the two operate is significant, but if isn't going to bottle neck the system then why not put 100$ somewhere else?

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

 

[Teampandacrx]

did some research and it seems that the extra 100$ would be better spent on the SSD especially for load intensive games such as Skyrim.

 

[Teampandacrx]

here is my parts picker build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/v25w Only question i have is the estimated wattage is far below 750w. Would I be able to save some money by safely going with a lower wattage PSU or will going lower be unsafe?