Needing a New (Semi-Budget) Gaming Build

[seacucumber3000]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Whenever I get enough money (see below; will likely be in about a month/two months)

Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400) At most 1200 USD

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Playing Games (See Below), doing online stuff (Pandora, google docs), light school stuff

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: N/A

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NewEgg, NCIX, SuperBIIZ, Outlet PC, and most importantly, Frys

Location: Los Altos, California, USA

Parts Preferences: None really, but I am going for an ATI Graphics Card (For better performance for price; but I like Nvidia drivers/software better)

Overclocking: Yes (I've never OC'd before; I think I am going to use an Asus UEFI power mode)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: Not sure, highest possible to maintain good FPS on games (See below)

Additional Comments: I would like parts within a certain colour palate (blue/white, red/black, red/white, etc), a window on the case, tool-less drive bays, an easy to install CPU computer, and games wise, I plan on playing Skyrim, Fallout New Vegas, Cities XL 2012, and the new Sim City when it comes out. Oh, and I will be keeping this computer for while, and upgrading it instead of buying a whole new system.

 

[AMD Radeon]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $878.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-03 02:09 EST-0500)

base build, leaves room for improvement : SSD, OS

 

[AMD Radeon]

^ this build comes with sweet micor atx form factor

 

[bigcyco1]

I would go for CPU http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SZ0E1K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=cupcre06-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007SZ0E1K
Motherboard http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R21KBC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007R21KBC&linkCode=as2&tag=cupcre06-20
Memory http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00569K7LM/cupcre06-20
GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=#top
Case http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GXZ8MM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009GXZ8MM&linkCode=as2&tag=cupcre06-20
Hard Drive http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T3GRNW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005T3GRNW&linkCode=as2&tag=cupcre06-20
Optical Drive http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0033Z2BAQ/cupcre06-20
PSU http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LB5AZY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004LB5AZY&linkCode=as2&tag=cupcre06-20
CPU Cooler http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=pd_cp_e_0
OS Personal choice
ow to give you a run down of my choices for the build for you and explain the details. Core i5 3570K. For those who know me and have me do their builds, you’ll know that it’s just about the best processor you can get for the money today. With plenty of performance, top notch overclocking capability and enough horsepower to run any game you throw at it, the choice is a no brainer.



Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo

$29 cooler that will work magic. Seriously though, at this price, there’s no cooler out there can that beat this thing.




Motherboard - Gigabyte Z77X-D3H

Ever since Intel’s introduction of the Z77 chipset, motherboard giant Gigabyte has made huge leaps in in improvements on their motherboards all the way from the budget end to the extreme high end and the Z77X-D3H is a perfect example of what kind of top quality products can be achieved.

With support for PCIe 3.0, SATA 3 6Gb/s, 8 channel integrated audio, Gigabyte’s fully digital power delivery system, and ultra durable 4 features, it’s got a lot going for it.




Memory – 8GB Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz DDR3 Low Profile 1.5v

I'm back to my usual memory configuration, and sticking to it! Thanks to another round of recent price reductions, the 8GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz kit is now only a mere $39.99! With excellent reliability, great performance, a low profile and an amazing price, there really isn’t a better option on the market.

GPU - MSI GTX 670 Power Edition

We’re building a gaming PC today, so that means we’re going to splurge a little on graphics and what better graphics card than the MSI GTX 670 Power Edition?

Based off Nvidia’s new Kepler design, the GTX 670 provides top notch performance with extremely high efficiency, so you’re guaranteed to be getting a ton of performance without a lot of energy or creating a lot of heat either. With MSI’s Power Edition GTX 670, you’re also getting MSI’s legendary Twin Frozr IV cooler, which will provide excellent cooling along with MSI’s triple overvoltage design that allows you to do a little overclocking to improve performance if you’re feeling adventurous.
Storage - Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM

Well, we had a budget of only $1,200 and you know some sacrifices had to be made in order to fit the budget. This is one of those sacrifices. For your build today, we’ll be going with a Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM hard drive, which if you asked me one or two years ago would’ve probably been my ideal choice when building a new gaming computer.


Once again, i will be falling back on our trusty Corsair TX650. High quality Seasonic made power supply for a great price to boot.This is an excellent price for an extremely good gaming build that will play pretty much everything you throw at it ultra settings.


Optional Components

Some people have interest in monitors, speakers, mice and keyboards, so i will also be including some recommendations for these items as well. I won’t be explaining the choices as peripherals are quite very much dependent on the person using the PC (For example, someone serious about audio may end up with $400 Audioengine 5+ speakers and an ASUS Xonar Essence STX), but here are some suggestions that are a good fit for this build.
Monitor http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005BZNDS0/cupcre06-20
Sound Card http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ISU33E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009ISU33E&linkCode=as2&tag=cupcre06-20
Speakers http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002HWRZ2K/cupcre06-20
Gaming Headset http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZS5ATM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006ZS5ATM&linkCode=as2&tag=cupcre06-20
Mouse http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Q4U5DK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hhmsquiddiscount-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B002Q4U5DK
Keyboard http://www.amazon.com/Storm-QuickFire-Rapid-Mechanical-SGK-4000-GKCL1-US/dp/B0068INSUM/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1

 

[bigcyco1]

Here a second build for a cheaper option then my first http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vD4C

 

[seacucumber3000]

Best answer selected by seacucumber3000.