First Time Build, Intel-based ~1200 budget, Please evaluate

I should add that I do *not* plan to overclock.

If you don't plan to overclock you don't have to purchase the i5-3570K, and 16GB of RAM isn't worth it for a gaming rig. I'd suggest a different setup:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1097.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-10 14:56 EST-0500)

The amount of RAM depends on what you intend to do. For gaming you rarely need more than 8GB. For Photoshop/Video editing etc more is always better.

The fittings in the hard drive bays of the 300R support both 3.5" and 2.5" drives   You can also get a non-window versions if you wanted - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

The power supply will handle everything quite easily and is decent quality. The Corsair TX series are more reliable as they are made by Seasonic but of course they cost more. You can get the TX 650 for $69.99 after a $20 mail-in rebate. It's worthwhile for the $4 difference. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

There is also no need to buy an aftermarket CPU cooler if you don't plan to overclock. The provided stock cooler will be fine.


@g-unit1111
Normally you would be correct but look at the prices. He is getting the 3570k for $20 cheaper than the 3470. You would be crazy to pay more for a slower chip  

The 300R is a good choice and so is the TX650. The NZXT case I linked to also has built in support for SSDs but Seasonic is overall one of the best manufacturers you could buy from. The TX650 V1 is made by Seasonic, the TX 650 V2 is made by Delta Electronics: www.pcper.com/reviews/Cases-and-Cooling/Corsair-Enthusi...




That's the Micro Center walk in store deal - that's not always an option for most people - especially if they don't live in a major city. I'm aware that the 3470 is slower than the 3570K - but only slightly. If you're not going to overclock then you don't need to purchase the unlocked CPU and that's one area where you can save a lot of money on a build - it's better to put that money in the GPU.

pcpartpickers prices are wrong on a bunch of stuff. click the 3470 its only $180 on ncix. right now its pointless to use pcpartpicker until the prices are fixed. no need to spend $100 on a case for a $1000 build. that money can be spent much better elsewhere.

Why? The case and power supply are two things that you'll reuse over and over no matter how many times you upgrade so I would pay more as having high quality components here is an absolute must in my opinion.

im not saying get some horrible case. but there are cases that will serve you just as good for less. it might not look like an alien abducted it but they function fine. if you have more money left over then get a more expensive case but id rather have better components.

Yeah - as long as you get a quality one. Most cases under $40 I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole - and I've used a lot of crappy cases (which is why I really can't stand Raidmax and Apevia, among others), that's why I usually emphasize quality over price.

Thank you for all the responses. Budget is not a big issue for me -- more of a general guideline. No need for me to spend much more based on how I'll use the computer, but an extra $40 or so for a part that's superior or makes my life easier is not a probem.

The MicroCenter walk-in was an option for me -- one that I exercised last night! They also gave an immediate $40 discount on the mobo in combo with the CPU. So perhaps I'll reserve the right to overclock in the future.

I will probably switch to the modular (semi-modular?) version of that SeaSonic power source (M12II). It got good reviews and being my first build, I'm somewhat nervous about all the cable management of a non-(semi-)modular power source.

g-unit1111: I'll look further at the NZXT case you recommended. Do you believe it considerably better than the Corsiar Carbide 300r?

jonjonjon: Fortunately, I've had very good success the last two days with the accuracy of PCPartPicker's prices.

thats fine but the prices were still wrong on tons a items.

It's definitely better than the 300R. The 400R is another Corsair case that's pretty solid for the same price as the Phantom.