Looking for Suggestions

BigDan31

Honorable
Jan 14, 2013
3
0
10,510
Hey guys im looking for a new gaming rig and im looking to stay around the $1200 range. Here is what i have chosen. Im open to suggestions, maybe i need to change something or maybe what i have is a nice setup.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Sound Card: Creative Labs Recon3D PCIe 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($100.14 @ TigerDirect)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer V243HAJbd 24.0" Monitor ($168.99 @ Amazon)
 

thebigbug

Distinguished
Nov 7, 2011
52
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18,640
Looks good. A few suggestions though.

8GB of RAM is all you really need. That'd save you about $40. If you're into overclocking, the Samsung 30nm RAM is a great overclocker. Some people have been able to get those up to 2400MHz with decent timings. Others could keep the voltage at 1.35 and bring it up to 1866 @ 9-9-9-28 or better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147096

Get a 7950 instead of that 660. It's priced at about $300 and has performance about equivalent to the 670. It overclocks pretty well, too. I've managed to get mine up to 1200MHz.

SSDs are basically a must for me. If you haven't experienced a machine running with one, you're missing out. Use it as the boot drive and the 1TB one as storage for music, videos, games that you don't need extremely fast loading times for, etc. With your budget, go with a 120GB one or a 128GB one. Get a Kingston HyperX 3K, Plextor M5P, or Samsung 840 Pro (the non-pro edition isn't as good).
 

excella1221

Honorable
Aug 23, 2012
2,415
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12,160
Drop down to 8gb of RAM, you don't need that much at all for gaming. Even 8gb you won't max out.

Unless you're after the 5-year warranty, there's not much difference between the WD Caviar Black and Blue.

Drop the sound card, the integrated one will perform pretty much the same as that cheap discrete card. You'll only need an aftermarket card if you have an epic audio system.

I'm sure there are cheaper ODDs, just grab the cheapest one you can find, they all work the same.

Motherboard is okay. If you don't mind other brands though, the ASRock z77 Extreme4 is about the same price with more features.

You forgot a power supply.

I would do something like this.
This build is OC-ready, and SLI/Crossfire ready as well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($100.14 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($86.13 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer V243HAJbd 24.0" Monitor ($168.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1157.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-14 22:20 EST-0500)

If you really want a nVIDIA card though,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

I don't suggest EVGA at all, they have bad cooling and performance is arguable. The only instance I would recommend one is if you have a custom water cooling setup.
 

BigDan31

Honorable
Jan 14, 2013
3
0
10,510
Thanks for the replies, i have another question. Ive never done much Overclocking but i was thinking i would get the components for the future if i needed to OC for some games. I shouldnt have to OC with games like BF3 or BO2 should I.
 

excella1221

Honorable
Aug 23, 2012
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12,160
IMO, you only ever need to OC when the CPU shows its age and/or starts slowing down, or starts being a bottleneck to other components. The latter shouldn't happen even in 5 years, the former is inevitable in about 3 years.

That said, the build I posted is ready for OC. :p