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Building a gaming computer for $1500

Last response: in Systems
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Hello,

Okay I'm a complete noob. I've been researching for a while now and I've decided to try to build my own pc.

This is what I've put together so far:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6ul
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6ul/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6ul/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($199.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.53 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($398.99 @ Amazon)

Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($105.98 @ Amazon)

Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($79.99 @ Amazon)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $1530.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-17 15:32 EST-0500)

What I'm curious about is if I've made smart decisions. The cpu, motherboard and graphics card are intimidating to me. I don't want to end up with a graphics card for example that tends to have problems right out of the box. I'm going to be using this computer mainly for gaming. I'd like to get started asap. I'm using amazon so that I can use my card for an interest free payoff period.

Thank you in advance for any advice,
Julie

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I changed your memory to avoid problems with the cooler, your motherboard to a cheaper one, i didn't change the graphics card to a Radeon one but if you want a Radeon get the 7970.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6JM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6JM/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6JM/benchmarks/

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: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($117.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($148.15 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1313.02
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-17 15:58 EST-0500)

Here it is with a 7970. I'd get this honestly.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6Qk
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6Qk/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y6Qk/benchmarks/

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: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($117.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($422.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($148.15 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1356.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-17 16:08 EST-0500)
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Thanks for the quick responses guys! They are much appreciated. Have a couple of follow up questions. Why the cheaper motherboard, will it limit me? It was the one I originally selected but I started second guessing myself after reading a few bad reviews. Why the Radeon over the GeForce? The reason I ask is I read that the GeForce works slightly better with Wow, which is the main game I will be playing. I think the graphics card is the hardest component for me to decide on. Thanks again :) 
Julie

juliebuilding said:
Thanks for the quick responses guys! They are much appreciated. Have a couple of follow up questions. Why the cheaper motherboard, will it limit me? It was the one I originally selected but I started second guessing myself after reading a few bad reviews. Why the Radeon over the GeForce? The reason I ask is I read that the GeForce works slightly better with Wow, which is the main game I will be playing. I think the graphics card is the hardest component for me to decide on. Thanks again :) 
Julie


If Geforce is better in World of Warcraft and you'll be playing WoW get it. The motherboard's difference is little, but it's 70$ cheaper. I prefer Geforce but it is more expensive.
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