First time building Max Budget $1000

[Giivenchy]

I have been a console gamer for 5+ years and friend convinced me to move onto pc gaming. Im in the US. I dont need mouse/keyboard, monitor or OS. Using an Asus vh236h monitor. Mainly going to be playing WoW along with other games like CS, Diablo 3 and TF2 in the mix. Just want some opinions on build and any advice that would help. Thank you
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ztyc

 

[mikerockett]

Hi and welcome.

A few notes on your build.

You have an unlocked cpu but you havent selected any cooler, are you intending to over clock? If yes then you should get a cooler, if not then you don't need the unlocked CPU.

If getting a cooler you should consider getting low profile RAM so it doesn't interfere with positioning.

I think at this budget you should also consider getting an SSD, it will be a great addition.

A 750w PSU is more than necessary, a good quality 650 or even 550 will be sufficient.

If you take a look at the sticky 'how to ask for new build advice' and fill out there template there we will be in a better position to help you

 

[Giivenchy]

Hi and welcome.

A few notes on your build.

You have an unlocked cpu but you havent selected any cooler, are you intending to over clock? If yes then you should get a cooler, if not then you don't need the unlocked CPU.

If getting a cooler you should consider getting low profile RAM so it doesn't interfere with positioning.

I think at this budget you should also consider getting an SSD, it will be a great addition.

A 750w PSU is more than necessary, a good quality 650 or even 550 will be sufficient.

If you take a look at the sticky 'how to ask for new build advice' and fill out there template there we will be in a better position to help you

I chose the unlocked CPU incase later on i decided to overclock i had the option. Would it be in my best interest to buy the cooler when i purchase all the parts for my build? I was not sure if i could just buy the cooler later on when i did decide to overclock. And when you mentioned purchasing and SSD were you advising i get one as my primary or as a secondary?

 

[mikerockett]

It's perfectly reasonable to get a cooler and over clock later on yes.

SSD should always be your primary drive, with mechanical as storage drives.

 

[Giivenchy]

It's perfectly reasonable to get a cooler and over clock later on yes.

SSD should always be your primary drive, with mechanical as storage drives.

Any recommendations for an SSD and for a cooler? Would i still be able to keep the build at 1k max or should i be prepared to spend more?

 

[mikerockett]

Here's a build around 1k

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / 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 ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($294.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $962.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-25 05:26 EST-0500)

Just change out the case for whatever you like the look of.

 

[Giivenchy]

Here's a build around 1k

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / 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 ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($294.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $962.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-25 05:26 EST-0500)

Just change out the case for whatever you like the look of.

"MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports" Will this be an issue or no?

 

[mikerockett]

It means that you'd only have usb 2.0 on the front of the case not usb 3.0, but that's why i made a note of changing the case for something you like the look of. The zalman's only in there as i edited one of my other builds.

Here's a case that works fine

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / 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 ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($294.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($67.41 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $974.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-25 05:35 EST-0500)

 

[Giivenchy]

Best answer selected by Giivenchy.

 

[Giivenchy]

It means that you'd only have usb 2.0 on the front of the case not usb 3.0, but that's why i made a note of changing the case for something you like the look of. The zalman's only in there as i edited one of my other builds.

Here's a case that works fine

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / 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 ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($294.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($67.41 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $974.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-25 05:35 EST-0500)

Thanks man i appreciate the help! I will be going with this build

 

[mikerockett]

No worries, good luck with the build and have fun