New 100% build...for gaming and 3d graphics work

[theholobaugh]

Hello all, I would very much appreciate your input into my new build. It has been some time since I've done a desktop build and I have become slightly unfamiliar with all of the new products and manufacturers out there so thanks for taking the time to view my post and maybe this can serve to help others as well.

My budget is $1500 and this includes the price for an OS as well as a monitor. Like the title for this post this is a complete build from scratch.

I used pcpartpicker to put together my initial ideas and to help with compatibility and comparisons. Also helps you guys to see the entire parts list all together.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yJwb

I would like to be able to upgrade this is the future easily with the addition of another video card in SLI and maybe a CPU upgrade if necessary. So the motherboard is of high importance to me for the future. Also I may or may not need a larger power supply than the one I have shown in that link, or possibly a better brand since I'm unfamiliar with the antec brand I selected.

Is it better to buy two 8 gb memory sticks rather than four 4 gb sticks to get the 16 gb so that in the future if for some ungodly reason I need more ram I can upgrade easier or are there drawbacks associated with that?

I know a sound card is probably not necessary but I've heard some good things about audigy cards so I threw one on there. Opinions on that choice are welcomed as well.

I plan to buy the parts within a month or so if that helps any.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[Sumukh_Bhagat]

You'll not need a Sound Card.

I tweaked some Parts and now The Rig is even Better for Gaming with GTX670

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 N520 43.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($35.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($378.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced NVIDIA Edition ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.57 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Samsung S24B350HL 23.6" Monitor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1395.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[theholobaugh]

Also, this is primarily for gaming, the graphics work is thru remote desktop connection which doesn't rely much on the power of my machine.

 

[Sumukh_Bhagat]

So, the GTX670 will play All Games Maxed out.

 

[cball1311]

Here is what I suggest. The 7970 is a bit better than the 670 and can overclock better. The 300R case is great. 2x8GB RAM will be fine for less. Get an IPS monitor, they are much better. You will like the R/W speeds of an SSD for OS and main apps.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / 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 ($29.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($67.41 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($172.60 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1440.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-27 02:42 EST-0500)

 

[sanilmahambre]

Take a look at my modification

=> I have replaced 660ti for a AMD HD 7970 Ghz edition which is way better then 660ti and the final amount is balanced to about $1400.

=> I have replaced 23' samsung monitor wth a AOC 1080p 23' monitor. the reason for this is a overpriced samsung monitor with similar features

=> Air cooling has been replace with a water cooling that will enable enough space for some aggressive overclocking

=> Also i have omitted out sound card coz it will not make any difference.

=> Ram 4x4 has been replaced with 8x2 that will leave you with two blank slots for future upgradation.

=> I have not replaced your case but like to tell you that NZXT offers nice and cool looking cases ( in-case you wanna replace)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zPZJ

 

[cball1311]

Take a look at my modification

=> I have replaced 660ti for a AMD HD 7970 Ghz edition which is way better then 660ti and the final amount is balanced to about $1400.

=> I have replaced 23' samsung monitor wth a AOC 1080p 23' monitor. the reason for this is a overpriced samsung monitor with similar features

=> Air cooling has been replace with a water cooling that will enable enough space for some aggressive overclocking

=> Also i have omitted out sound card coz it will not make any difference.

=> Ram 4x4 has been replaced with 8x2 that will leave you with two blank slots for future upgradation.

=> I have not replaced your case but like to tell you that NZXT offers nice and cool looking cases ( in-case you wanna replace)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zPZJ

The EVO 212 will cool just as good (if not better) than the h55 and there is much less hassle. I would stick with the IPS monitor, they are top notch. Agreed on the 7970.