Need advice for new build $1000

[qn1711]

Hi guys, I'm trying to build a decent computer for all purpose use and light gaming (mostly online RPG games). I also don't want to be too limited incase I want to play a game that requires a good system. So I set out a realistic budget of $1000. I will list the parts I've chosen so far. And I'm looking for constructive advices on how to A) improve the system while maintaining budget B) Finding alternative parts that will do the trick and SAVE MONEY.

Here is my list potential parts:


Case--- Cooler Master HAF XB -------------- ($100)
CPU --- Intel i5-3570K ---------------------- ($220)
GPU --- MSI N660 TF (GTX660) ----------- ($228) *I might build w/o this & wait for the GTX760
PSU --- Antec BP550 Plus ---------------------($60)
RAM --- Patriot PV316G160C0KRD (2x8GB)--($68)
MOBO --- MSI Z77A-GD55 --------------------($100 +$10 shipping)
SSD --- Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 60GB-------($75)
HDD --- Seagate Barracuda 1TB ---------------($70)

Total $931
Total after tax $971.05

Any constructive feedback is appreciated:
- Is my system balanced? What is out of balance?
- Do you see any potential problems with these parts?
- Am I bottle necking any components?
- Did I cheap out too much on the motherboard and PSU?
- Any sales out there that can save me money? (equal performance)
- Any recommendation parts that I should change? (Don't suggest the HD7870...I gave it good thought... But I'm a little bias towards the GTX 660)

*Please keep in mind that I'm in Canada so any recommendations should be a canadian website.

Thanks in advance.

 

[beltzy]

What resolution do you plan to play at? If you spend a about $100-150 more on a video card to bump up to an HD 7950 or GTX 670, you'll increase your gaming performance far more than the 10-15% additional system cost.

 

[burritobob]

HAH I can get you a 680:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Blackbone ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $963.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 08:19 EST-0500)

 

[legendkiller]

HAH I can get you a 680:
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Blackbone ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $963.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 08:19 EST-0500)

A 670 can perform a bit better then 680 right out of the box so a 680 is pointless unless your going surround gaming... If your gaming and not doing surround, go with 670 because 680 is meant for surround gaming...

 

[burritobob]

A 670 can perform a bit better then 680 right out of the box so a 680 is pointless unless your going surround gaming... If your gaming and not doing surround, go with 670 because 680 is meant for surround gaming...

I'm confused by what you're saying, apparently you've never looked at a benchmark test before.... ever? The 680 will be able to run the 3 upcoming 2013 engines (crytek unreal4 & frostbite) with ease while the 670 will struggle along.

Also if what you mean by "surround gaming" is multiple monitors, cool there is room spare spare, so the system is readily available for upgrade.

If you're going to make an actual suggestion other than support a false statement then by all means do.

 

[gillhooley]

He is in Canada Mirocenter pricing does no good.

 

[Avenged7x]

Here you go. All prices are from Canadian websites. Build includes a GTX670, larger SSD, quality PSU. No overclocking though - you can probably fit a 3570k + Hyper 212 + Z77 mobo in for close to your budget if you want to be be able to OC.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($176.48 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 3 90GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg Canada) Total: $905.40 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 09:55 EST-0500)

 

[Avenged7x]

Here is a nice overclocking build which is still within budget. Note I changed the case to something cheaper yet similar - there are still cheaper options or you can change it if you don't like it. It doesn't have USB 3.0 - so if thats important to you can change it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($216.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 3 90GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $981.90 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 10:16 EST-0500)

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ah9P
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ah9P/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ah9P/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($216.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M PRO Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($132.99 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Intel 330 Series 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($68.99 @ Computer Valley)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($17.06 @ DirectCanada)
Other: gigabyte 7950 ($294.00)
Total: $965.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 11:00 EST-0500)

Base Total: $985.98
Promo Discounts: -$10.00
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Total: $965.98

does the job good

 

[iceclock]

as avenged real price=$1028.14

i stuck within budget, if u can permit 10$ i could get u a 128gb adata ssd tho.

 

[legendkiller]

I'm confused by what you're saying, apparently you've never looked at a benchmark test before.... ever? The 680 will be able to run the 3 upcoming 2013 engines (crytek unreal4 & frostbite) with ease while the 670 will struggle along.

Also if what you mean by "surround gaming" is multiple monitors, cool there is room spare spare, so the system is readily available for upgrade.

If you're going to make an actual suggestion other than support a false statement then by all means do.

have you ever heard of "Overclock"... it's what boost the performance of the 670 to perform a bit better than 680(unless you OC it)... 680 on a single monitor is a no brainier... most bench mark you looked probably have "NO" overclocked 670... hopefully you seen an OC cpu like 3570k OC vs 3770 stock...

 

[burritobob]

have you ever heard of "Overclock"... it's what boost the performance of the 670 to perform a bit better than 680(unless you OC it)... 680 on a single monitor is a no brainier... most bench mark you looked probably have "NO" overclocked 670... hopefully you seen an OC cpu like 3570k OC vs 3770 stock...

So you're saying you can overclock the 670 to be equal to the 680, but then you say the 680 is better when overclocked, look at the benchmarks please, any of them are perfectly fine.

And your last statement makes no sense what so ever, you cannot overclock an 3770, you need the k version, if that is what you are saying...?

 

[iceclock]

look this is simple, the 680 overclocked is stronger than a 670 overclocked, yes.

a overclocked 670 can equalize and somethimes beat a 680 stock.

but the whole point here is the 680 somethimes cost 100$ more for little to no huge performance difference so overall the 670 is a better buy.

 

[Avenged7x]

look this is simple, the 680 overclocked is stronger than a 670 overclocked, yes.

a overclocked 670 can equalize and somethimes beat a 680 stock.

but the whole point here is the 680 somethimes cost 100$ more for little to no huge performance difference so overall the 670 is a better buy.

+1. The GTX670 is one of the best values in the nVidia camp. The OP is only looking for "all purpose use and light gaming (mostly online RPG games). I also don't want to be too limited incase I want to play a game that requires a good system." so a 670 is probably more than enough, if not overkill. A GTX660 is probably adequate for his needs and would cut close to $100 off his build.

 

[legendkiller]

So you're saying you can overclock the 670 to be equal to the 680, but then you say the 680 is better when overclocked, look at the benchmarks please, any of them are perfectly fine.

And your last statement makes no sense what so ever, you cannot overclock an 3770, you need the k version, if that is what you are saying...?

3770k stock and a 3770 stock is the same performance and I didn't said an OC 3770/3770k so IDK where you get the "OC" of a 3770 from...

a 670 is of course a better buy, $100 for a little performance/FPS from 680(w/OC) is kind of worthless when comparing to 670... $100 more for such a little improvement is definitely a no brainier...

 

[iceclock]

670 for the w1n