$1100 Gaming Build

[seacucumber3000]

So everyone, how does this look? Does it look future-proof-ish? And what about that motherboard if I plan on keeping this computer a long time and upgrading over time? I might change the graphics card if I need to...

-I might be using mail-in-rebates, but it still costs the same amount of money if it didn't have a MIR.-

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 TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Callisto Deluxe 40GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($78.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1017.40 (This is not counting MIRs)
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 20:41 EST-0500)

 

[tenaciousk]

Looks good, Are you planning to overclock? Also if you are keeping your operating system on the ssd i would recommend at least a 64g because they fill up rather quickly.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Alright, thanks. And yes, I do plan on doing some overclocking. It would be my first time overclocking though, but since I plan on having this computer a long time I might as well overclock it eventually. And the SSD is only for my OS.

 

[djangoringo]

Get a 1TB hdd and a better ssd, there's the kingston 120GB ssd for a good price, it's a good ssd, made some changes, there's a good psu for a good price, it's a quality psu, made by seasonic and included a better cooler :

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 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $999.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[completelyrandomname]

You should try getting a better PSU, not saying that it's a bad one... I've seen worse...
Something from Seasonic?

 

[seacucumber3000]

I'll consider that, but I really do want a modular power supply. Is there anything that's not good about the PSU I chose (the other PSU I was considering was an OCZ Fatal1ty)? Also, I currently have an external hard drive that I can use with the computer, and I have heard that the WD Caviar Blacks are good hard drives for gaming. I want to stick with the TX3 as it's smaller, and cheaper.

 

[djangoringo]

I'll consider that, but I really do want a modular power supply. Is there anything that's not good about the PSU I chose (the other PSU I was considering was an OCZ Fatal1ty)? Also, I currently have an external hard drive that I can use with the computer, and I have heard that the WD Caviar Blacks are good hard drives for gaming. I want to stick with the TX3 as it's smaller, and cheaper.

The zalman cooler is better, for that then, there's a good seasonic modular psu for a good price too, my changes : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AnCg

 

[seacucumber3000]

Alright, thanks man! Looks like a good setup. I think I'll put some of the extra money into modding the case! =D

 

[seacucumber3000]

Also, what about switching the HD back to the 500gb Caviar Black? I don't really need all that one tb.

 

[djangoringo]

It might prove some day to be useful, it's cheap, the 500GB caviar black is overpriced, there's also a seagate 500GB for 55$.

 

[completelyrandomname]

Different HDDs so like caviar black, green, blue, red, ...pink? You will not even notice a performance difference, coming from a caviar green to seagate/caviar black I noticed nothing. I guess it depends on the individual that uses it.

 

[seacucumber3000]

What about the motherboard? Is it fine for trying to future-proof a little or should I get a different (maybe better) one?

 

[completelyrandomname]

I too am not a believer of this "future proofing" concept. Intel is releasing a new CPU in a couple of months which will use a NEW socket, 1150. Therefore you cannot future proof. You shouldn't be worrying too much about the motherboard. The things that I look for in buying one are quality, features, looks. That's about it.

 

[djangoringo]

What about the motherboard? Is it fine for trying to future-proof a little or should I get a different (maybe better) one?

The motherboard is fine, it has all the features that you need, able to oc the cpu and it has pcie 3.0, sata III ports, usb 3.0, there's nothing of future proof in the other z77 motherboards, there's no more cpus for that socket.
Only if you want to make a sli setup of two 670 gtx, then again, you have to buy a higher capacity psu and a more expensive mobo like the extreme 4.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Hm... I'll tweak the build some.

 

[seacucumber3000]

Also, I won't be buying it until I have enough money (of course). That may take some time, so the build is definitely subject to change.

 

[djangoringo]

Yes, the psu will change, the promo ends this very month, other stuff might also change...

 

[seacucumber3000]

Alright, thanks.