Search
Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Solved

First time gaming build ($800-$1000)

Last response: in Systems
Share

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Within 2 weeks

Budget Range: <1000 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Flight Sim (VERY important), Minecraft, other gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Reuse: 2x HDD (1.5TB+500GB, both 7200) but open to add an SSD if room can be found in the budget

Do you need to buy OS: no

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg preferred, but willing to go anywhere for a better price

Location: Charleston, SC

Parts Preferences: Intel/NVidia

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1600x900 (dual monitors)

Additional Comments: As stated above, the most important thing to me for this build is flight sim (FSX). Other than that it will also be used for many other games, mostly strategy games and maybe shooters in the future (im a fan of consoles for shooters atm).

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current PC was purchased ~2005. Enough said.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $894.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-10 17:02 EST-0500)

Pretty much everything on the list is open to be changed. I am particularly interested in feedback on the mobo and the PSU, as well as input on the decision between the 3570k and the 2500k; and the 660ti vs 670. Thank you in advance for the help!

More about : time gaming build 800 1000

Register or log in to remove

Best solution

Solid build, probably change the psu for the xfx 550 pro, but that one is a good one.
Stay with the i5-3570k and the 670 gtx, the i5-3570k is from the ivybridge architecture, it performs slightly better than the i5-2500k, and it supports pcie 3.0, the 670 gtx is a good choice, the 660 ti has a better value, but if you can pay for a 670 gtx, it's better.
Related ressources
Ask the community

djangoringo said:
Solid build, probably change the psu for the xfx 550 pro, but that one is a good one.
Stay with the i5-3570k and the 670 gtx, the i5-3570k is from the ivybridge architecture, it performs slightly better than the i5-2500k, and it supports pcie 3.0, the 670 gtx is a good choice, the 660 ti has a better value, but if you can pay for a 670 gtx, it's better.


Would 550 be enough for the build considering I plan on overclocking by a decent amount? My concerns with 2500k vs 3570k are mainly that from what I hear Sandy overclocks a lot better, but i'm not really sure if that makes up for the advances with IB. I''m still debating on which GPU, but I am leaning towards the 670.

The i5-3570k is still better, no point in getting the i5-2500k, it's at the same price.
Yes, a quality psu with 550W like the xfx pro will do for a 670 gtx(single) oc and the cpu overclocked.
There's also the seasonic M12II 620, if you want a high quality modular psu(the xfx isn't modular) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
The 7970 might be a good option, if you plan to buy the games the 7970 has to offer(crysis 3 and bioshock infinite).

djangoringo said:
The i5-3570k is still better, no point in getting the i5-2500k, it's at the same price.
Yes, a quality psu with 550W like the xfx pro will do for a 670 gtx(single) oc and the cpu overclocked.
There's also the seasonic M12II 620, if you want a high quality modular psu(the xfx isn't modular) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
The 7970 might be a good option, if you plan to buy the games the 7970 has to offer(crysis 3 and bioshock infinite).

Ok, ill go with the 3570k and the xfx PSU. NVidia cards tend to work better with FS, so I will probably stick with the 570. Are there any <$100 cases you would recommend? I like the HAF912, but I kind of want something with USB 3.0 on the front panel, and I need to be sure the Hyper 212 will fit inside. Also, what do you think about the mobo?
Register or log in to remove
Ask the community
Read discussions in other Systems categories
!