Yet another new guy looking for advice on this parts list.

[Tsunx]

Hello, ive been lurking these forums for a while now, and i've found you all to be more reliable (and much, MUCH faster/less of a hassle) than normal tech forums. Anyways, in two weeks time, i plan to order the parts to build my own PC. After trying the extra affordable, low quality method (pre-builds), then prodding at the lazy method (stealing someone else's list and ordering the parts), I decided to just do what i felt most comfortable with. So here i am, ready to build my own like I planned from the beginning. Ive got a parts list made of components suggested in an article about 2012-13 PC gaming build for <$1000. However, some of that stuff was no longer at those prices (naturally) and a couple things i figured unnecessary for now (SSD & Blu Ray drive). So my list is made up of the following components:

Motherboard-ASUS P8Z77-V LX LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $144

CPU-Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K $224

GPU-MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $195

PSU-Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified Power Supply Compatible with Core i3, i5, i7 and platforms - TX650 $90

HDD-Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM - WD1002FAEX $95

RAM-Corsair XMS3 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 1333 MHz (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory (CMX12GX3M3A1333C9) $72

Cooling Fan-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible with Intel 1366/1155/775 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+ $35

DVD Drive-Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black) $24

Case-Cooler Master HAF 922 - Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 Ports (RC-922M-KKN3-GP) $100

Total: $979

I already have a valid copy of Win7, M/KB, and a Monitor. Any advice is welcome, but the $1000 range is pretty concrete. I can MAYBE (not likely) go $1100. But thats as far as that goes or else i'll have to wait another month to order all parts. As it is, a few of those items are very low in stock, so if there is an alternative/ if its good as-is, please tel me so that i can order those things early on and take my time with the rest. If i can get similar performance components at a lesser price elsewhere then please do not hesitate to tell me (though, from what ive seen, you all dont hesitate to say....anything). The lower the price/performance, the better.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Marcopolo123]

Buy a better gpu for example a hd 7870 or 7950
Buy a cheaper motherboard
Buy 2x4gb ram atleast 1600mhz for example from


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088
Gold certified, full modular,high quality power supply from seasonic as alternative

 

[joafu]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028
600W Corsair, should still be enough for you; if you take advantage of both the MIR and instant savings, $38

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Still save $10 for a quality 650W

RAM, any reason why 12GB? I think it's usually best to either stay with 2x4GB, or move to two 8GB sticks, that way you can take advantage of the increased bandwidth provided by dual channel tech.

Huge improvement to the video card for like $10 more after tomshardware promo applied:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131484
Main page has link too

Other than those three, good build. It shows that you've been lurking.

 

[Tsunx]

Thanks Jo. And i think ill go with the 600W. The 650 was just to be absolutely sure, but if 600 will do the job, then i have no problem with saving a dollar or 2 (or 40 XD)
The RAM was kindof just thrown in there. The 4x4 was out of stock, and the 2x8 was as well. I chose 12 to keep it safe as this build is primarily for gaming. However, from what i can tell, 8 will do me just fine. I'll see if I can find another 2x8 within the budget though. Just for peace of mind.
Btw, those promos.....godly. The End.

 

[Tsunx]

Um....so I found this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CRSM48/ref=uwl_bm_im_dp and i do have Prime. I think ill go with this one.

 

[joafu]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231556

promo included on page; 16GB dual channel for the same price you were going for

Based on Corsair's own PSU calculator, you should be able to get by with even a 430W unit, using an i5, a 7900 series video card (based on my recommendation, which isn't really a 7800 series), and two drives. Newegg says to use a 500W. 600W should give you plenty of cushion.

 

[Tsunx]

Oh, then yeah the 600 is the way to go for sure. Already ordered the GPU too ^^ Also, that price is the same as the original price of that product. Prime members get it for about $26 from what I can see, but is the 2x8 a better choice performance-wise?

EDIT: Aha. Nvm 26 fpr one stick. Jesus, I was about to screw myself >.> Yeah ill go with the G. Skillz in this case. Still keeps me close to that cap

 

[joafu]

I see the 4GB stick as $25; you're seeing 12GB for $26? (Prime member also)

Performance-wise, going dual channel does increase performance slightly, real world application is like 3-7%, so hardly even seen, but in heavy memory loads it will be more noticeable. Since we're still considering memory, and since we went a little over budget on the video card, I don't honestly think 16GB will be any more beneficial than 8GB for gaming, unless you're doing some video editing too. I know I suggested it originally, but only because I thought that 12GB was included as a minimum or something.

8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231550

Faster, decent timings, dual channel- these will add up to be a snappier experience. Gaming, multitasking, 8GB will be good.

Also, cheaper optical drive (unless you like all your stuff from amazon):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Also, also, slightly off-topic, if you don't have Civ V, or G&K, another sale:
http://www.gamersgate.com/games?prio=relevance&q=civilizationweekend&aff=ggnews

I personally disliked vanilla Civ V, coming from II,III,IV, SMAC/X, but G&K rebalanced enough to give it a fun feel again. You probably have it already, and I'm probably just soap boxing for no reason, anyway...

 

[Tsunx]

Yeah i nd that out (about the RAM on amazon) a few minutes ago (see EDIT). And i have no attachment to amazon, that just happened to be the place of purchase at the time. Im fine with any reliable source. I was just looking at Tyger direct because i found this as opposed to this. From what I can see, it's the exact same motherboard, but cheaper from Tiger. Just not sure about Tiger's reliabilty. But yeah, no attachment to Amazon at all.

As for that game, nope. I dont have it ^^, so ill check it out. I've never even played Civ. Pretty new to PC gaming as a whole other than small games like the Sims and a few Jrpgs

 

[joafu]

Haha, I'm getting my threads crossed; I meant to edit in the civ comment to another one. That bad feel...

Tiger's fine, only reasons why I usually don't look through them too much are too many rebates as opposed to lower straight prices, shipping takes a week or two, and rarely free shipping. Reliable to get stuff there? Yes, it just might take a little longer. And that particular board seems be cheaper than newegg as well, unless I'm looking at a different model.

 

[Tsunx]

Best answer selected by Tsunx.

 

[Tsunx]

Haha, I'm getting my threads crossed; I meant to edit in the civ comment to another one. That bad feel...

Tiger's fine, only reasons why I usually don't look through them too much are too many rebates as opposed to lower straight prices, shipping takes a week or two, and rarely free shipping. Reliable to get stuff there? Yes, it just might take a little longer. And that particular board seems be cheaper than newegg as well, unless I'm looking at a different model.

lol. well at least it wasn't totally out of context. "Yeah the 1x4 RAM would be more expensive and if you want ill get your clothes out of the washer and put them in the dryer when they finish"

Anyways, yeah, ill go with tiger on that one. 128 after shipping. And im in no rush to get the package as i will just be ordering the remaining components around the time that that package is due to arrive.