New semi-budget gaming rig advice

Jamezuh

Honorable
Feb 21, 2013
10
0
10,510
Hi everyone,

So I have been playing games on my Alienware m11x R1 for far too long now. The 11.6" screen is starting to get a little cramped and I figure I need to get myself a desktop. Of course I want to build my own, so as a first time builder I am asking for some advice.

Approximate Purchase Date: Sooner, the better. Although I have to ask if it would be better to wait until September when all of the new lineups should be out, or at least announced?

Budget Range: Preferably sub-$1,000.00 (not too picky on taxes).

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Basically, I want this rig to have some nice gaming longevity.

Are you buying a monitor: Already have a 22" BenQ monitor ordered, but it is on backorder so I am open to suggestion. (FYI - the monitor does not have to count in the $1000.00 budget, but it can if you like).

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any Canadian website that will ship for free, or a reasonable price.

Location: Charlottetown, PE

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: I think I would prefer going with the Intel route (possibly the i5-3570k) for the processor. For the graphics card, I have always had an GeForce of some sort but I am open (I was thinking about a 660 ti).

Overclocking: Yes (unless deemed to be unnecessary)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (I will be going with a single card for now. Most cards I would pick would be SLI or Crossfire ready)

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments: I have been sitting on my hands lately, trying too look out for a sale on a GPU or CPU to try and lower my overall costs. Do you think this is a feasible idea or should I just bite the bullet and order myself a system?

-I found this: Galaxy GeForce GTX 660 Ti GC - 3 GB for $304.97 at http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3693123&CatId=7387
Is this a good deal, or is the original price just way too high (tigerdirect likes to do that)? I understand CPUs and what all of their numbers mean but I just haven't put in the time in figuring out the specifics of graphics cards. I understand the model numbers, but when it comes to bandwidth, bus, cores, clocks, etc. I am a little bit lost.

-I will be needing all of the parts for a build, including case, PSU, RAM, etc.

-I already have a mouse and keyboard if anyone was wondering.

-For storage, I would like to go with a SSD for OS + most used games, and a HDD for other storage. I already have a 128 gb solid state in my laptop that I would consider switching back out for its old 500GB, 7,200 RPM drive, if I was getting too close to budget.

Why Are You Upgrading: Tired of playing on an 11.6", outdated laptop.
 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Compuvest)
Storage: OCZ Agility 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.95 @ Mac Connection)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHOS104-06 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($79.20 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Rosewill RK-100 Wired Standard Keyboard ($11.98 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Rosewill RM-P2P Wired Optical Mouse ($5.99 @ Newegg)
Speakers: Cyber Acoustics CA3001RB 14W 2.1ch Speakers ($19.84 @ Amazon)
Total: $1026.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-21 16:58 EST-0500)
 
sorry about the US list. Here we are corrected for Canada, and removing the keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

I went Windows 8 because its $10 cheaper in Canada than Win 7.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.75 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.50 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: OCZ Agility 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.88 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($274.00 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($51.83 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($17.06 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.45 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $963.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-21 17:29 EST-0500)
 

Jamezuh

Honorable
Feb 21, 2013
10
0
10,510
Thanks for the suggestions!
I am just a little curious as to why you chose each part (aside from the 3570k).
Would you be able to comment on the GPU I linked in the OP?
Also, do you find that sales happen often on the 3570k, or any 660 tis, or should I just order this now?