First Gaming Computer, Need Advice

[KFarina213]

Hey guys. Recently I decided that I want to get back into PC gaming and was looking to build a rig myself, hopefully trying to keep the budget at around $1000. This is the build I have so far:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Fjm5

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4
Memory: G. Skill Rip Jaws 8GB (2x4) 1600 DDR3
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM
Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7950 3GB
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer AX Mid-Tower

There are a couple questions I have:

1) I'm not very computer fluent and don't plan on overclocking anytime soon. Should I downgrade the motherboard and invest the saved money elsewhere? I may SLI/Crossfire at some point in time.

2) Is the HD 7950 better than the GTX 670? Is it worth it to buy now or wait until the 8000/700 series are released? The card in the current build is mainly a placeholder at this point. I've read countless threads and it seems to be nothing but a back and forth. I plan on playing WoW, Crysis 3, Dead Space 3, Farcry 3, Oblivion/Skyrim (modded), and Minecraft primarily. Not sure if those games favor one way or another...

3) Recommendations for power supplies please! I do not want to invest this amount of money just to have the power supply short out and fry everything.

Any recommendations you can suggest for m build and budget are greatly appreciated. I have Windows 7 Home premium (64-bit), keyboard, mouse, and I'll be using my 32" LG LED TV as the monitor (1080p).

Thank you so much in advance guys!
-Kyle

 

[TimeLass]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FkiC
1) an H77 MB will do fine if you're not planning to overclock your system...
2)HD7970 is better... if you're able to wait for it, why not?
3) 750W for future CF/SLI, the Seasonic PSU is very reliable and is modular one too...

 

[KFarina213]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FkiC
1) an H77 MB will do fine if you're not planning to overclock your system...
2)HD7970 is better... if you're able to wait for it, why not?
3) 750W for future CF/SLI, the Seasonic PSU is very reliable and is modular one too...

Thanks for the advice. I plan on building soon so I'll pass on waiting for the 8000/700 series.

Any more advice you guys can give on the build is always appreciated.

 

[KFarina213]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FkiC
1) an H77 MB will do fine if you're not planning to overclock your system...
2)HD7970 is better... if you're able to wait for it, why not?
3) 750W for future CF/SLI, the Seasonic PSU is very reliable and is modular one too...

Thanks for the advice. I plan on building soon so I'll pass on waiting for the 8000/700 series.

Any more advice you guys can give on the build is always appreciated.

 

[g-unit1111]

There are a couple questions I have:

1) I'm not very computer fluent and don't plan on overclocking anytime soon. Should I downgrade the motherboard and invest the saved money elsewhere? I may SLI/Crossfire at some point in time.

2) Is the HD 7950 better than the GTX 670? Is it worth it to buy now or wait until the 8000/700 series are released? The card in the current build is mainly a placeholder at this point. I've read countless threads and it seems to be nothing but a back and forth. I plan on playing WoW, Crysis 3, Dead Space 3, Farcry 3, Oblivion/Skyrim (modded), and Minecraft primarily. Not sure if those games favor one way or another...

3) Recommendations for power supplies please! I do not want to invest this amount of money just to have the power supply short out and fry everything.

Any recommendations you can suggest for m build and budget are greatly appreciated. I have Windows 7 Home premium (64-bit), keyboard, mouse, and I'll be using my 32" LG LED TV as the monitor (1080p).

Thank you so much in advance guys!
-Kyle

1. Yes - get an H77 ATX board and the i5-3350P or i5-3470 and you can save quite a bit of money there.

2. I look at it this way: >=$250: Radeon 7870 XT. ~$250 - $300: Radeon 7950. <=$300: GTX 670. <=$400: Radeon 7970.

3. Recommendations for PSUs: Depends on how much you want to spend. The most reliable brands are Seasonic, Corsair, Antec, XFX, and anything made by Super Flower.

A few that are highly rated would be:
- Rosewill Capstone
- Corsair TX series
- PC Power & Cooling Silencer MKII / MKIII Series
- Antec Current High Gamer
- NZXT Hale 82 / Hale 90
- Seasonic X750 Gold
- Seasonic S12 II series
- EVGA Super Nova series

Brands to avoid: Raidmax, Cooler Master, Coolmax, Diablotek, Xion, Apevia, Xclio