Future Proofed Budget Build - Need some Advice!

[ZakISU]

Approximate Purchase Date: March or April


Budget Range: Less than or around 1500 Before Rebates; Before Shipping


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Watching movies, browsing web.


Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: New Build


Do you need to buy OS: No



Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NewEgg


Location: Iowa, United States


Parts Preferences: Intel Based CPU, Nvidia EVGA Graphics


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: No


Your Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050


Additional Comments: I would like to call this rig a "Budget, Future Proof, Rig" I would like for this machine to last 4-5 years again, but with the lowest budget possible. Any advice for parts other than what I have listed below, or any sort of advice at all, I would appreciate it!


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Haven't built a machine in 5 years now. I went to play Crysis 3 the other day, only to realize it requires DirectX11! My card (GTX 260) only supports 10. Time for a new build!

Parts I have come up with to give everyone a base line:
Wishlist: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=21777905

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF XM RC-922XM-KKN1 Black Mesh, Plastic, Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Not entirely sold on this case. Cost bit more than I wanted to spend on a case plus I am not a fan of the Red LED. I would MUCH rather prefer a Black/Blue LED lit case. I REALLY like the dust filters, size, and cable management. Something easy to clean would be nice.

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UP4 TH LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with Dual Thunderbolt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128558
Not 100% sold on this motherboard...I don't need the Thunderbolt option at all...Is there a better ASUS option?

Processor: Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116502
I know for gaming all you need is an i5, but I went with the i7 since it was $70 more. I figure within the next 2+ years, games will begin utilizing hyper threading more and more as well as the extra cores, so I will get a longer life span from the i7 than the i5...is this true? Also sticking with the Stock Heatsink.

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233299
Torn between sticking with 8GB and going for 16GB. Would save $50 if I went with 8GB.

Video Card: EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

DVD Drive: Samsung DVDRW - $15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151256

Hard Drive: Not 100% sure what to do here. I like being able to have many games installed on my hard drive at once, 20+ games. I currently run a Wester Digital Caviar Black 750gb. I am thinking about going with a 256gb SSD + 750GB Wester Digital and then a 1TB Western Digital as a backup for both. I would only need to purchase the 256SSD and 1TB WD drive.


Thank you in advance!

 

[bogo663]

If I were you, I would go with 3570k and a 660ti and use the extra money for a higher resolution monitor.

 

[ZakISU]

I'm planning on buying a monitor later this year, right now I am running on a 22'' Samsung so it isn't a huge priority to me.

 

[bogo663]

Then what you have is fine. Ocz vertex 4 is a good SSD.

 

[xomm]

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF XM RC-922XM-KKN1 Black Mesh, Plastic, Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Not entirely sold on this case. Cost bit more than I wanted to spend on a case plus I am not a fan of the Red LED. I would MUCH rather prefer a Black/Blue LED lit case. I REALLY like the dust filters, size, and cable management. Something easy to clean would be nice.

If you're not entirely sold on the HAF XM and would prefer a Black/Blue case, I'd strongly recommend the Fractal Design Define R4 (Tom's Hardware review and comparison) at the same price point. It's got all the features you highlighted, plus soundproofing and a clean, understated look (if that's something you're looking for).

Unfortunately the black version seems to be out of stock on Newegg (with an option for auto-notification), but there are 4 left at Amazon with more on the way: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HD3E6Y/?tag=pcpapi-20.

 

[ZakISU]

If you're not entirely sold on the HAF XM and would prefer a Black/Blue case, I'd strongly recommend the Fractal Design Define R4 (Tom's Hardware review and comparison) at the same price point. It's got all the features you highlighted, plus soundproofing and a clean, understated look (if that's something you're looking for).

Unfortunately the black version seems to be out of stock on Newegg (with an option for auto-notification), but there are 4 left at Amazon with more on the way: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HD3E6Y/?tag=pcpapi-20.

Thanks for reply, I really do like the looks of that case, very sleek. The dust filters would be extremely easy to clean as well.

 

[ZakISU]

I'm still questioning the i7 vs i5 for the Processor... Do you believe in the coming years, games will utilize the extra cores and hyper threading from the i7?

 

[dish_moose]

If I were you, 8GB RAM is all you need. 3570K and a cooler will give you more "future proof".
-Bruce

 

[ZakISU]

If I were you, 8GB RAM is all you need. 3570K and a cooler will give you more "future proof".
-Bruce

8GB could save me some cash. Is an after market cooler really worth it? I have used stock coolers in all my builds. What exactly are the benefits? (Other than a cooler processor)

Also does anyone have any other suggestions on motherboards? I hear ASUS is really well built. Any ASUS motherboard suggestions?

 

[dish_moose]

Cooler and quieter - all semiconductors work better and last longer and a 212 Evo does not cost much.
-Bruce