Quality PC for a budget price

[Guest]

Hey guys
I am ready to purchase a new desktop PC.
Here's what I'm looking for:
-I want a PC that will play BF3 in Ultra graphics with 60+ fps. I am willing to spend somewhere around $1200, but I will spend any amount if necessary. To me, if the computer doesn't do what I want it to, then I might as well spend more. But keep in mind I don't have $2000.

here's what I've been looking at:
- i5-3500K 3.4 GHz Quad Core OC @ 3.8 GHz
- Nvidia Geforce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Graphics Card
- 16 GB RAM @ 1600 MHz
- 240 GB SSD SATA III
- Intel Z77 motherboard (Asus?)

what do you guys think? any suggestions? is any area lacking? I want to find that sweet spot of extreme performance at a moderate budget.
Should I be looking at going to an i7-3770K 3.5 GHz? Or maybe running two GTX 660s in SLI rather than one GTX 660 Ti or GTX 670?
thanks everybody
Sam

 

[tiny voices]

Get 8gb RAM. Games only use 4gb
The i5 is the best gaming chip so you are good there.
Get and z77 board you like for around $130
Get a 128gb SSD and a 1tb HDD
Get an hd7970

 

[Guest]

ok so only 8 GB RAM - I guess I'll just get the 1600 MHz RAM.
i5 is that much better than i7????? but yes the i7 is lots more money for sure.
Why the 7970? Why do you like AMD? Not that I'm really prejudiced or anything, but I've seen many comments all over the internet that Nvidia graphics cards have higher performance and benchmarks. The AMD cards seem like they specialize in lower power consumption and cheaper price.... but I don't care about that so much - I want my game to run perfect! Battlefield 3.... hey Tiny Voices what games do you play? on your i3?
Sam

 

[jesot]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.52 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($127.97 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($370.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Xion XON-180 ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1026.41 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-01 17:19 EST-0500)

 

[jesot]

ok so only 8 GB RAM - I guess I'll just get the 1600 MHz RAM.
i5 is that much better than i7????? but yes the i7 is lots more money for sure.
Why the 7970? Why do you like AMD? Not that I'm really prejudiced or anything, but I've seen many comments all over the internet that Nvidia graphics cards have higher performance and benchmarks. The AMD cards seem like they specialize in lower power consumption and cheaper price.... but I don't care about that so much - I want my game to run perfect! Battlefield 3.... hey Tiny Voices what games do you play? on your i3?
Sam

In benchmark tests, AMD cards have been outperforming nvidia.

I still don't completely trust their drivers and they seem to use more power and produce more heat than nvidia, but the AMD cards seem to be highly recommended for performance by the TH community.

 

[Guest]

In benchmark tests, AMD cards have been outperforming nvidia.

I still don't completely trust their drivers and they seem to use more power and produce more heat than nvidia, but the AMD cards seem to be highly recommended for performance by the TH community.

Wow are you sure you haven't got your facts mixed up?
Nvidia cards outperform AMD cards, that's just fact and common knowledge. Maybe that 7970 card does ok against Nvidia, but there is no AMD card that competes with the GTX 670, 680, 690, or Tridon in benchmarks, in performance, or anything.
AMD I know for a fact has the upper hand in price & power consumption. Look it up on google - there's hundreds of sites that will agree with me.

I think you got AMD and Nvidia mixed up....
Let me know if you have any proof to prove otherwise. By the way, I'm not slamming AMD in any way - they just focused on price reduction instead of extreme performance! The 7970 is still a really good card!
Sam

 

[DownSouthRambo]

I have an older rig I am trying to sell: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261176124346?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

You can upgrade where you see fit, but it still runs like new.

 

[plasmaj12345]

Wow are you sure you haven't got your facts mixed up?
Nvidia cards outperform AMD cards, that's just fact and common knowledge. Maybe that 7970 card does ok against Nvidia, but there is no AMD card that competes with the GTX 670, 680, 690, or Tridon in benchmarks, in performance, or anything.
AMD I know for a fact has the upper hand in price & power consumption. Look it up on google - there's hundreds of sites that will agree with me.

I think you got AMD and Nvidia mixed up....
Let me know if you have any proof to prove otherwise. By the way, I'm not slamming AMD in any way - they just focused on price reduction instead of extreme performance! The 7970 is still a really good card!
Sam

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

Also look at: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-titan-performance-review,3442-3.html

The 7970 is better than the 680 even. Instead of claiming common knowledge, just look at the benchmarks with the current drivers. The benchmarks do not lie. You can look at as many as you want from as many different sources and the majority show 7970 > 670/680

 

[Guest]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

Also look at: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-titan-performance-review,3442-3.html

The 7970 is better than the 680 even. Instead of claiming common knowledge, just look at the benchmarks with the current drivers. The benchmarks do not lie. You can look at as many as you want from as many different sources and the majority show 7970 > 670/680

oh wow
thanks guys you have taught me lots.... and I'm almost embarrassed to say it.
So out of curiousity, what's the average price difference between the 7970 and GTX 680? On TigerDirect I'm having a hard time finding the 7970 under $400 (I can't find one).
And how do the other AMD cards compare? I see the 7850 card is popular (or at least there's lots of variety).

 

[jnkweaver]

If it were my build this is what I would do.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GTgz

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1167.87 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-01 21:08 EST-0500)

CPU cooler is a must. The Gigabyte board is a little cheaper.
Patriot memory is 1.35V giving you some overclocking room.
HD is a Caviar Black w/5yr warranty
SSD is bigger and faster recommended in Tom's Jan roundup
The 7950 is a good card and not picking the 7970 allowed better parts
Case is just great. I have a Arc Midi and they are great cases. If you want more bling they have other looks for the R4
Power supply is a Gold Seasonic. Best there is.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

Also look at: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-titan-performance-review,3442-3.html

The 7970 is better than the 680 even. Instead of claiming common knowledge, just look at the benchmarks with the current drivers. The benchmarks do not lie. You can look at as many as you want from as many different sources and the majority show 7970 > 670/680

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/59785-nvidia-geforce-gtx-titan-6gb-performance-review-15.html
the 7970 has awesomely poor performance when it comes to frame times, even if the average fps is high, real world performance is choppy.

 

[Guest]

If it were my build this is what I would do.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GTgz

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1167.87 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-01 21:08 EST-0500)

CPU cooler is a must. The Gigabyte board is a little cheaper.
Patriot memory is 1.35V giving you some overclocking room.
HD is a Caviar Black w/5yr warranty
SSD is bigger and faster recommended in Tom's Jan roundup
The 7950 is a good card and not picking the 7970 allowed better parts
Case is just great. I have a Arc Midi and they are great cases. If you want more bling they have other looks for the R4
Power supply is a Gold Seasonic. Best there is.

WOW oh my word! you spent time putting this together! thanks!
So will this easily play my game BF3? hahaha if you've ever played that....
ok.... 550W power supply?
uh seems everyone likes the AMD cards on this site! Maybe I'll switch over to them!
thanks much!
Sam

 

[Guest]

Best answer selected by samuelcaie.

 

[Guest]

If it were my build this is what I would do.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GTgz

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1167.87 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.) (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-01 21:08 EST-0500)

CPU cooler is a must. The Gigabyte board is a little cheaper.
Patriot memory is 1.35V giving you some overclocking room.
HD is a Caviar Black w/5yr warranty
SSD is bigger and faster recommended in Tom's Jan roundup
The 7950 is a good card and not picking the 7970 allowed better parts
Case is just great. I have a Arc Midi and they are great cases. If you want more bling they have other looks for the R4
Power supply is a Gold Seasonic. Best there is.

what about the many reviews saying there's driver issues with AMD?

 

[CarolKarine]

that's crossfire issues. (which only matter for multiple cards)

basically, AMD graphics cards give more performance for less money (they produce more heat and use more power, so they're not ideal for small for-factor gaming, but that's not looking like your goal.) the only time I would take Nvidia over AMD in graphics is a 2 or 3-way sli of the titan for extreme resolutions. (of course, those cards cost 1000 USD a pop)