First gaming build

[madmatter]

This is my first gaming build from scratch. I was trying to keep it near $1000 (aside from the monitor) but I want to play Planetside 2 comfortably, so let me know what you think about the Geforce 660 Ti. I can wait till some other time for the SSD. I do need help finding a monitor. I'm aiming for a 24", 1920x1200 or 1920x1080, but I was hoping to get one with 120 Hz. I'm not finding many. Also, do i need a full ATX if I want SLI in the future? Thanks.



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)

Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($46.64 @ NCIX US)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($283.98 @ Newegg)

Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Other: SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply ($130.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

Other: Thermaltake Level 10 GTS VO30001W2N Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ($120.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133215

Total: $1050.58

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 21:38 EDT-0400)

 

[th3_ory]

I do not approve of you having a 660 for a GAMING build thats $1050 budget

 

[madmatter]

More info:

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP


Budget Range: $1000-$1500


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming


Are you buying a monitor: Yes


Do you need to buy OS: No



Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon


Location: Syracuse, New York


Parts Preferences: No MSI parts


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Yes, in the future


Additional Comments: Less noise the better


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My Inspiron laptop only plays CSS, extreme fail.

 

[madmatter]

I do not approve of you having a 660 for a GAMING build thats $1050 budget

Why? I'm looking for suggestions btw. The 1050 is not a budget, just an aim.

 

[tenaciousk]

I would do something like this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($389.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($101.97 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($21.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1284.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 22:16 EDT-0400)


although, i didnt know if you where just partial to nvidia. I personally might go with a 7950.

 

[realchaos]

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 ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 410 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1314.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 22:55 EDT-0400)

Please note: The psu is actually on sale for $100 at newegg after coupon. COUPON EXPIRES TODAY. I suggest you buy it today. $100 for fully modular, 80+ gold, 850w Seasonic psu is a steal. This gpu allows you to oc like a beast.

 

[XxInvisoShankxX]

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 ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 410 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1314.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 22:55 EDT-0400)

Please note: The psu is actually on sale for $100 at newegg after coupon. COUPON EXPIRES TODAY. I suggest you buy it today. $100 for fully modular, 80+ gold, 850w Seasonic psu is a steal. This gpu allows you to oc like a beast.

I agree with that for the most part^ However you could go with Tiger Direct for the GPU to save about $50 or more with an XFX DD 7970, you could go down to a 750W psu and still SLI in the future, and you'd be smart to get an ssd as your boot drive.. Just my 2 cents haha

 

[realchaos]

I gave him room for a SSD. The PSU is on sale for $100, ends today. It's more worth it than a 750w. I have him the Vapor-X because it overclocks and looks like a beast.

 

[madmatter]

Well i was aiming for 1k but i ended up with $1467 . I wanted to get a 7970 but according to the benchmarks here it consumes 120W more than the Gigabyte Geforce 680 at full load. The 680 costs more but i decided on it because of better driver support, from what I read anyway. And yes, the 680 doesn't overclock well from what I've read but thats ok.I went with the ASUS because if the BIOS becomes corrupted I can still flash it with the "Flashback" feature. I did not find any such feature from ASRock. I used a similar feature on an MSI board a long time ago, it was invaluable. The WD Caviar Black has a 5 year warranty instead of 3 as with the Blue. I did go ahead and purchase the Seasonic X 850W PSU before the special ran out, thanks a bunch for that. I also managed to get free 2 day shipping on all items. I'll have to use Amazon Prime to get the case on free 2 day shipping on the case but i already have that. The rest will go through newegg with the shopprunner shipping which i will cancel before charaged for it . I'll be buying in a bit. Thanks guys.

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 ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($453.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Other: : SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($110.00)
Other: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($128.00)
Total: $1467

 

[realchaos]

where did you buy the HAF 922? Newegg has it for a lot cheaper o_o. The performance difference between the gtx670 and gtx680 does not justify it's $100 price difference. The gtx680 runs only about ~10 fps faster than the 670.

 

[XxInvisoShankxX]

You went with a 680? Not worth it for a marginally better performance over a 670 when overclocked or SLI'd in the future haha and the 7970 is better than a 680 when overclocked and also has Eyefinity which to me is a plus.. Why did you get a HAF 922? Anyway Newegg has it way cheaper.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197 or the HAF XM is way better and is still cheaper than what you paid haha...

Driver support is also way better on the 7970's now with the updates that have been happening, I've never had to flash the mobo so idk about that, although if it's invaluable to you then good that you got it! My Extreme4 came with 8gb of ram so I bought it up (x