New Gaming Build $1200 Max Budget

[Biggz_26]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Next Few Days hopefully

Budget Range: $1200 Max for everything

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (SC2, Crysis 3, Simcity when it works, NextGen MMOs) Media, Possible Streaming

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Everything but Monitor, Keyboard and Speakers

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: New Egg/Amazon

Location: Phoenix AZ

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Whatever GPU is the best for the price

Overclocking: In the near future, when I feel confident I won't fry my computer

SLI or Crossfire: Possibly in the future

Your Monitor Resolution: 27in 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Looking for most bang for my $1200 budget that will last a long time with minor upgrades

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Looking for a better gaming experience and possibly to start streaming

Here's what I have so far. If there is anything that would be better quality or better price/performance I'm open to anything. I would prefer to order all from the same place unless there is a large price difference. My biggest issues I am having trouble with are the PSU and the case. I think the rest should be pretty good, but if there is anything I can improve that would be awesome.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JZ2I
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JZ2I/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JZ2I/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($102.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($305.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($25.38 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1201.94

 

[bodeen2012]

your build looks fine to me

 

[djangoringo]

You can do better, the samsung ssd is much better and you can find a better psu for the same price.

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 ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1173.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

This includes a better modular psu(it allows you to crossfire the 7950) for the same price, cheaper ram, the asus LK is as good as the extreme 4 for less, better cooler, the hyper 212 evo is better, the samsung 830 is a much better ssd, grab it in newegg, before it runs out of stock again, also a much better case.
The 7950 listed is cheaper and it's the new model from sapphire.

 

[Biggz_26]

Does this build look any better? I wanna try to keep it all from the same online retailer so I can get all the parts in at the same time. Also I kept the older model of the 7950 since that one is $20 cheaper. Is there a huge difference between the 2L and the 3L models? Also will 2 7950s fit in that case for when I'm ready to crossfire? Finally, is there any additional tools or miscelaneous items I will need to assemble that I should buy? If there is anything else you can see that I can improve let me know.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/K6Pp
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/K6Pp/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/K6Pp/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1170.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-16 15:50 EDT-0400)

 

[djangoringo]

Yes, the price of the old model just went down as well, the samsung 830 128GB is a much better ssd than the samsung 840 non pro with tlc nand, you can check for a review here :http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/02/19/samsung_840_120gb_ssd_review/10#.UUTQeBzwnQU ,
I would spend more 5$ for the samsung 830 before it runs out of stock soon, if you don't need the window, you can find the same case cheaper, i would get the hyper 212 evo.
Just those three changes :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1169.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[Biggz_26]

Thank you. I just put in my order at newegg. I'm sure I'll be on here for build advice once I receive all the parts. Have a great weekend.

 

[pgerv]

Yes, the price of the old model just went down as well, the samsung 830 128GB is a much better ssd than the samsung 840 non pro with tlc nand, you can check for a review here :http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/02/19/samsung_840_120gb_ssd_review/10#.UUTQeBzwnQU ,
I would spend more 5$ for the samsung 830 before it runs out of stock soon, if you don't need the window, you can find the same case cheaper, i would get the hyper 212 evo.
Just those three changes :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1169.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Hey this build looks very similar to the one i want to get. first off i just want to know is that asus-v mobo is a good choice, i know they have a very good program that enables you to adjust all you're fans quite nicely, but i the extreme 4 looks good as well.

And my other question is wouldnt a gtx 680 be better than getting that saphire gpu? i looked at josh's shoot the moon build and it looks quite nice.. just wondering if you would switch out the GPU if you had the extra money? thanks

 

[pgerv]

Oh and the build i was looking at earlier was josh's shoot the moon build.. this is it.

Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K ($219.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Quad CrossFireX and Quad SLI A GbE ATX Motherboard Z77 EXTREME4 (104.99 @ Amazon)
RAM: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) PV38G160C9KRD (19.99 AR @ Newegg)
Graphics Card: EVGA 02G-P4-2680-KR GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (449.99 AR @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA III, 64 MB Cache (67.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 200R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (34.99 AR @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply (59.99 AR @ Newegg)
Cooling: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler (25.99 AR @ Newegg)
DVD Burner: SAMSUNG DVD Burner 24X DVD+RW SATA Model SH-224BB - OEM (15.99 @ Newegg)

 

[Biggz_26]

Thanks all. I got all my parts yesterday finally, and got everything up and running. So far everything seems good. I'm still loading my games on but everything I have tested is running great. I can't wait until my crysis 3 download finishes so I can check that out. Thanks again to everyone that helped me out.