First Time Gaming Rig--Seeking Advice for Optimal Build

[Guest]

Hello all, this is my first time posting and first time building a gaming rig, and I was hoping to get some advice on how to optimize performance for price, while maintaining a rig that will perform well for quite a while before requiring a significant upgrade to the CPU/MOBO.

Live in the US, and I want to build a desktop that will be used for gaming, but also to watch blu-ray movies, surf the web, school etc. I don't do any sort of rendering or work of that ilk, so this would be a gaming/everyday utility rig to store music, movies, photos, and play games on Ultra (Crysis, BF, AC...)

My budget for the rig is a firm $1000 (minus the GPU), and I can wait for sales to get good prices. There will definitely be some overclocking, and although there is no such thing as true future-proofing in this world, I would like to get as many components as possible that wouldn't require constant upgrades, i.e. a rig that would last 7 years before having to sink serious cash to get back up to par. With OC, I'd hope to have a CPU/MOBO combo that could perform very well for that time period with the day to day (non-gaming use), and gaming that would be fine with GPU upgrades.

Based on my research, I have been able to pin down some of the necessary requirements, and if the fine folks here could recommend better performing pieces, or combinations, I'd be mighty grateful:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k
MOBO: ASRock Extreme4
Microcenter: ~$275
HDD: WD 1TB Black
SSD: Samsung 250GB 840
Online: ~$275
RAM: 2X8 GB
FAN: Cooler Master 212 EVO
Online: ~$125
PSU: 750W
OPTICAL: UNDECIDED
CASE: UNDECIDED (But I really like the look/function of something like the Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition :/)
OS: already have Win7
OTHERS: Thermal paste, wifi adapter, card reader?


Notes on GPU: I would most probably be doing a SLI/CROSSFIRE set-up in the future, with 3-way less likely due to performance issues. I already have a 24 inch 1080p TV acting as my monitor, and keyboard and mouse would be covered for the time being.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to hit all the points so I wouldn't waste anyone's time. Thank you!

 

[AMD Radeon]

are u from us/canada?

 

[Cleric4Life]

Hello all, this is my first time posting and first time building a gaming rig, and I was hoping to get some advice on how to optimize performance for price, while maintaining a rig that will perform well for quite a while before requiring a significant upgrade to the CPU/MOBO.

I want to build a desktop that will be used for gaming, but also to watch blu-ray movies, surf the web, school etc. I don't do any sort of rendering or work of that ilk, so this would be a gaming/everyday utility rig to store music, movies, photos, and play games on Ultra (Crysis, BF, AC...)

My budget for the rig is a firm $1000 (minus the GPU), and I can wait for sales to get good prices. There will definitely be some overclocking, and although there is no such thing as true future-proofing in this world, I would like to get as many components as possible that wouldn't require constant upgrades, i.e. a rig that would last 7 years before having to sink serious cash to get back up to par. With OC, I'd hope to have a CPU/MOBO combo that could perform very well for that time period with the day to day (non-gaming use), and gaming that would be fine with GPU upgrades.

Based on my research, I have been able to pin down some of the necessary requirements, and if the fine folks could recommend better performing pieces, or combinations, I'd be mighty grateful:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k
MOBO: ASRock Extreme4
Microcenter: ~$275
HDD: WD 1TB Black
SSD: Samsung 250GB 840
Online: ~$275
RAM: 2X8 GB
FAN: Cooler Master 212 EVO
Online: ~$125
PSU: 750W
OPTICAL: UNDECIDED
CASE: UNDECIDED (But I really like the look/function of something like the Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition :/)
OTHERS: Thermal paste, wifi adapter, card reader?

Notes on GPU: I would most probably be doing a SLI/CROSSFIRE set-up in the future, with 3-way less likely due to performance issues. I already have a 24 inch 1080p TV acting as my monitor, and keyboard and mouse would be covered for the time being.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to hit all the points so I wouldn't waste anyone's time. Thank you!

Do you have an OS already? Are you looking for a CD/DVD burner or just a drive? If you aren't going to do editing/rendering stuff like that I don't think you'll need 16 GB of RAM unless you just really want to haha. Also what are you using the SSD for besides OS?

 

[AMD Radeon]

it is what you are looking for
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: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($218.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define XL R2 (Titanium Grey) ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Total: $1001.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-30 21:54 EDT-0400)

PSU large enough to handle 2-3 SLI
and full tower case

 

[Guest]

Live in the US, already have Win 7 Premium which is good enough for me. Don't really need to burn any DVDs or Cds, but I'd assume they'd be standard at this point. I can skimp on the RAM if it'll help elsewhere for pricing etc. Sorry I didn't cover this initially, I'll amend OP.

 

[Cleric4Life]

Live in the US, already have Win 7 Premium which is good enough for me. Don't really need to burn any DVDs or Cds, but I'd assume they'd be standard at this point. I can skimp on the RAM if it'll help elsewhere for pricing etc. Sorry I didn't cover this initially, I'll amend OP.

Where do you live in the US? Do you know if you get taxed by Newegg and such? I mean people generally don't use more than 8gb of RAM. I would recommend a Nvidia card (maybe a 670) if the GPU isn't part of this $1000 haha http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2827136&sku=E145-0671

 

[Guest]

Live in the US, already have Win 7 Premium which is good enough for me. Don't really need to burn any DVDs or Cds, but I'd assume they'd be standard at this point. I can skimp on the RAM if it'll help elsewhere for pricing etc. Sorry I didn't cover this initially, I'll amend OP.

Where do you live in the US? Do you know if you get taxed by Newegg and such? I mean people generally don't use more than 8gb of RAM. I would recommend a Nvidia card (maybe a 670) if the GPU isn't part of this $1000 haha http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2827136&sku=E145-0671

Maine, so nope on the tax. And I was thinking about 2 670's SLI, at least so I could play some games on Ultra for at least a little while.

 

[Cleric4Life]

Live in the US, already have Win 7 Premium which is good enough for me. Don't really need to burn any DVDs or Cds, but I'd assume they'd be standard at this point. I can skimp on the RAM if it'll help elsewhere for pricing etc. Sorry I didn't cover this initially, I'll amend OP.

Where do you live in the US? Do you know if you get taxed by Newegg and such? I mean people generally don't use more than 8gb of RAM. I would recommend a Nvidia card (maybe a 670) if the GPU isn't part of this $1000 haha http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2827136&sku=E145-0671

Maine, so nope on the tax. And I was thinking about 2 670's SLI, at least so I could play some games on Ultra for at least a little while.

Do you absolutely need 250 gb SSD? You could get a 3tb storage with a 120 gb SSD for OS

120 GB SSD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=77210&vpn=MZ-7TD120BW&manufacture=Samsung%20Memory%20%26%20Storage&promoid=1334


3 TB HDD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=66009&vpn=ST3000DM001&manufacture=Seagate&promoid=1334

If you absolutely need 250 GB, I found this SSD. Didn't really look at it though, haha.
256GB SSD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=80348&vpn=SDSSDHP-256G-G25&manufacture=SANDISK&promoid=1334

 

[Cleric4Life]

Also, take a look at this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147158&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Guest]

Live in the US, already have Win 7 Premium which is good enough for me. Don't really need to burn any DVDs or Cds, but I'd assume they'd be standard at this point. I can skimp on the RAM if it'll help elsewhere for pricing etc. Sorry I didn't cover this initially, I'll amend OP.

Where do you live in the US? Do you know if you get taxed by Newegg and such? I mean people generally don't use more than 8gb of RAM. I would recommend a Nvidia card (maybe a 670) if the GPU isn't part of this $1000 haha http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2827136&sku=E145-0671

Maine, so nope on the tax. And I was thinking about 2 670's SLI, at least so I could play some games on Ultra for at least a little while.

Do you absolutely need 250 gb SSD? You could get a 3tb storage with a 120 gb SSD for OS

120 GB SSD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=77210&vpn=MZ-7TD120BW&manufacture=Samsung%20Memory%20%26%20Storage&promoid=1334


3 TB HDD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=66009&vpn=ST3000DM001&manufacture=Seagate&promoid=1334

If you absolutely need 250 GB, I found this SSD. Didn't really look at it though, haha.
256GB SSD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=80348&vpn=SDSSDHP-256G-G25&manufacture=SANDISK&promoid=1334

No I don't necessarily need 250gb SSD, I guess I could place the games on the HDD and use the SSD solely for OS. I just thought it might be a good option for the future. And that case looks nice on the first glance, thanks for the advice.

 

[Cleric4Life]

Live in the US, already have Win 7 Premium which is good enough for me. Don't really need to burn any DVDs or Cds, but I'd assume they'd be standard at this point. I can skimp on the RAM if it'll help elsewhere for pricing etc. Sorry I didn't cover this initially, I'll amend OP.

Where do you live in the US? Do you know if you get taxed by Newegg and such? I mean people generally don't use more than 8gb of RAM. I would recommend a Nvidia card (maybe a 670) if the GPU isn't part of this $1000 haha http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2827136&sku=E145-0671

Maine, so nope on the tax. And I was thinking about 2 670's SLI, at least so I could play some games on Ultra for at least a little while.

Do you absolutely need 250 gb SSD? You could get a 3tb storage with a 120 gb SSD for OS

120 GB SSD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=77210&vpn=MZ-7TD120BW&manufacture=Samsung%20Memory%20%26%20Storage&promoid=1334


3 TB HDD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=66009&vpn=ST3000DM001&manufacture=Seagate&promoid=1334

If you absolutely need 250 GB, I found this SSD. Didn't really look at it though, haha.
256GB SSD: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=80348&vpn=SDSSDHP-256G-G25&manufacture=SANDISK&promoid=1334

No I don't necessarily need 250gb SSD, I guess I could place the games on the HDD and use the SSD solely for OS. I just thought it might be a good option for the future. And that case looks nice on the first glance, thanks for the advice.

CPU: + http://microcenter.com/product/388577/Core_i5_3570K_34GHz_LGA_1155_Processor $189.99 (You're getting from Microcenter I believe)

MOBO: + http://microcenter.com/product/387554/Z77_Extreme4_LGA_1155_Z77_ATX_Intel_Motherboard $114.99 (Also assuming you're buying this along with the CPU)

HDD: + http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1242996 $222.98 (3 TB and Blu-Ray Burner)
+ http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=66009&vpn=ST3000DM001&manufacture=Seagate&promoid=1334 $124.99 (3TB)

OPTICAL:+ http://microcenter.com/product/398053/14x_Internal_Blu-ray_Burner_WH14NS40_-_Bare_Drive $69.99


SSD: + http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=77210&vpn=MZ-7TD120BW&manufacture=Samsung%20Memory%20%26%20Storage&promoid=1334 $99.98 (120GB)
+ http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=80348&vpn=SDSSDHP-256G-G25&manufacture=SANDISK&promoid=1334 $159.99 (256GB)

RAM: + http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57953&vpn=F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL&manufacture=G%2ESkill $56.99 (RED)

For the RAM, I just suggest maybe 8GB unless you're doing intense 3D rendering or have like a billion tabs open or just want the extra RAM/want to spend more money.

FAN: + Hyper 212 EVO ~$30

I would personally wait for the price drop/better deal unless you want to overclock straight away. CM 212 EVO is good for mediocre overclocks.


PSU: + http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207028 $129.99 <-With rebate (This is fully modular, 80 Plus Gold Certified, and 850W)


CASE: + http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207028 $119.99 <- With rebate (It's white like the Thermaltake)
+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053 $135.99 (Same case, different color if aesthetics matter to you.)

OTHERS: + http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007 $7.99

Lowest possible from these is a total of $949.90 not including S&H but I'm assuming S&H won't cost more than around $50? I have no idea sorry . You are so lucky living near a microcenter and not getting taxed .
Highest is around $1173.99
....This looked better in notepad...
Anyways I hoped I helped

 

[Guest]

Is it better to go for the AsRock or Asus Z77 LK MOBOs? And in terms of PSU, is the difference between a bronze rated, vs silver rated, vs gold rated worth the price differences? Does anyone else have any config setups that apply? Thank you guys who have answered thus far.

 

[Cleric4Life]

Is it better to go for the AsRock or Asus Z77 LK MOBOs? And in terms of PSU, is the difference between a bronze rated, vs silver rated, vs gold rated worth the price differences? Does anyone else have any config setups that apply? Thank you guys who have answered thus far.

Personally I'd choose ASUS just because I grew up with it. However, that extreme from ASrock is a good price/performance motherboard.
To your question about PSU: www.tomshardware.com/forum/327742-28-80plus-bronze-silver-gold-platinum