First time build ~$1000 Gaming/CAD rig, looking for feedback before buying all parts

shivenator115

Honorable
Dec 5, 2013
2
0
10,510
I'm building a computer for the first time and was looking for feedback on my part selection. I am looking to play games like BF4 on high settings, as well as do some independent CAD work with various programs. I would also like to overclock my system at some point down the line, and potentially SLI another GPU.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2fVSD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2fVSD/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2fVSD/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Microcenter)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.26 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($154.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $49.99)

Storage: Seagate 600 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $129.99)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $54.99)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Rosewill R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($18.87)

Keyboard: Rosewill RK-9000BR Wired Standard Keyboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)

Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($63.97 @ B&H)

Total: $1139.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-06 10:17 EST-0500)

I already have a 1080p 27" monitor, and will probably buy another monitor in a few months although I only plan on gaming on one at a time. I was having trouble picking a motherboard and GPU, so any suggestions for a more cost effective choice are welcome. I was looking a the R9270, only downside is it doesn't come with the game bundle like the GTX 660 does. Thanks in advance for any help!
 

Rammy

Honorable
I'm a big fan of the GTX660 (I own one) but I don't think it's a great choice in a gaming build of this price point, especially when you can pick up a HD7870 for cheaper.

In my experience of AutoCAD and Solidworks, an i5 seems plenty sufficient. It's possible that if you were doing something intensive like rendering that an i7 would begin to pull ahead, but I reckon there are probably better ways to spend your money.

If it were me, I'd be looking towards something like a GTX760 or HD7950. You could probably even squeeze an R9 280X in.
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
No reason to pay that much money for last year's hardware, and Windows 7 Ultimate is not needed, you just need Home Premium. I would lose the expensive keyboard and mouse as you can always get newer and better ones later.

Do something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $941.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-06 14:31 EST-0500)
 

shivenator115

Honorable
Dec 5, 2013
2
0
10,510
Ok, how about something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $49.99)
Storage: Seagate 600 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $129.99)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $54.99)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($18.87)
Total: $1003.40
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-07 15:15 EST-0500)

I am buying Windows 7 through my university and ultimate is all they have so I don't mind buying it.
 

Rammy

Honorable
Other than the graphics card+PSU, it's pretty good. There is absolutely no point in a 4Gb GTX760, and it's $50 more than a 2Gb for 0% increase in performance.

If you want a $300 graphics card, the R9 280X starts a bit above that and is a good chunk better.

750W PSU is pretty pointless, you are better off going for a better quality lower wattage unit.
XFX Core 550 is a good choice if you don't need modular cables, Antec HCG620M is pretty good if you do.

Obviously if you preferred to be on the 1150 format, it'd be pretty straightforward to swap the CPU for a 4670K and a suitable motherboard.