Need help $1200 budget for new gaming PC

[Light Speed]

So far I have been referred to these 2 builds.

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($232.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($338.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.88 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1149.75

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($349.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1171.74


Which one offers the better performance and will they stay cool enough?

 

[Danbuscus25]

they are both great builds. i personally would recommend the 2nd one, cuz 1: it will stay cooler. 2: has an awesome case, and 3: I fully support AMD, and i could get into why, but long story short, it is better for every1 in every way that AMD stays in competition with intel.

 

[Turb0Yoda]

Both builds are great. Most preferences are for the AMD and Intel with processing power and cores and all of that. HOWEVER, if you decide to go with that first build(my choice) change the SSD to a samsung EVO. A lot of problems have cropped up with that brand. Many are saying that it is slower than a regular drive.

 

[Light Speed]

Does the case really matter performance-wise? I really like this case's looks but im not sure if its as good? http://apevia.com/productsInfo.asp?KEY=X-Cruiser3-RD

 

[Turb0Yoda]

That case is good. The reason that cases matter is because of cooling performance. More cooling=lower temps. = more overclocking on both builds. Also, a case is a major factor in how awesome your pc is.

 

[Danbuscus25]

the case only matters performance wise if it has bad circulation, so the one you like is totally fine, and looks awesome!

 

[Turb0Yoda]

Also, this case has things like temperature, fan speed, and sound, which is a nice addition to a already good case.

 

[Danbuscus25]

i really want money to get an apevia dreamerx4 case

 

[CTurbo]

May I present option C?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/33GVZ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/33GVZ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/33GVZ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($489.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1194.71
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-03 20:39 EST-0500)