Help with gaming PC for ~$1100

[AHamick]

Hey everyone, I need help with a few parts and overall informed opinions about my new PC that is to replace my aging E8400 and GTX 260.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Gaming

2. What YOUR budget is.
$1200 absolute max (including monitor)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA - I have Frys and Microcenter stores within driving range, but plan to use Newegg too

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Intel CPU and Nvidia GPU

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts.
I intend to reuse my HDD (I will be wanting a new SSD though too), DVD RW, and If possible can I reuse my old PSU? a BFG tech ES800 800W purchased march of 2009.*

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I would like the OPTION to OC, even though i built my E8400 with the intent to OC and never did, so I am willing to forgo OCing if it saves my a noticable amount of cash

8. What resolution will you be using?
1080 if I get a new monitor, 1050 if I am stuck with my old one, no desire for multi monitor setups

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
within then next week

So far I have came up with the following rough build
CPU - i5 3570k $190 @ MC
Mobo - ASRock Z77 Pro3 $60 @ MC with CPU bundle
RAM - No clue, so many to chose from
GPU - GTX 670 (have good experience with EVGA, any other brands?)
PSU - If I cant/shouldn't reuse my previous PSU (see #5 above), I have no idea where to start looking...
Case - CM Storm Scout $75 @ MC

I would greatly appreciate any feedback on my patchy build list. Mainly I am wondering if: My mobo is a good choice? what RAM should I be looking at? What do I do about my PSU?

In regards to a new monitor I was considering the LG IPS series, I love the color quality on IPS monitors and these seem to be a reasonable price - opinions?

Thanks for any and all help, this forums aided my 3 years ago with my current build and I have been very happy with it over the years

 

[cmdrdredd]

Memory I suggest two of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147094

Samsung 30NM 4GB DDR3 1600. People have been clocking these up over DDR3 2000 with stock voltages which is 1.35.

Your PSU is fine. The GTX670 is a good choice and EVGA is only good IMO if you have the lifetime warranty. Otherwise all of them are fine and have good service departments.

If you can swing it, might I suggest the Asrock Z77 Extreme4. It has a better power phase setup, dual PCIe 3.0 slots if you ever want to SLI, 2 extra SATA III (6Gbps) ports for a total of 4, the superior Realtek ALC898 audio chip vs the ALC892, a better LAN chip (broadcom is slightly better in my research than realtek), 4 USB 3.0 ports on the rear vs 2 on the Pro3(but it substitutes out 2 of the USB 2.0 ports for the 3.0 variety. Luckily it's compatable with USB 2.0 peripherals you might plug in), It also has eSATA 6Gbps on the rear as well as an optical audio output. It also has a handy Clear CMOS button on the back of the motherboard. So when your memory or CPU overclock doesn't work you don't need to open the case. Just press a button on the back.

It's a little more expensive but microcenter currently has a bundle with it. When the bundle was used the Extreme4 was $90. So it's only $30 more but you get the benefits I listed above.

Unlucky as I am to live in South FL, we have no Microcenter so I cannot get in on these deals and have to pay higher prices. Nobody will match it either for me.

 

[lehtv]

CPU - i5 3570k $190 @ MC
Mobo - ASRock Z77 Pro3 $60 @ MC with CPU bundle
GPU - GTX 670 (have good experience with EVGA, any other brands?)

Good. Can't say no to $60 for a Z77 board.

EVGA doesn't really do dual-fan coolers. I'd get Asus DC II, Zotac AMP or MSI Twin Frozr. But EVGA is a nice company.

RAM - No clue, so many to chose from

2x4GB 1600Mhz. The low volt samsung is a good choice, you can buy a pack of two at MC.

PSU - If I cant/shouldn't reuse my previous PSU (see #5 above), I have no idea where to start looking...

That's a good quality unit, but it's very much overkill for the power requirements of this rig. Do what you want with it - keep it, or sell it and buy a good 500-600W unit.

Case - CM Storm Scout $75 @ MC

Hmm... Not a bad case. I'd take a look at some other choices too though. Storm Scout lacks USB3.0 on the front panel so you'd be wasting that feature of the motherboard. Some cases I'd consider:

Lian Li PC-K9WX $64 AP
Lian Li PC-9F $72 AP
Antec 1100 Super Mid Tower $100
Fractal Design Arc Midi $100
NZXT Phantom 410 $100
Corsair 400R $90 AR

Personally, I've always wanted to try an aluminium case so I'd go for Lian Li with the low prices they're at.

Will also need a CPU cooler for OC. A cheapo 212+ will get you to 4.0-4.3 or so at comfortable temps. Once you start cranking up volts on an Ivy Bridge it'll get very hot compared to Sandy because it's a small dense die so you'll need more cooling potential to reach 4.5 or more.

As for SSD, grab a Crucial M4 128GB for $125

This should end up at a bit over $900 with 212+, reused PSU and one of those Lian Li. Leaves plenty of cash for a 1080p monitor

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Get a 27" tn panel

 

[AHamick]

Thanks for the replies so far!

Lehtv - What benefit do dual fan cards offer? Im assuming they allow better OCing, is there any other benefit? I am looking a Newegg right now and since I have the fear the 670s will sell out rather quickly I would like to buy the GPU within the next 24 hours. They have the Gigabyte card with 3 fans:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125423

It is the same price as the EVGA, am I missing something that i should be weary of or should I grab this over the EVGA?

Cmdr - I will have to consider that Mobo as well, with the CPU discount it is a fair price.

Aak - 27 is just TOO big for my desk setup, 24 is my max due to desk restraints

Thanks again for all the other bits of help everyone keep em coming!

 

[lehtv]

Lehtv - What benefit do dual fan cards offer? Im assuming they allow better OCing, is there any other benefit?

Yes, they generally OC a better, but also operate at a lower temperature and a lower noise level.

It's not that a stock cooled GTX670 is loud by any means though. But if you're at all sensitive to fan noise, you'll like Gigabyte better (especially after fan profile customization in MSI Afterburner)

 

[mfenn]

There is a reason that the dual-fan GTX 670s are the first ones to be sold out. :awe: But seriously, I agree with lehtv, all other things being equal you would rather have a dual-fan card, but you won't be disappointed with any GTX 670.

 

[AHamick]

I just realized that the CM storm scout cant hold a gtx 670...

CMs site says the max length is 10.6" where the 670 is 11"

Now i just need to FIND a 670 in stock...

EDIT - the case cant house the Gigabyte 670 specifically

 

[mfenn]

If the case is important to you, you can get a normal GTX 670, which is only something like 9" long. Otherwise, check out the HAF 912 for a case with a similar aesthetic and price. Some of the 3.5" bays on the 912 are removable to accommodate extra long cards.

 

[austin835]

I might be the only one here to offer a brand new computer to you, but for that budget i reccomend http://ibuypower.com because they will have some great gaming PCs for that price, you can get an 8-core AMD with 8 gigs of ram, 7000 series ATI radeon card, etc. for 1000-1200 dollars... the reason i reccomend this is cause i am in the same state as you and this is where i am buying from...

 

[mfenn]

I might be the only one here to offer a brand new computer to you, but for that budget i reccomend http://ibuypower.com because they will have some great gaming PCs for that price, you can get an 8-core AMD with 8 gigs of ram, 7000 series ATI radeon card, etc. for 1000-1200 dollars... the reason i reccomend this is cause i am in the same state as you and this is where i am buying from...

You probably want to reconsider the Bulldozer CPU for a gaming rig. Intel Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge blow it away.

 

[lehtv]

And you probably also want to reconsider using ibuypower. Why pay someone else to build it when you can do it yourself in a couple of hours, not to mention you have more components to choose from that way

 

[AHamick]

Thanks again for the replies. I was considering a shorter 670 since most others were OOS but I happened to come across the Gigabyte in stock at Amazon the other day ($399 with free 2 day shipping, I'll have it monday!)

So needless to say Ive given up on the CM storm scout. Im not sure why but I am still drawn to CM cases, so I am debating either the CM storm trooper, enforcer or HAF XM...

Mainly I would like a mid tower to fit on the top of my desk (I currently have a heavy ass Cosmos S under it collecting a lot of dust and dog hair...)

I will be ordering the rest of the internals here very soon thanks to the helpful suggestions from everyone so far

 

[mfenn]

Thanks again for the replies. I was considering a shorter 670 since most others were OOS but I happened to come across the Gigabyte in stock at Amazon the other day ($399 with free 2 day shipping, I'll have it monday!)

So needless to say Ive given up on the CM storm scout. Im not sure why but I am still drawn to CM cases, so I am debating either the CM storm trooper, enforcer or HAF XM...

Mainly I would like a mid tower to fit on the top of my desk (I currently have a heavy ass Cosmos S under it collecting a lot of dust and dog hair...)

I will be ordering the rest of the internals here very soon thanks to the helpful suggestions from everyone so far

What about the HAF912 that I suggested above?

 

[AHamick]

Thanks again for all of your help everyone, I am now sitting pretty on my new PC!

i5 3570k
Hyper 212+
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 (upgraded from Pro, since it was OOS)
Samsung RAM (as suggested)
Gigabyte GTX670
MC brand 120Gb SSD
CM Storm Trooper

This was my first build on my own and thanks to this site it looks like I was successful!

Many thanks again to everyone for their suggestions and comments, I'm sure I will be back in a few years for help with the NEXT build!

 

[Ashenor]

Nice build i just did a upgrade on my system with a EVGA SC 670 and a M4 256g SSD.

Did you get a monitor? If not check out the catleaps, 27" IPS 2560x1440 shipped from korea, got both mine next day around $310-$360. Check the video card forum for the catleap thread here for lots of info.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks again for all of your help everyone, I am now sitting pretty on my new PC!

i5 3570k
Hyper 212+
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 (upgraded from Pro, since it was OOS)
Samsung RAM (as suggested)
Gigabyte GTX670
MC brand 120Gb SSD
CM Storm Trooper

This was my first build on my own and thanks to this site it looks like I was successful!

Many thanks again to everyone for their suggestions and comments, I'm sure I will be back in a few years for help with the NEXT build!

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Very nice.