Mid range build for ARPG's/MMO's. Microcenter deal vs waiting for Haswell

[praeter]

I live in LA and will be down by the Tustin Microcenter tomorrow and Sunday. Saw they are having a nice combo deal of i5 3570k + Asus P8Z77 - V LK for $254. With the Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H for $239 (or with an i7 3770k for $299).

I have seen various opinions here on waiting for Haswell, or just taking this good deal. Wondering if a consensus smart choice is emerging for a mid range system? I would use this about 4 years.

My current gig is a E8500 overclocked to about 3.9 and a GTX 460 mildly overclocked with SSD. It's about 5 years old, however I upgraded the card and boot drive about 2 years ago. I would probably do the same with this system. Use it 2 years then upgrade the gpu. My current computer was built by AVA Direct and they did a great job at a reasonable price. I thought I would try it myself this time.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
--Gaming, internet, light office work, and burning DVDs. Right now I'm playing Path of Exile and occasionally D3. Used to play some MMO RPGs (WOW, RIFT, SWTOR) and that would likely be the genre.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
--$1000-1200. I'm willing to spend a bit more for quality or aesthetics.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
---US. I will buy from Microcenter or from NewEgg, I have a connection there I can get a slight discount. I am also an Amazon prime member. I would check all 3 sources for pricing before pulling the trigger.

4.

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
-Intel
-I think Nvidia because POE has much complained about issues with AMD and 7970s. My EVGA GTX 460 has been great, although I had a 4850 Toxic before then. I also value cool/quiet.
-My asus motherboard has been rock solid, same with g.skill ram and PC Power & cooling PSU. No strong preference if alternates are cheaper here though.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
--Some storage drives (500 gb Seagate and a 256g Crucial C300 SSD I have left over). 2 TB external USB 3.0 storage drive by WD.
--Dell 2412m monitor (usually use at 1920x1080 for gaming)
--Keyboards, mouse

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
--I do plan on overclocking, however maybe not at first. I oc'd my current setup after 2 years without aftermarket cooling.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
--1920x1080 or 1920x1200

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
--Would build over the next few weeks, or wait for Haswell and build then if that is the recommended course of action

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
--No, have windows 7 pro

I do value quiet so that has influenced the choices I've made so far. So please critique away...

i5 3570K + Asus P8Z77 - V LK. $254 [open to other motherboards on this bundle page, or even the 3770k if that makes sense at this price]
http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/intel-processor-bundles.aspx

Crucial Ballistix Sport 16gb. $100
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...el_Desktop_Memory_Kit_(Two_8GB_Memory_Modules)

Asus GTX 670. $389.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-GeForce-G...s=asus+gtx+670

Samsung 840 pro 128gb $129
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electr...ng+840+pro+128

Lite On DVD burner from the mid range build $18

Seasonic S12II 620W from the 5/12/13 mid range build (I prefer this brand over the Rosewill). $51

Fractal R4. $90
http://www.microcenter.com/product/406710/Define_R4_Mid_Tower_ATX_Computer_Case_-_Black_Pearl#

Total: $1031 + tax.

Thank you.

 

[Torn Mind]

The Seasonic is no longer $51. It is currently $76.

You could, however, get a Corsair TX650 V2 for $60 after rebate and promos. The V2s are built by Seasonic.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=

 

[Cerb]

-I think Nvidia because POE has much complained about issues with AMD and 7970s.

POE?

Overall, it looks good. Though, if your Microcenter has any Plextor M5S 256GB units in stock for $170+tax, you may as well get a bigger SSD, IMO.

Also, consider an aftermarket HSF, if you intend to overclock.

The i7-3770K is definitely a better deal at Microcenter, but that is pushing towards the upper end of your budget. You'll get more from the near-$400 video card, especially if you overclock it (make use of the good cooler!), than the extra money on the CPU, especially if it meant going to a lesser video card. With a budget of more like $1500, I'd recommend the i7, but ~$1100 for hardware, it's questionable, even from Microcenter.

That said, if you plan on going ahead and getting a new GPU in not too long, you might be just as well-served by a GTX 660 Ti, unless you play with high MSAA (8xQ or higher) or any SSAA (including SGSSAA). Here's a link. Now, those graphs are pretty, but go backwards in the article, and notice how the difference in minimum FPS is very small, between the cards, until MSAA gets raised. If you're not an AA addict, the difference won't be much around ~1080P, and you'll be replacing it by the time games come out that really punish a 660 Ti. If you are an AA addict, the 670 easily offers enough performance to justify the higher cost.

 

[Termie]

OP - you've done your homework. That is a very good build, and you've picked out some great deals from Microcenter. I'd definitely go with the 3570K and Asus motherboard for your system, and the Crucial RAM is a good deal too.

Here's my one word of caution: you're spec'ing a lot of GPU power for what are relatively lightweight games, and the GTX670 generally isn't a great deal right now. I think you're spending too much. You could get the excellent silent Asus cooler on the 660Ti and save $100, without even noticing the performance difference in the games you play: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121656

Also, just one other note - the Fractal R4 is a good case for silence, but it is not a good case for cooling. And the Asus 660Ti, and especially the 670, are going to dump a lot of heat into your case. I'd strongly recommend considering a case with a bit more airflow, like the brand-new Fractal Arc Midi R4, which just happens to be on sale for $70 this weekend at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352031

In my opinion, it's a better all-around case.

 

[praeter]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I do plan to upgrade the gpu in a few years so going to the 660ti looks promising. Same with the case and power supply suggestions. Will add the hyper 212 cooler too.

I see microcenter has the evga 660ti ftw signature 2 for $295 after rebate. Maybe I will go with that.


Cerb, POE is Path of Exile, a game similar to diablo 2. For whatever reason there are tons of complaints from AMD users on frame rates.

 

[mfenn]

I live in LA and will be down by the Tustin Microcenter tomorrow and Sunday. Saw they are having a nice combo deal of i5 3570k + Asus P8Z77 - V LK for $254. With the Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H for $239 (or with an i7 3770k for $299).

I have seen various opinions here on waiting for Haswell, or just taking this good deal. Wondering if a consensus smart choice is emerging for a mid range system? I would use this about 4 years.

MC has been offering that deal, or a variation thereof, pretty much continuously for the past 2 years. So, don't feel pressured to buy now just to take advantage of a deal. That being said, it is a good price, and you will certainly be happy with the parts.