New Build, Help improve/cut costs

[Boxasauras]

Here is my build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.97 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($96.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($115.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.04 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($68.97 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.97 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1260.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I'll be doing quite a bit of video editing and gaming.

I'm absolutely set on a 660 Ti, but I can change the brand if it's a better deal.
I need both the SSD and HDD, but if there are any better/cheaper drives, I'm open to it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Are you physically near a Microcenter? That's the only way to get that price on the i7. Furthermore, going to a Microcenter allows you to get $50 off the motherboard. I'd also get the Asrock Pro3 instead, as it is cheaper without giving up any features. You can also save $10 on the SSD by going with the Samsung 840. Get the Corsair CX500 instead of the Antec Basiq for $8 less before rebate (and $18 less after rebate). If you don't mind Windows 8 (Metro is pretty unobtrusive), that will support the RAM you need for less money.

These changes together might allow you to get a GTX 670 rather than a 660ti!

I stand behind you in choosing Nvidia because you're presumably using the CUDA cores for editing. If you're primarily gaming, a 7950 is a better choice in terms of price/gaming performance.

Otherwise, it's a pretty solid build.

 

[Torn Mind]

Are you physically near a Microcenter? That's the only way to get that price on the i7. Furthermore, going to a Microcenter allows you to get $50 off the motherboard.

I do not believe the combo works with an i7 and a motherboard. Only the i5-3570K or the i3-3225 does.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Ouch. Okay, that pretty much rules out the 670.

 

[Boxasauras]

Yeah, I'm only about 45 minutes away from a Microcenter, so that's not a problem.

The ASRock looks good.

What if I was to change the CPU to the 3570K? Would I see a notable change in performance? Just asking because then I could get the $50 back.

Thanks again.

 

[Sleepingforest]

If I were you, I would prioritize either editing or gaming. If gaming is the priority, go i5+670. If editing is the priority, go i7+660ti.

 

[riversend]

Concur with Sleepingforest on the tradeoffs. What is your monitor's resolution? If it is less than 1080p then you can probably go with the 660ti and i7 since you won't need the GPU horsepower.

 

[Boxasauras]

Then it looks like I'll be going for the i7+660ti. Just asking, since I'm kind of broke, what about the i5 and 660ti? Is it that much worse than the i7+660ti or i5+670?

 

[Torn Mind]

Then it looks like I'll be going for the i7+660ti. Just asking, since I'm kind of broke, what about the i5 and 660ti? Is it that much worse than the i7+660ti or i5+670?

You will lose some performance in video editing. For the most part, you will lose nothing in gaming. I've heard HyperThreading could even worsen performance in some games, but I personally cannot substantiate the claim. Perhaps one "in the know" can clarify that for you.

 

[Boxasauras]

Then I guess I'll go with the i7 and 660ti. Any final suggestions for things I can change? Case, mobo? Again, thanks for all of your help.

 

[Boxasauras]

Just realized I forgot the most important part. Any suggestions for a wireless network adapter?

 

[Sleepingforest]

Other than my suggestions in the first post (SSD, PSU, mobo), I don't have much to say.

$10 WiFi PCI card

 

[mfenn]

Then I guess I'll go with the i7 and 660ti. Any final suggestions for things I can change? Case, mobo? Again, thanks for all of your help.

What editing programs do you use? If they don't benefit from CUDA, the 7950 3GB is a better deal at the ~$270 price point.

 

[Boxasauras]

A mix of Avid MC6, Adobe Premiere, After Effects and Photoshop.

 

[Sleepingforest]

CS6 and other modern Adobe products support openGL I believe.

Avid is more of a mystery.

 

[mfenn]

CS6 and other modern Adobe products support openGL I believe.

Avid is more of a mystery.

Adobe CS6 supports OpenGL and OpenCL actually. I'm not sure avoid AVID MC, but their site doesn't mention CUDA at all on the product page.

 

[Sleepingforest]

So basically, he should be fine with a 7950, which is the better purchase for games already.

 

[Boxasauras]

Wait, what?
Is the 7950 better than the 660Ti?
I understand the difference between AMD and Nvidia, and I'm not looking to start a flame war, but objectively which is better.
Again, video editing is my main focus.
Thanks.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Okay, the 7950 is generally considered better by the enthusiast community within Anandtech General Hardware because they can easily overclock to perform like a $400 card while costing $300. It also has a number of physical advantages, like a wider memory bus and more VRAM.

Some video/photo editing hardware acceleration only works with Nvidia though. We (mfenn and I) trawled through the respective websites looking to make sure the 7950 works with all your programs before absolutely recommending it. And it does, so we do.

 

[Boxasauras]

Okay, well then, thank you.

You guys have been a big help. I'll update here as I order parts and build it.