I'm hoping to build a new Gaming Computer after this summer. Currently, I'm either playing the Xbox 360, or playing on a crappy Intel Celeron B820 laptop. Obviously, that laptop isn't meant for gaming. I want something that can handle games like The Elder Scrolls on medium-high settings with a solid framerate. (Definitely want to play the upcoming ESO on the top settings on the new rig).
It shows a minor compatibility issue: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the Apevia X-Dreamer3 Black ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.
--Is this an actual issue? Those two items were suggested on a Builder-Guide website.
Also, is there anything in the list that seems overkill? Such as the 600w power supply, when the list estimates only 336w being used? I don't want to overpay for stuff that I won't be using.
Lastly, is there anything that is needed to make the computer more efficient for gaming? I want to be able to run most games on High settings with good performance.
This will give you better performance in gaming. I changed the build from an Intel/nVidia based system to an AMD system to save money. I also replaced your power supply with a better quality one. The 7970 is a higher tier card than the 660 ti and will significantly increase your performance in games, the only disadvantage is that AMD cards are inferior for editing.
Also, don't worry about the USB 3.0. You can just ignore that fact if you don't care about having or not a frontal USB 3.0. If you do.. well, change the case! Or use one of this:
You must buy a bronze rated power supply, anything cheaper is a very bad idia. for the build I created, the power supply I selected is about the minimum. The AMD 8320 is slightly inferior to the intel, but the money saved will allow you to buy a much better graphics card, which will increase your performance in games far more than a better CPU. If you can squeeze $20 bucks more into your budget, you could replace the 8320 with an 8350, which will match the intel 3570 in performance. Also, the AMD's performance in gaming will actually increase over the next yer or so, as more games are optimized for 8 core CPUs like the 8320 and 8350. As for the graphics cards, the AMD does ever so slightly better in games all other things being equil, the only real advantage is that it's cheaper then a similarly performing nVidia. A USB 3.0 port is faster than a USB 2 port, having one on the front of your case is slightly more convinient but certantly not somthing that's a dealbreaker when looking at a case, unless you will be putting it somewhere you can't access the back panel.
I would really like to keep the build under $1000 and still have performance. (But of course, if an extra $100 means a world of a difference, then it is surely worth it.) So out of those, what is the best choice for me?
My real goal here is to be able to play games like The Elder Scrolls on high settings, so I need the parts that will let that happen.
Again, if anyone has suggestions/tweaks for the builds I am all ears! Thanks so much.
The difference between the 7870 and the 7970 will be that with the 7870, you will have to run a few games on very high setting instead of ultra, and the 7870 will be obsolete sooner. if you want to save a few bucks, you could do the following: you could just install your old hard drive, (after deleting everything on it,) you could buy a cheaper case like an NZXT source 210, and you could eliminate the DVD drive and install windows from a flashdrive, an external hard drive, or an external CD drive. If you really want to save the extra $100 and buy a 7870, it's your call it won't make a massive difference as of today, but I always advise people to make compromises on non essiential features rather than performance.
It's difficult to say how much your saving. The OEMs do some wierd thngs, generally they will include a very low end graphics card with a high end processor. The closest unit I can think of would be the $1900 alienware Aurota which will slightly outperform this build, but you can't customise the Alienware or overclock it, and the fans sound like a jet taking off.