(First Build) 1300$ Gaming Build. Would like Advice

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This is my first build that I have spent a good amount of time googling and learning. I would like some advice on the parts that I have picked as to their quality and if it is possible to find a cheaper, but of the same or higher quality part.

[url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jTn8]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jTn8/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jTn8/benchmarks/]Benchmarks[/url]

[b]CPU:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k]Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor[/url]  ($179.99 @ Microcenter)

[b]CPU Cooler:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2]Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler[/url]  ($27.98 @ NCIX US)

[b]Motherboard:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4]ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard[/url]  ($134.99 @ Amazon)

[b]Memory:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbrl]G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory[/url]  ($39.99 @ Newegg)

[b]Storage:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1002faex]Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url]  ($89.99 @ NCIX US)

[b]Storage:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-sh103s3120g]Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[/url]  ($99.99 @ Newegg)

[b]Video Card:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n660tipe2gd5]MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card[/url]  ($299.99 @ Newegg)

[b]Case:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-case-ninehundred]Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case[/url]  ($99.98 @ NCIX US)

[b]Power Supply:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-hive650]Rosewill Hive 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply[/url]  ($69.99 @ Newegg)

[b]Optical Drive:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lite-on-optical-drive-ihas124-04]Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer[/url]  ($15.99 @ Newegg)

[b]Monitor:[/b]  [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/acer-monitor-etvs1hp001]Acer S231HLbid 23.0" Monitor[/url]  ($159.90 @ Amazon)

[b]Total:[/b] $1218.78
[i](Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)[/i]

 

 

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At first I thought this was 1.300 just for the PC but since the monitor is in there it really isnt too expensive. I'm definetly not expert but it looks really good. It's almost the same as mine http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jYOh

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Ye I should have left the momitor out since it's not really directly related to the PC's performance. Definitely gonna need it though  since im upgrading from my current, ancient Pentium D processor and like 18" monitor. >.< Thanks for the input.

 

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I just built mine 2 months ago, around the same budget. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/k7lX (The exact memory I bought is no longer available, it cost $55, I have a very similar stand-in listed for now)

Comparing the two:

My CPU would have a little more multithreading capability (not terribly useful for gaming, so if you're only gaming, the 3570k is about as good as it gets)

The motherboard you chose is nearly identical to the one I chose, except the Extreme4 supports SLI and has a couple other extra little features. If you don't plan on going SLI eventually, the Pro4 could save you 30 bucks for basically the same functionality. I think the Extreme4 might be a bit better at high CPU overclocks, but that's just something I read in some backwoods forum. I don't know for sure.

The memory you have is probably plenty good, but the stuff I got has a slightly lower CAS latency. I'm not sure how or even if CAS latency noticeably translates into performance. Someone else would have to talk on that.

For storage, I got 2 TB, you got 1. If you only need 1 TB, can't complain about a caviar black. Then again, my 2TB Barracuda is only 20 bucks more.

I don't know enough about SSDs to compare the HyperX to the M4. I honestly haven't seen much benefit from having an SSD, with or without Windows installed on it. Windows boots up noticeably faster, but that's really about it.

Your GPU would be a touch faster (perhaps 10%) than the 7870 I got, but also 40 bucks more expensive. Maybe worth it, maybe not. If you're going to be running Linux, I'd recommend an AMD GPU. Otherwise, personal preference.

I was seriously considering the Antec Nine Hundred for a long time, only because it took me a long time to find a decent case that didn't have LED fans. Personally, I think LEDs are cool for about 10 seconds, then they're a waste of money at best, annoying at worst. That's just me, though. I would highly recommend the NZXT Tempest 410 if you don't care about the LEDs. It's 40 bucks cheaper, but it certainly doesn't look or feel cheap. Plenty of space, plenty of airflow, plenty of hard drive bays. Might want to buy a couple extra fans, though.

For the power supply, I went with the more expensive Corsair Pro series mostly for the 7-year warranty. Just makes me feel better. I think the HX650 is also a bit more reliable for multi-GPU setups, if you ever go that route.

My build plus the monitor you chose comes to right around $1300. If you're only doing gaming, stick with the i5-3750k CPU and save a bunch of money. My build, except your CPU (if you can actually get it from Microcenter) and power supply saves you about 150 bucks to sink into a better GPU (a 670 or 7970), if you so desire, and still stays around 1300.