Decent Budget - New full build, help please.

[ElementalNimbus]

Hey there. I'm planning on buying a new gaming rig soon, I can build from parts no problem. Just mostly I haven't kept with what is new and good, nor have I ever really known which brands are best.

I was perusing beforehand and saw a checklist someone recommended be filled out if help is sought. So here that is:

Budget - $1000-$1200 or so, for the system itself.
Resolution - Normal 1920x1080. Dual monitor, but not planning on playing games on more than one.
Games - WoW Ultra of course. Skyrim Ultra w/ Loads of mods. I mean. Crysis3 Ultra would be tops too, but y'know.
Any other intensive software or special things you do - Nothin. Just gaming.
Country - United States
Parts that can be reused - Non-SSD storage. Would like a SSD but I got the rest of storage handled.
Do you need an OS? - Nope!
Do you need peripherals - Nope!

I'd prefer everything from Newegg, but not to the point of losing $200 over it.

The Brands I do know I prefer are:
Cooler Master case
Intel CPU
AMD/ATI Video Card (No clue on the sub brands like Saphire or whatnot).
Ram I'm more open about, but am very used to G.Skill stuff.

I'd like to be able to run everything current on ultra if viable, and be set for the next year of games or so at least. Been saving for this for about two years so would like it to last!

Thanks for any advice!

[noteworthynerd]

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: ASUS HD7970-DC2-3GD5 Radeon HD 7970 ($434.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1142.91

That should handle pretty much anything on Ultra, especially if you overclock the CPU (if you want to overclock all you'd need to add is an aftermarket CPU cooler).

[Deleted]

noteworthy, that's a decent build, but you can drop to the 670 and get a cooler and a HDD as storage, like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.94 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($117.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.97 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($389.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Silverstone SST-RL01B-USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Amazon)
Total: $1113.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 11:50 EDT-0400)

You did, however, give me a good base to work off.

[noteworthynerd]

noteworthy, that's a decent build, but you can drop to the 670 and get a cooler and a HDD as storage,

Fair enough, but the OP said that they already have storage drives and they didn't mention overclocking. My build has a stronger GPU, a better case, and a better power supply (the Rosewill Hive is manufactured by Sirtec, not exactly a notable brand) for $30 more.

If the OP does indeed want to overclock, they can pick up a $30 CPU cooler like the XIGMATEK Gaia and be good to go.

[Deleted]

noteworthy, that's a decent build, but you can drop to the 670 and get a cooler and a HDD as storage, like this:

I wouldnt pick the 670 over the 7970 when talking about a fully modded skyrim. Im pulling 2,5-3GB out of my 7970. Of course, it could be just because it has the space and just takes it all.

[ElementalNimbus]

Thanks for the recommendations! I appreciate the help tenangrychickens, however noteworthynerd did seem to nail everything I was asking for.

Three questions.

A: I don't really plan on overclocking, do I still need a aftermarket CPU cooler? I presume it isn't a bad idea either way.
B: Guess I moved too slow, that vid card is sold out. Are there brands you prefer / recommend I avoid? I have a XFX in my current computer, and it's been good. But reading some reviews I'm not sure if I just lucked out or something.
C: Any reason you picked Mushkin ram over G.Skill? Just curious if one brand is much better or something. Same question for the case, I'm using a Cooler Master CM690 II right now and am very happy with it. Just am slow to jump brands when they haven't done bad by me

Thanks again for all the help!

[Idrinkwhiterussians]

The list offered by Noteworthy is spot on. I would stick with it, and to answer your questions:

A) You do not need an aftermarket cooler off the bat if you are not overclocking off the bat. You can always get one on down the line and OC later, which will give you a performance jump.
B) The typical recommended brands are Gigabyte, Asus and MSI. I would go for something like Gigabyte 7970 (free games) which is a bit cheaper than the Asus, but should perform just as well.
C) The RAM is not a big deal either way, and I am sure Noteworthy picked the Mushkin for price reasons. (RAM has been on the rise in price recently) As for the case, the Fractal case is wonderful. It has good cable management, airflow and space. It is just a bit newer than the CM designed cases. I would second that recommendation also.

After looking, there are a couple more choices for RAM also. They are all around $60 now though, so no real reason to switch.

[ElementalNimbus]

Ok, sounds good. Thanks for the help. Here is what I have currently:

Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 FD-CA-ARC-R2-BL-W Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $89.99
Burner: SAMSUNG DVD Burner SATA Model SH-224BB - OEM - $17.99
HDD: Western Digital WD Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - OEM - $159.99
SDD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC 7mm Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $129.99
PSU: SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $79.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBXL - $124.99
MOBO: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $119.99
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K - $219.99
GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R797TO-3GD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 - $449.99

Total: $1380~

Higher budget than I initially want. Mostly went for the upgrades to try to help it scale/last longer in the coming years. Ideally this thing will last 3-4 years while keeping things at high quality. Also added in some quality HDD so space isn't a concern. I like to keep some high def stuff around and steam alone can eat like 1TB+. If any of these changes are stupid though let me know!

Does the case need any additional fans purchased / added for air flow? Does the SSD need a drive bay converter to fit? Any other things I'd need to add? Just trying to make sure this is everything I need since I hope to not spend anything else for so long x_X.

Thanks again for all the help folks!

[Idrinkwhiterussians]

You really dont need a Caviar Black for storage. With the money saved from switching that to a Green, you can actually fit a larger SSD in. (ill show you price differences in a moment)
You could switch the PSU to a PCPower and Cooling 600W semi-modular unit for the same price, and have a bit more overhead. (OC takes more wattage)
That RAM has tall heatsinks. They are totally unnecessary. You could get some LP sticks to put in the build and have no worry of blocking RAM slots with an air cooler.
You will have to get the items from 3 different websites, but with those changes, you still save $50.

Your choices for those parts:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $489.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-17 01:20 EDT-0400)

The changes I would make:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($162.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($95.85 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $438.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-17 01:21 EDT-0400)

As a note: I am not deriding the Seasonic unit by any long shot. I am just saying you can get a similar unit with more wattage for the same price.

Edit: As for your case, it comes with 3x 140mm fans and support for SSDs natively. You should be good to go.

[ElementalNimbus]

Ok, hopefully I'm not making folks hate me. I spent some time going through using some of the advice I got here; and did a couple of hours research myself. Swapped a few brands around due to loyalty. So forth. This'll be the last time I post before I buy, so any last minute advice is appreciated! Thanks again for all the input, really got me thinking about all of this.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($119.99)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($162.99)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($389.99)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96)
Total: $1382.87

---------- Post added 2013-04-18 at 09:45 AM ----------

Ok. Ordering today in about 3-4 hours. Made a few last minute changes again. Really hoping to get some input since this represents a long-term saving job x_x. I do appreciate all the help. This'll be the highest-end computer I've made/owned yet so hoping to make it one I can have no regrets about!

Here is the latest build I'm looking at. (Gigabyte sold out unfortunately).

price picker code: Rouc

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($119.99)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($162.99)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($382.38)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96)
Total: $1375.26

Any input would be greatly welcome. If anyone has experience with these parts/brands. Or any other idea on things I'm missing/skimping too much on.