Getting back into WoW, Buying new PC, Input Appreciated

[black127]

I have been playing WoW on and off since 2005. I am going to start playing again once I buy a new computer. Laptop I have just doesn't have enough juice to run it.

This is what I'm looking at.
$1500 US
General Spec
Brand- iBUYPOWER
Model- Gamer Extreme NE751x
Processor- Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz
Processor Main Features- 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Cache Per Processor- 8MB L3 Cache
Memory- 16GB DDR3 1333
Hard Drive- 2TB SATA III 7200RPM+120GB SATA III SSD
Optical Drive 1- 12x Blu Ray Combo Drive
Graphics- NVIDIA Geforce GTX 660 2GB
Ethernet- Gigabit Ethernet
Power Supply- 500W
Operating System- Windows 8
Special Features- iBuypower Chimera Inferno 4se Case-iBuypower Custom Liquid Cooling


I have heard mixed reviews about iBUYPOWER. I heard they are alright if you buy the pre-configs from newegg.
I'm sure it can handle WoW, but what about on ultra? I know it has a decent processor and graphics card.

I know enough about computers to build one myself. I don't keep up with what hardware is good or bad, which is why I am looking to do the pre-built option.

I have one semester left until I got my BS in ME so I will also be running CAD programs and some other engineer programs on it.

Also is there anything else in the $1500-$2000 price range that is a better buy or a cheap upgrade.
Let me know your thoughts, open to any ideas. Not much of a Mac fan. My laptop is running a Windows 8, which was upgraded from Windows 7, so I am familiar with both OS's.

Thanks in advance for any input. (My grammar skills are horrible, sorry)

[Cyanotical]

I have one semester left until I got my BS in ME so I will also be running CAD programs and some other engineer programs on it.

everything looked good till i got to this point

why i bring this up is that many of the popular CAD programs are not compatible with consumer GPUs, Autodesk in particular will only work with a Quadro, and not a lower priced Geforce card

if it wasn't for this fact, i would tell you to get a i5 3570k, and up the GPU to a 660ti or 670, but i would leave the CPU as is if you are going to do CAD work, or look into getting an X79 motherboard and a i7-3930k (more expensive, but much better suited to workstation use)

[Danno]

I think you should build your own system since you mention you have experience with it. Things have become easier with new technology, so it's probably even simpler to assemble your own. Here's an example system that has a 660 Ti instead of a 660, which will easily get you that ultra in WoW 1080p. It's also under budget in case you don't have a Microcenter nearby for that cheap 3770k.

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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($85.25 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($51.52 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1293.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-14 00:31 EST-0500)

As Cyan said though, CAD has different needs for GPUs. 3930k would go past $1500, but you mentioned $1500-$2000.

I'd also go with a CoolerMaster 932 Advanced or some Corsair case over the 912 that I listed, but cases are always personal preference.

[black127]

Guess I'll be getting two rigs. Is that PC Part Picker website a decent site never heard of it, looks pretty good.

[chazus]

With a budget of "1500-2000", you could probably get away with building a very nice $1000 system (if its just WoW you play) and then a second $1500 system with the i7 and quadro card.

[Seiz]

I think you should build your own system since you mention you have experience with it. Things have become easier with new technology, so it's probably even simpler to assemble your own. Here's an example system that has a 660 Ti instead of a 660, which will easily get you that ultra in WoW 1080p. It's also under budget in case you don't have a Microcenter nearby for that cheap 3770k.

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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($85.25 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($51.52 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1293.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-14 00:31 EST-0500)

As Cyan said though, CAD has different needs for GPUs. 3930k would go past $1500, but you mentioned $1500-$2000.

I'd also go with a CoolerMaster 932 Advanced or some Corsair case over the 912 that I listed, but cases are always personal preference.

+1 on this build if you need powerful CPU go with the 3770k its a beast! and would be great with the stuff you are doing but the 3930k would be better more work station oriented.

[vesseblah]

why i bring this up is that many of the popular CAD programs are not compatible with consumer GPUs, Autodesk in particular will only work with a Quadro, and not a lower priced Geforce card

Of course the programs work through OpenGL drivers, but much slower than when using Quadro or FirePro cards.

[chazus]

Guess I'll be getting two rigs. Is that PC Part Picker website a decent site never heard of it, looks pretty good.

PcPartPicker is not a website to buy stuff from. It polls prices for parts and shows you where to buy them for the cheapest.

[black127]

Well the company I have my internship at will pay up to $3000, once I get hired on, for a rig, but that's for hardware and software. So I figured $1500-$2000 on hardware then rest for software. Also wanted to make it a gaming machine while they were paying. I didn't know there was such a contrast between gaming hardware and workstation hardware. Guess I'll just use my tax money for the gaming rig and wait on the other one.
Thanks for all your help. It is very much appreciated.

---------- Post added 2013-01-15 at 11:43 PM ----------

I used Danno's build and went with a GTX 670 and the CoolerMaster 932 Advanced. Nothing wrong with the 660ti just pushing it closer to $1500.
What is a good wireless card for gaming? Is it worth buying a Killer from Qualcomm? Tomshardware did a review and it seems kind of promising.
Thanks again for any input, I would have posted links but mmo champ won't let me i haven't posted enough yet.

[black127]

Here's my final build.

CPU-Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler-Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard-Asus Maximus V Extreme EATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory-Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage-Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage-Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card-EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card
Case-Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply-SeaSonic 660W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive-Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Monitor-Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor
Operating System-Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)

[ducklino4]

everything looked good till i got to this point

why i bring this up is that many of the popular CAD programs are not compatible with consumer GPUs, Autodesk in particular will only work with a Quadro, and not a lower priced Geforce card

I remember the old days when you could use rivaturner to convert a geforce into a quadro. I wonder if it still possible this days.

[n0cturnal]

I used Danno's build and went with a GTX 670 and the CoolerMaster 932 Advanced. Nothing wrong with the 660ti just pushing it closer to $1500.
What is a good wireless card for gaming? Is it worth buying a Killer from Qualcomm? Tomshardware did a review and it seems kind of promising.
Thanks again for any input, I would have posted links but mmo champ won't let me i haven't posted enough yet.

If you are serious about gaming you use wired network and not WiFi.

Here's my final build.

CPU-Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler-Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard-Asus Maximus V Extreme EATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory-Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage-Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage-Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card-EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card
Case-Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply-SeaSonic 660W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive-Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Monitor-Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor
Operating System-Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)

Is this build for gaming only or still for CAD and such? You sure 8GB of RAM is enough?

[black127]

Just for gaming. I've never really had a problem with RAM and my last rig only had 4gb and also mb has 4 slots so ill add more if needed.
My router is not in the PC room because I use a AT&T micro cell which required a wired connection and window. So wireless is all I can do.
Thanks for input.

[black127]

CPU-Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler-Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard-Asus Maximus V Extreme EATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory-Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage-Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage-Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card-EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card
Case-Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply-SeaSonic 660W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive-Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Monitor-Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor
Operating System-Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)

Has anyone had driver issues with Windows 8 and any of this hardware?

[n0cturnal]

May I ask why you are spending $350 on that motherboard?

[black127]

May I ask why you are spending $350 on that motherboard?

It is E-ATX
Comes with a pre-installed wifi module.
Never had a problem with Asus.

[vesseblah]

It is E-ATX

There's no benefit from the larger size of the motherboard.

Comes with a pre-installed wifi module.

You can buy ten WLAN cards with the $200 you save with a $150 motherboard.

[n0cturnal]

It is E-ATX
Comes with a pre-installed wifi module.
Never had a problem with Asus.

So you are pretty much paying $200 for a wifi module?

[Cyanotical]

it is a high quality board though, with a ton of support from asus

[black127]

What's a decent $150 MB?