Gaming System Ideas?

[necromori]

Normally I am laptop gamer, but my desktop is due for full upgrade. Looking at around a $1500 budget, I tend to prefer AMD for the bang vs buck, but looking at Intel solutions. It is easy enough to pick some components and toss em together, but it's fun to discuss as well.

Thoughts on which routes I should go, AMD/Intel, motherboard and GPU?

Cheers

[Maruka]

Go intel 3570k if its only for gaming for the cpu with a z77 mobo. Gpu ill let others argue about

[gmike]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...mark,3348.html

[Deleted]

cpu front intel for sure if gaming is the concern.
gpu front also has allot to do with future plans. (adding extra card, multiple screen, or if you just like red over green or visa versa)

[Seezer]

Normally I am laptop gamer, but my desktop is due for full upgrade. Looking at around a $1500 budget, I tend to prefer AMD for the bang vs buck, but looking at Intel solutions. It is easy enough to pick some components and toss em together, but it's fun to discuss as well.

Thoughts on which routes I should go, AMD/Intel, motherboard and GPU?

Cheers

Take a look at the last Narwhal build. It's within your budget and you can just build a new one vs upgrading an old computer. And many of the parts are cheaper than when the build was initially put out.

[Xuvial]

$1500 is a very roomy budget! I'll recommend you a full build...all prices updated, this WILL kick some serious ass:

Note: prices are before rebates/deals:
MoBo: ASUS P8Z77-V LK – $139.99
CPU: Intel i5 3570k – $219.99
RAM: G.Skill Sniper 1600Mhz 2x4GB – $38.99
GPU: Sapphire Vapor-X HD7970 Ghz Edition – $469.99
SSD: Samsung 830 128GB – $103.99
HDD: WD Cavier Blue 1TB - $69.99
PSU: Seasonic X-750 Gold - $99.99
Heatsink: Noctua NH-U12P - $72.99
Case: CoolerMaster Storm Enforcer - 74.99

Total: $1281

Potential upgrades:
SSD: Samsung 830 256GB – $189-$219, but all 3 models out of stock on Newegg!
RAM: Mushkin Redline 16GB 1866mhz (8GB x 2) - $86.99
Heatsink: Noctua NH-D14 - $89.99 /// Corsair H100 - $94.99
Case: NZXT Switch 810 Black - $169.99

[Deleted]

for cpu take the NH-D14 instead? (dual radiator + 2 fans fans compared to single radiator + 2 fans)
would make the budget end just below 1300.
also get a http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=671...C&promoid=1030 instead (same card different brand $100 saved, unless performance hit is too big from not getting a Ghz edition card)

[Xuvial]

There's about a 10% performance difference.

Obviously at $370 the Double-D 7970 is a far better bang for the buck...I was aiming to recommend him the fastest single card available today since his budget allows it :P