This build worth its price?

[Pacabra]

I just want to know if this build is worth its price, itll be used for moderate gaming like wow/diablo occasionally skyrim/bf3 graphic intense games. Id also like to know anything you would change im looking to stay at about the price im already at. Thanks in advance.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pj5t
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pj5t/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pj5t/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($86.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($217.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $800.02
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-25 23:07 EST-0500)

[Sthos]

I would switch the motherboard for a ASRock Z77 LGA1155 Pro4 or Extreme 4, and get the Cooler Master Evo 212 cooler.

Otherwise looks good.

[yurano]

Switch the motherboard for a ASRock Z77 LGA1155 Pro4 or Extreme 4, and get the Cooler Master Evo 212 cooler.

Otherwise looks good.

An aftermarket cooler means you're going to overclock which means i5-3570K or i7-3770K. You also don't need a Z77 motherboard unless you have bought said 3570K/3770K.

Otherwise, i5-3570 + H77 motherboard and no heatsink.

[Pacabra]

Should i upgrade to the the i5-3570k and upgrade the mobo? Whats the real difference between the processors?

---------- Post added 2012-11-25 at 10:43 PM ----------

If i do decide to OC what cooler should i decide to get? Im not looking to spend a ton of money

[Xuvial]

If you're going for a non-overclocking build then take an i5 3570. The Z75 motherboard is fine.

The real difference is that the i5 3570K can be easily overclocked by 25-30% and will therefore last you far longer before you need to upgrade. Later down the road if you want to OC for a bump in system/application performance (good for games too) an i5 3570K will let you do it, an i5 3470 won't.

To sum it up:
- Additional $20 on CPU - 5 3570K - $219
- Additional $15 on a motherboard with higher quality VRM's/features - ASRock Z77 Pro3 - $95
- Additional $15-19 on an aftermarket cooler to allow a moderate OC and silence - CoolerMaster Hyper212+ or Xigmatek Gaia - $15-19

So that's a $45-50 increase to greatly "futureproof" your CPU/Mobo setup. OR you can spend that $50 on a slightly better GPU (660 ti / 7870 / 7950). Up to you.

Oh and you don't need a Seasonic X650, it's waaay overkill. Get this instead, it's more than enough:
SeaSonic G Series 550w - $74.99 ($59.99 after $15 rebate)

Bam, $30 saving.

And then you can scrape up a bit more money from somewhere to buy a 120GB SSD because no PC build is truly complete without an SSD >_<

[Pacabra]

If you're going for a non-overclocking build then take an i5 3570. The Z75 motherboard is fine.

The real difference is that the i5 3570K can be easily overclocked by 25-30% and will therefore last you far longer before you need to upgrade. Later down the road if you want to OC for a bump in system/application performance (good for games too) an i5 3570K will let you do it, an i5 3470 won't.

To sum it up:
- Additional $20 on CPU - 5 3570K - $219
- Additional $15 on a motherboard with higher quality VRM's/features - ASRock Z77 Pro3 - $95
- Additional $15-19 on an aftermarket cooler to allow a moderate OC and silence - CoolerMaster Hyper212+ or Xigmatek Gaia - $15-19

So that's a $45-50 increase to greatly "futureproof" your CPU/Mobo setup. OR you can spend that $50 on a slightly better GPU (660 ti / 7870 / 7950). Up to you.

Oh and you don't need a Seasonic X650, it's waaay overkill. Get this instead, it's more than enough:
SeaSonic G Series 550w - $69.99 ($54.99 after $15 rebate)

Bam, $35 saving.

And then you can scrape up a bit more money from somewhere to buy a 120GB SSD because no PC build is truly complete without an SSD >_<

Wow thanks for the reply, i decided to get the asrock z77 extreme4 and the 3570k, and thanks for the info on power supply, also how "futureproof" is the 660 compared to other slightly better cards like the ones you listed

[Xuvial]

Extreme4 + i5 3570K? Excellent, good stuff

For WoW/Diablo a 660 Ti is borderline overkill, but for Skyrim/BF3 don't expect max settings, those are some demanding games. I don't play Skyrim but in BF3 you'll need to drop to high settings (with a bit of tweaking) if you want to keep above 60 fps. This is for multiplayer btw, can get quite stressful.

Basically it's only as futureproof as you want it to be, because with the new CPU/mobo and a gold-class 550w PSU you easily go all the way to HD7970 or GTX680. The only limit is your budget and what settings you're satisfied with in your games

edited previous post because the Seasonic 550w magically became $5 more expensive in the span of a few hours. Man Newegg is going nuts.

[Pacabra]

Extreme4 + i5 3570K? Excellent, good stuff

For WoW/Diablo a 660 Ti is borderline overkill, but for Skyrim/BF3 don't expect max settings, those are some demanding games. I don't play Skyrim but in BF3 you'll need to drop to high settings (with a bit of tweaking) if you want to keep above 60 fps. This is for multiplayer btw, can get quite stressful.

Basically it's only as futureproof as you want it to be, because with the new CPU/mobo and a gold-class 550w PSU you easily go all the way to HD7970 or GTX680. The only limit is your budget and what settings you're satisfied with in your games

edited previous post because the Seasonic 550w magically became $5 more expensive in the span of a few hours. Man Newegg is going nuts.

Ahh okay i see i might do upgrades for both then depending on my choice of monitor, but i will upgrade mobo and processor also have you seen any nice monitors? I havent really gotten a chance to check, (i meant like good deals) thanks

[Xuvial]

It's more about deals since there's a TON of monitor models all of which more or less do the same thing.

Going by the reliability rates, maybe this one?

Asus VH236H - $169.99 ($149.99 after rebate)

Pretty much anything from Samsung, Asus, Acer, etc will do the job.

Things only get a bit more "worth discussion" when you enter the IPS panel or 120hz monitor categories, both of which will cost a lot more.

[Pacabra]

It's more about deals since there's a TON of monitor models all of which more or less do the same thing.

Going by the reliability rates, maybe this one?

Asus VH236H - $169.99 ($149.99 after rebate)

Pretty much anything from Samsung, Asus, Acer, etc will do the job.

Things only get a bit more "worth discussion" when you enter the IPS panel or 120hz monitor categories, both of which will cost a lot more.

Thank you very much youve answered all my questions!

Cheers!

[Targaryen]

Thank you very much youve answered all my questions!

Cheers!

In fact you will find if you dig many monitors are built with the same screens (I know in the past Sony/Samsung used LG screens in quite a few of their products) so take Xuvial's advice. I love what Asus has been doing in the monitor world and their prices are great. Cyber Monday should net you a great deal if not and you can wait there are a ton of deals to be had in January since many retailers are trying to unload stock before the end of their fiscal year.

[Pacabra]

In fact you will find if you dig many monitors are built with the same screens (I know in the past Sony/Samsung used LG screens in quite a few of their products) so take Xuvial's advice. I love what Asus has been doing in the monitor world and their prices are great. Cyber Monday should net you a great deal if not and you can wait there are a ton of deals to be had in January since many retailers are trying to unload stock before the end of their fiscal year.

Ah okay i see, i probably wont be waiting because i dont have one im just dissapointed i couldnt snag a cheap one yesterday but i guess monitors are always sort of on sale.