Tax Refund Gaming Build

[jinsoku38]

So I'm planning on building a new gaming rig with some of my tax refund. I mostly play WoW and some D3, nothing major besides that.
I've been looking around the forums and saw recomendations for other's builds.

I went to parts picker and put this together: pcpartpicker.com/p/CWk7 (can't link)

I'd like to be able to play with high/ultra settings for 25m raids at 1920x1080 res. Hopefully around 60fps. (i understand it might be closer to high settings for 25m)

Couple things about the build.
Would upgrading to the 660ti be worth it? How much does the manufacturer matter on the videocards? I really like the 400r case but also am attracted to the NZXT Phantom 410, strong feelings either way on these cases? I have some wiggle room on the price but would like to remain close to this. I did not include an optic drive since I should be able to use the one form my old computer, but nothing else.

[Vynrael]

I'm no tech junkie, but I'm trying to teach myself a bit more :P But I'm fairly certain that build will be more than enough for WoW on ultra settings.

From what I've read, going from 660 to 660TI isn't really worth it for the money you'd spend. I'd go with http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-vi...d7870dc22gd5v2, if you planned on upgrading the video card anymore. I believe NVidia only pulls ahead on multiscreen gaming. When it comes down to brand, it's really up in the air between warranty/heatsinks.

Case wise, I'd go with the 400r, I have a soft spot for Corsair and their clean cases. :P

If anything I said was incorrect, please let me know!

[n0cturnal]

I would switch the SSD to a better one, change the RAM to low profile and perhaps get a cheaper but still good quality PSU. ~500W is enough.
I would also change the GPU to something with a better cooler.

[constantduty]

I'm in a similar situation as you OP and this is what I cooked up for myself (just waiting for the $$$!). I'm not sure about the video card though. I hear good things about the 7850, but I also hear that WoW likes Nvidia a bit more...

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 ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Dell E2311H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1116.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-11 21:04 EST-0500)

[anyaka21]

Thought to think about. You say WoW and D3 are the main games, are there any others that you do play or plan on playing? Maybe an SC2, GW2, or Rift, or anything? If so, I'd consider going towards a 250gb size on the ssd. As an example, I have windows 8, GW2, SWTOR, and Assassins Creed 3, and it takes up 115gbs. Therefor not much room for anything else or maybe even another expansion or 2 on either of those 2 mmo's. But I have a 250gb drive, so I'm not worried.

Mainly just food for thought, and up to you to decide. Otherwise, the build looks pretty solid

[Idrinkwhiterussians]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($57.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1051.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-11 21:31 EST-0500)

Here is a revised build with some of the suggested changes. The GPU and SSD are a bit more expensive, but surely worth it. The PSU is enough for your build.

I would stick with the 400R, or get the Fractal R4 suggested above.

The one other thing you could do to change the build is to go with the deal http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...37&SID=rewrite that n0cturnal posted in the daily deals mega thread. (this would replace the HDD and PSU)

[Deathdealr]

Check out a link to Maximum Pc's best bang for your buck set up. http://www.maximumpc.com/article/fea..._2012?page=0,0

[DeltrusDisc]

Yes, do not buy that SSD! Everything I've read has put it as a flop from Crucial. Nice try, but why are we going back to SATA II SSDs? (I understand why, I just think it's pointless.)

[jinsoku38]

I would like to say thank for all the help. Based on the feed back it looks like I'm going to go with a build like this:
pcpartpicker.com/p/Dnxc

I meant to pick the M4 SSD not the V4, not settled on this size i'll pick up yet though.
The NZXT case is only $70 today so I'm ordering that. Seems to have really good reviews.

Great community here.

[yurano]

Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)

Here is a revised build with some of the suggested changes. The GPU and SSD are a bit more expensive, but surely worth it. The PSU is enough for your build.

The Samsung 830 has been sold out at Newegg for a couple months now. I don't know why PCPartPicker continues to list it.

If you're spending $130 on an SSD, go for the 830's successor, the 840 Pro.

Otherwise, the Samsung 840, OCZ Vertex 4, Crucial M4 and Intel's offerings are fine. Just pick the cheapest one.

[chazus]

pcpartpicker.com/p/Dnxc.

Beyond a few brand differences, that setup is identical to mine that I just got about 3 months ago. You'll be pleased with it.

[n0cturnal]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=

I would go with this PSU instead, it is 80+ rated and built on Seasonic SII12 620 platform. It is a bit overkill for the setup you have but it doesn't hurt since it is cheap anyway.

[kojinshugi]

Estimated Wattage: 331W

PSU picked: 650W

You'll never need more than a high quality 450W unless you plan to SLI/Crossfire.

Buy a cheaper Corsair 430-500 watt, use the money you save on a bigger SSD.

[slasher0161]

Estimated Wattage: 331W

PSU picked: 650W

You'll never need more than a high quality 450W unless you plan to SLI/Crossfire.

Buy a cheaper Corsair 430-500 watt, use the money you save on a bigger SSD.

Don't recommend those corsair power supplies as that is the builder series (CX) and they are known to be overrated. I wouldn't put one of them in anything more intensive than a HTPC.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371030 would be my personal recommendation or just about any other brand name 80+ cert psu in the 450-500w range just for the love of god not a Corsair cx.