$1,500 for gaming PC - what would you build?

WWYB - what would you build? A few details - no Microcenter/Fry's, online deals only. Needs to be complete in about 2 weeks. Priority is gaming. Need all parts (OS, monitor, etc.) except keyboard and mouse.

Here is what I came up with (all prices from Newegg, after rebates):

i5-3750K - $220
Asus P8Z77-V LK - $115
EVGA GTX 670 FTW - $370
8GB RAM (2x4) - $40
1TB HDD - ~$70
Antec HCG 620w PSU - $50
Antec 300 Two case - $50
2 DVD drives - $40
Win 7 or 8 OS - $100
New heatsink, misc. fans - $60
23" LED monitor - $170

Total = $1,285

I know most of these are non-SD prices - what would you change? More RAM and add SSD?

For spending that type of money I really expect to see a SSD as my main drive and probably more than 1tb of mass storage. There is a good deal on a Crucial M4 today http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/8...t128m4ssd2 or see what you can get a Samsung 830 for since they are a bit faster.


Links to all this stuff is always helpful too.

Don't know if the mobo would support, but just saw this:
http://www.microcenter.com/single...sku=425405

"Core i7 3770K 3.5GHz LGA 1155 Processor" $229.99

I wouldn't worry so much about more ram, 8gb should do it, but X1000 SSD. Personally, I might even side more with a dual monitor setup than such a powerful machine.

Quote from roxwella : Don't know if the mobo would support, but just saw this: http://www.microcenter.com/single...sku=425405 "Core i7 3770K 3.5GHz LGA 1155 Processor" $229.99 I wouldn't worry so much about more ram, 8gb should do it, but X1000 SSD. Personally, I might even side more with a dual monitor setup than such a powerful machine.

he said no MC/Frys, online only
your MC Processor is in store only.

Might want to take a peek at a Dell XPS 8500: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/fs

I am taking your list and changing/adding things. This is all based on if you were to buy at this very moment with exactly $1500 to spend.

i5-3750K - $220 (Agreed)
Asus P8Z77-V LK - $115 (Agreed)
EVGA GTX 670 FTW - $370 (Agreed)
8GB RAM (2x4) - $40
120gb SSD [newegg.com] - $90 (Keep an eye out they are often on sale $70-$80, it doesn't have to be Crucial or Samsung, having a SSD period makes a huge difference)
1TB HDD - ~$70 Agreed
750w PC Power & Cooling - $99 AR [newegg.com]
Antec 300 Two case - $50 Good choice.
2 DVD drives - $40
Win 7 or 8 OS - $100
Corsair h60 - $60~ At least H60 or higher or similar brand...
23" LED monitor - $180 [amazon.com] This one because it is so sexy...

Total = $1,433, with some spare change for some nice thermal paste, couple of nice 120mm fans etc..

Trust me on the PSU, it is worth spending the extra $$$.

What I like about this build is that it opens you up to some good upgrade paths in the future for SLI, more memory, etc...

This build would be solid for gaming for sure.

Quote from zachprzy : I am taking your list and changing/adding things. This is all based on if you were to buy at this very moment with exactly $1500 to spend. i5-3750K - $220 (Agreed) Asus P8Z77-V LK - $115 (Agreed) EVGA GTX 670 FTW - $370 (Agreed) 8GB RAM (2x4) - $40 120gb SSD [newegg.com] - $90 (Keep an eye out they are often on sale $70-$80, it doesn't have to be Crucial or Samsung, having a SSD period makes a huge difference) 1TB HDD - ~$70 Agreed 750w PC Power & Cooling - $99 AR [newegg.com] Antec 300 Two case - $50 Good choice. 2 DVD drives - $40 Win 7 or 8 OS - $100 Corsair h60 - $60~ At least H60 or higher or similar brand... 23" LED monitor - $180 [amazon.com] This one because it is so sexy... Total = $1,433, with some spare change for some nice thermal paste, couple of nice 120mm fans etc.. Trust me on the PSU, it is worth spending the extra $$$. What I like about this build is that it opens you up to some good upgrade paths in the future for SLI, more memory, etc... This build would be solid for gaming for sure.

PSU is overkill, he wont ever use that power/wattage.
Its not even modular either.

stick with the Antec HCG is fine. Only get a different PSU if you want modular.

Quote from IPT : PSU is overkill, he wont ever use that power/wattage. Its not even modular either. stick with the Antec HCG is fine. Only get a different PSU if you want modular.

I agree the wattage is overkill but that is a very nice high quality PSU for a fair price.

Quote from LiquidRetro : I agree the wattage is overkill but that is a very nice high quality PSU for a fair price.

but he won't ever need that 750W, there's no reason to pay the extra premium on 130 more W that you won't use.

I'd pay the premium if it was modular, to make install easier/cleaner.
It doesn't run more efficient than the 620W, its not significantly better

Quote from IPT : but he won't ever need that 750W, there's no reason to pay the extra premium on 130 more W that you won't use. I'd pay the premium if it was modular, to make install easier/cleaner. It doesn't run more efficient than the 620W, its not significantly better

PSU's only output what you need. So if you have a 750W but only use 300W you still should get the same 80 or 90% efficiency of the unit on the power used. Having a 750W psu does not mean your using 750W. I am sure you gain some efficiency of a more properly sized unit but it's not much.

I do agree that modular PSU is very nice. Since it sounds like the OP is a fairly serious gamer, I could see him adding a second GPU someday too, and he would then maybe need a larger GPU.

Nothing in the budget for a good gaming keyboard/mouse?

Quote from LiquidRetro : PSU's only output what you need. So if you have a 750W but only use 300W you still should get the same 80 or 90% efficiency of the unit on the power used. Having a 750W psu does not mean your using 750W. I am sure you gain some efficiency of a more properly sized unit but it's not much. I do agree that modular PSU is very nice. Since it sounds like the OP is a fairly serious gamer, I could see him adding a second GPU someday too, and he would then maybe need a larger GPU.

im saying his system even if he adds a 2nd GTX 670 will not exceed the maximum draw of the 620W PSU

http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pa...iew,8.html

you dont need 750 unless you're goin 3 cards.

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming.

Quote from neteng101 : Nothing in the budget for a good gaming keyboard/mouse?

That is a highly personalized product (I think), so I left that up to the owner of the forthcoming PC.

For spending $1500 you better go with 2 16:10 22" monitors.
Here is on 5ms response for $149: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6824236096

Everything else looks good. Again no pricing in for OS license though... May be better to get a Dell and have some warranty.