New Build - Opinions please

[Triton28]

I'm a complete noob to computer building, but a squaddie recently built a top notch system (I've also endured years of abuse from other friends taunting me with custom built rigs) and I've decided to give it a go.  I'm probably middle of the road knowledge wise.  I know enough to be dangerous.   

While I'm not putting a "budget" on this, I can't afford to get stupid.  The build list below comes in just under $1300, which I consider reasonable.  I'd love to throw gobs of money at this project, but Mrs. Triton and the lil' Triton's would go hungry.  As long as I have to feed my family (I'm checking in to that, btw), I have to be somewhat reasonable.   

This build list comes directly from supposed guru (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_9lT_AwOnc) on YouTube.  He references MaximumPC magazine throughout the video and the components below are supposedly the best value for a gaming computer. 

AH is basically the only computer game I play anymore, so I would like to tailor the build for it as best I can.  I would also like to give myself the most flexibility for future upgrades from the start.  Let me know what you guys think.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K

VIDEO CARD: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 OC 2GB GDDR5 PCI-Express 3.0 DVI-I/DVI-D/HDMI/Displayport SLI Ready Graphics Card GV-N660OC-2GD

MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte Intel Z77 Dual Thunderbolt ATX Motherboard (GA-Z77X-UP4-TH)

SSD: Crucial 256 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT256M4SSD2

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200 3 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST3000DM001

CASE: NZXT Phantom 410 Mid Tower USB 3.0 Gaming Case

RAM: Patriot Memory 8 DDR3 1600 Extreme Performance Viper 3 Series Kit (PV38G160C9K)

CPU COOLER: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

POWER SUPPLY: Corsair Builder Series CX600 600 watt 80 Plus Certified Power Supply Compatible with Intel and AMD Platforms ATX 700 CMPSU-600CXV2

[gyrene81]

that nvidia 660 is going to disappoint you a little but, if you're just going to run a single monitor, it should perform well enough considering the rest of the hardware you have picked out.

if you're going to get a corsair power supply, get either a tx650 or gs600, those builder series cx power supplies are not the same quality.

[Debrody]

that nvidia 660 is going to disappoint you a little but, if you're just going to run a single monitor, it should perform well enough considering the rest of the hardware you have picked out.

if you're going to get a corsair power supply, get either a tx650 or gs600, those builder series cx power supplies are not the same quality.

+1
Hd-7870, 240$ (only 10$ more) and about 20% more performance.
Hd-7950, 300$ and 40-50% more performance <---smells like the best buy
GTX-660Ti 300$ and 30-40% more performance

otherwise its a good, balanced setup.
in that case if you would like to cut the price a bit, get a 128GB SSD, still enough for a LOAD of data

[Triton28]

Thanks guys.  I'll definitely check out the different GPU's and power supply options.

 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

+1
Hd-7870, 240$ (only 10$ more) and about 20% more performance.
Hd-7950, 300$ and 40-50% more performance <---smells like the best buy
GTX-660Ti 300$ and 30-40% more performance

otherwise its a good, balanced setup.
in that case if you would like to cut the price a bit, get a 128GB SSD, still enough for a LOAD of data

128 is really tiny for todays data. I was shocked to see my sons Steam folder alone grow 196 gigs large.

[Getback]

that nvidia 660 is going to disappoint you a little but, if you're just going to run a single monitor, it should perform well enough considering the rest of the hardware you have picked out.

if you're going to get a corsair power supply, get either a tx650 or gs600, those builder series cx power supplies are not the same quality.

I have the 660 TI and I'm not disappointed.

[gyrene81]

I have the 660 TI and I'm not disappointed.

i'm sure you're not...  but the one Triton listed is not a TI unit. 

a 670 would be much better but, it's a $100+ difference.

[Triton28]

i'm sure you're not...  but the one Triton listed is not a TI unit. 

a 670 would be much better but, it's a $100+ difference.

The video referenced goes over the video card choice.  Supposedly the 660 is a better value.  Value is subjective, however. 

Thanks for the help on this guys.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

The video referenced goes over the video card choice.  Supposedly the 660 is a better value.  Value is subjective, however. 

Thanks for the help on this guys.

If you want value you will need to get a Radeon at the moment.

[Bino]

TechSpot has a comparison review of current video cards, tested at various resolutions across sixteen games plus 3Dmark, which is summed up like this:

"...In a nutshell, the GeForce GTX 650 Ti is the best $100 - $150 solution, while the Radeon HD 7850 is the best $150-$200 option. Then the GeForce GTX 660 is the best $200 - $250 graphics card, making the GTX 660 Ti the best $250 - $300 option. From $300 - $400 we pick the Radeon HD 7950 Boost and when spending $400 or more the Radeon HD 7970 is our pick..."

More info here:  www.techspot.com/review/603-best-graphics-cards

[MrRiplEy[H]]

TechSpot has a comparison review of current video cards, tested at various resolutions across sixteen games plus 3Dmark, which is summed up like this:

"...In a nutshell, the GeForce GTX 650 Ti is the best $100 - $150 solution, while the Radeon HD 7850 is the best $150-$200 option. Then the GeForce GTX 660 is the best $200 - $250 graphics card, making the GTX 660 Ti the best $250 - $300 option. From $300 - $400 we pick the Radeon HD 7950 Boost and when spending $400 or more the Radeon HD 7970 is our pick..."

More info here:  www.techspot.com/review/603-best-graphics-cards

That's conflicting to other reviews which after driver updates listed radeons much higher value for money. Tomshardware for example.

The geforce 660Ti wins by 5 fps in BF3 to 7870 but costs almost 100 dollars more.

[Triton28]

Can it be said that given everything else in the build list, the better video card I buy, the better the game will run at higher settings?  In my noob brain the answer is yes, but I understand different hardware configs create different results.

[gyrene81]

Can it be said that given everything else in the build list, the better video card I buy, the better the game will run at higher settings?  In my noob brain the answer is yes, but I understand different hardware configs create different results.

the better video card with enough memory on that hardware platform will give you better eye candy.