Gaming Rig

[Schmittez]

Im going to be ordering parts for a gaming rig and possible some video editing stuff soon. I'm just wondering if this is a decent build, looking for around $1600 AUD.

[TABLE=width: 695]

[TR]

[TD]

Mother Board[/TD]

[TD]

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Motherboard[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Processor[/TD]

[TD]

Intel Core i5 3570K[/TD]

[TD]

$ 239.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

CPU Cooler[/TD]

[TD]

CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Graphics Card[/TD]

[TD]

Gigabyte Radeon HD7970 GHz Edition 3GB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 469.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

RAM[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair Vengeance CML8GX3M2A1600C9B 8GB (4x4GB) DDR3[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Operating System[/TD]

[TD]

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit with SP1 OEM[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Hard Disk Drive[/TD]

[TD]

Seagate Barracuda 2TB ST2000DM001[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

CD/DVD/Blue-ray Drive[/TD]

[TD]

LG CH12LS28 12X BD-R Blu-ray DVD Combo Drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 55.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Case[/TD]

[TD]

Lian Li Lancool First Knight PC-K59[/TD]

[TD]

$ 79.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Power Supply[/TD]

[TD]

Thermaltake 700W TR2 Bronze TR-700P[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Monitor[/TD]

[TD]

LG E2242T 21.5in Widescreen LED Monitor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Network card[/TD]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,608.0[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

any tips on what I should change that would not affect the budget would be a great help.

Thanks Schmittez

[iTonyy]

For editing you might want to upgrade to a 3770k with 16gb of ram.

Also you might want to consider upgrading the cpu cooler to something like the h100i for better overclocking.

You definitely want to add a ssd which will really improve day to day performance.

You don't need the 3gb version of the 7970 unless you were planning to run a multi monitor display

Unless you absolutely need it, wifi adapter and optical drive (especially blu ray) is pointless and the money should go towards other parts (consider dropping it to reg DVD drive unless you need blu ray)

For your current system, a 500W psu is sufficient (maybe 600 if you plan on future crossfire)

The monitor you chose is a TN which is notoriously for drab colors and horrible viewing angles. Consider a IPS panel which has beautiful colors and a wide viewing angle

[Nidiahk]

For editing you might want to upgrade to a 3770k with 16gb of ram.

Also you might want to consider upgrading the cpu cooler to something like the h100i for better overclocking.

You definitely want to add a ssd which will really improve day to day performance.

You don't need the 3gb version of the 7970 unless you were planning to run a multi monitor display

Unless you absolutely need it, wifi adapter and optical drive (especially blu ray) is pointless and the money should go towards other parts (consider dropping it to reg DVD drive unless you need blu ray)

For your current system, a 500W psu is sufficient (maybe 600 if you plan on future crossfire)

The monitor you chose is a TN which is notoriously for drab colors and horrible viewing angles. Consider a IPS panel which has beautiful colors and a wide viewing angle

you will want more room for crossfire than 600w i would say 750w at least and 800w if you plan on overclocking and such, and this cpu is basically a 3770 without the graphics chip or over clocking - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117286 and its $240 + you can pick up a cheaper mobo just check compatibility, yes add more ram

[TechNerd181]

Well whatever changes you do will affect the budget, so I don't know if what I'm going to say will help in any way.

I don't know much about video editing, but you probably wouldn't need an i7.. An i7 would be handy, but with your budget there's other things you should focus on as well rather than having a decent CPU and other parts slightly sluggish. So your i5 3570k is decent. As for the GPU, depending on what games you'll play, I wouldn't go with that GPU at all. Is there a reason why you chose the 7970? I personally prefer NVIDIA cards due to their better architecture and just in general.. I don't know how much parts are where you are, but have you considered a GTX 660Ti? I would say a 670, but for the huge jump in price between the two the 670's little extra performance isn't worth it. And a 660Ti will still smoothly play on high/ultra, 2GB's is decent as well. 16GB's of RAM might not be a bad idea either though, stick with Corsair Vengeance. As for that PSU, no. 600W's will be sufficient. I don't particularly know much about PSU's, PSU's are PSU's.. It's about quality not quantity I guess. Corsair 600W TX(Builder Series) PSU's go for around.. $65-70 I think? You'll also probably wan't an SSD. 128/240GB's are decent. But you'll want one that's reliable as well as good. Like Intel 330 Series or Corsair Force GT/Neutron GTX. Corsair SSD's are.. Pricey to say the least, but they're good. I don't really know much about the case you've chose, and for that reason I wouldn't really go with it. Haven't ever heard of Lian Li Lancool before.. But whatever.

Hope I've helped in some way.

[Schmittez]

Thanks for the feedback. I should off said not affect the budget too much.

16GB ram, is actually in there just says 8 because I forgot to change it. (has 4x4GB)

3770k, I did have it in another build I set out but changed it out for the 3570k for more money for other stuff when i found if performs very similar in games.

7970, I was changing GPU's around a bit went from a 670 to 2x 7870 then to the 7970, and I haven't seen a 2GB version of it.

what’s the 660TI like for OCing? and for recording game play.

will be doing basically all my gaming on this, it will be my transition from console going to be playing BF3, Bioshock Infinite, and pretty much any game I want from now on for a while.

Lian Li, basically fit the budget and didn't look too bad, might change it to a Chaser A31 blue or black but again the funds are pretty tight.

IPS panel I did consider it but there is a decent jump in price to them.

PSU i will change out, probably won’t be doing crossfire or SLI for a while like I thought I might be with the 2 7870s. TX 650w is $129 here.

SSD again doesn't really fit the budget but I'll see what I can do.

I need the network card or I won’t have internet. Won’t be in a place accessible by Ethernet. It’s not replacing an existing computer.

I'll trying to fit most of what you guys said without affecting the budget too much, might be able to raise the budget a bit more maybe $100.

[TABLE=width: 594]

[TR]

[TD]

i7 3770k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 345.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Asus GTX 660ti[/TD]

[TD]

$ 343.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Thermal take Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Seagate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,765.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

This is what I have figured out, Just need to find the extra $150.

Or $1659.00 with the 3570k.

[Wats]

7870 :]

Go for 2x8GB of memory.

[Schmittez]

Yeah i will probably change to 2x8GB there the same price and leaves room for upgrading probably wont be needing it anyway. a Gigabyte Radeon HD7950 3GB Overclocked is actually less that the 660ti, $329 for the 7950 vs $343 for the 660ti so is that a better option.

Gigabyte Radeon HD7870 2GB Overclocked is $249.

[Wats]

Yeah i will probably change to 2x8GB there the same price and leaves room for upgrading probably wont be needing it anyway. a Gigabyte Radeon HD7950 3GB Overclocked is actually less that the 660ti, $329 for the 7950 vs $343 for the 660ti so is that a better option.

Gigabyte Radeon HD7870 2GB Overclocked is $249.

I'll say this.

A 7870>660ti

But if you need cuda, a 660ti is nice.

[Schmittez]

1 2

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD]

i7 3770k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 345.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

i7 3570k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 239.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Asus GTX 660ti[/TD]

[TD]

$ 343.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Asus GTX 660ti[/TD]

[TD]

$ 343.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,765.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,659.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

3[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

4[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

i7 3770k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 345.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

i7 3570k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 239.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Gigabyte 7950 3GB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 329.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Gigabyte 7950 3GB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 329.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,751.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,645.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

5[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

6[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

i7 3770k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 345.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

i7 3570k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 239.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Gigabyte 7870 2GB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 249.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Gigabyte 7870 2GB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 249.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,671.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,565.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

7[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

8[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

i7 3770k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 345.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

i7 3570k[/TD]

[TD]

$ 239.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Asrock extreme 4[/TD]

[TD]

$ 135.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 Overclocked 2GB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 419.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 Overclocked 2GB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 419.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair Vengence 16GB (2x8GB)[/TD]

[TD]

$ 125.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Corsair TX-650w[/TD]

[TD]

$ 115.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Cosair 120GB SSD[/TD]

[TD]

$ 139.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

LG IPS Panel[/TD]

[TD]

$ 209.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Chaser A31[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Samsung DVD drive[/TD]

[TD]

$ 22.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Win 7 64bit[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

Segate Barracuda 2TB[/TD]

[TD]

$ 99.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless N PCIe Adaptor[/TD]

[TD]

$ 35.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,841.00[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

$ 1,735.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Here are some variations i have come up with the i7, 670 is not really a contender bit too much $$$ but the rest are fair game please tell me which you recon the best price for performance combo is for gaming and video recording/rendering/editing.

sorry for the huge spread sheet but i really want to get the best system i can.

Edit: just post 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 according to the number on the top.

[TechNerd181]

I'm not saying anybody here is wrong, but I wouldn't want you to order parts and be disappointed, so let's go over a few things. Gaming is purely reliant on the GPU, whereas video editing is CPU/RAM. So to speak, a pure gamer would be better of with an i3 3220 and 2 GTX 680's or a Titan, whereas a pure video editor would be better of with an i7-3770k and something mediocre like a 650Ti. I highly recommend ASRock Motherboards. B75 are your basic boards and don't allow overclocking, whereas Z77 do. So an ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 is ideal. And 16GB's of Corsair Vengeance is decent.

Depending on which CPU you'll go with, I'd say perhaps go with a TX 750 if you're going with an i7-3770k, may not be needed, but imo it's better to be safe than sorry, meaning I personally prefer to have a little too much than a little too less. However, I'm sure a TX 650 will do fine. 120GB's of Corsair Force GT/Corsair Neutron GTX is superb, can't really be beaten. Bit pricey as I said, but worth it. Also, I recommend you chose NVIDIA GPU's over AMD. As I've said to some others, it's known for some games to run smoother on NVIDIA GPU's in the same benchmark/price point than AMD GPU's. I know that the 3GB 7970 seems like a fantastic deal, but I wouldn't go with it. There's no reason why you need a 3GB GPU if you'll be on 1 monitor. And don't go with a 670, for the little boost in performance to a 660Ti it's not worth the big price difference. Either go with an EVGA 660 Ti or if you can stretch a little a 680. And a 660 Ti will still play on max/ultra and maintain good steady FPS. And as for overclocking, a 660Ti is as good as any other, if not better with NVIDIA's better architecture over AMD. I'd also recommend EVGA because they tend to offer money back guarantee's on faulty products. And for recording game-play, that' down to whatever software you use, i.e Fraps. And at somebody else, no a 7870 doesn't > a 660Ti.

As far as Wireless Networking goes, just go with something relatively cheap, but make sure it's not something flimsy. Can I suggest an Edimax 300Mbps PCI-E? I have one myself, and it hasn't let me down so far. As for cases, I've never really heard of a Chaser A31, which kind of scares me. Whenever I'm doing a build for a customer or a friend I tend to stick to well-known companies so reliability and performance can be assured. I personally don't care much for aesthetically pleasing builds, after all a computer will mainly be tucked away somewhere under a desk. So something like a Corsair 300r case is perfect. ​

So to conclude..... My suggestions are i5-3570k with a 660 Ti or if you can stretch a 680.

P.S. In your graph you accidentally typed i7-3570k :P

[Schmittez]

Thanks a lot really appreciate the detailed response, the chaser is a Thermaltake case so i hope they are decent. I cant find any Edimax products from where I'm ordering the parts and I want to get everything from the same place. you said 660ti or stretch to a 680 but the price jump is a little too much, reading up even more on the 660ti vs 670 and it seems the the 670 seems to have a decent jump in performance for battlefield 3 which i will probably play a lot of. and it fits the budget and should have a slightly longer life span and it seems you can overclock it to perform as good or better than a 680. It will probably be system 8 that i end up getting hopefully I will be order parts tonight.

[TechNerd181]

Thanks a lot really appreciate the detailed response, the chaser is a Thermaltake case so i hope they are decent. I cant find any Edimax products from where I'm ordering the parts and I want to get everything from the same place. you said 660ti or stretch to a 680 but the price jump is a little too much, reading up even more on the 660ti vs 670 and it seems the the 670 seems to have a decent jump in performance for battlefield 3 which i will probably play a lot of. and it fits the budget and should have a slightly longer life span and it seems you can overclock it to perform as good or better than a 680. It will probably be system 8 that i end up getting hopefully I will be order parts tonight.

Fair enough :)

The only real difference is the higher Memory Bit on a GTX 670, which in my opinion isn't worth the extra $70. Edimax is just my preference for Wireless Networking, you can chose anything I guess. Many people would say a 7950/7950 > a 660Ti, however as just shown the massive leap in price from a 660Ti to a 7950/7970 is silly.

Whatever you chose, hope all goes well :)