New Gaming/Work Rig Suggestions

[Matrix XII]

Hi guys,

I haven't built a new desktop PC since 2004, so I finally decided to get back into it again.

I'm a bit out of the game these days with PC hardware, but I spent some time researching the best price for performance rig I could get for around $1200 CAD. I'd rather not go over that budget but I do have some flexibility if I really need to. I am getting married on May 4, 2013 so I can't go crazy with the spending! lol

This machine will be mainly for work, but it will undoubtedly be used for some gaming as well. I don't have to have an unbelievable video card or performance, but something serviceable that will be able to play new games at a decent setting.

Anyways, your thoughts and help would be much appreciated. I've always respected the Neowin community for advice like this! I will be buying everything from NCIX.com btw. :)

This is what I've planned to get so far, please let me know your thoughts!

Intel Core i5 3570K Unlocked Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB Retail - 229.99

ASUS P8Z77-V Lk ATX LGA1155 Z77 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA3 SLI DVI HDMI DP USB3.0 - 146.99

Kingston KHX1600C10D3B1K2/16G 16GB Kit 2X8GB 1600MHz DDR3 240PIN DIMM CL10 1.5V - 64.99

XFX Radeon HD 6870 900MHZ 1GB 4.2GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI 2x Mini DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card - 159.99

Crucial M4 SSD Micron C400 128GB 2.5in Solid State Disk Flash Drive SATA3 6Gbps - 104.99

Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM 64MB SATA 6Gbps 3.5in Internal Hard Drive - OEM - 74.99

XFX 750W PRO750W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 62A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS B - 94.99

ASUS DRW-24B1ST 24X SATA DVD Writer OEM Black - 24.98

Antec Three Hundred Two Mid Tower Gaming Case 302 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB3.0 & Audio - 59.99

Bitfenix Spectre BFF-BLF-12025R-RP 120MM Red LED Case Fan 1000RPM 43.5CFM 20DBA 3/4 Pin - 7.99 x2 = 15.98

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64BIT SP1 DVD OEM - 97.99

Sub Total = 1075.87

Tax = 129.10

Total = 1204.97

I've had a heck of a time trying to decide what case to get. I know Antec is good and I don't need a crazy case although I think they make your rig look better. I added 2 red LED fans for airflow and it will improve the look of it at least. It is mainly a work computer after all. That's it everyone, thanks for your help! :)

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

looks pretty solid. i'd only make two changes:

1. a newer, 7-series AMD card

2. different PSU brand. i dont buy anything XFX, but i know some people swear by that company.

[Matrix XII]

Thank you for the reply, much appreciated! I went for everything there except went with an Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti (which may have been a bad decision I've found out.) lol

I hope the XFX will be good, I checked out quite a few reviews and they had good things to say, so I'll just cross my fingers ;)

I'll just upgrade the video card next year or something. I didn't have the money for a GTX 670 right now and it mainly will be a work computer.

[spikey_richie]

XFX make good nVidia gfx cards, had 3 now and never had any issues. Be Quiet also make very good PSU's. Other than that, as Jdawg says looks pretty solid.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Look for a 7870, if you can get it. Better investment than 6870

Also, 750W is a bit overkill, unless you are planning to go SLI/CrossFire with high-end cards. A decent 550W-600W will suffice

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Did you already purchase the parts?