$1500 Gaming Desktop Budget

[Nexen]

I am highly considering building a new gaming PC. However, is anything projected to come out this year like new cpus/gpus? I would rather wait to build a rig if something worthwhile pops up later this year. I'm looking to build a high end rig and future proof it as much as possible. I want it to last 3-4 years without the need to upgrade. My current monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headset are the only parts I'm keeping and I will be purchasing all parts from the US. I haven't OCed anything in the past, but I'm open to do it as long is it's "fairly" safe to do so. I'm definitely leaning towards Intel CPU and Nvidia GPUs. I will be using 1920x1080 resolution at most. The general build I'm considering is something like:

CPU: i7 3770k
GPU: GTX 670 2GB or 4GB
MOBO: Main requirement is USB 3.0
PSU: 700+ (Single GPU only)
RAM: 16GB DDR3 1866
HDD : 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s
SSD : Not sure if I can fit in the budget.
Case: In order of preference: Noise levels, Cooling, and Dust Management.
Optical Drive: Bluray
OS: Win 7 Pro

I'm not very good at shopping for the best prices. Any input is much appreciated!

 

[Puppies04]

Haswell CPUs should be out in the next few months. If you can wait for them you will end up with a faster machine for your money.

 

[Termie]

Haswell will be about 5% faster than a 3770k. It's coming out June 2nd, but supply will initially be limited and prices will be higher than retail, so expect 3770k-like prices and availability about a month later.

Your build is pretty good, but there are some tweaks you could make to improve it. First, you absolutely need to get an SSD in there at this price point. It will make the computer much more responsive.

Also, unless you're getting a super hot deal on a PSU, there's no reason for a system like this to have over 650w, and that's only if you anticipate using two GPUs down the line. 500-550w is actually sufficient for this build.

Finally, is there a reason you want Win7 Pro? There are some advantages (particularly the ability to use over 16GB of RAM), but for most people it's not worth the cost.

And if you don't mind a white case, this Fractal Design R4 White is a great deal right now at $80 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352024

It's greatest attribute is low-noise operation.

For more information on the best prices, check the link in my signature.

 

[MoInSTL]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352024[/URL]

I have Win 7 Ultimate I got on launch day, Home Premium came on my laptop but since I was a student, I also got Pro for $30. MS upped the price shortly after that, so perhaps the OP is a student?

Termie, that is a great price for that case. I almost went with the Arctic White but instead got the Titanium Grey. OP, just Google Arctic White images. Looks great with a black and white PSU.

 

[Nexen]

Finally, is there a reason you want Win7 Pro? There are some advantages (particularly the ability to use over 16GB of RAM), but for most people it's not worth the cost.

And if you don't mind a white case, this Fractal Design R4 White is a great deal right now at $80 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352024

It's greatest attribute is low-noise operation.

That's the main reason I chose win7 pro is for the 16 GB Ram. I didn't want to bother with win 8, because it seems just like a more bloated win 7 with more touch screen capabilities which I won't be dabbing into. I actually had a case very similar to that picked out in one of my wish list builds I was experimenting with.

I have Win 7 Ultimate I got on launch day, Home Premium came on my laptop but since I was a student, I also got Pro for $30. MS upped the price shortly after that, so perhaps the OP is a student?

I'm currently not a student. I just want a pretty beast machine that will be able to keep up for the next 3-4 years without issues.

I was wondering if anyone follows the market for GPUs closely and typically how long(if ever) do the prices drop for the higher end market? I may just wait for the Haswell CPUs and hope the GPU prices drop around the same time. Also, thanks for the valuable input from all of you!

 

[Deltaechoe]

If you are going for a single gpu I would recommend a 7970, a ghz one f you can afford it

 

[Sleepingforest]

mfenn's guide should be the start of every newbie's $1000 plus build:

3/10/2013 update:
i5 3570K $220
ASRock Z77 Pro3 $90
G.Skill DDR3 1600 8GB $57
XFX 7970 3GB $360 AR
Samsung 840 120GB $90 AP
Seagate 7200RPM 1TB $65 AP
Lite-ON DVD Burner $18
Corsair TX650 $60 AR AP
Corsair 200R $40 AR AP
Total: $1000 AR AP

- The trick to using the Newegg gift cards is to place one order for the items with gift cards, wait until they email you the code (usually after the charge your CC), then place another order using the gift card codes.
- There is a dual-fan 7850 2GB available for $185 AR and a dual-fan 7950 3GB available for $280 AR if you want to spend less but still get very good gaming performance
- If you intend to OC (the system is capable) grab an aftermarket HSF like the budget Hyper 212+ for $20 AR or the mid-range Xigmatek Dark Knight II for $50.

Add in a $170 256GB SSD instead of his 128GB one, a Fractal R4 instead of the Corsair 200R, a Bluray player instead of a DVD burner, and a Windows OS and we're looking at $1400ish.

 

[mfenn]

That's the main reason I chose win7 pro is for the 16 GB Ram.

You're in luck then because Windows 7 Home Premium can handle 16GB of RAM as well.

I was wondering if anyone follows the market for GPUs closely and typically how long(if ever) do the prices drop for the higher end market?

They don't, at least not precipitously. Prices slowly erode over a period of ~6 months after launch before reaching a plateau. New parts typically do not drive down the prices of older parts.

I'd say that buying now is totally fine.

 

[Puppies04]

Haswell will be about 5% faster than a 3770k. It's coming out June 2nd, but supply will initially be limited and prices will be higher than retail, so expect 3770k-like prices and availability about a month later.

Can I just point out that while what you say is probably correct, we are talking ballpark figures (unless a review from a trustworthy source came out that I didn't see) and that only applies in a straight clock for clock comparison. Has intel confirmed it's operating frequencies for haswell desktop parts yet because that 5% could easily turn into 15%+ if intel raises the base/turbo frequencies compared to IB apart from the fact the OP is considering OCing and we have no data whatsoever on how far they will OC compared to IB.

 

[Torn Mind]

Haswell might bring back base clock overclocking. Might.