New gaming pc suggestions/ideas

[dmoll14]

Hi all,
I have been considering getting a gaming rig for a while, and have been doing some looking around. I have found two sites that custom build and offer good prices, and have worked out two pretty good builds. the first build has more grunt, but the second has more big name branded components that I trust to perform well, so I'm not sure which build to go for. I have included every detail I can think of so that you guys don't have to research specific details, and any personal preferences and suggestions would be appreciated.

BUILD #1
Processor: Core i7 3770 3.4GHz Ivy bridge
CPU cooler: Copper/Aluminium cooler
Ram: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz w/heatsink
GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 2gb GDDR5
mobo: All-in-one Intel H77 Board, ASUS/Gigabyte/MSI/Asrock/Intel
HDD: 3.5" 1TB SATA III 7200rpm
Optical Drive: 24x Dual layer DVD burner
Audio: 7.1 HD Audio
Network: 10/100/1000M Gigabit LAN + USB WiFi card
Case: CM350 (Cooler Master case) w/750W Standard PSU
Monitor: 24" AOC Full HD LED monitor
keyboard: Gigabyte GK-K6800 USB
Mouse: Cyborg R.A.T. 7
6-way surge protected powerboard
Warranty: 24 Months RTB warranty, lifetime tech support
Total cost: $1491.94, $1596.94 if I also get windows 7
___________________________________________________
BUILD #2
Processor: Core i5 2500 3.3GHz
CPU cooler: Arctic Freezer 7 PRO copper cooling
Ram: 8GB 1333MHz G skill Ripjaws X
GPU: Nvidia GTX 560 1GB GDDR5
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3
HDD: 1TB SATA III 7200rpm
Optical Drive: 24x Dual Layer DVD burner
Audio: ASUS Xonar DG 5.1
Network: 10/100/100 lan card w/300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter
Case: Thermaltake Overseer w/700W standard PSU
Monitor: 24" AOC Full HD LED monitor
Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-K6800 USB
Mouse: Cyborg R.A.T. 7
Speakers: Microlab M-290 2.1
Warranty:24 Months RTB warranty, lifetime tech support
Total cost: $1496.94, $1611.94 w/OS
____________________________________________________
I already have a headset, so speakers aren't necessary, and I may have a windows 7 disk lying around from my school laptop, which is why I've included both prices.

Also, I am very new to this field, and am not confident enough to overclock, so multiplier-unlocked hardware and systems built for overclocking are useless to me.

Again, Your preferences and suggestions would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

[Phage]

I usually use these guys and find them very helpful.
http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/cart.p...=507bebee435be
Hopefully more qualified people than me will be along shortly to improve on this. In fact you could get a better build just by ringing them up and getting some quotes. I'd be looking at something like this based on what you've said above.
This comes to AUD 1545.00, and is a huge step up from either of the builds you have above, as well as allowing for future overclocking.


Intel i5-3570K Core i5 Processor, 3.4GHz, LGA1155, Quad Core 4 Threads, 6M Cache, Integrated Graphics, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, 22nm, with FAN $279.51
Gigabyte/Z77/4 x DDR3/3 x PCI-E3.0 x 16/2 x SATA3/4 x USB3.0/HDMI/D-Sub/DVI-D/GBLAN/RAID/mATX GA-Z77MX-D3H
$160.16
Corsair 8GB kit (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz Unbuffered CL 9 DIMM Memory for AMD and Intel Core i3, i5, i7 Dual Channel DDR3 platforms
$64.57
BitFenix Merc Beta Mid ATX Case, NO PSU, 4x Front USB, 3x 5.25', 7x 3.5', 1x 2.5', 1x 120mm Rear Fan, 7x PCL Slots
$73.92
520W "Antec" High Current Gamer Power Supply, 80 PLUS Bronze, 135mm fan, High Current +12V rail(s), 2x PCI-E, 6x SATA, 6x Molex
$114.07
Dell S2330MX 23" Ultra-Slim LED Monitor - 1920x1080, 2ms (GTG), 1x VGA, 1x DVI (With DVI-HDMI Adapter)
$194.37
Leadtek GTX 670 PCI-E 3.0 2GB 256-bit DDR5, Base: 915 Boost: 980/6008 MHz, 2x DVI, HDMI, DP, Fan,
$470.69
Gigabyte GK-K7100 USB Ultra Slim Keyboard, 18 multiple multimedia hotkeys, Laser engraved printing keys, Windows Vista ready, Glossy Black
$32.34
Seagate Barracuda -- 3.5''/1TB/SATA 6GB/s/7200RPM/32MB
$110.00
Pioneer DVR-220LBKS BLACK 24x DVDRW OEM - SATA with Cyberlink DVD Suite CD
$45.54

[scaryjim]

My only concern about the two builds you've listed (the first is significantly better, particularly the graphics card) is the lack of brand name on the PSU. This is the one component you really don't want to skimp on, and from your lists above it looks like you're just going for a generic no-name with a high number painted on the side. IU'd strongly advise against that. Your build won't really need more than a 400W - 500W PSU, but you need to get one from a reputable brand (like the Antec Phage has suggested).