Updating PC hardware

[Madeline]

So I've been using the same old hardware for a few years now. It's time for an upgrade--namely in the CPU/Mobo/Case department, since I upgraded the other components when the originals went kaput.

Would like some suggestions for the aforementioned, as I've not shopped for any sort of new CPU/MB/cases in a while.

Between the 3, I'm looking at around 500-650 for budget. Used for mostly gaming, FFXIV:ARR and the like.

I've been reading that AMD processors are for the most part, shit. Would most of you agree? As I'd been leaning toward Intel this time around. My experiences with AMD are thus far, lacking.

A friend recommended this combo for Mobo/CPU, opinions?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...992&CatId=1969 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121605 Mobo

If it means coming out of the deal with a better CPU/Mobo for not having gotten a case, it can wait. It's just using my current Antec mid-ATX, things are a bit..cramped. I'd mostly like opinions now for the sake of not buying something poorly made later when it comes to casing.

Thanks in advance.

[Nitsuki]

Like many of us say at the PC build advice sticky, for gaming the I7 3770k is overkill and really does not give as much of a performance boost compared the the I5 3570k which most of us have. Save a bit of money and get yourself that, as for the mobo, a lot of us are recommending the ASRock Extreme4, personally i have the gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H, both great boards and easy to OC with in the future. Both will save you ~$100 for possibly 1-2(i believe) fps of performance, imo not worth it overspending. Those extra few bucks you save can net you a good video card for the future.

[Sonomaa]

as someone who regularly uses the i7s extra power for work I can highly recommend it, if you arent going to be using it for work related stuff, then yeah, the i5 series will kick ass and take names

I love gigabyte motherboards so you cant go wrong with them

[Isiolia]

Also, the standard Microcenter plug. If you have a location near you, then CPU prices (particularly) are often much better there, and they also may have deals on motherboards as well.

If you do go for an i7, get a 3770k instead of the 3770 like you have selected. The 'k' designates an unlocked CPU (for overclocking purposes). 3770k is $229.99 at Microcenter, 3570k is $189.99.
If you really want to save money/not overclock for i7 stuff, I think some of the E3 Xeons would be better to look at than the 3770-non k.

For motherboards, personally I've always wound up buying ASUS or Gigabyte. My current rig has a ASUS P8Z77-V PRO with an i7 3770k (CPU was a gift, bought at Microcenter). I've built a friend's machine with one of the lower end Gigabyte GA-77X boards and an i7 3570k though, and chances are the end-user difference is close to nil.
You'll also probably want to factor in a different CPU cooler than the stock one. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus or Evo are good for the money.

[Madeline]

Bit of a bump, ordering soon. Scrapped the idea of getting a new case for now, I can get a really good one later, and reading around, the Antec mid I have isn't absolutely terrible in the meantime.

Since there's no Mirocenter located anywhere near me, I've been shopping around Tigerdirect and Newegg, coming up with these:

CPU, since I don't think I'll be needing the extra power from the 3770k (and because the 3770k will leave me broke for a bit lulz): http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...FQixnQodEiwA0A

Cooler, because stock is bad. I'm glad someone pointed this part out, cause I would have ended up spending more on Noctuas. They're my current case fans and my god I love them, but 60-80 dollars for their cooler is a bit much. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=4950641

The only thing I'm still a bit undecided on is the motherboard. Looking around, some of them have bad reviews, particularly the aforementioned ASRock Extreme4. So, looking around I saw this under the suggestion of Gigabyte boards. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...156&CatId=6975

Price difference isn't much, if that seems alright. Thanks to being in TN I get the dick from Newegg on taxes, so I'm sticking mostly with Tiger for this.

Edit, can close thread. Went ahead with purchase.