First time build, looking for input

[Toadus]

Hi, first time trying to build my own computer. I've got an idea of what parts I need and have assembled a list, but I'm looking for ways to essentially cut corners price-tag wise without cutting corners as far as efficiency goes. I know, "what you pay for is what you get" but I'm looking for "what you paid for was cheap and you got something awesome instead."

I feel this computer may be a bit pricey for what it is, but I'm not sure. So here's what I've got chosen:

Case - NZXT Gamma Classic Series
HDD - Western Digital 1TB Black HDD
SSD - Samsung 830 120g SSD
Motherboard - Gigabyte z68 1155
Video Card - Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 ti
PSU- Corsair 650w
CPU - i5 2500k
Ram - G. SKILL 8g (2x4g)
Optical Drive - LITE-ON Black
Cooling - Corsair H100 Liquid Cooling
OS - Windows 7 SP1 Home Premium

Subtotal is $1,305.89. Total after warranties and shipping is $1,387.37.

I have included liquid cooling because I plan on overclocking. I'm not sure if it's actually needed though or if the stock fan will work for how much I want to overclock (42~44x). If I've said anything completely stupid or have done something completely stupid, bear with me. First time building, of course.

[B]1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.[/B]
Gaming. WoW, GW2, Saints Row, Borderlands 2, and so forth. I have a laptop for other things.

[B]2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread[/B]
No more than $1400.

[B]3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.[/B]
USA, Newegg

[B]4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.[/B]
No preference

[B]5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.[/B]
None

[B]7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.[/B]
Overclocking

[B]8. What resolution will you be using?[/B]
1920 x 1080

[B]9. WHEN do you plan to build it?[/B]
As soon as possible - planning on ordering all of the parts this week.

 

[DSF]

Bleh, don't bother with cheap watercooling. You aren't likely to get results that are any better than midrange to high-end air cooling. That will save you $50-75 right there.

Are you near a Microcenter?

 

[Ken g6]

Basically, start with [thread=2192841]Mfenn's build[/thread]. His 7950 can be overclocked enough to blow right past your 660ti. Case is generally personal choice.

I could agree with getting an old 2500k, if you wanted aim for a 4.5-5.0+GHz OC on a huge CPU cooler. Otherwise, stick with the 3570k and a Hyper 212 Evo.

Edit: Oh, and bundle the mobo with Windows for $15 savings.

 

[Toadus]

@DSF, kinda. It's about 1-1.5 hour drive from where I am.

@Ken_g6 I do want to eventually overclock, but I don't know if I'd go that high. I will definitely look at that stuff. And thanks for the heads up on the bundle. I'll check out Mfenn's build as well.

Sorry about the slow reply, kinda fell asleep after I posted this. x_X

 

[oynaz]

kinda fell asleep after I posted this. x_X

Is that slang for having sex?

 

[RaiderJ]

Personally I would go with a cheaper/slower hard drive, reason being that since you have the OS on an SSD, you wouldn't notice a slower spindle drive.

I'd also go with a smaller Corsair PSU. You don't need 600W for that system and could probably save some more money by going with a 500W.

I don't overclock, but you can probably do without the watercooler as DSF suggested. Might see how well that cooler actually performs vs other air coolers.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Why are you buying old 6 series chipset and SB? Get 7 series and IB.

 

[riversend]

Basically, start with Mfenn's build. His 7950 can be overclocked enough to blow right past your 660ti. Case is generally personal choice.

I could agree with getting an old 2500k, if you wanted aim for a 4.5-5.0+GHz OC on a huge CPU cooler. Otherwise, stick with the 3570k and a Hyper 212 Evo.

:thumbsup:

Give a little more detail on how much overclocking you want to do, but I doubt you are talking about uber overclocks. My guess is that you should go with a 3570k and a less expensive mobo (I try not to use the word cheap because of the multiple connotations about price or quality).

 

[mfenn]

Basically, start with [thread=2192841]Mfenn's build[/thread]. His 7950 can be overclocked enough to blow right past your 660ti. Case is generally personal choice.

I could agree with getting an old 2500k, if you wanted aim for a 4.5-5.0+GHz OC on a huge CPU cooler. Otherwise, stick with the 3570k and a Hyper 212 Evo.

Edit: Oh, and bundle the mobo with Windows for $15 savings.

:thumbsup::thumbsup: It is my build after all. 😀