Cool, thanks for the feedback. Let me explain why I chose the components I did and see if you can poke holes in my logic.
So I haven't built/configured a desktop since 2000! For games, I had shifted over completely to consoles (xbox 360) and for work, laptops once my desktop pretty much expired several years later.
My current laptop, a Sony Z 5xx series bought in 2008, was as much power you could pack in a small a package as possible. Fast forward to 2012, all kinds of technological innovation occurring, and as I didn't need a new laptop for what I do on it, I decided to build a desktop instead to dabble and try out the latest/greatest.
So for this build, I am focused on following:
i) performance - geared towards gaming but a build that doesn't shy from some number crunching either
ii) aesthetics for case - didn't want an ugly "box" hiding in the corner, nor did I want a neon-lighted disco box.
iii) upgradeable - as this is the last year for LGA 1155 socket, I knew I'd be changing mobo and chipsets with a new Haswell family of CPUs, but needed to make sure that as many components as possible could be preserved. This also meant I needed to ensure components were of good quality, reliability, and had good support from manufacturers in terms of replacement and warranty. Plus brand-name products retain higher resale value when I upgrade to something better, even if its a year later.
I also wanted to make sure I didn't have to buy new components when I decided to expand. For example, wanted the PSU to be adequately rated when I went SLI with another GTX 670 card. I wanted the mobo to have adequate connectors/ports for adding more drives/cards. etc.
iv) thermals and noise - Wanted high thermal capacity and low thermal resistance (that's why full towers are great with lot of surface area and high thermal capacity). These two factors make it easier to cool the build, and in turn less work the fans have to do. Which in turns translate to less noise. To offset the higher CFM required in larger cases, larger diameter fans can be fitted operating at lower RPM to maintain similar air flow but at lower noise level. There are some good cases with sound dampeners, but some that sacrifice heat ejection for better acoustic. For example, putting sound dampeners on top of the case is the worst approach as heat goes straight up and now you have a thermally insulating barrier so your fans are working overtime to get the heat out another way. But heat also get transferred through the sides as well (not as much but its there). Metal cases are great for this reason with their low thermal resistance. I wanted to make sure ejecting heat was as easy as possible in my build.
v) clean, spacious, easy-to-work build - I was originally considering a full tower for the ease they provide in installing components as well as the point #iv above, however, they are huge and take up a lot of room. So I looked for a mid-tower with many features of a full tower.
So to address your individual suggestions:
1) The HDD setup was one thing I was on the fence about and didn't think thoroughly enough. I don't know why I jumped on the 500GB HDDs when the sweet spot is now around 1 TB drives. I got those 500GB HDD from Amazon for $89/unit. The 1TB is $120 instead. For the 5 year warranty, ruggedness, reliability, that $20 differential is not too bad compared to that Hitachi. What is concerning, which I didn't pay attention to before, is the noise level on these RE4s based on feedback by owners. While everything is already ordered (it will come tomorrow! love amazon!), I can return what I don't want with only a shipping penalty.
However, I didn't think about my backup needs in great detail. I have an external 2 TB drive that I use to backup my laptop. I was originally planning on setting up a NAS type system with this new rig as well that would backup automatically through the network. But I may need to setup a separate NAS server for that anyway.
So what I might do is, for lower power consumption and lower noise level, get two WD Caviar Green 1 TB HDDs, which are like $96/unit on amazon, and put them on RAID 1. Although still on the fence on whether I need a RAID setup for a gaming/media machine. All my important documents are on my laptop and get backed up regularly anyway. So not sure here....
2) 750 W is definitely an overkill for this build, but I am looking to add another GTX card for SLI by end of this year so wanted the option to grow.
3) I was originally considering MSI Z77A-GD55, but decided I'd go with Asus Pro instead for the bevy of ports/connections, reliability, ease of overclocking, and brand. Mobo was one component where it was not clear-cut to me which one I should pick. So went with what I thought I would need for an upgradable/expandable system, and one with good reliability and support.
4) The case is over a year and half old, but I really like the design/look - all dark curves
. What I really like is that its very easy to work with, lot of expansion option, and great cooling. Lot of features of a full tower in a mid-tower form factor. It only has one USB 3.0 port in the front, which kinda blows, but I can live with that. I figure this case will last me for at least another 5 years, if not 10.
I also decided to stay with the EVGA GTX 670 card for now. Its using a 680 board, and not the referenced 670 board, and from everything I've read, it has no problem keeping itself cool even under heaviest load (without further overclocking) while remaining quiet. Plus, EVGA has excellent support, so if I ever do crap out the card within the warranty period, I can get it replaced fast/easy. I've also read couple reviews from owners of gigabyte that they're overheating in SLI mode with two cards - not sure if this is one/two off, but as I have yet to hear any negatives on EVGA, decided to stick with it.
So there it is. A long response! But if you do happen to read to the end, would love you guys to poke holes in my logic and show me the light. While all my parts will be here by tomorrow, I can always return them unopened.
I know you already ordered, but if you can still cancel, here's a few things to think about:
1. At $100, the RE4 500GB drives are horrible values. You'd be better off in terms of capacity and data security by buying two
7K1000.D's and using one to back up your SSD and other HDD (backup, not RAID)
2. 750W is really overkill for this system. The
Silencer Mk III 600W has plenty of power and costs less.
3. I didn't see any requirements that justified the $210 price of the P8Z77-V Pro. An
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 will do 90% of what the ASUS board will do for 1/2 the price.
4. The 600T is an OK case, but the design is somewhat dated at this point. I think that the
550D offers better value for money (USB 3.0, sound dampening, etc.)
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