I've decided to take the plunge and build my own sweet rig. I think I have a decent handle of what I need to do but it is quite overwhelming to survey all the possible options and extract which ones are superior to the others. Feedback would be appreciated on this current build.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/19Dkc
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler
Zalman CNPS9500 AT Ball Bearing
Motherboard
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155
Memory
Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333
Storage
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card
PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB
Case
Antec Three Hundred Illusion ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply
Rosewill 400W ATX12V
Optical Drive
Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer
Monitor
Asus VE228H 21.5"
Keyboard
Lite-On SK-1788/BS
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/19Dkc
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler
Zalman CNPS9500 AT Ball Bearing
Motherboard
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155
Memory
Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333
Storage
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card
PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB
Case
Antec Three Hundred Illusion ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply
Rosewill 400W ATX12V
Optical Drive
Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer
Monitor
Asus VE228H 21.5"
Keyboard
Lite-On SK-1788/BS