First time gaming computer build

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J

Jajanken

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Jul 2, 2013
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Greetings, I'm new to the site and after being brought back here again and again through my Google research, I decided I might as well join and start asking my own questions! I hope I'm in the right section.

So, my goal is to build a gaming computer and I hear doing it yourself is definitely the way to go. I'm trying to stay within a budget, let's say around $700-$900. I would love to play games on at least high settings with no problems. I would be playing games like...
Guild Wars 2 (Mainly), The Witcher 1 & 2, Dragon Age 1 & 2, The Last Remnant,etc. I've been doing research into parts and building and it can be pretty confusing at times. I had made a list of parts and cut out a lot of it based on what I've seen. I'm from Ontario, Canada and have been trying to stick to Canadian sites like Amazon.ca and Newegg.ca.

(I was trying not to skimp on the graphics card and CPU because I hear they're important for a gaming pc)
__________________________________________________________________
GRAPHICS CARD:
Asus NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB GDDR5 2DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card GTX660 TI-DC2O-2GD5 (289.98)
http://www.amazon.ca/Asus-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-GTX660-TI-DC2O-2GD5/dp/B008Y65MUA/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1372433710&sr=1-2&keywords=NVIDIA+660+Ti

CPU:
Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K (229.99)
http://www.amazon.ca/Intel-Core-i5-3570K-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B007SZ0E1K/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1372308944&sr=1-2&keywords=intel+quad+core

POWER SUPPLY:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply (64.99)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

RAM: ?
Kingston ValueRAM 8 GB Kit (2x4 GB Modules) 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM Desktop Memory KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (64.99)
http://www.amazon.ca/Kingston-ValueRAM-Modules-KVR1333D3N9K2-8G/dp/B002K27KW2

MOTHERBOARD: ?

HARD DRIVE: ?
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003
http://www.amazon.ca/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372711212&sr=8-3&keywords=hard+drive

CASE: ?
thermaltake VL80001W2Z V3 Black Edition No Ps Mid Tower Gaming Case (Black)
http://www.amazon.ca/thermaltake-VL80001W2Z-Black-Tower-Gaming/dp/B002Q2M8KK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372452354&sr=8-1&keywords=computer+case

Antec ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case Three Hundred
http://www.amazon.ca/Antec-Gaming-Computer-Three-Hundred/dp/B000GQMHBI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1372452354&sr=8-4&keywords=computer+case

RAIDMAX Tornado ATX-238WU Black / Blue SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156223

Optical Drive?
Windows 7 or 8?
__________________________________________________________________

So, I'm thinking something like this so far. Should I remove or swap some of these? I'm worried most about compatibility between the parts, I'm not sure how to check most of the time. (That's why I couldn't decide on a Motherboard or Case). I may not buy the parts all at once, but I was hoping to start buying today and into the week. I think I've covered everything, tell me if you need any more info!

I would appreciate any help, comments or advice on this and thank you for your time!
 
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V

vinhn

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Jun 15, 2013
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GPU: http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=85445&vpn=N760%20TF%202GD5%2FOC&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar

CPU: Is perfect, though, for $10 more you can get this.
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=81327&vpn=BX80646I54670K&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1316

Case: http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=57910&promoid=1316

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182068

Hard Drive: Stick with the link you posted.

RAM: http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=78421&vpn=KHX16C9B1BK2%2F8X&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1316

OS: It is your preference. I prefer windows 8 just for the boot up alone.

MOBO: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?affiliateid=7474144&sku=84075&vpn=Z87-G43&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1360

DRIVE: Anything around ~$20 would be fine.

CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&Tpk=hyper%20evo%20212&IsVirtualParent=1
 
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J

Jajanken

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Jul 2, 2013
11
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10,510

Thanks for the response! Hm, now I'm rethinking some things. The graphics card seems to be out of stock for now, is it a lot better?

 
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J

Jajanken

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Jul 2, 2013
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There's some in stock now. Now I'm thinking...

COOLER:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&Tpk=hyper%20evo%20212&IsVirtualParent=1

MOTHERBOARD:
MSI Z87-G43 ATX LGA1150 Z87 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI VGA 4K USB3.0 Motherboard
http://www.ncix.ca/products/?affiliateid=7474144&sku=84075&vpn=Z87-G43&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1360

RAM:
Kingston HyperX Blu Black Series 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=78421&vpn=KHX16C9B1BK2%2F8X&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1316

CASE:
Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case Black 3X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS W/ Fan Controller & Temp Display
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=57910&promoid=1316

HARD DRIVE:
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003
http://www.amazon.ca/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372711212&sr=8-3&keywords=hard+drive

CPU:
Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B007SZ0E1K/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0VVNN1W2N42Q0A7VD3T5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1375923922&pf_rd_i=915398

POWER SUPPLY:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

GRAPHICS CARD:
MSI GeForce GTX 760 OC Twin Frozr IV 1085/1150MHZ 2GB GDDR5 2x DVI HDMI DP PCI-E 3.0 Video Card
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=85445&vpn=N760%20TF%202GD5%2FOC&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar
 
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captainjulius

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Oct 11, 2012
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J

Jajanken

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Jul 2, 2013
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10,510

Thanks for your comment and links! No, I wasn't planning on overclocking and I didn't know that's what the k meant. Is there a better alternative for me? Also I've been looking at http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=85445&vpn=N760%20TF%202GD5%2FOC&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar and I noticed in the description that it's "pre-overclocked". Does that mean I would need a CPU with a k at the end for it to run properly? Thanks!

 
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vinhn

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Jun 15, 2013
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No, GPU OC and CPU OC are different things you do not need to worry about. Pre-OC just means that it is OC for you so you do not need to OC if you do not know how. I like to go with the CPU that have a K suffix just because if in the future I decide to learn how to OC, at least I do not have to buy a new CPU. That is just my opinion, if you want to save some money, you can go for the i5-4670, without the k.
 
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vinhn

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Jun 15, 2013
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You have a Z87 chip motherboard, which means it is a LGA1150 socket which requires Haswell CPU(the 4xxx series) for the Ivy CPU(3xxx) you need an LGA1155(Z77/Z67).
 
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J

Jajanken

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Jul 2, 2013
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I see, thanks for the info. Should I change the motherboard to something like this http://www.amazon.ca/Gigabyte-CrossFireX-NVIDIA-Motherboard-GA-Z77X-UD3H/dp/B007R21JJK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372809898&sr=8-3&keywords=LGA1155? or perhaps change the CPU to the one you mentioned earlier?

 
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vinhn

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Jun 15, 2013
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For me, a difference in around $20 is worth to get the latest technology out there. So yes, I would recommend getting the 4670 instead of the 3570. But if you feel the price is getting too high for your liking, there is nothing wrong with the 3570 because the performance difference in gaming is likely to be unnoticeable.
 
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J

Jajanken

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Jul 2, 2013
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Well, I've thought about it for a while (I didn't want to rush things and regret any purchases!) and I think I'm going to go with this. Can you confirm that this is all compatible? It does go out of my price range, but I'm not in a rush to get everything all at once. I'll start with the items that have deals that end today.
COOLER:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+ (35.99)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&Tpk=hyper%20evo%20212&IsVirtualParent=1

MOTHERBOARD:
MSI Z87-G43 ATX LGA1150 Z87 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI VGA 4K USB3.0 Motherboard (129.99)
http://www.ncix.ca/products/?affiliateid=7474144&sku=84075&vpn=Z87-G43&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1360

RAM:
Kingston HyperX Blu Black Series 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit (64.99)
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=78421&vpn=KHX16C9B1BK2%2F8X&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1316

CASE:
Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case Black 3X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS W/ Fan Controller & Temp Display (49.99)
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=57910&promoid=1316

HARD DRIVE:
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003 (64.99)
http://www.amazon.ca/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372711212&sr=8-3&keywords=hard+drive

CPU:
Intel Core i5 4670K Unlocked Haswell Quad Core 3.4GHZ Processor LGA1150 6MB Cache Retail (239.99)
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=81327&vpn=BX80646I54670K&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1316

POWER SUPPLY:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply (64.99)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

GRAPHICS CARD:
MSI GeForce GTX 760 OC Twin Frozr IV 1085/1150MHZ 2GB GDDR5 2x DVI HDMI DP PCI-E 3.0 Video Card (279.99)
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=85445&vpn=N760%20TF%202GD5%2FOC&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar


 
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J

Jajanken

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Jul 2, 2013
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10,510


I appreciate your help vinhn, thank you again!

 
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