Gaming PC Build Questions

cooldude5150

Honorable
Sep 10, 2013
5
0
10,510
I am planning on building my first gaming PC. I want to know if the parts I am planning on using are good parts for gaming or if I need to maybe reconsider some components.

I am using:
- EVGA GTX 660 Graphics card
- Intel Core i5-3350P Processor
- Kingston HyperX 2x4GB RAM
- ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Motherboard
- Still deciding on PSU
- 1TB Western Digital HDD
- Windows 7 or 8 (leaning towards 8)
- NZXT Source 220 Case

Will these components work together well?
Are they enough to start off my gaming PC?
Any suggestions of better parts?
Any advice to a first-time PC builder?
 
Solution
I would go with this build which is great for overclocking:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($93.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case:...

RazerZ

Judicious
Ambassador
I would go with this build which is great for overclocking:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($93.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $805.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-10 22:20 EDT-0400)

As for windows 7 vs 8, only get 8 if you aren't used to 7, xp, vista, and windows 95. If you get windows 8 it has faster boot time, but to me that advantage isn't worth it since you have to download a program to get the traditional start menu, and the tile like interface seems only good for touch screen computers ( My brother has windows 8, I have windows 7 :) )

Also this build won't fit if you plan to have dual graphic cards in the future. If you want to it will cost $100 more.
 
Solution