My First Gaming Build - Need Help

[Falcdawg21]

Hi all,

I am in the works of making a machine for gaming (looking to spend around 1500 - 2000) and was wanting to get some feedback on the hardware I have chosen so far:

Graphics - EVGA 025-P3-1579-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) HD 2560MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
Price: 394.99
Memory - 2 X CORSAIR XMS3 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Price: 79.98
Motherboard - ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Price: 209.99
Processor - Intel Core i7-2600K: 3.4 GHz-3.8 GHz, 8 MB Shared L3 Cache
Price: 279.99
Heat Sink - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1
Price: 25.99
Power Supply - CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 (CMPSU-850HX) 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Price: 169.99
System Drive & Storage Drive - Intel 510 Series (Elm Crest) SSDSC2MH120A2K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Price: 284.99

Total
1445.92

I'm not sure what to choose for a case so help in choosing that as well would be appreciated, and for an optical drive, I don't need anything special. ( no blue ray player )
I have heard that aluminum cases are the way to go because they are light.
Also having the usb ports in the front is desirable.

Am I heading in the right direction with these specs?
Are there places where that I can skimp on and still achieve the same results?
Should I go for a higher graphics card?
Is the SSD I have chosen worth the price?

I'm not looking for the best gaming machine around, just a really good one where I wont have to upgrade for awhile. Possibly play Battlefield 3 on Ultra.

Thanks,

 

[cmcghee358]

Whats your monitor resolution?

As for cases it depends on what you want: silence, cooling, flashy, subdued, personal preference on looks.

Once I know what you're looking for in a case I can make some suggestions.

Also where did you get the name Falcdawg from?

 

[cutebeans]

For gaming, you don't need an i7-2600k

Get an i5-2500k + asrock extreme3 gen3

 

[madchemist83]

oh my god ... stop it already with asrock mobo .. it's like the best mobo in the world ..
it's cheap for quality and features provided - that is true .. otherwise nothing special.
Get 2500k and go with a better cooler the 212+

 

[cutebeans]

What are you talking about?

 

[madchemist83]

?? about mobo

 

[Falcdawg21]

Whats your monitor resolution?

As for cases it depends on what you want: silence, cooling, flashy, subdued, personal preference on looks.

Once I know what you're looking for in a case I can make some suggestions.

Also where did you get the name Falcdawg from?

1080p for monitor resolution
I want a case that is built for performance, no flash. So that would mean silence, cooling, etc...
Falcdawg is a name I have always used.