First Build, $800-$900 gaming rig

[sweenbear716]

Approximate Purchase Date: within the next month or two

Budget Range: 800-900

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: US

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I have quite literally no experience going into this; I just know that building my own rig is far more cost-effective than any prebuilt solutions

I've settled on the following so far but, seeing as I'm new to this, I could easily be persuaded otherwise:

Intel i5 2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz - $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

GIGABYTE GV-R695OC-1GD Radeon HD 6950 1GB - $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125385

MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583

G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 - $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231417

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM - $82.55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

This adds up to $697.51

________________________________________

As far as I can tell these are all compatible at the very least, so like I said, I'm open to suggestions but I feel good about these. Mostly I'm just wondering what I need as far as the case, the PSU and some form of aftermarket cooling, which I assume I'll need if I want to do a fair amount of overclocking. I'd prefer a somewhat subtle case, as in one that doesn't scream "hardcore gamer" with obnoxious lights and whatnot, but if it gets me the best bang for my buck I can handle it.

Also, I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the challenge of physically assembling the rig, so if someone could point me toward some resources on that end, that would be fantastic.

Thanks!

 

[Luckster]

My first build i ordered a couple of days ago ended 930.70$. The first part of it just came in today(Kingston HyperX 8GB DDR3 1600).
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=331013&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

One thing i can tell you is that Your CPU and Motherboard are compatible as your CPU uses Socket 1155 and you have an Intel Socket 1155.

Aftermarket cooling most people i know are using:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

8GB of RAM is also optimal for gaming.

I don't know much about Overclocking sadly. Or how much Watts you would need.

 

[r0aringdrag0n]

That choice is rock solid...however, I would change a few things around...such as go with this video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401
It is Nvidia's counterpart to the 6950 and performs amazingly. It's also $30 cheaper

i would also go with an Intel Z68 chipset, it supports SSD cache and also Virtu, which will save some energy in the long run:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498

This is also a cheaper RAM choice, but still very reliable:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178333

This is a great case that doesn't scream anything...in fact, it seems almost too boring:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

This PSU is perfect for SLI and overclocking:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

This PSU has 50W more power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139025

As Luckster said, the Hyper 212+ is an amazing HSF, it can easily overclock your i5 to 4.5GHz and run stably.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

These videos made by NewEgg are great for new time builders:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls&feature=relmfu
part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok&feature=relmfu

 

[sweenbear716]

Thanks Luckster, that fan looks great. Hah, and it would appear that r0aringdrag0n has solved every single one of my other problems. Excellent you guys, that's awesome. Maybe I'll order this sooner than I had planned.

 

[sweenbear716]

Best answer selected by sweenbear716.

 

[r0aringdrag0n]

Good luck!