Sub $1200 build, help me narrow choices!

[mtal]

Hello everyone. This will be my first build and I have learned a lot from researching this forum. Please help me narrow down my choices for parts.

Approximate Purchase Date: within 3 weeks

Budget Range: 1200 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: video editing using Sony Vegas, Pinnacle, Ulead, Photoshop, transcoding video, burning, internet, no gaming

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: USA

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe down the line

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: needs to be reliable

Parts Preferences: Please help me narrow this down.

Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354587 $280 at microcenter which is an hour away

Mobo: this is where i'm stuck! help please.
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364085 I can get it for $100 bundled with the i7 processor

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 $122

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730 $210

PSU:
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021 $90 after rebate

SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096 $70

RAM:
CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML16GX3M4A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233197 $95

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231315 $90

Cooling: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 $35

SSD: Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW080G310 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167049 $130

or
OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725 $70 after rebate

I would prefer the OCZ because it's cheaper and it's SATA III, but will it be as reliable as the Intel 320?

And should I use the SSD as the boot drive or the cache with a mobo that uses Smart response technology...on Asus P8Z68-V PRO

HD:
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697 $135 with a free MSI 22X Internal Burner

or HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.C 0F10383 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304 $130

Blu Ray Burner:
LITE-ON Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM SATA 12X Blu-ray Burner with Blu Ray 3D Feature IHBS112-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106369
bought on sale for $60

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992

GPU: I have in possession HIS H545H1G Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161322

I know this is not optimal. I can try selling this card and getting another. I would prefer NVIDIA as I've heard it may be better/faster for video editing/encoding.
Please offer suggestions for a video card in a reasonable price range.

Thanks for helping me narrow this down and get started on this project!

 

[bavman]

CPU is good
MOBO - choose between the gigabyte or asrock, which ever is cheaper for you, both enough for your needs and good boards
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
430W is more than enough if your using that GPU, you shouldn't need another gpu as the z68 will use your i7's integrated graphics for most video encoding stuff to accelerate it.
RAM - whatever is cheaper, both ok
Cooling is good
SSD - i'd go with the intel because theyre usually more reliable and last longer, but I did have a OCZ vertex 2 for a year and had no problems with it, so your choice, but real world performance for both should be roughly equal
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=spinpoint%20f3
Although I wouldn't buy a harddrive right now because of the super crappy prices. If you can harvest your old computer or find a used one on craigslist that would probably be best and cheapest.
OS: Windows 7 home is enough unless your gonna be doing visualization with windows xp

 

[azeem40]

I5 over i7 for gaming because hyper threading isn't utilzed.

 

[bavman]

I5 over i7 for gaming because hyper threading isn't utilzed.

Did you read anything in the op?

 

[geofelt]

The 2600K is great for your purposes.

Any Z68 based motherboard will do as well.
I think you might want to take that drive to microcenter for the cpu/mobo combo.

The integrated video of the 2600K and Z68 is perhaps the equivalent of a $50 discrete card.

If your video editor can use the cuda capabilities of a nvidia card, look for one with 96 cores, or so. The advantage goes down fast with more expensive cores. Check your app specs to be certain.

I might wait to see if you really want/need one until after the basic build is done.

I have had no problem with the cheaper g.skil ram. Considering the 3x prices for 8gb sticks, 4 x 4gb is best.

Using only the integrated graphics, a 300w psu is sufficient.

Here is what EVGA recommends for their graphics cards:

GTX550ti needs 400w with 24a on the 12v rails plus one 6-pin PCI-E power lead.

GTX560 needs 450w with 24a on the 12v rails plus two 6-pin PCI-E power leads.

GTX560Ti needs 500w with 30a on the 12v rails plus two 6-pin PCI-E power leads.

GTX570 needs 550w with 38a on the 12v rails plus two 6-pin PCI-E power leads.

GTX580 needs 600w with 42a on the 12v rails plus one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCI-E power lead.

Regardless of what wattage, buy only a quality psu.
My short list of quality units would include Seasonic, Antec, PC P&C, xfx, and corsair in no particular order.

I heartily endorse a 80gb or larger SSD for the os and some apps. Discount synthetic benchmarks, they do not reflect reality. All Current SSD's will perform similarly under normal usage.
I would look for Intel, Samsung, and crucial, in that order for reliability.

I would defer, if possible a large purchase of hard drives due to the current crazy prices.
Read this on component return rates:

http://www.behardware.com/articles/810-6/components-returns-rates.html

CM hyper212 is good. Xigmatek gaia is similarly priced, and just as good. No need for more.

Do you really need W7 professional? There is not much the average user would benefit from unless you were contemplating >16gb of ram.

What will you use for a case?
Most any will do, so long as it holds your parts.
Get one you love the looks of.

As a suggestion, look at the Antec soloII.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/antec-solo2

 

[mtal]

thanks bavman and geofelt. i'll take into account your suggestions. windows pro may be overkill. and the 750w psu was overkill. that will help save money.

still have to narrow down the mobo. i like the simple overclocking the asus pro board offers and it has firewire for oldschool digital camcorders which is helpful.

 

[geofelt]

thanks bavman and geofelt. i'll take into account your suggestions. windows pro may be overkill. and the 750w psu was overkill. that will help save money.

still have to narrow down the mobo. i like the simple overclocking the asus pro board offers and it has firewire for oldschool digital camcorders which is helpful.

It sounds nice, but I would avoid the proprietary os apps that the motherboard providers offer. They seem to be inconsistent, and possibly too aggressive.
It is very simple for you to oc using the bios if you are not pushing for the maximum. You can get 4.0 to 4.5 easily without fiddling with voltages or ram tuning.
Just set the multiplier to 40 - 45 and leave everything else on auto. I think any Z68 motherboard will do. Pick one based on your brand preference, or possibly feature set.

 

[mtal]

Best answer selected by mtal.