Building my first PC, chose components, need input

[pat2112tap]

Budget: between $1000-$1500

Usage: Gaming (Diablo 3 ), some video and perhaps audio recording in the future.

Country: Canada

I want to build my first PC, I've read up on how to do it, but I'm having trouble choosing the right parts. My current build is priced at about $1400 before shipping and tax. I want to bring this price down, but I'm not sure which components I should downgrade to still deal with what I want to do.

Here's my build:

Ram:
Corsair XMS3 16GB DDR3 Desktop Memory Bundle 2x8GB
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2405193&CatId=4534

DVDROM:
Samsung SH-222AB/BEBE Internal DVD Writer - DVD R 22X, DVD RW 8X, DVD-RW 6X, DVD-RAM 12X, CD-R 48X, OEM
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=254185&CatId=1624

Mobo:
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 Intel Z68 Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=353599&CatId=7212

Heatsink:
Cooler Master RR-H612-20PK- Hyper 612 PWM CPU Cooler
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1917662

Monitor:
Philips 247E3LPHSU 24" Class Widescreen LED Backlit Monitor
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1607605&CatId=4420

Case:
Cooler Master RC-942-KKN1 HAF X ATX Full Tower
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6269869&CatId=1510

CPU:
Intel Core i7-2700K BX80619i72700K Unlocked Processor
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1380569&CatId=6991

HDD:
Seagate ST500DM002 Barracuda
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1083959&CatId=2459

PSU:
Thermaltake W0382RU Modular Power Supply - 750 Watt
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=419877&CatId=5440

GPU:
Gigabyte GV-R685OC-1GD Radeon HD 6850 Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7229007&CatId=3669

I don't plan on overclocking in the future, as far as I know. If you guys have any opinions on where I can save money but still have a decent gaming/editing machine, I'd appreciate it.

 

[rdbahm]

Congrats on building your first PC. It's always exciting!

Based on the rest of the specs you provided, your GPU sticks out like a sore thumb. It's definitely the bottleneck in this system, but that will likely only affect gaming.

Places you can compromise will vary depending on your needs. If you're planning on using Intel Quick Sync for rendering videos (as opposed to doing it software-based), you probably don't need quite as powerful a CPU. I personally have a 2500K and for $100 less, (according to Tom's Hardware reviews) you don't get much less performance.

You could also save yourself some money by going from 2x8GB modules to 4x4GB modules. 8GB modules still command a premium, and unless you plan on expanding to 32GB, you don't need the 8GB modules.

If you'd like, you could probably find a cheaper case and CPU cooler, but that's all a personal taste thing.

Anyway. That's all for now.

 

[alvine]

okay downgrade on ram to 8 gigs, downgrade the 2700k to either 2600k if you want hypertreating or 2500k if you dont and get a better graphics card such as 7950 or a 7870 with the saved money

 

[ubercake]

Unless you're just going for the looks of the full-sized tower, you could reduce the price big time by picking up an HAF 912 case @ $50 rather than the HAF X. This will save you $140. My DAW runs in an HAF 912. It's a great mid-tower.

That's the best place for you to save money on this build.

If you're not overclocking you could also go with an i7 2600 instead and save an additional $40.

That's around $180 in savings right there.

 

[pat2112tap]

I'm taking this to heart for sure, thanks guys for your time.

I'm going to downgrade the ram and cpu, as well as go with the HAF 912, but I was wondering about the GPU

Gaming is not VERY important, but I would like to playback/edit 1080p video, is that the GPU that would handle that job? Or is it the CPU... Not sure here.

Thanks again!

 

[ubercake]

As far as the GPU, I really wouldn't go with anything less than the 6850 from an overall functionality standpoint.

Also, it depends on the video editing software you would be using with regard to whether it would even take advantage of hardware acceleration on the GPU or not. Which editing applications do you plan to use?

 

[pat2112tap]

I currently use Cyberlink's Power Director a lot, but would eventually like to make the next step to say Adobe Premier, or another high end editing software.

 

[ubercake]

Here's a supported GPU list for hardware acceleration with Premiere:

http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/tech-specs.html

It is a good time to pick up a great GTX 570 for around $300.

 

[pat2112tap]

Thanks a lot guys. You've been much help.

 

[pat2112tap]

Best answer selected by pat2112tap.