1st Gaming Rig Build Help ~ $1200 Budget

[Jyjyeric]

Hey guys , it's my first time building a gaming rig ... so please do tell me what to change / add / remove if you think something else is better ... I also dont mind spending a little more money to improve my build if necessary.

Approximate Purchase Date: Maybe sometime during May / June

Budget Range: $1200 USD ( dont mind spending $100 - $200 more )

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming - Music - Surfing the internet

Parts Not Required: Keyboard , Mouse , Speakers ( Basically things that are outside of the gaming rig )

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Dont plan on buying online , most probably getting it from a computer store somewhere

Parts Preferences: None really .. as long as my rig performs with great graphics in game , im happy

Overclocking: most probably doing so on the CPU + Graphics Card

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe sometime later

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments: i want my case to have a window so that i can put some led in there and make em shine

Here's my build:

CPU : Intel I5 2500k

GPU : Radeon HD 7970 3GB [url=http://shop.amd.com/us/Gaming/Detail/GraphicCard/21197-00-40G?SearchTerms=radeon%207970]

RAM : G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=b6pik6rjppkh]

PSU : Cosair TX650 [url=http://www.corsair.com/tx650w.html]

HDD : Seagate 500GB [url=http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST3500641AS-RK-Retail/dp/B000EY5F5C/ref=pd_cp_e_1]

OS : Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) [url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/shop/windows-7/home-premium]

Optical Drive : ASUS DVD OEM Drive [url=http://www.amazon.com/Asus-24xDVD-RW-Serial-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b]

Motherboard : ASUS Maximus IV GENE-Z [url=http://www.ncix.com/products/?tab=1&sku=67427
]
Casing : NZXT Phantom 410

 

[jerreddredd]

Love the Case you going for Red, Black or white? make sure to get extra fans 120mm in front 140mm in top and side

I have the MB you selected a micro atx MB it rocks, but I fear it will look awful small in that big case. (My opinion)

suggest this Mb (same color scheme)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157298

I didn't see a CPU cooler listed are you going stock, 3rd party Air or Liquid?

PSU is good if you think you will never Xfire other wise you need at least a 750w one.

Big GPU, if the GTX 680's weren't in short supply, i would say to get it instead. faster and cheaper.

I would either add an SSD drive (Crucial M4 or Samsung 830) or upgrade to a better HDD, suggest a Samsung Spinpoint 1TB

 

[Jyjyeric]

Im going with the black one. Might be considering getting the Hyper 212 Plus as the cpu cooler , do you think it'll work well? Also , just wondering , if i get a 750w psu , does it mean that it'll take in 750w into the system or are the numbers just showing how much it is capable of? Thanks

 

[AntaresX]

Im going with the black one. Might be considering getting the Hyper 212 Plus as the cpu cooler , do you think it'll work well? Also , just wondering , if i get a 750w psu , does it mean that it'll take in 750w into the system or are the numbers just showing how much it is capable of? Thanks

Just how much it is capable of. PSUs should never run at their maximum wattage, because if your computer is pushing it that hard it's not going to last very long. That's why you aim for one that is capable of going significantly higher than what you need, rather than one that gives the bare minimum. It also leaves you prepared for potential upgrades as they'll usually be more power hungry.

 

[Jyjyeric]

Hmmm i see ... Do you guys have any good looking cases to recommend me ? Preferably below $150. Something slick and elegant and has a mesh/window so that the leds would shine out ... I do like the nzxt phantom 410 but i was planning to install green led in there but the power buttons have a blue led and they are pretty hard to swap for someone without much electrical stuff knowledge if there isnt anything else that appeals to me , i guess i'll have to learn to like the blue led

 

[azeem40]

Just how much it is capable of. PSUs should never run at their maximum wattage, because if your computer is pushing it that hard it's not going to last very long. That's why you aim for one that is capable of going significantly higher than what you need, rather than one that gives the bare minimum. It also leaves you prepared for potential upgrades as they'll usually be more power hungry.

That is wrong. A quality PSU will NEVER pull out more wattage than is needed from the components. The ONLY way a PSU will not last very long is if the PSU provides not enough wattage.

 

[AntaresX]

That is wrong. A quality PSU will NEVER pull out more wattage than is needed from the components. The ONLY way a PSU will not last very long is if the PSU provides not enough wattage.

I wasn't trying to give that impression and apologize if I've caused any misconception. It's my understanding that, say I have a system that requires 600W to run, if I get a 600W PSU it will die faster than if I get a 750W because as PSUs age their internal parts slowly deteriorate due to wear and tear and become less capable of handling their full load. If the 750W can't handle its full load that's not a problem if I only need 600W, but it's a problem if I only got the 600W PSU. I read about this on these forums, perhaps it's incorrect, or maybe it only happens with low quality PSUs. If what I'm saying is wrong please let me know, I'm here to learn and I think the OP would also find your knowledge useful.

 

[Jyjyeric]

Best answer selected by jyjyeric.