First Build - Gaming - $1,200

[gutenacht]

Hey everybody.

This is the first system I'll be putting together on my own, so I'm hoping I didn't overlook anything stupid. Need to get my ducks in a row before Diablo 3 comes out . Any advice/help would be hugely appreciated.

Case: CM HAF 912 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
PSU: Antec EA-650 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837
Memory: G.SKILL 2x4GB 1600 DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
CPU: i5 3570k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504&Tpk=3570k
Cooler: CM Hyper 212+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
GPU: EVGA GTX 680 SC http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130769
HardDrive: Samsung Spindpoint HD103SJ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
CD/DVD: Samsung x22 DVD Burn http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

Probably not going to SLI, so I'm hoping that PSU will take care of me.

I guess my biggest question mark is probably the CPU. I don't edit video on a professional level so hyperthreading probably isn't necessary, but I'm really torn between the 2500k and the 3570k. I know PCIE 3.0 won't get used yet, but I feel like I should future-proof here. Especially considering the price difference is pretty minimal.

 

[striker410]

Hey! Welcome to the forums.

Diablo 3 eh? Not my kind of game (although I never played D2 :O ) but I certainly appreciate it.

Your build is lookin good! I would make a couple changes though.
-Change the motherboard. This board is super cheap and a good value. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138352 If you want to stick with a high overclocking board (the LX didn't do all that well according to my memory) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138354 will do the job amazingly.

-CPU wise, I would personally prefer a 2500k since they are going for $205 right now. The performance difference is negligible. Totally up to you.

-For GPU, I would prefer something like a pair of 7850's in this price range. I don't know if Diablo 3 will be Crossfire compatible (although all modern games are) so that would be a good thing to check. 7850's in crossfire would give you CRAZY high performance, performance almost not needed for 1080p. If going single card I'd prefer this 7970 for $430: http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Radeon-GDDR5-Graphics-7970PE53G/dp/B006UACSZ4/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1335927296&sr=8-12 Purely from a price perspective. For $70 cheaper, it's an option.

-GREAT choice on HDD. Wouldn't suggest anything else, regardless of price. An SSD might not be a bad idea though....

-For $5 more, grab the Hyper 212 EVO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 Slightly better at cooling.

-You'll want this RAM if you are an overclocker: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147096 it's 30NM stuff. Look at the reviews to see why I recommend it. Most people can hit 2133MHz at 1.5v, which is insane.

Those are the suggestions I have. As always, the choice is totally yours.

 

[gutenacht]

Wow. The reviews for that RAM are unbelievable. I hope they get some in stock soon. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[gutenacht]

Best answer selected by gutenacht.