Building a new rig, need help w/ case and GPU

[pkpkay]

Budget range 800-900
Will be used for gaming...Dota 2, SC2, League of legends, DIABLO 3!!!, etc.
SLI: no
Overclock: yes.
monitor resolution 1920x1080
Also getting a 212 EVO w/ Antec Silver 5 paste.


I'll be buying this over the weekend...most likely on Sunday.
Nothing is set in stone but this is what I came up with after the help of a few friends and some online research.

CPU: i5 Core 3570k
GPU: I couldn't find any HD 7850 vid cards... Does anyone have an alternative?
SSD : Crucial M4 128GB SSD (a bit more expensive than new egg..but not by much)
PSU: Silencer Mk III Series 600 Watt ATX
MOBO: ASRock z77 Pro3
CASE: I have no idea....Any suggestions / preferences?
RAM: Samsung DDR3 1600 1.35V

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $850 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Drop the PSU I recommend down to the Antec 520w.
Drop the board down to the Pro3 you selected.

If you can purchase from Microcenter, the combo is an i5 3570K with a Zxx board for $50 off.

 

[pkpkay]

Where do you find the combos at? I"m looking through the website and I can't find it

 

[aznshinobi]

The combos are local, you have to visit Microcenter locally... Do you have a microcenter local? I'm assuming you do if you're buying off them.

 

[pkpkay]

The combos are local, you have to visit Microcenter locally... Do you have a microcenter local? I'm assuming you do if you're buying off them.

Yep, closest one I have is in Orange County / Tustin.
So far it looks like they only have AMD bundle deals.

I tried to buy a Sapphire HD 7850 on newegg but they JUST became out of stock.
Should I wait till they restock or buy another brand like GIGABYTE?
I would like to buy the GPU at microcenter as well but they don't see to carry the 7000 series

 

[GI_JONES]

Here is a case suggestion for you. I purchased one last month, and was impressed with the quality and features. Tha case has great airflow, and the 4 included fans are very quiet: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811235027

 

[gregck]

yeah combo deals are in store only. sucks i know! if it was online they'd be sold out in minutes.

 

[aznshinobi]

Just buy another 7850. The Gigabyte ones are just as good.

As for the combos, you'll have to browse your online magazine, they should have it. If not than just get the i5 3570K for $190. Then the Pro3 @ Newegg.

 

[pkpkay]

woo hoo, got most of my parts, rest I'm waiting on Newegg....
But I'm trying to get a head start on stress testing / benchmarking / general checklist.
Does anyone have a good website/link that has some tutorials I can read up on.
I stumbled across one while I was researching my new computer but I misplaced the link.

I'm trying to compile a checklist of things I need to do.
Here are a few that I know of, but any input will be appreciated.

Install Windows 7
check to see if TRIM is enabled on new SSD drive
Install Microsoft Security Essentials (should I install anything else? I heard MSE is pretty good by itself)
Install Graphics Drivers

3 tests to make sure no faulty hardware
Memtest 86 for ram (5-6 passes?)
Prime95 for CPU (never tried this)
Furmark for GPU (heard this could damage some GPU's from overheating?)

Install all microsoft updates
OC CPU / GPU / RAM. (Is there a specific order that is the most efficient?)
Use CPU-Z to check stability / timings

Does anyone have a link to a good free program to measure computer temperatures?

 

[aznshinobi]

Sounds good. Good luck. Coretemp is your best bet.

 

[pkpkay]

Best answer selected by pkpkay.