Custom computer build

[retrovoid]

Hey guys! I want your opinions/suggestions on my first custom computer. I plan to spend around $1200 on it, and have picked out some parts on newegg. here's what i have!

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded USB 3.0

EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL


this all comes to around $1,150

 

[mocchan]

Will this rig be used primarily as a gaming rig? If so, you're investing money in the wrong areas.

1) I would recommend swapping out the Intel Core i7 3770 for an Intel Core i5 3570k. The 'k' in the model number will allow you to overclock Also, Hyperthreading has no real benefits in terms of gaming so it's best to save that extra ~$100 or so and invest the money elsewhere.

2) Swap out your GPU. The 550 Ti is not a bad card by any stretch, however, there are LOTS of better options out there at the moment for the money. For $200, you could have a massive leap in performance.

I would recommend the GTX660, Radeon HD7850, Radeon HD7870, or the Radeon HD7950 ($300).

I think that's about all I have to say

 

[retrovoid]

Yes, it would be primarily used for gaming.

1) Does i5 preform as good as the i7? Sorry I'm new to hardware.

2) I don't know if I really want to go with Radeon though. I've heard bad things and that Nvidia is better.

Thanks for your input!