First build around 1200 - 1500$

Hello,

I have 2 possible builds and I would like to know what you think.

Approximate Purchase Date: 1 to 3 weeks from now

Budget Range: Max 1500$ but would like to spend 1200$ or less (Canadian dollar)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, video editing (avid, premiere), image processing (photoshop, AE), some 3DS max, web surfing

Are you buying a monitor: no

Parts to Upgrade: all

Do you need to buy OS: nope

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: none but would like to buy in canada

Location: Canada

Parts Preferences: intel cpu

Overclocking: Maybe. I'm not quite sure the extra money needed to have an OC system is worth it? please advice. Also, I've never overclocked a CPU.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future. I tend to keep my computer for a long time so it might be an upgrade I'll make.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

Additional Comments: I play games on my computer but I'm not a FPS multiplayer guy. I just want to be able to play the games with good graphic settings. I also use my computer to do to lots of different multimedia stuff since it's my job. This won't be my main working station, I will only use it went I bring home some work.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: my current build is from 2007... It's time to buy an other one.



First build - OC compatible

pros : Intel Core i5 3570K - 219$
mobo : Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H ATX - 169$ (159$ after mail in rebate))
CPU fan : Noctua NH-D14 - 40$
RAM : Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 2X4GB DDR3-1600 - 40$
GPU : PNY GeForce GTX 670 - 409$ (379$ after mail in rebate)
Boot : OCZ Agility 3 120GB 2.5IN SATA3 - 99 $ (89$ after mail in rebate)
Drive : Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200RPM SATA3 64MB Cache - 140$
PSU : OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w ATX 20/24PIN SLI Ready - 89$ (59$ after mail in rebate)
Case : Antec P280 XL-ATX - 89$

Total : 1214$ after mail in rebate


OR

No OC system

pros : Intel Core i5 3550 - 199$
mobo : Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H ATX - 99$
CPU fan : none
RAM : Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 2X4GB DDR3-1600 - 40$
GPU : PNY GeForce GTX 670 - 409$ (379$ after mail in rebate)
Boot : Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 16MB Cache 7200RPM - 59$
Drive : 2X Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 6GB/S 7200RPM 64MB Cache - 79$ each (RAID 1)
PSU : OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w ATX 20/24PIN SLI Ready - 89$ (59$ after mail in rebate)
Case : Antec P280 XL-ATX - 89$

Total : 1082$
All prices are from ncix.ca

Some questions that I have :
- Is the extra 132$ for the first build worth it?
- Should I go for better RAM or maybe bump it to 16 gig for an extra 40$
- Would the case be to big? If so could you recommend something else. I like slick, black case with no fuss.


Thanks,