First timer needing help.

[insan3guy]

Hi. Not really sure if you guys have some kind intro section I'm supposed to post in first, but seeing as I'm not a very interesting person... Eh.
Anyway, I've gotten the go-ahead from my aunt to pick out what kind of system that I want for a late graduation present. I figured that now is as good a time as any to learn how to build a computer.

case: COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1
-plus 2x APEVIA CF12SL-URED 120mm Red LED Case Fan
mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68
cpu: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155
heatsink: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155
video card: EVGA 012-P3-2066-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 448 Cores FTW 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
psu: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
hard drive 1: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III SSD
hard drive 2: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5003AZEX 500GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
cd/dvd drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner
keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Keyboard
mouse: NZXT Avatar S "BLACK" Laser Gaming USB Wired 1600 DPI Mouse
wireless adapter (if mobo doesn't support wireless or is unreliable): TP-LINK TL-WN722N Wireless Adapter High Gain IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Up to 150Mbps Wireless Data Rates Support 64/128 bit
antistatic wristband


Approximate Purchase Date: 2-3 weeks from now

Budget Range: between 1000 and 1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming > watching videos > surfing the net

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Yes - windows 7.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NewEgg

Location: Jacksonville, NC

Overclocking: Definitely Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1900x1080

Additional Comments: I'd love to have something with a window, LED's... y'know, shiny things.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I've been using the same tired old laptop for the past 4 years... definitely ready for something better.

 

[viridiancrystal]

Everything seems to check out okay. Very solid build. Only a couple little things I have to say.

First, I would go with a different Video card, unless you only want Nvidia graphics. AMD's 7850 is almost equal performance to the 560ti 448 core, but it uses less power, and has better overclocking potential, if that applies to you. Also, there is a lot of hype over Nvidia's 660ti, which could drop the prices of the Radeon 78xx cards, and Nvidia's competing line, so waiting for that my be a good idea.

Second, I would spend a few more dollars on your cpu cooler. Only if your talking more than a mild overclock of your 2500k. If you only mean to go to ~4.0Ghz, then your choice is fine. If your looking at something more extreme, like 4.6+Ghz, then you may want to look into a better cooler, or possibly water cooling.


Also, if you've never used a Full-on gaming tower, your going to love it.

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $1100 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Replace the 7950 with the GTX 670 (Only $370 technically with the promo card +$30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782
Total: $1130 before Monitor, Peripherals, and OS.

But it should be solid, GPU is much better, much larger SSD, you get a better CPU, motherboard is also better. If you really think you'll SLI in the future, the EA650 is enough but if you think you need 750w.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052
Modular, cheaper and same if not better performance PSU than the 750TX V2
Review JG best PSU reviewer: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=262