First ever build. Need some advice/overview. :)

[rodcopperbottom]

This will primarily be used for gaming. I would also like to purchase this on Black Friday. Notes: Will the Phanteks work with that RAM? Suggested RAM? Looking for other suggestions for quality monitors. Better Motherboard options?

Thanks!

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jwAk
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jwAk/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jwAk/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 60.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VW246H 24.0" Monitor ($183.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G9x Wired Laser Mouse ($64.95 @ B&H)
Total: $1662.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[stormweaver1983]

So here is what I would do.

Swap out the motherboard for the Asrock extreme4. $50 cheaper, unless there is something specific about the 6 that you need, the 4 should do just fine.

Swap out the Sniper series RAM for the Ares series. It is low profile and will guarantee no issues with the CPU cooler.

Save a few bucks and swap the Samsung hard drive with a Seagate. Seagate has 64mb of cache vs the Samsung's 32mb as well.

Swap out the Nvidia 670 with a AMD 7970. That one is more of a personal preference, although the 7970 is generally considered to be more powerful. Prices on the 7970 have also come down to be competitive with the 670 as well.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jKEy

 

[rodcopperbottom]

Okay, with a few changes this is what i've got.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jP92
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jP92/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jP92/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14CS_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($76.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($389.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE278Q 27.0" Monitor ($294.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G9x Wired Laser Mouse ($64.95 @ B&H)
Total: $1829.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[stormweaver1983]

Looks solid! The 850w PSU is a bit overkill unless you're going to SLI, but if you have the money to spend, no harm in it at all!

 

[wr6133]

I wouldnt get the ASrock board as the web is full of threads like these http://www.overclock.net/t/1271002/asrock-z77-vrm-phase-cooling-badly-needed about VRM issues due to poor quality mofsets, puts them on my list of companies not to trust due to skimping on important things. Get a Gigabyte or Asus board.

 

[stormweaver1983]

I wouldnt get the ASrock board as the web is full of threads like these http://www.overclock.net/t/1271002/asrock-z77-vrm-phase-cooling-badly-needed about VRM issues due to poor quality mofsets, puts them on my list of companies not to trust due to skimping on important things. Get a Gigabyte or Asus board.

At least from reading that thread a bit, it was mentioned that the problem stemmed from the Sandy bridge processor and its higher voltage vs Ivy bridge. Search long enough and I'm sure problem postings can be found for every motherboard and manufacturer. Lots of good reviews for the Asrock extreme series.

 

[rodcopperbottom]

What about these MB from ASUS?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837

 

[stormweaver1983]

Either should do you just fine.

 

[wr6133]

At least from reading that thread a bit, it was mentioned that the problem stemmed from the Sandy bridge processor and its higher voltage vs Ivy bridge. Search long enough and I'm sure problem postings can be found for every motherboard and manufacturer. Lots of good reviews for the Asrock extreme series.

Not really, the thread is about the poor quality mofsets used by ASRock and resultant VRM heating, ok this may not matter to somebody not pushing the board hard and only become a problem for overclockers, however its not really excuseable on a board that attempts to imply it's a premium product. Look around its not the only place this board recieves flak for this. ASRock has a long long way to go before it convinces me its actually moved above the value and budget sector, fancy PCB colours, features and high prices don't always indicate quality.

OP
I would take either of those ASUS boards