New build, looking for any suggestions

[thefletch30]

I'm planning on building a computer for mostly gaming; I play most types of games. I'd like some advice about what I have picked out for hardware. Some key things to note are I am planning on playing on a Dell U2711 IPS monitor (I've made up my mind, I'd rather not turn this into a what monitor is best for gaming thread), I want to keep the build (minus the monitor) under $1300 or so, and I've never done any overclocking before so I'd like this build to be as good as I can get it at stock speeds. Maybe some day I'll learn. The build currently looks like this:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R​2)
MOBO: ASUS P8Z77-V LX LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
GPU: Diamond AMD Radeon HD 7970 PCIE 3G GDDR5 Video Graphics Card 7970PE53G
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 750 Watt ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Bronze (TX750M)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003
SDD: Intel 520 Series 180Gb (Already own)
RAM: 8GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz Ripjaw Series (9-9-9-24) Dual Channel kit F3-12800CL9D-8G​BRL
DVD: Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive - Bulk - IHAS124-04 Version C (Black)
CASE: Thermaltake VN300M1W2N Black SECC CHASER MK-1 Full Tower USB 3.0 Computer Case
OP SYSTEM: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

Thank you in advance!

 

[malbluff]

Are you thinking about adding a 2nd graphics card, in the future.
If you are, I would suggest Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H, for mobo (better crossfire support). Also 750w is porobably a bit light for TWO HD7970's, especially with overclocking. Suggest 850w.
If you are only planning single card, mobo is OK, and you could drop PSU to 600/650w.
Seagate have been having reliability issues. Worth spending bit extra, for WD Caviar Black.
Whilst I'm told Ripjaws will fit, with 212Evo cooler, generally prefer low profile, like GSKill Ares, Crucial Ballistix Sport, or Corsair CML, to give plenty of clearance.

 

[geofelt]

You picked well.
Any changes are nitpicking or from fanboys.

I have not added up the cost, so I assume you have met your budget.

 

[thefletch30]

Thank you for the quick responses. I don't have any plans of adding a second GPU to start but I would like to leave the option there. How important is changing out the mobo as suggested by malbluff? Is the crossfire support bad or just not optimum?

 

[malbluff]

If crossfire is "unlikely", I wouldn't worry about it. Crossfire will work, with your original choice, anyway, just not as well. You would not get best performance, from the second card, so not balanced.

 

[excella1221]

Are you thinking about adding a 2nd graphics card, in the future.
If you are, I would suggest Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H, for mobo (better crossfire support). Also 750w is porobably a bit light for TWO HD7970's, especially with overclocking. Suggest 850w.
If you are only planning single card, mobo is OK, and you could drop PSU to 600/650w.
Seagate have been having reliability issues. Worth spending bit extra, for WD Caviar Black.
Whilst I'm told Ripjaws will fit, with 212Evo cooler, generally prefer low profile, like GSKill Ares, Crucial Ballistix Sport, or Corsair CML, to give plenty of clearance.

+1 to everything.
It's not really nitpicking when the title of the thread is "looking for any suggestions", and helping him adjust the parts to get the most bang for his budget, or point out features that lack or not needed based on what he wants.

I'd like to add that the Caviar Black has a 5-year warranty, compared to Seagate's 3 years.

 

[thefletch30]

And suggestions are indeed what I want, I appreciate it. I've always owned ASUS boards in the past and have never had any issues with them but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to try something new. I don't know a lot about Gigabyte boards, other than the crossfire advantages will this board perform better in other ways as well? I have to say, deciding on the mobo has been the hardest task!

 

[excella1221]

Gigabyte boards perform just as good as ASUS boards.
ASUS currently ranks #1 on top motherboard manufacturers, while Gigabyte is #2.

Choosing the right motherboard all boils down to what your needs are.

 

[malbluff]

I, too, like Asus boards. I've got one in my new build. They are excellent quality, but you do pay a bit, just for the Asus name. The only reason I suggested the Gigabyte is that it's good quality, gives all the basic features, PLUS has better crossfire support, than the proposed Asus. Nothing wrong with the Asus if you're not likely to add 2nd GPU.