New Gaming Computer 2012, improvements please?

[FurryTij]

Motherboard: AsRock Z77 Extreme 4 - $134.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293)
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz - $229.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504&name=Processors-Desktops)
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2x8GB) - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 5900RPM 2TB - $99.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681)
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 2.5" 128GB SATA III Internal SSD - $104.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227510)
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520C 520W - $54.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7970 3GB - $429.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102961&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards)
Case: Antex Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower - $99.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021)
Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER Pro Gaming Keyboard Fan Cooler Black - $67.00 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823162012)
Mouse: Raptor-Gaming 200dpi optical gaming mouse - $24.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826795002)
CPU fan: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO CPU fan - $31.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099)
Screen: Asus Glossy Black 24" - $199.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049)

Total: $1548

Questions:

Are there any special tools needed except for an anti-static wristband and a screwdriver?
Can you put both the SSD and HDD in the same case?
How loud will this computer be?
Is it a stable computer i.e. do all the parts play nicely together?
Can I overclock this computer?
Is it worth it to go for an i7? Will that be necessary for gaming in the next 5 years?
Are there any improvements / money saving tips?

Thanks in advance, will be checking this regularly.

 

[ckholt83]

Questions:

Are there any special tools needed except for an anti-static wristband and a screwdriver?
Can you put both the SSD and HDD in the same case?
How loud will this computer be?
Is it a stable computer i.e. do all the parts play nicely together?
Can I overclock this computer?
Is it worth it to go for an i7? Will that be necessary for gaming in the next 5 years?
Are there any improvements / money saving tips?

Thanks in advance, will be checking this regularly.

1. You don't even really need the wristband, just a screwdriver is enough.

2. Absolutely, yes. You can often fit 9-10 drives in a single case.

3. Not very loud. I've used the Antec 900, it's not a bad case. You might consider the newer revision, the 902. Even better, the Corsair Carbide 500r is on sale for $80 right now, which is a steal: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

4. Yes.

5. Yes.

6. No, the i7 is only an improvement for things like rendering and video editing, it will give you no noticeable improvement in gaming. Stick with the i5.

7. This is actually a pretty great build, there's almost nothing I would change. 16GB of RAM is overkill right now however, you're not going to need that much for a good while yet, and you can always add it later when you reach that limit in however many years.Newegg has a killer deal on some g.skill RAM that ends tonight: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231468&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Deemo13]

Questions:

Are there any special tools needed except for an anti-static wristband and a screwdriver?
Can you put both the SSD and HDD in the same case?
How loud will this computer be?
Is it a stable computer i.e. do all the parts play nicely together?
Can I overclock this computer?
Is it worth it to go for an i7? Will that be necessary for gaming in the next 5 years?
Are there any improvements / money saving tips?

Thanks in advance, will be checking this regularly.

Not to copy the above post, but you will be fine with a screwdriver. I usually use the wristband for builds for other people though so I don't screw up their stuff.

You can put an SSD and a HDD in the same case.

Your computer shouldn't be that loud. Antec likes to make quiet cases.

You picked good parts.

It will overclock nicely prolly around to 4.2ish with that cooler.

i7's are really only useful for video work and rendering.

Money saving tips.....mmm.....other than the 16GB of RAM being unnecessary thats about it.

 

[FurryTij]

Motherboard: AsRock Z77 Extreme 4 - $134.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293)
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz - $229.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504&name=Processors-Desktops)
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2x8GB) - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 5900RPM 2TB - $99.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681)
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 2.5" 128GB SATA III Internal SSD - $104.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227510)
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520C 520W - $54.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7970 3GB - $429.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102961&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 500R - $109.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021)
Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER Pro Gaming Keyboard Fan Cooler Black - $67.00 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823162012)
Mouse: Raptor-Gaming 200dpi optical gaming mouse - $24.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826795002)
CPU fan: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO CPU fan - $31.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099)
Screen: Asus Glossy Black 24" - $199.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049)

I looked at lowering my RAM, but lowering it to 12GB actually costs more, and for whatever reason, I get the feeling that some game in the near future will need 16GB. After all, it's not that that's the most expensive! For only $10 more, that Corsair Carbide 500R looks AWESOME! Looking for Australian prices now Either pay hefty amounts for postage or pay hefty amounts for buying it in Australia

 

[Deemo13]

Well, 12GB would cost more since it would be triple channel.

 

[rene13cross]

You should look for 8GB, not 12. 8GB is more than enough for anyone not doing video rendering and all that shizz.

 

[FurryTij]

OK, then. So, I've found Aussie prices. Changed the screen and mouse, because they don't have that on the Aussie website.
Screen: Asus 24in Widescreen LED - $195 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1212&products_id=16558)
Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS Challenger Pro Gaming Keyboard - $69 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14843)
Mouse: Razer Abyssus Gaming Mouse - $33 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_697_699&products_id=13245)
Case: Corsair Carbide 500R - $143 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18307)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme4 - $167 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18082)
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520C 520W - $75 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16290)
CPU: Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge 3570k - $233 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20138)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB - $100 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19554)
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB - $115 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19985)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 16GB - $75 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18974)
CPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon 7970 3GB OC Edition with Boost - $435 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21322)
CPU Fan: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler - $35 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18670)

Total: $1675

 

[mysteryos]

My Recommendations:

SSD: Samsung 830 128 gb - $99 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20429)

It has almost the same performance as the OCZ vertex 4, and yet cheaper.

Case: NZXT Phantom 410 Mid Tower Case Black - $129.00 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_238&products_id=18956)

In the same line of features of the corsair, yet with a cooler style (and price).

HDD: Western Digital WD Green 2TB WD20EARX - $103 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=17282)

or

Western Digital WD Black 1TB WD1002FAEX - $105.00 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=13660)

Seagate's HDD have a higher failure rate than those from Western digital, so don't take the gamble. The reason i've listed the Western Digital Caviar black, is that it is backed by 5 yr warranty though it's only 1 TB. Up to you to make the choice. Peace of mind v/s Storage Capacity

GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD7970 Overclocked 3GB - $415.00 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1309&products_id=19269)

The core clocks are the same as the sapphire radeon one. So basically, more bang for your buck (plus sapphire's tech support isn't that great).

Motherboard: i noticed that you picked an AMD compatible motherboard with an INTEL cpu in your latest post..

If you take into my account the above recommendations, your total savings will be:
$49

 

[FurryTij]

Ok, thanks heaps for the suggestions. I'm going for the WD Green 2TB HDD, the Samsung 830 and the other GPU, but my mobo is compatible (just not recommended, but http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21398 uses the same as me exactly). I like my original case more too, and apparently it's easier to use / set up.
Thanks anyway / again

 

[ckholt83]

The Asrock Z77 Extreme4 is compatible, but you seem to have accidentally picked out the Asrock 990FX Extreme4, which is designed for AMD CPUs. Only a few letters difference, but a very important detail all the same.

A 'Green' drive is a good choice for secondary storage. The WD Caviar Blacks run HOT, and you're going to be running your programs off the SSD anyway, so the performance difference isn't much of a factor. Might as well spare yourself the extra power consumption and heat.

 

[FurryTij]

The Asrock Z77 Extreme4 is compatible, but you seem to have accidentally picked out the Asrock 990FX Extreme4, which is designed for AMD CPUs. Only a few letters difference, but a very important detail all the same.

A 'Green' drive is a good choice for secondary storage. The WD Caviar Blacks run HOT, and you're going to be running your programs off the SSD anyway, so the performance difference isn't much of a factor. Might as well spare yourself the extra power consumption and heat.

Ah, makes more sense. Changing build then:

Screen: Asus 24in Widescreen LED - $195 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1212&products_id=16558)
Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS Challenger Pro Gaming Keyboard - $69 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14843)
Mouse: Razer Abyssus Gaming Mouse - $33 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_697_699&products_id=13245)
Case: Corsair Carbide 500R - $145 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18317)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - $139 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19867)
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520C 520W - $75 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16290)
CPU: Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge 3570k - $233 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20138)
HDD: Western Digital WD Green 2TB - $103 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=17282)
SSD: Samsung 830 128 gb - $99 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20429)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 16GB - $75 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18974)
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD7970 Overclocked 3GB - $415.00 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1309&products_id=19269)
CPU Fan: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler - $35 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18670)
Power Surge Protector: Huntkey Power Surge Protector 8 Outlets Black - $25 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16214)
Anti-Static Wrist Strap - $7 (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18171)

Total: $1648, inc. shipping

Questions:
I plan to purchase this around Christmas. Are there any parts due to be released soon that are in this budget?
Are there any ways I can save money on this computer without losing too much power? I like my RAM, fyi
How loud is this setup?
Does this setup work well together? As in, are there any parts that will lose power because they're clashing with other parts?
How "future proof" is this setup?