First time build

[Habsfan1980]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time building a PC but I am an experienced electronic technician, so the building isn't a problem for me. I lack experience in selecting the proper components. I was hoping to get some feed back to what might be some better components than the ones I have chosen. I want a build that will allow me to play the most current games for as long as possible. I know I could probably save abit on my GPU if I went with a GTX 660ti but I'm just not sure as to how long a GPU like that will handle new games as gaming advances and I'm sure the CPU is over kill, any advice is appreciated.

Here is a list of the components I have selected

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139022

Antec DF-85 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Antec KUHLER H2O 920 Liquid Cooling System
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209054

EVGA 04G-P4-2686-KR GeForce GTX 680 w/ Backplate 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130799

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBXL
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Rosewill RCR-IC002 74-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port / Extra silver face plate
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223109

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136247

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

Additional info
Approximate Purchase Date: Mid December 2012
Budget Range: $2500
System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: gaming, a little video editing, surfing the internet, watching movies)
Are you buying a monitor: No
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.ca but if there is a better place to order in Canada I’m open
Location: Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada
Overclocking: I am planning on it
SLI or Crossfire: Not planning on it
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: I selected the EVGA 04G-P4-2686-KR GeForce GTX 680 because it was at the max of my GPU budget, I am flexible on the GPU. I chose the Antec KUHLER H2O 920 Liquid Cooling System because it was the only all in one liquid cooler that I could confirm fitting in the df-85 case without modding, I would rather the H100 or H80.

Thank you,

 

[GreedFusion]

A few things,
1: the CPU you're getting will provide little to no performance increase for your tasks. Consider getting the i5 3570k, it's THE best processor for gaming bang/buck wise at the moment. i7's are essentially useless for gaming and related tasks.
2: You don't really need 16gb of RAM but if you insist go for it.
3: Let me give you some warnings about water cooling... It will leak eventually. It's gonna happen. It'll perform fantastically, but eventually, in a couple years, it'll leak and screw up everything.
4: does canada have microcenters? if so, they have some great deals. the 15 2500k Is actually a viable option, and it's on sale for 150 atm.
4: the 680... the 680 is pretty much just a huge 670, get the 670 and maybe SLI later on, the 680 is kind of a rip off atm. plus some really nice 670's are on sale at newegg for like ~380 and will perform just as good. and if you really wanna get the best, get the radeon 7970, it will outperform both.

 

[Habsfan1980]

Thank you for the advice. Would mounting the rad outside the case prevent water damage or could the leak occur some where on the hose or block.

 

[solinvictus01]

I agree with GreedFusion. The CPU that you have picked will be great if you're doing heavy video editing. However, if you're not doing a lot of video editing (or plan to) save some money and go for the i5 3570k.

I'm not very familiar with watercooling. But like GreedFusion pointed out, watercooling leads to leaking. If you're careful you can see the signs way ahead before it spills water all over your computer. Personally, I go with air cooling. Sure, it doesn't perform as well as watercooling and it doesn't look as clean, but I don't have to worry about leaking and the such.

RAM wise, you won't benefit having 16GB of RAM. But RAM is so cheap these days that all I can say is ... Why not?

As for the GPU, the GTX 680 was the king of the GPU's. AMD, however, released new drivers for the 7000 series GPU's that boosted the performance of the 7970 to the point that it either matches the GTX 680 and in some cases it outright outperforms the GTX 680. I'd go for a GTX 670 instead of a GTX 680. Plus, with the PSU that you're getting you'll have plenty of room to SLI the GTX 670.

Speaking of PSU, I always recommend a Gold rated PSU. I have one and I'm very happy with it. I'm not saying that you're wrong in selecting the PSU that you've selected.

I understand you concern about your GPU handling the new gen games. Honestly, I won't worry about that. Truth is, gaming PCs (with the right components) will always be superior to console gaming in the performance category.

Don't be afraid to look into the Corsair cases. The Vengeance C70 is very sturdy and very well made case.

 

[Habsfan1980]

Can anyone recommend a good CPU fan that will allow for over clocking on an i5?

 

[solinvictus01]

One thing you have to be aware of is that Air Cooling is bulkier than watercooling. I'll make a few suggestions but you have to make sure that you case can support them.

Another thing to consider is how much overclocking you're going to be doing. If it's a mild overclocking you won't need to go overboard with your CPU cooler.

If you really want the best air cooling solution the Noctua NH-D14 is probably your best bet. This cooler goes head to head with the Corsair H100. The downside is ... well... the size. This thing is HUGE. Here's an unboxing of the NH-D14

I've had experience with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. I overclocked my i5 2500k to 4.2GHz and the max temp was between 47-50C if you do a push/pull configuration. One thing I will say about the Hyper 212 EVO is that the stock fans are loud. If you decide to go with the Hyper 212 EVO I would pair it with a couple of these Corsair fans in a push/pull configuration.

I currently own a Corsair CAFA70, however, it seems like those coolers are no longer being sold anywhere. It's a shame because I love that cooler.

Hope that helps!