$1,000 gaming rig - Feedback required

[Tomer139]

Hi, I am building my first computer. I have put together a list of components based on reviews, newegg scores, and friends' recommendations.

I am looking for feedback on the parts I have chosen:
- Are any items completely out of line with the rest (overkill or possible bottlenecks)?
- Are there any components that, for a small increment in price, could be greatly upgraded?
- Anything else you might think of.

Purchase Date: This week

Budget Range: Roughly $1,000 CAD

Store: All items will be purchased from Memory Express. The prices indicated reflect their current prices. They do price match any Canadian retailer or e-tailer!

System Usage: Gaming (DOTA 2, Skyrim, Starcraft 2, etc.)

Overclocking: Yes

Components:
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K ($229.99)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ($119.99)
Video Card: eVGA GeForce GTX 570 ($160 - From a friend)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ($59.99)
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast TX650M ($109.99)
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB PC3-12800 ($39.99)
Hard Drive: WD 1TB Blue 7200rpm SATA III ($79.99)
Monitor: BenQ GL2450 Widescreen ($159.99)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST ($19.99)

Total Price: $979.92

Nice to have but doesn't fit the budget:
I'd like to add 8GB more RAM and a 120GB SSD Drive for boot and games, but those are not in the budget currently.

Please feel free to offer any advice, this is the first time I have hand-picked the components for a new computer so I am open to suggestions. Thanks for taking the time to read this

 

[cutebeans]

Hi, good picks actaully! I advice against getting the HAF 912 since it doesn't have USB 3.0 but your motherboard does.

Get a CoolerMaster Hyper Evo if you plan to overclock and get the G.skill sniper or G.skill ares ram.

You should get a cheaper but quality PSU the TX is too expensive.

 

[Tomer139]

Hi, good picks actaully! I advice against getting the HAF 912 since it doesn't have USB 3.0 but your motherboard does.

Get a CoolerMaster Hyper Evo if you plan to overclock and get the G.skill sniper or G.skill ares ram.

You should get a cheaper but quality PSU the TX is too expensive.

Thanks for the tips. Any particular reason why you'd recommend the Ares or Sniper over the Ripjaws? I can't find much info about the differences.
Also, would the Corsair Builder CX600 or OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W be suitable choices? Is 600 watts a comfortable level for this setup?

 

[cutebeans]

Hi if you plan to get the Evo cooler then you would need low profile ram. Most of the time, the ripjaws won't be able to fit because of the massive Evo cooler.

Get the AntecEarthwatts 650. It is cheaper but still a great performer.

 

[kelvin08113]

Ripjaws X can fit, bro. Just place the EVO vertically and the fan faces the ram that's all I do.

 

[boulbox]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.91 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($117.61 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($95.99 @ Computer Valley)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($58.08 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $928.54
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 00:20 EST-0500)

 

[cutebeans]

Ripjaws X can fit, bro. Just place the EVO vertically and the fan faces the ram that's all I do.

Really? Some people say they don't. I don't have it myself so I'll just have to believe you.

 

[kelvin08113]

Really? Some people say they don't. I don't have it myself so I'll just have to believe you.

Well, if you place the EVO horizontally and fan faces down then you can't put in the Ripjaws X or ram with heat spreader. btw, vertically and horizontally are the same thing, different look only.