Finalizing gaming rig choices.

I'll go with a 550W PSU then. I don't see myself adding more monitors, so I most likely will not get a second GPU anyways. At the most I might hook up an old monitor to display Firefox, but only have games running on the main screen.

I picked the Samsung 840 SSD because I saw it recommended in a couple other threads as being one of the best for price/performance. I don't know if they meant the Pro series only though.

I'm not sure why you went with a different case. I don't like the front ports where they are positioned though. An accidental pull on a cord could damage a pin/connector instead of just pulling it out of the socket. It also costs more and nothing jumped out at me as being a big improvement.

The memory I picked costs $4 more but has lower timing at 9-9-9-24 vs. 9-9-9-27. Am I missing something else here?

I read through the comments on both of the GPUs. I think I will stick with the Sapphire version. There were some comments about the card not venting heat outside of the case, but that was for both makes. So I guess that brings me back to the case. I don't want anything running hot and lowering lifespans. It also can get pretty warm in the room my PC is in during the summer.

Updated build minus PSU:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($429.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.98 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G300 Wired Optical Mouse ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1128.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-19 09:38 EST-0500)

PSU is not on pcpartpicker: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Price seems good to me, but there are not a lot of customer reviews. The only cons are cables being a little short, but no one said short enough to prevent them hooking something up either.

Anyone know if there could be space issues with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO and the Patriot memory? If there is, is the solution simply to move the memory over a slot, or should I be looking for low profile memory?

It is better to have all 4 dimms filled. In theory is better to send data in 4 slots instead of 2. Like if you are multitasking.
Here is some crucial ram. These are a CL 8. I myself have the crucial tactical tracers.
But just get 4 of these unless you dont mind 16gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Edited
Well here are some lower heat sinks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Still CL8

Ok the 2 tactical tracers you can get in blue and orange or red and green. These are LED lights on them.
Just buy 2 packs of the ones you would want.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...


here is some videos of the ram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig5dkiwAXGY


red and green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y_TEVe8QSw

Hi Azteck,

Thanks for your input but I am not interested in memory with lights on it.

The motherboard I've selected only has Dual Channel support for memory, so from what I can tell there would not be much noticeable difference between using 2 sticks of memory or 4, assuming similar timings and speeds.

lies for having 4 dimms full. it also means more strain to CPU mem controller

now back to your build

-stuff is cheaper elswhere. no point of shopping at one location and paying more
-the xfx is made by seasonic. you get quality either way so id save the money
-vertex 4 is expensive right now. the samsung 830 is a better way to go. the 840 non pro sucks

my case would be a better choice as well

Hi again,

Thanks for all the advice and help. I ordered the new setup now.

Yes I could have saved a little by using the vendors on pcpartpicker with lowest prices, but it was not a big enough difference to me. I have had no issues with Newegg. I placed the order a little after noon eastern time, and received emails with tracking numbers a little after 4 P.M. I think everything will arrive in around 24h, maybe less, and I didn't pay extra for rush processing or overnight shipment. They ship from New Jersey though and I am in Massachusetts.

from what i see in the price breakdown its 100 dollars. thats little?? i can buy a 7950 by then

Yep. I also could have saved probably 50% on the CPU because I know someone that works for Intel.

But:
1. The person I know is really busy.
2. I'm ok with spending a little extra to support a business like Newegg who I have never had any issues with buying from in the past.

Best answer selected by Fenric.

id rather get it at us.ncix. better customer support and always free shipping. people who reply actually dont sound like a robot