First time build - Gaming PC w/ longevity?

[jamzg]

Approximate Purchase Date: Between now and Christmas
Budget Range: ~$1000 total, though the less the better
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming mostly
Are you buying a monitor: No
Parts to Upgrade: All new
Do you need to buy OS: Except for this
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Location: Massachusetts
Parts Preferences: Intel/Nvidia fan
Overclocking: Not important
SLI or Crossfire: Not important
Your Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050
Additional Comments: Think I have a sufficient case already. Would prefer to keep HD from old rig with OS already installed(is this possible?) while buying new HD for additional storage

I've picked out the requisite parts on newegg already but I'm certainly not as knowledgeable about any of this as you guys are. In fact, I've picked a few things apart from other threads in selecting these. Would definitely like to know if I can simply keep my old HD with all the things stored on that(including OS) though.

Here goes:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($272.28 @ CompUSA)
Motherboard: EVGA 151-SE-E779-K2 XL ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($398.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ CompUSA)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1161.23


Came out a little differently/cheaper just shopping around on newegg. Here's the link to my wishlist I created on there.

Some other minor concerns I have that hopefully you can clear up:
- Motherboard/CPU compatibility
- PSU strong enough to support other components?
- Importance of a CPU Cooler for this rig?

Thanks so much guys. Best site on the web for this sort of thing, by far!

Edit: And how would you say this compares to something like this? Seemingly similar parts but far cheaper.

 

[cutebeans]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $758.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-24 04:23 EST-0500)

Better parts for less the price!

No need for CPU cooler if you don't plan on overclocking.

Your CPU and Motherboard choices are the only thing that's wrong here .

 

[jamzg]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Better parts for less the price!

No need for CPU cooler if you don't plan on overclocking.

Your CPU and Motherboard choices are the only thing that's wrong here .

What exactly makes the parts you specify better? Definitely not doubting you, I'm just curious. I love the smaller pricetag but I fear that I won't get the same kind of performance out of the lesser CPU/motherboard combo

 

[cutebeans]

Hi, the i7 is not better for gaming compared to the i5.

Why? The only difference between the i7 and the i5 is Hyperthreading which 99.9% games do not use. The i7 has it but the i5 doesn't. It's mostly used by professionals for work related activities.

Your motherboard is too expensive lol. Normal Motherboards typically cost around $50 to $150. Motherboards don't normally affect the performance of the build.

Good luck with your build . The most recommended motherboard is only $100 lol.

 

[Grass Peer]

I wouldn't recommend ASRock or OCZ for longetivity though, I would switch to Asus and Samsung.

 

[cutebeans]

Asrock is number #3 in the motherboard industry. It's so good that Asus even wants to buy it before it overtakes them.

OCZ drives aren't the best but they aren't the worst especially considering it's only $50 for a 120gb drive.

You should do your HW before you steer other people to the wrong way. -__-

 

[jamzg]

Hi, the i7 is not better for gaming compared to the i5.

Why? The only difference between the i7 and the i5 is Hyperthreading which 99.9% games do not use. The i7 has it but the i5 doesn't. It's mostly used by professionals for work related activities.

Your motherboard is too expensive lol. Normal Motherboards typically cost around $50 to $150. Motherboards don't normally affect the performance of the build.

Good luck with your build . The most recommended motherboard is only $100 lol.

Hey certainly sounds good to me. The motherboard I had originally picked is only $220 on NewEgg(despite PartPicker saying 398 or whatever) but I had only picked that because of it's compatibility to the i7. If the i7 is unnecessary clearly that motherboard is as well. Thanks!

 

[cutebeans]

Yeah, the CPU you chose is a different breed of its own. That's why its so expensive, it's for a different purpose.

 

[jamzg]

Yeah, the CPU you chose is a different breed of its own. That's why its so expensive, it's for a different purpose.

I noticed you threw a SSD in the build too. I've never toyed with those. You think it's worth the extra $50?

 

[cutebeans]

Yaeh, but it's already sold out so just ignore it. -___-.

SSDs give a huge boost to the speed of the OS and programs.

 

[jamzg]

Best answer selected by jamzg.