Nitty-gritty advice for a first time build?

HigginsHEre

Honorable
Sep 22, 2012
78
0
10,630
I am soon going to be receiving all of the parts for my first build, and I was wondering if you guys have any meticulous advice or tips before building it? I've seen a few building videos (several times), but there might be other tips that aren't super general, or just get overlooked.

Thank you! I appreciate everything.

My build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.40 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($71.74 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Other: Seagate Barracuda 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Total: $682.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-28 16:29 EST-0500)
 
Drop the 500gb seagate drive, unless you just listed that as an alternate.

16gb (4x4) of 1600 gskill ripjaws can be had on newegg for $50. If it's a gaming system, you can easily go with half that much.

don't forget the additional $10 mail-in rebate on the hyper 212 :)

put those savings towards a better video card.