First Time Builder

[Rondinol]

Greetings,
Your reading this probably because your awesome and love helping people out with new builds which is why I am writing this. So over the past few months I have been researching and looking into every corner of the internet to build my first ever desktop computer ! My paranoia has gotten to me so I have decided to ask if this build is ok. Do these parts work together? Are they right for me? Can I do better? All comments and criticism is appreciated.

The main activities I perform on my computer are as follows: Gaming, intense video and photo editing, intense web surfing and video streaming aswell as downloading. This will be a computer for my all around life which also includes school work and other generic student life activities. Also I plan to do a decent amount of programming here. Here is the tricky part. I wish to have Ubuntu Linux and Windows 7 so I want to make sure both will work.

I will list out the parts and put my comment with each. Again, all comments are appreciated. If you wish to just see the parts on pcpartpicker.com then the link is right about here ---> http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pTwt


CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
This is what I believe I want in terms of CPU. I know for a fact that I want over 3.0GHz and desire Quad Core. The price scares me a tad though. I do also want to stay with Intel, no AMD for me. In terms of overclocking, I would like to but I am inexperienced.

CPU Cooling: CORSAIR Hydro Series H100i Water Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181032
I do not really have any comments here other than if your going to suggest something else I want to keep it water cooled unless you can present a good argument why.

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157295&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
As far as I looked, searched, and climbed this is the best motherboard I could find that I liked so please give me some suggestions here. I am still unsure. I would like the LGA 1155, Z77 chipset, and ATX format. This is going to sound stupid but I would like to keep it black or black/red color scheme.

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143
Not to much to say here except size. I think 16GB is sufficient but do you think I need 32GB as a result of the video editing?

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
2 of these. One for Ubuntu and one for Windows.

The all important video card: ASUS GT640-2GD3 GeForce GT 640 2GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121643&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
Is this good enough for decent graphics? No I am not looking into SLI or Crossfire but I don't want junky graphics. Should I not even bother and use the onboard graphics? Also I do plan to have a dual monitor setup with 2 HP Compaq LA2205wgs linked here ----> http://www.amazon.com/HP-Compaq-LA2205wg-widescreen-DisplayPort/dp/B004RCDA36

The Case: Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Gunmetal Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139013&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
Looks pretty cool, seems to work. If anyone knows where to get a side window with no holes for cooling please let me know.

The Power Supply: CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
Now I know I don't need 750W but I do wish to upgrade this computer in the future so it is a just in case idea.

#1 5.25 Bay: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

#2 5.25 Bay: Vantec NexStar SE MRK-525CRU2 Dual 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s SSD/HDD Mobile Rack with All-In-One Memory Card Reader & USB 2.0 Ports, SATA III ready (Supports 7, 9.5, 12.5, 15mm height SSD/HDD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817986006
Really this bay is only for the SD and MicroSD card slot but I do like the 2.5 hard drive bays aswell. If anyone knows anything better I would be glad to hear the suggestions.

#3 5.25 Bay: NZXT Sentry-2 5.25" Touch Screen Fan Controller
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811992005
For the three fans I will have besides the CPU cooler I like this fan controller. Any opinions on the bad comments about burning out wires? It concerns me to see comments reporting the same problem, it seems they only affect the system itself and the customer service is keen on the problem.

Alternate Fans: Antec 761345-75026-4 120mm Red LED Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209013
Getting 3. Because why not have an awesome looking computer?

Wireless/Bluetooth: Intel Network 6235AN.HMWWB Centrino WiFi Card Advanced-N 6235 Dual Band Bluetooth Retail
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-6235AN-HMWWB-Centrino-Advanced-N-Bluetooth/dp/B007QXLIWI
Yes, a wireless card incase I get into a scenario in which I don't have ethernet (yes I have had that problem with a desktop computer) and it's also for the bluetooth. Mainly the bluetooth.

Thank you for taking time to help me out, I greatly appreciate it.

 

[Deemo13]

For gaming, that is not a very strong video card. That is the only gripe I would have.

 

[samuelspark]

You are overspending on everything except the graphics if this build is for gaming. You have your priorities wrong.

 

[DarkSable]

Do either real water cooling or a high-end air cooler.

Here's why:

1) A water cooler has more moving parts than a fan - that means it's more likely to fail.

2) When a water cooler DOES fail, it doesn't have a giant metal heatsink left to let the CPU throttle down properly - it'll simply overheat.

3) If a water cooler fails catastrophically, it spreads liquid all over your system... and you can't maintain a closed-loop water cooler like you can an open loop.

 

[Rondinol]

You are overspending on everything except the graphics if this build is for gaming. You have your priorities wrong.

What would my "priorities" be then?

 

[Rondinol]

For gaming, that is not a very strong video card. That is the only gripe I would have.

I could agree but looking at graphics cards I find $500 for a really good one not worth it. If it weren't for gaming how would the graphics card be?

 

[Deemo13]

If it weren't for gaming and just video/photo editing, still not good. For intense stuff, you are going to be held back by it.

And who said anything about $500?

 

[Rondinol]

Do either real water cooling or a high-end air cooler.

Here's why:

1) A water cooler has more moving parts than a fan - that means it's more likely to fail.

2) When a water cooler DOES fail, it doesn't have a giant metal heatsink left to let the CPU throttle down properly - it'll simply overheat.

3) If a water cooler fails catastrophically, it spreads liquid all over your system... and you can't maintain a closed-loop water cooler like you can an open loop.

How common or likely is it to fail?

 

[Rondinol]

If it weren't for gaming and just video/photo editing, still not good. For intense stuff, you are going to be held back by it.

And who said anything about $500?

From what I have seen, the higher end graphics cards are very expensive. In terms of a dual monitor, on the "cheaper" side, and still good enough graphics card what would you recommend?

 

[djangoringo]

Some modifications :

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qdJ6

It is nonsense spending such money on a psu for a 640 gt, this one has a 670 gtx which will be 100 times better, a good psu for everything you'll need, plus best aircooler on the market, it will have about same temperatures of the h100i, but it will be less noisier, cheaper and safer in the long run.
Also no much difference between extreme 4 and 6, so 4 will do just fine, and the case is a 400r is in my opinion is one of the best cases out there under ~100$

 

[Deemo13]

I would recommend a Radeon HD7850. Great card at an even better price.

 

[heizenbrg]

Go with the Gigabyte GTX 670 OC, it has awesome cooling, triple fans.
I'm a first builder too and as paranoid too, spent 3 months just for understanding the build and the parts. I'd just go with air cooling for now, doesn't make sense using water cooling for just a 640. I went with a the Noctua NH-D14 and CPU runs cool, really easy too install too, don't really see whats the fuss about a giant heatsink. 16 GB of RAM is good if you're also doing editing. The case is awesome, I was debating between this and the 500R, that green finish is so classy.

 

[Rondinol]

Some modifications :

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qdJ6

It is nonsense spending such money on a psu for a 640 gt, this one has a 670 gtx which will be 100 times better, a good psu for everything you'll need, plus best aircooler on the market, it will have about same temperatures of the h100i, but it will be less noisier, cheaper and safer in the long run.
Also no much difference between extreme 4 and 6, so 4 will do just fine, and the case is a 400r is in my opinion is one of the best cases out there under ~100$

I can respect your changes and I might go with some of them. I'm still contemplating with the CPU cooler but thanks for the input.