Hoping for some feedback on a potential gaming rig

[exoforce]

Hi, I am currently designing a new gaming PC for myself and I have so far come up with the following builds:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXVJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXVJ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xXVJ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($178.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($353.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case ($124.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Razer RZ01-00152400-R3M1 Wired Optical Mouse ($47.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1654.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-16 21:42 EST-0500)

And:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xY2U
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xY2U/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xY2U/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z77 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($234.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($91.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($178.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($353.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case ($146.76 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Razer RZ01-00152400-R3M1 Wired Optical Mouse ($47.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $1788.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-16 21:45 EST-0500)

With the difference being the motherboard, ram, and case. I will appreciate any feedback, especially if there are any serious bottlenecks in the system that I will need to sort out. I would really appreciate everyone's help so that I can get the most bang for my buck. Thanks!

Approximate Purchase Date: Mid to late January
Budget Range: 1500-1800
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Parts Not Required: N/A
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: New Egg and Amazon
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: Intel and Nvidia
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1080
Additional Comments: Any suggestions for different builds or to reduce costs will be great!

Edit: Added Parts List for the two setups I have to make things a bit easier.

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xZCV
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xZCV/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xZCV/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($111.27 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Samsung S23B300B 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Thermaltake KB-CHL002US Wired Gaming Keyboard ($47.74 @ Mwave)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2000-MLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($32.54 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1309.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-16 21:08 EST-0500)

7950 because it overclocks easily to 7970 levels and thats as fast and somethimes faster than the 500$ gtx 680, and 3gb vs 2gb only longrun the 7950 and still today wins overclocked

 

[envy14tpe]

I like the $1680 build. For Gaming and Editing (not dedicated editing), this build is not over kill. The Extreme 4 can handle it all.

You could save some bucks on the PSU and case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

The cases you selected are over $125. Some under $100 suggestions:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

 

[exoforce]

I like the $1680 build. For Gaming and Editing (not dedicated editing), this build is not over kill. The Extreme 4 can handle it all.

You could save some bucks on the PSU and case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

The cases you selected are over $125. Some under $100 suggestions:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Thanks for the tip, I will try and incorporate them into the build. I just picked the original two cases based on looks and what sounded like a lot of fans and room to keep the computer cool.

I am still trying to figure out at what level of quality I should combine the various components to prevent my pc from being slown down by a single bad choice, which is why I was wondering whether I should use the popular ASRock motherboard or the more expensive ASUS board. Before I did my research on this site, I always assumed the i7s were far superior to the i5s and i3s, and now from what I understand is that the performance gains do not match the hike in price. I suppose what is bothering me the most right now is that I have yet to fully comprehend why I made some of the choices I did for my build and whether or not they are the most optimal.

 

[iceclock]

how do u like the build i chose for u alot of bang for ur bucks and isnt close to 1680

 

[exoforce]

how do u like the build i chose for u alot of bang for ur bucks and isnt close to 1680

It is definitely more affordable. I am curious about how well the 7950 compares to the 670. I am not very knowledgeable about overclocking, But I have read that it is a very powerful contender for its price. The only thing that is a no for me is windows 8 as I have heard too many issues with it. How do people generally go about deciding the quality of a motherboard, and GPU for that matter (not the chipset but from the different brands)?

 

[iceclock]

the 7950 when overclocked hits power levels of a single gtx 680 and somethimes surpasses it depending on the overclock.

it depends, getting informed on the socket u want and the features u need and seen what u can get for ur budget and reading up reviews on tech hardware sites to make shur the hardware is up to snuff.

heres my revised rig for u, has a 60gig ssd for ur os so everything is zippy.

windows 7 premium 64bit

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y0Uw
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y0Uw/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/y0Uw/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex Plus R2 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($111.27 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Samsung S23B300B 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Thermaltake KB-CHL002US Wired Gaming Keyboard ($47.74 @ Mwave)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-2000-MLON1 Wired Optical Mouse ($32.54 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1376.40
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-16 22:57 EST-0500)