First PC build help!

[Hypnotic Rift]

I'm working on my first build and I decided to go with a gaming/editing PC I've been apart of the PC gaming scene for a while but this time I want to have a computer specifically designed for gaming. This is what I have so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/B99B
However I'm fully open to suggestions I want to keep the build under $1200 for everything excluding the monitor. I plan to be doing some overclocking on my cpu and bring it up to 4.0 GHz as well as overclocking my graphics card once I learn how to. This is going to be a really important thing for me so I want to get my monies worth. Being 15 it's not the easiest to get money. Thank you!

 

[tiny voices]

You don't need all those cables. The motherboard will come with them. Your motherboard is way more expensive than you need. Get a $100 board and put the money towards a better GPU.

The cooler will come with past so don't worry about that either.

For max settings at 1080p try to get a gtx670/HD7950

 

[Hypnotic Rift]

I was looking at both the GTX 670 and the Radeon HD 7950 but I can't find one cheap enough to be in my budget. Also I know the Cpu comes with a heat sync but I want an aftermarket one for better cooling.

 

[tiny voices]

The aftermarket cooler comes with thermal paste. Are you overclocking the CPU?

 

[Hypnotic Rift]

I know it does but it isn't high quality and yes I want to overclock to 4.0 GHz at least.

 

[tiny voices]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.04 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.66 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1123.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 15:12 EST-0500)

Didn't include a mouse or keyboard but here is a build with a 7950 and a SSD.

 

[Hypnotic Rift]

Wouldn't the price difference of the motherboard with the cpu and gpu cause bottlenecks?

 

[tiny voices]

Nope. Even an i3 and $45 motherboard will bottleneck a 7950.

Gaming is about 90% GPU and 10% CPU.

 

[Hypnotic Rift]

This is what I have now: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BhW9
I decided I could just rip the CD reader from an old PC and install it onto this one.

 

[tiny voices]

64gb SSd is a waste. Get a 128gb one or don't get one.

Also, get this PSU: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

 

[Hypnotic Rift]

The SSD you picked out is only 120gb not 128

 

[tiny voices]

I meant 120gb. Sorry

 

[Hypnotic Rift]

This is what I have now: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bi50
Is there anyway I could save another $20 or so without downgrading too much? I want to keep my mouse.

 

[tiny voices]

get this motherboard: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77pro4

you will NEVER know its different.

 

[Hypnotic Rift]

Ok thanks, I also changed the psu to http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-rg630s12 because I got a $10 dscount with my case.

 

[tiny voices]

Don't do that. Its a lower quality supply. You don't want to risk all your components to a supply that is known to fail. Stick with Antec, XFX, Corsair, Seasonic.