First time building a pc (need help)

[Gjmiller]

I am going to be building a gaming pc. I have selected the parts I would like to use. Please review my build and if there is anything you think I should change please tell me. Like I said this is my first build. My budget is 1000 dollars. I will be using this pc for gaming and basic video editing. Here is my build:


CPU: Intel Core i5 3570k CPU ( $189.99 )
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($42.39 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Scorpio Blue 640GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($60.94 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC) SSD: Ocz vertex 4 128 GB ($114.99)

Total: $983.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 09:43 EDT-0400)

 

[ejthurgo]

What is your reason for using a 2.5" drive? It looks like a midi tower? 3.5" desktop drive will be larger capacity and faster for the same money.

 

[scragnoff]

Hi Gjmiller!

Everything looks good with your build, except for your choice of storage. Go for at least a 1 TB HDD, with 7200 rpm. I suggest a Seagate Barracuda 1 TB going for $75 at Amazon, or if you're really budget-constrained, the 500 GB is going for $59. Just make sure it's a 7200 rpm. The 5400 rpm is just too slow.

Also, if you can squeeze your budget a bit more, I suggest getting an SSD. The performance boost will just be amazing.

 

[bryonhowley]

I would look for a bigger HDD drive. Once you start adding games you will find that 640GB will fill up some what fast. I would not get anything smaller that 1TB. My Steam folder alone is 770GB and that is just Steam I have another 500GB in Origin plus another 2TB drive that is for my Games on Disc. Other than that your parts list looks good. I do not know a lot about AsRock but the reviews on Newegg look good.

I have not been back with intel for very long so I really can't tell you alot but I like the rig I built with the i5 3570K

 

[Gjmiller]

My dad said I should go with 1x8 for ram, should I go with that or should I go with 2x4 for ram.

 

[scragnoff]

Go with 2 sticks of 4 GB to make use of the increased performance from a dual channel configuration.

 

[Gjmiller]

Thanks. I also went with the 1tb harddrive you recommended. Thanks for all the help

 

[scragnoff]

No problem. I'm glad I was able to help you.

Good luck and have fun with your build!

 

[Gjmiller]

Here's my new setup, is there any way I could lose 30 bucks off is, or should every thing just stay the same


Processer: Intel core i5 3570k processor ($189.99)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.04 @ Outlet PC)
SSD - Ocz vertex 4 128 GB ($114.99)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1033.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-10 12:43 EDT-0400)

 

[scragnoff]

Hmm.

Well, you can get a Samsung 840 120GB SSD for $98.98 at Amazon.

That saves you $15.02.

Another is your power supply. Your system won't really need 650w, and a more efficient alternative is the SeaSonic S1211 520w 80 Plus Bronze, which is going for $64.99 at Newegg.

That saves you another $15.00.

There you go. All in all, a savings of $30.02.