Help with 1st PC Build

[Lopan]

I was hoping to get some advice/help with parts for my first PC build. I have previously installed optical drives, video cards, hard drives, and psu's, but this will be the first time I do the whole thing. I have a microcenter store near me if that helps (I have heard they have great deals, but I have never been there). I have copied and pasted the template for new build questions below:


Approximate Purchase Date: In about 3 weeks (mid April 2013)

Budget Range: $1,600 (after rebates including shipping but no OS)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video Editing, Multimedia (movies, television tuner in the future)

Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: Everything New

Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Anywhere with the best deal

Location: Naperville, IL Western Suburbs of Chicago

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1680 x 1050

Additional Comments: Just a few things I definitely want in the PC and a couple things that I have been looking at and would like some advice on. First, and I understand this is strictly vanity, but I want a cool looking tower with a side window and LED lights. Second, I definitely want to go Intel over AMD. Third, I definitely want a modular psu for cable control. Fourth, and again, even if this is overkill, it is important to me, I want 16gb ram. Lastly, I want a moderately priced SSD (128 gb).

Other than those must haves, I have been looking at the gtx 660 ti video card, (I want to spend around $300-350 on the video card). I have really enjoyed Seagate HDD's in the past. I'm thinking a 2TB HDD. As for cooling, the Corsair Hydro keeps popping up in my searches, so any info/advice on that would be appreciated.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My old Dell isn't cutting it. I want to start gaming on a PC. I want to build a PC for the first time.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

Why don't you build your own, and then post it on here? You seem to already have a parts list assembled, so why not just post it for critiquing? Also, why only 300-350 on a gpu if you have a budget of $1,600? You could probably get a pc that has two 7970's in crossfire with that budget? I also advise against 16gb ram, since it is literally pointless. You will get absolutely nothing out of it. I would definitely get a 3570k, a 7970 ghz, and 8gb ram though.

 

[Andy11466]

1600 is a great budget!

Lets start off with basics:
Computer Case: http://microcenter.com/product/343331/HAF912_Mid_Tower_ATX_Computer_Case $57.99 (Mid Tower ATX CASE)
Motherboard: http://microcenter.com/product/387555/Z77_Pro4_LGA_1155_ATX_Intel_Motherboard $110 (Z77 Pro4 LGA Intel Mobo)
CPU: http://microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor $229 (i7 3770k processor)
GFX: http://microcenter.com/product/402992/N660Ti_PE_2GD5_NVIDIA_GeForce_GTX_660_Ti_Twin_Frozr_IV_Power_Edition_Overclocked_2048MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card $299 (Nvidia GTX 660 Ti)
PSU: http://microcenter.com/product/337657/950_Watt_Silencer_MK_II_ATX_Power_Supply $169 (950w)

I chose the main parts you'd want to have, totals up to $970 you'll still have $600 for a HDD or SDD and RAM, decided not to cheap out on Mobo and certain parts for reliability since its a 1600$ build. You could get a better gfx card than what I picked like radeon 69xx 79xx series I simply chose reliable parts for pretty good gaming. and have money left over.