Review of New Build (~$1000)

[Scribs]

I'm building a rig for around $1000. The idea for the rig is to be able to play games with pretty good settings and do general productivity tasks. I like OCing as a hobby, so I'd like components that let me OC (but they don't have to be top of the line, just something I wont fry). My last build was circa September 2007 and is still the computer I use today without issues - I'd like to choose components this time that will last just as long.

Restrictions on the build are:
-Intel processor
-HD is an SSD (personal preference. Have plenty of spare storage drives so I don't need to buy one)

Here is the build I have so far:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($245.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($134.38 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1111.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 08:13 EDT-0400)

My goal was a budget of about $1000, but using Newegg prices I'm breaking that a bit. There are a few items (case and others) that are available at other merchants for $20-30 less, so I can probably get it down to $1050. I'd appreciate any suggestions about these hardware choices. If you can bring the price down for comparable gear, that would be great. I find the case, PSU, and memory are the areas I feel the least confident with, so suggestions there especially would be great. Lastly, if I can swing it I'd like to maybe get a higher wattage/more efficient PSU if anyone has recommendations that wont break the bank.

Thank you very much for your help!

Scribs

 

[Ripper_ZA]

there's nothing wrong with that psu, only if you want to crossfire in the future.

You can get a cheaper i5.

You can choose a nice corsair case in carbide series or whatever under $90

 

[yasserBasha]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / 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 ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.97 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1035.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-15 08:58 EDT-0400)

This could be much better

 

[batuchka]

IMO u have done a decent job but u now have to choose over 2 options

1. Lesser frames with more bells/whistles (SSD/OCable combo)
2. Better frames, spartan mechanical hdd prolly a stock combo but with a far beefier GPU

So it's your call but remember that people vastly overestimate CPU needs for games and with current i5 even Sandy @ stock is plenty and @ 1920 x 1080 ultra/very high the bottleneck firmly shifts to the GPU almost everytime/game