Good i5 Build?

[TIMMAAAAAAY]

Hey I'm looking to build my first PC this weekend (RIP my console ) and I have a budget of about 1500-1550ish including the monitor, so it's more like low 1300s. I'm hardset on a few of the components, but I'd really like and criticism or input!

This is my list but I'm going to buy most parts on Amazon because it's a little cheaper + I have Prime ^_^ http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Vf1f

EDIT: I also plan on a small OC (4-4.5) Pricy water cooling can wait I think

 

[winkay]

If this is just for gaming i'd sacrifice 8GB of RAM (16GB is overkill you won't notice the difference) and upgrade your GPU from a 7950 to a 7970

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161431&Tpk=H797QMC3G2M

^ Personal choice!

 

[Emelth]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.44 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.66 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($402.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.54 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($88.50 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS248H-P 24.0" Monitor ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: AZIO Levetron Wired Gaming Keyboard ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1523.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 09:21 EDT-0400)

The Case I picked is a Mid Tower, looks like you want to show it off so here are some other options

Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case

Cooler Master HAF 932 Blue ATX Full Tower Case

Thermaltake VM400M1W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case

 

[Nuclear101]

Try this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VCNI it is currently 1589.32 US right now, but once Haswell comes out, the prices should drop.

 

[Emelth]

Try this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VCNI it is currently 1589.32 US right now, but once Haswell comes out, the prices should drop.

You would take a Sabertooth motherboard over a better GPU. He does not need a $200+ motherboard that would be a waste of money and stupid.

Most people never need over a $150 motherboard, plus just by getting the Hyper 212 I can guesstimate that he wont be OCing the rig too much so again waste of money on a Sabertooth unless he would actually need a better CPU cooler

Now one thing we dont know is if he is going to SLI/CF or not. If you arent going to be adding another GPU down the line then take the PSU down to a 550W.

 

[TIMMAAAAAAY]

Thanks for the good replies so far, I think the 16gb of ram could go to 8. But which 7970 is the best for around $400? So far I've found the Sapphire 7970 OC with Boost www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DVI-I-SL-DVI-D-PCI-Express-11197-03-40G/dp/B009B6Y01Y

 

[Emelth]

Yes could get that one as well you would be looking at almost $1550 which is your max budget