First Gaming build, Need Advice!

[Neiromaru]

[UPDATE] My budget has increased significantly, so I'm going for a bigger, better build. I'd appreciate any advice at the new thread here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1676142/gaming-build.html
Thank you all for your advice so far, Mods, please feel free to lock/delete this thread.




I've spent most of my life moving around frequently, and so when it came to computers I always went for big, expensive gaming laptops. Now that I'm out of school and have settled down a bit I've decided to take the plunge and not only get my first desktop, but build it myself.

I've been doing a bunch of research on here and other sites and this is what I've come up with so far:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WMb4

[Update] Minor tweaks to PSU and case after initial feedback:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WNFo


Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card
SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply


I plan to get two monitors (probably with 3D)(Recommendations are welcome), and I may upgrade to a third eventually, in which case I'd like to SLI in a second GeForce GTX 670.
The SSD is for installing windows and applications, with the seagate drive for storage. (will windows let you store items on the desktop on a separate drive from the install?)
I probably wont be overclocking much/at all since I have pretty much no experience doing so, but I'm open to suggestions.

I'd appreciate any advice on this build. In particular I'm uncertain on the processor (I'm no IT pro and most of the processor lingo goes over my head), and on the hard drives. I've never used an SSD, and that seagate HD is so cheep I feel like there must be something wrong with it. I also know very little about motherboards, I picked this one because it seems to be well reviewed, compatible, and decently priced.

 

[butremor]

Hi
If you really do plan on overclocking then you're okay to go, BUT
if not, THEN
save some money and get Z75 or H77 motheboard and i5-3470.
Nothing wrong with seagate hdd. 256 gigs on ssd will be enough to store quite some amount of files on desktop.
If you want to have an option of adding second GPU later, you need another PSU, ~ 750W

 

[ksham]

Do you need 256GB of SSD storage space?

 

[KieranDavidW123]

Hello

Welcome to the community.

You've maybe spent a bit much on those parts, but what is you're budget?
If your Budget is low then i would suggest for the processor, going for a pile-driver.
It may not be the fastest on the market, but it'll handle games most simply with that GTX 670.

regards

Kieran

 

[Neiromaru]

Thanks for the feedback so far!
I looked at the Z75 and H77 motherboards, but they don't seem to have SLI support, and I'd really like the flexibility to upgrade. Which is also why I chose the GTX 670, especially over an AMD card as I've used/loved nvidia hardware for years.
Thanks for the heads up on the PSU, I've swapped it out for a Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V, which is only $2 more!

Yes, I'd like to have at least 256 GB on the SSD, I have over 128 GB of games/programs installed on my current PC, and I only see that growing.

And I should have mentioned my budget. I'd like to keep it under $1500 for the tower, this current build is about the highest I'd go.

Latest version of the build (also swapped the case for one I like better, and which actually has USB 3.0 ports)
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WNFo

 

[KieranDavidW123]

Thanks for the feedback so far!
I looked at the Z75 and H77 motherboards, but they don't seem to have SLI support, and I'd really like the flexibility to upgrade. Which is also why I chose the GTX 670, especially over an AMD card as I've used/loved nvidia hardware for years.
Thanks for the heads up on the PSU, I've swapped it out for a Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V, which is only $2 more!

Yes, I'd like to have at least 256 GB on the SSD, I have over 128 GB of games/programs installed on my current PC, and I only see that growing.

And I should have mentioned my budget. I'd like to keep it under $1500 for the tower, this current build is about the highest I'd go.

Latest version of the build (also swapped the case for one I like better, and which actually has USB 3.0 ports)
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WNFo

Why don't you try this motherboard out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545, I've had Excellent reviews on Overclocking, 3 way GTX 680s and much more. If I had your budget, I would go for that motherboard.

Oh and may I just recommend this PSU for your build: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013&Tpk=xfx%20core%20edition%20550w&IsVirtualParent=1
The 80 PLUS BRONZE certified power supply provides high power efficiency of at least 82% at any load between 20% and 100%, saving your money on your electrical bill, reducing heat in your computer's system and prolonging its life.


The PSU utilizes highly reliable Japanese brand capacitors for exceptional stability and product lifespan, Power drawn from your AC outlet is typically dirty with voltage spikes and fluctuations, which can harm vital PC components. XFX PSUs are designed to deliver tight DC voltage regulation with minimal AC ripple, giving you safer, cleaner power. This can also reduce audio distortion and screen flicker especially for high power gaming systems.

"Unique, continuous EasyRail technology enables you to maximize available power and make set-up easy. The XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) is capable of delivering 550W of continuous output even at well above standard operating conditions such as 50°C. Single, high-power +12V rail with EasyRail technology providing up to 44A ensures the maximum compatibility and provision of 12V power to multi-core CPUs and energy-hungry graphics cards. Stack numerous power-hungry components without fear of crashing!", So there you have it, this is the perfect PSU for your build and if 550w isn't enough you can go higher here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014&Tpk=xfx%20core%20edition%20650w&IsVirtualParent=1

Here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207015&Tpk=xfx%20core%20edition%20750w&IsVirtualParent=1

And here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207015&Tpk=xfx%20core%20edition%20750w&IsVirtualParent=1

Regards

Kieran @tomshardware