Converted Mac User Building a Mid-High Range Gaming Rig On a $2k Budget

Fleacircus

Honorable
Oct 4, 2013
20
0
10,520
I've been scheming toward a high-ish end PC to handle the impending wave of this season's delicious looking titles while still keeping some headroom for the future.

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($327.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($192.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($87.86 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($116.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master NSE-600-KKN2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master V1000 1000W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($193.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($85.87 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1859.62
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-04 20:51 EDT-0400)

I like the benchmarks on the 770s, the memory speeds and slot numbers on the Hero, the boot/storage speed on the SSD, and the option for a second 770 somewhere down the road with the PSU. I set out aiming at a $2k budget and it feels like I've done pretty well.

This will be my first official, solo build and the part I feel least comfortable with begins after I actually get the parts together so I've come to you all for advice on the software aspect (basically getting from plugging it in to the welcome screen) as well as your thoughts on the parts themselves.