First build. > $1,200 budget.. Need suggestions before buying

[Malibuz0r]

I mainly want to use this system for gaming.. and maybe some video editing in the near future. I want to keep my budget below $1,200 if possible to get the best out of this system.

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($6.73 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.05 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card ($389.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1171.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-11 08:08 EST-0500)

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I have a couple of questions though:

1. Is PCPartPicker accurate in determining the compatibility of the components? For example, will the video card, fans, PSU, RAM fit in the case I chose? I'm very nervous about this, don't want to order something that doesn't fit in the case. PCPartPicker says that all parts are compatible, but I just want to double check.

2. I heard that the GTX 770 4GB doesn't use all 4GB efficiently. Should I choose the 2GB instead? Its about $50 cheaper.

3. This being my first build, what else do I need to keep it smooth? Like, any extra fans or anything?

 

[Nadoedalo]

seems OK, but I would buy a better PSU(like 850 watt) for upgrade and replaced air cooler on good water cooler(quiter, but costy).
Also no real need for 4GB, 2 GB will be OK even with fullHD, more - required with 2K and especially 4K.
Case seems to be good.

And yes it would need few extra fans for HDD and maybe some others, check the details about how many fans are in by default, you need at least 3-4 fans to blow in and at least 1-2 to blow out.

 

[SavingPvtTom]

Also, for a bit extra you may want togo with 16 gb of ram if you are going to be upgrading this firther...because it gives you the maximum potential of 32gb over time, and you may need this in the not so distant future for games of 2014/15...

 

[Malibuz0r]

seems OK, but I would buy a better PSU(like 850 watt) for upgrade and replaced air cooler on good water cooler(quiter, but costy).
Also no real need for 4GB, 2 GB will be OK even with fullHD, more - required with 2K and especially 4K.
Case seems to be good.

And yes it would need few extra fans for HDD and maybe some others, check the details about how many fans are in by default, you need at least 3-4 fans to blow in and at least 1-2 to blow out.

Thanks for that. Also, is liquid cooling recommended or just a personal choice? I saw a video on how to setup a liquid cooling system and it looks like a hell lot to do.

Also, for a bit extra you may want togo with 16 gb of ram if you are going to be upgrading this firther...because it gives you the maximum potential of 32gb over time, and you may need this in the not so distant future for games of 2014/15...

I was reading a lot about "8GB vs 16GB". A LOT of people said 8 GB is the maximum recommended.. but yeah, games over time will be more demanding. So I don't see why I shouldn't get 16GB now.

 

[SavingPvtTom]

Liquid cooling can look quite complicated and takes a bit more time to set up, but is worth it fi your going to be running really cpu intensive games

...also, if you can afford it, I would really really recommend getting some ssd in there (preferred over 16gb of ram)...if you don't know what that is ssd basicly stands for solid state drive, and to skip the complicated bits it just boots ultra fast...I think you can get 60gb relatively cheap, just to store your os and fave games on so they boot ultra quickly...if you are interested there are tonnes of articles on the internt, just google it...

 

[Nadoedalo]

2x4gb is OK for right now. Memory is the thing that always can be added.

With liquid cooling complete system you will have nothing to do exept of few extra screws to mantain. Something like Corsair H110 - take a tour to this type of water cooling. Pluses - quiter and offers good performance. Minuses - same-performance big air coolers are a lot cheaper(double, at least) but also louder and bulky.
Air cooler will also do it's job but personally I think that water cooling is better.
PS and i7-4770K actually costs 339$, so I don't actually think you will buy it for 280$.

 

[Malibuz0r]

2x4gb is OK for right now. Memory is the thing that always can be added.

With liquid cooling complete system you will have nothing to do exept of few extra screws to mantain. Something like Corsair H110 - take a tour to this type of water cooling. Pluses - quiter and offers good performance. Minuses - same-performance big air coolers are a lot cheaper(double, at least) but also louder and bulky.
Air cooler will also do it's job but personally I think that water cooling is better.
PS and i7-4770K actually costs 339$, so I don't actually think you will buy it for 280$.

Thanks. I will take the liquid cooling into consideration before buying. Also, this website shows the processor for $279.99 and there's a store not far from me so I guess I save on the shipping & handling.