~$1500 First Time Gaming PC Need Advice!

[gravytrain]

Okay so I'm building a PC for the first time and I'm trying to build a PC (With Monitor and Logitech G13) for around $1500 and here's what I've come up with: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jGEF


Breakdown
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146092
I just really like the way this looks, and I haven't really seen any bad reviews.

Graphics: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150589
XFX Double D Radeon 7950 Black Edition

CPU/Optical Drive Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1075005
i5 3570k with an optical drive

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
ASRock Z77 Extreme4

CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337
Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1.5TB

SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227791
OCZ Vertex 4 128GB

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207017
XFX PRO850W XXX Edition I went with 850W in case I want to dual graphics cards in the future

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB)

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052
Asus 23.6" 1920x1080 and it comes with speakers built in so I thought this was a good deal.

Gameboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126050
Logitech G13

If you see anything to change (Cheaper, better performance for low price increase, incompatibility, etc.) please let me know because I have to order in the morning!

 

[excella1221]

Everything looks awesome.
Though do yourself a favor and get low profile RAM so you'll have less trouble installing the CPU cooler. Also, just get 2 models so there's room and less likely for a stick to fail.

Why do you need 16gb of RAM for a gaming rig though? 8gb is plenty.

Low Profile 8gb(2x4gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Low Profile 16gb(2x8gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233280&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[gravytrain]

Everything looks awesome.
Though do yourself a favor and get low profile RAM so you'll have less trouble installing the CPU cooler. Also, just get 2 models so there's room and less likely for a stick to fail.

Why do you need 16gb of RAM for a gaming rig though? 8gb is plenty.

Low Profile 8gb(2x4gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Low Profile 16gb(2x8gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233280&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Idk why I went with 16gb, I just figured it might come in handy and it wasn't too much more expensive than 8gb. But thank you for the low profile suggestion, I'll definitely throw that in my build!

 

[envy14tpe]

I agree with 8GB for gaming but low profile might not be necessary. I have the EVO and use 2 x 4GB RipJawz. I use slots 1 and 3 with no problem; however I never tried slot 4. It would be mighty tight if I did. If you get 2 sticks then you don't have to worry about high or low profile.

Also, CAS 9 seems like a better buy. I bought CAS 8, and later saw data which says that you won't notice the difference. The only time I stress my sticks is when I game or when doing photo editing. Stick with 2x4GB RipJawz.

Good deal on that monitor.

I've heard OCZ has improved their SSDs, but I think a safer company like Intel or Samsung still gets my vote. I bought Intel at just under $100, and the Intel comes with the kit, so it saves an extra $5.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167121

 

[gravytrain]

Updated Build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jH2J
Switched to a single 8gb low profile RAM (in case I want to buy another 8gb card in the future) and I went with samsung 7200rpm HDD and samsung 830 series SSD ( I didn't trust the seagate HDD or the OCZ SSD)

 

[gravytrain]

I agree with 8GB for gaming but low profile might not be necessary. I have the EVO and use 2 x 4GB RipJawz. I use slots 1 and 3 with no problem; however I never tried slot 4. It would be mighty tight if I did. If you get 2 sticks then you don't have to worry about high or low profile.

Also, CAS 9 seems like a better buy. I bought CAS 8, and later saw data which says that you won't notice the difference. The only time I stress my sticks is when I game or when doing photo editing. Stick with 2x4GB RipJawz.

Good deal on that monitor.

I've heard OCZ has improved their SSDs, but I think a safer company like Intel or Samsung still gets my vote. I bought Intel at just under $100, and the Intel comes with the kit, so it saves an extra $5.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167121

Sorry I didn't see your reply when I updated, I went with Samsung Spinpoint F3 HDD and 830 SSD lol but do you think I should go with a single 8gb stick or 2 4gb sticks? Or would there even be a difference other than upgrading in the future?

 

[excella1221]

I agree with 8GB for gaming but low profile might not be necessary. I have the EVO and use 2 x 4GB RipJawz. I use slots 1 and 3 with no problem; however I never tried slot 4. It would be mighty tight if I did. If you get 2 sticks then you don't have to worry about high or low profile.

Also, CAS 9 seems like a better buy. I bought CAS 8, and later saw data which says that you won't notice the difference. The only time I stress my sticks is when I game or when doing photo editing. Stick with 2x4GB RipJawz.

Good deal on that monitor.

I've heard OCZ has improved their SSDs, but I think a safer company like Intel or Samsung still gets my vote. I bought Intel at just under $100, and the Intel comes with the kit, so it saves an extra $5.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167121

I agree it's not exactly 'necessary', but it saves him a lot of trouble installing the cooler. The heat spreaders aren't really needed for anything that doesn't go beyond 1.5v, and going beyond that isn't advisable since Intel will void the CPU's warranty. This also gives him the option to utilize all the slots and with nothingto worry about, and price is also a bit cheaper. With all that said, I see no real reason not to get it instead. Unless he prefers how the physical appearance of the Ripjaws looks, then I won't argue anymore.

+1 on the CAS 9.

I believe of all OCZ SSD are kinda bad except the Vertex 4 where they redeemed themselves with its great performance. The Intel sounds like a good deal though.

@gravytrain - If I'm not mistaken, the Samsung Spinpoint is only SATAII, and it's about the same price as the SATAIII Seagates and WD.

 

[gravytrain]

+1 on the CAS 9.

I believe of all OCZ SSD are kinda bad except the Vertex 4 where they redeemed themselves with its great performance. The Intel sounds like a good deal though.

@gravytrain - If I'm not mistaken, the Samsung Spinpoint is only SATAII, and it's about the same price as the SATAIII Seagates and WD.

The spinpoint f3 is Sata 3, unless the newegg info is wrong http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

 

[gravytrain]

Bump. I have to order it within the next couple hours, so any feedback is appreciated!

 

[gravytrain]

Any other comments?

 

[FoxwoodForgemoor]

16GB sounds big. What will you use 16GB of RAM for exactly? Just as an example, Freddie Wong, The VFX guy off YouTube, Filmed himself building his own PC for editing and It had 8GB of RAM. He said "You don't need over 8GB for video editing." Of course, this is my opinion and I think that 16GB is huge, however don't you think 8GB would be fine and save you a bit of cash in the longrun?

 

[gravytrain]

16GB sounds big. What will you use 16GB of RAM for exactly? Just as an example, Freddie Wong, The VFX guy off YouTube, Filmed himself building his own PC for editing and It had 8GB of RAM. He said "You don't need over 8GB for video editing." Of course, this is my opinion and I think that 16GB is huge, however don't you think 8GB would be fine and save you a bit of cash in the longrun?

Yeah I decided to go with 8gb, which is why I was asking above if I should go with 2 4gb sticks or 1 8gb sitck.

 

[excella1221]

No. It says "SATA 3.0gb/s", that's SATAII. SATAIII is 6gb/s.

Get the RAM kit you prefer better. Not really much difference between 1 and 2 modules.

 

[gravytrain]

No. It says "SATA 3.0gb/s", that's SATAII. SATAIII is 6gb/s.

Get the RAM kit you prefer better. Not really much difference between 1 and 2 modules.

Oh sweet thanks!

 

[excella1221]

Oh, happy building!

 

[FoxwoodForgemoor]

Yeah I decided to go with 8gb, which is why I was asking above if I should go with 2 4gb sticks or 1 8gb sitck.

Okay, glad to help!

Good luck with building!

 

[gravytrain]

Best answer selected by Gravytrain.