Advice on this build. I'm a total n00b (ex-Mac user).

[jyp]

So this is what I think I'm going to go with. It's meant for medium to high-end gaming. I'm willing to invest a moderate amount, but I'd like to know if I've invested in the right places.

Case — Cooler Master CM Storm Enforcer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240

CPU — Intel Core i5 2500K Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

MoBo — Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498

RAM — G.Skill Ripjaws-X, 2x 4GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231425

GPU — Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 Dirt3 Edition 2GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945

HD — Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136767

PSU — COOLER MASTER Silent Pro Gold Series 800W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171057

I'm also thinking of getting a Dell UltraSharp (U2311H 23") or LG IPS (LG IPS226V-PN) monitor.

So please – Give me any advice about what I should ditch, change or add!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Enforcer-Interior-SGC-1000-KWN1/dp/B004WK3KKQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1309650281&sr=1-6 $79.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1)

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Computer-Cooling-R4-LUS-07AR-GP/dp/B002LE8BJA/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b $14.31 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master Computer Case Cooling R4-LUS-07AR-GP 200mm Red LED Case Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $94.99 - $69.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689147 $174.98
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $29.51 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 $54.99 FREE SHIPPING $5 off w/ promo code EMCKCKB22, ends 7/14
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039 $18.99 FREE SHIPPING
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026L7FQ8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $27.05 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Microsoft SideWinder X3 Black 5 Buttons USB Wired Laser 2000 dpi Mouse

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CA-HS1ANA-Gaming-Analog-Headset/dp/B004IZN3NY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310463352&sr=1-1 $75.63 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair CA-HS1ANA Gaming Audio Series HS1 Analog Gaming Headset

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/83018-microsoft-sidewinder-x3-gaming-mouse-review <----- Review on that SideWinder X3 Gaming Mouse

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/accessories/asus-ml228h-22-inch-monitor.aspx <----- Review of that Asus gaming monitor

http://www.pro-clockers.com/powersupplies/1838-antec-high-current-gamer-hcg-750-power-supply.html <----- Review of that Antec psu

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3856#ov <----- GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3

 

[Proximon]

IPS monitors are not recommended for gaming because of response times. They are for people who need accurate color reproduction, mostly photography pros and such.

On the PSU,

Seasonic X750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

Corsair AX750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139016

Would be the best high end choices. For a very good enthusiast grade PSU,

XFX Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207016

Corsair HX750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

On the drive, Caviar Blue would not be a great choice. If you are a WD fan, get the Caviar Black for better performance:
WD1002FAEX 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

However the Samsung Spinpoint F3 will perform better for gaming
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Ignore any claims about SATA 6GB/s for platter drives. They are too slow to make use of that technology.

You mentioned 2x4GB RAM, but linked 2x2GB. I recommend you get 8GB up front because it's cheap and you won't have to worry about it for many years.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

 

[jyp]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[jyp]

First of all – Thanks for the replies!

> IPS monitors are not recommended for gaming because of response times. They are for people who need accurate color reproduction, mostly photography pros and such.

I'm aware of the response time thing, but will this really pose a large problem? I mean, I'm not really a pro.

What sub $200 monitors would you guys suggest?

Thanks!

 

[Why_Me]

First of all – Thanks for the replies!

> IPS monitors are not recommended for gaming because of response times. They are for people who need accurate color reproduction, mostly photography pros and such.

I'm aware of the response time thing, but will this really pose a large problem? I mean, I'm not really a pro.

What sub $200 monitors would you guys suggest?

Thanks!

A slow response time could result in "tearing" issues while gaming and that would totally suck.

For a sub $200 monitor...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236099 $149.99 - $134.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
Asus ML228H 21.5" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LED Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR)

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/accessories/asus-ml228h-22-inch-monitor.aspx <----- Review of that Asus gaming monitor

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236099 $149.99 - $134.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
Asus ML228H 21.5" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LED Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR)

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/accessories/asus-ml228h-22-inch-monitor.aspx <----- Review of that Asus gaming monitor

 

[jyp]

I did consider the Asus ML228H 21.5", but I find the way it looks a massive turnoff. While I will consider it, does anyone suggest anything else? What monitor would really make my GPU shine?

 

[Why_Me]

I did consider the Asus ML228H 21.5", but I find the way it looks a massive turnoff. While I will consider it, does anyone suggest anything else? What monitor would really make my GPU shine?

Any 1920 x 1080 2ms LED monitor.

 

[Rkc2000]

Don't know if you have a Microcenter close by. They are running a combo special with the Sandy Bridge and all their Intel mobo. I just bought the i5 2500k for $179 and the Gigabyte z68 UD3H for $109