Advise on my build

[limeinthcoconut]

Hello, I'm a first time builder and could use some feedback on this build, I haven't built it yet.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair IV Formula ATX AM3 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2000 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card
Sound Card: Asus Xonar D1 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Blue ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Gaming 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Some suggestions:

I'd probably be looking at an i5 - they perform a lot better.

ROG stuff is overpriced generally; far cheaper stuff often works just as well.

Just get DDR3-1600; diminishing returns kicks in above there.

Caviar blacks are overpriced; get a cheaper drive and a 128GB Vertex4 or SSD 830.

Drop the sound card; unless you are a major audiophile onboard is fine - then you need way more than that.

Case is probably a bit overpriced.

 

[limeinthcoconut]

I changed a few things, any better?

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Corsair Force 40GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Western Digital Scorpio Black 750GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 1.25GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Couple of suggestions: Get a 3570K
Drop the H100; closed loop cooling is generally overpriced, noisy, and underperforms. Get a NH-D14 if you plan on major OCing, otherwise something like a Hyper 212Evo.

P8Z77-V PRO is overpriced. I'd be looking at a GA-Z77X-D3H.

40GB is very small. I suggest a 128GB SSD830 or Vertex 4.

Any reason for a 2.5" HDD? WD Black drives are expensive, too. I vote for a cheap 500GB 7200RPM drive.

Get a faster GPU; that 7870 you had was good.The GPU makes the largest impact on gaming performance.

You probably only need W8, not W8 Pro.

 

[heavymetal2000]

Sound cards like he mentioned arent really necessary.

The psu you have in the second build will suite much better since you prolly wont need a 600w on your particular build. Antec rules!

Could go with a seagate 1tb hdd and save $

Could go with a 7870 over the gtx 560 for the same price

Doubt therez a need for water cooling just get a solid air cooler

 

[limeinthcoconut]

Thank you for the advice! This is what I've come up with. If it matters I have been doing all of this through pcpartpicker.com

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Crucial V4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Momentus XT 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)

 

[Someone Somewhere]

If you click the "BBCode Markup" button it gives us links etc.

Only suggestion would be a Vertex4 or SSD830 instead of the V4, and the very cheap ($50) 1TB drive: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st31000524as

 

[limeinthcoconut]

Best answer selected by limeinthcoconut.

 

[limeinthcoconut]

Thanks for all of the input! I kept everything the same, except added a vertex 4, and a $90 Samsung 1TB hard drive. I'm pretty happy with the set-up, thanks!

 

[Someone Somewhere]

There's no advantage to the Samsung other than maybe a few percent faster. Not worth $40.