Buying first gaming rig, need thoughts on it

[slashbat]

I'm buying my first gaming computer and I've already found pretty much what I'd like to buy.
Can I get anybody's advice or suggestions on it?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor (£149.94 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£26.65 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3) ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£125.68 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£32.16 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£52.39 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£76.10 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card (£188.50 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case (£70.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£68.48 @ Ebuyer)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer (£12.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Monitor: Asus VH192D 18.5" Monitor (£65.03 @ Scan.co.uk)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£59.94 @ Aria PC)
Total: £928.63
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-19 17:25 GMT+0000)

Also, I have no experience with assembling a computer: would I need extra connectors, paste, etc. ?

Thanks for your help

 

[shaun_shaun]

is there any particular reason why you are picking MSI Z68A board ???

 

[slashbat]

I have zero experience with PC building so, no, there isn't. What would you recommend?

 

[djangoringo]

I recommend going with the i5-3570k(ivybridge) it's better than the i5-2500k(sandybridge), also put a good z77 mobo, and a better psu and a better card, the 7950 is better and comes with 3 games free.
Also most important, changed the monitor for a 1080p one with ips panel.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£163.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£26.65 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£101.98 @ Dabs)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£32.16 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£52.39 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£76.10 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (£218.76 @ Dabs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case (£70.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£49.98 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer (£12.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Monitor: LG IPS224V-PN 21.5" Monitor (£100.13 @ Amazon UK)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£59.94 @ Aria PC)
Total: £965.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[shaun_shaun]

I have zero experience with PC building so, no, there isn't. What would you recommend?

I agree with djangoringo. get AsRock Z77 Extreme4 . it is one of the best boards for money...

 

[slashbat]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£163.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£26.65 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£101.98 @ Dabs)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£32.16 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£52.39 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£76.10 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (£218.76 @ Dabs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case (£70.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£49.98 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer (£12.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Monitor: Asus VH192D 18.5" Monitor (£65.03 @ Scan.co.uk)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£59.94 @ Aria PC)
Total: £930.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Thanks for your help!
So, you've upgraded the video card and processor in return for a cheaper motherboard and PSU?

edit: hang on didn't read your entire reply. sorry haha

 

[slashbat]

I recommend going with the i5-3570k(ivybridge) it's better than the i5-2500k(sandybridge), also put a good z77 mobo, and a better psu and a better card, the 7950 is better and comes with 3 games free.
Also most important, changed the monitor for a 1080p one with ips panel.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£163.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£26.65 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£101.98 @ Dabs)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£32.16 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£52.39 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£76.10 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (£218.76 @ Dabs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case (£70.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£49.98 @ Novatech)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer (£12.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Monitor: LG IPS224V-PN 21.5" Monitor (£100.13 @ Amazon UK)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£59.94 @ Aria PC)
Total: £965.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

So this would all fit inside the cooler master enforcer right?

 

[shaun_shaun]

dont worry enforcer is more than enough ...

 

[slashbat]

dont worry enforcer is more than enough ...

Would it be better to buy a cheaper case then? thanks

 

[djangoringo]

The storm enforcer is a good case, if you want a cheaper case get the fractal design core 3000 : http://pcpartpicker.com/uk/part/fractal-design-case-fdcacore3000bl

 

[shaun_shaun]

Would it be better to buy a cheaper case then? thanks

CM storm enforcer has the same design as HAF 912 Plus ... enforcer is basically 912 Plus ...

 

[djangoringo]

Also throwing the nzxt : http://www.scan.co.uk/products/nzxt-source-220-black-mid-tower-performance-case-with-usb-30-w-o-psu

Cheap, good value.
Any of those three can fit every component on the list.

 

[slashbat]

Thanks for all the help with this!!