Choosing Components for my First Gaming Rig

[Jedleh]

I'm building my first gaming PC that I want future-proofed and I think I have narrowed down most of the components, there's just a couple of things I need help with, here's what I've got in mind:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007KZQE7Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007RUZKK6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ALYOTTI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004VFJ9MK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006TVQTHW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AOT9MO389M5IR
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004QBUL1C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009LI7CKI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0079GI0OQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0068OI7T8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1D873RMPMIV2C
2x http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002QVLBM2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1AUCPBF2P18HS

I can't decide now between graphics cards though, I don't want my GPU holding my CPU back or vice versa and I also want this GPU to be able to perform well in games on high settings for the next couple of years. I'm thinking it's between:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0099AOAP8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008ZX2OWQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008YINJK8/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

I don't know the value of 2GB over 3GB or whether the Ti is much better than the original, but I have read that the original GTX 660 suffers from bottlenecking when you start putting games like BF 3 on high settings, I forget what actually bottlenecked it but I don't want my card doing that. I'd rather keep the card under £200 or £180 but if it was worth it and it meant I was replacing my card as soon I suppose I could stretch to the two more expensive cards I mentioned.

I'd also like to know if all my components are compatible, and if they will all fit comfortably in my case, which appears to be quite large. Will my PSU have a high enough wattage for future upgrades on this system (most likely nothing too big)?
Also will this be an adequate cooling system, I think the case comes with two case fans and I have already mentioned the CPU fan and the two case fans I plan on buying, will this be enough for playing heavy games for extremely long periods of time?

I will also most likely be buying this in about 4-5 months time, will there be obvious changes I need to make by then, like a new graphics card series that I would want?

 

[bigshootr8]

Okay let me help you here Please PLLLLLEASE fill out the template and that will make life so much easier for me and others to help you This is from the sticky thread in the system forums.


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: this week (the closer the better)

Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400) Before / After Rebates; Before / After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)

Are you buying a monitor: Yes / No



Parts to Upgrade: (e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**

Do you need to buy OS: Yes / No
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (e.g.: newegg.com, ncix.com -- to show us selection & pricing)

Location: City, State/Region, Country - we need to know where these parts are being assembled and whether there are good store-only deals available

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to upgrade to Intel CPU)

Overclocking: Yes / No / Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Yes / No / Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200 or if you're upgrading please state what you'd want to get)

Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC. Please also list specific software or games you're using)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: (e.g. I'm having trouble running game X or my PSU broke)

Include a list of any parts you have already selected with descriptively labeled links for parts. Please do not post only links.

The easiest method is to paste the label on one line and then paste the link below it.
Example:
Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682312604...

Looks like:
Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Links can also be created using the following format: paste the label here

The paperclip button on the toolbar gives this: paste the label here

Example:
Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - Retail

Looks like:
Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - Retail

Thanks.

 

[babernet_1]

In four to five months time everything will be different. Nvidia and AMD will have their new graphics cards out, the Haswell will be out. This all means the prices and opportunities will be quite different. Just keep on this site, stay informed of what's up, and don't worry about finalizing a build until a month at most before you purchase it.

 

[Michael Robinson]

There is no point planing a rig 4 months in advance as prices are always changing on GPU's etc and Intel is also releasing the Haswell line of CPU's so even your CPU is likely to need changing (the 3570K a pretty good CPU though - I have one). The GTX 660 2GB is fine for most people, you should only consider more than 2GB if you game at extreme resolutions on multiple monitors - if you're doing this then the GTX 660 probably isn't the right card. The GTX 660 Ti is faster than the standard model. You do realise that the motherboard you've chosen supports crossfire but not SLi? This means you won't be able to add another GTX 660 to improve graphics at some point in the future. If you did want to add a second GPU in the future then your 600W PSU won't be enough - you'd probably want to look at a 750W in that case.

It made me smile when you stated you wanted a future proof gaming machine but only wanted to spend £180 on the GPU

 

[bigshootr8]

Well graphic card wise your guess is as good as mine in terms of when they will release the next iteration of cards. Nvidia is looking towards the summer and AMD more towards the end of this year from what I recall. However, yes things will change pretty heavily when haswell comes out. That being said though I would imagine at least at launch chips will be a bit more pricey motherboard z87 chipset boards will be pricey as well.