Could use some insight on my first build.

[Bender74d]

Approximate Purchase Date: within the next month I plan on purchasing the initial pieces.

Budget Range: Preliminary budget is about $600 Before Rebates

System Usage: Gaming mainly mmo’s with the most demanding being SWTOR, programming, movies, internet

Parts Not Required: for the preliminary build I will use my current hard drive, psu, optical drive, and gpu. I will also not need speakers, mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.
PSU i will be using= Thermaltake 600w PSU
Graphics card i will be using= XFX - Radeon HD 6750 1GB DDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: MicroCenter preferably, but any will do

Country: USA

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Additional Comments:
I am basically trying to bring myself back into a modern era of computer usage, and allow myself flexibility in future upgrades. What I’ve planned to do is purchase a new CPU/MB/Case/Cooler/Ram in combination with parts I currently own to create a basis for future upgrades. After this initial build I most likely do routine upgrades as money becomes available (i.e. hard drive and os upgrade will be the next step).

For the first phase, I was looking at the following parts....
CPU= i5-2500k
Motherboard= Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 (initially found on microcenter, cannot find the link at the time of this post.)
Case= Thermaltake A30
Cooler= GeminII S
Ram= ?

All I know about building computers I have read in reviews and articles and only have very minor hands on experience so any input or suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer= I do have an experienced home pc builder whom will be guiding me through the actual build process.

 

[rvilkman]

Looks to be ok for that case.

For memory get Corsair, Gskill, Kingston or Mushkin memory
2x4GB 1.5V CAS9 1600Mhz should easily be under $50 total, at best they have been about $30 on sale.

 

[hpdeskjet]

Try this RAM. Crucial has some of the lowest failure rates for their RAM.

Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00 $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544

I've also read many good things about this aftermarket cooler.

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+ $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

The case you picked also only supports up to microATX. I would suggest getting a bigger case for ATX motherboards and for better cooling. Maybe something like this will work for you.

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

I'm also not too excited about reusing your old PSU. It's not exactly from a reputable brand. Plus, it is old and probably wearing down. You have some nice parts picked out already and I would hate to see a old PSU mess them up. It also doesn't look like it would support dual graphics down the road. You will probably be better off with something like this.

SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

 

[Bender74d]

Thank you both for the great suggestions on ram.

I've also read many good things about this aftermarket cooler.

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+ $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103099

From what I’m to understand, that cooler will not fit within the case.

The case you picked also only supports up to microATX. I would suggest getting a bigger case for ATX motherboards and for better cooling. Maybe something like this will work for you.

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119233

I understand the implications of using a smaller case, which is why I did my best to find one that was better known for its ability to cool. I'd like to do the build in a cube style case, not for any practical reason, but simply for personal preference.

I'm also not too excited about reusing your old PSU. It's not exactly from a reputable brand. Plus, it is old and probably wearing down. You have some nice parts picked out already and I would hate to see an old PSU mess them up. It also doesn't look like it would support dual graphics down the road. You will probably be better off with something like this.

SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151088

I understand the concern and appreciate the warning, but the psu is a month old. You see, to support one of the games I recently purchased I had to do a gpu upgrade which also required a psu upgrade. (which is why I’m not worried about using either in my new build to start off with).

Ultimately the future upgrades (in no particular order) I have in mind would be…
Short Term = Modular psu / Hard drive / OS / Blue ray optical drive
Long term = GPU

Other suggestions would be appreciated here as well.