Finalizing build, suggestions?

[rednal16]

I posted this already today but it didn't get a response so here it is again. Hi, first off let me say off, let me say I have posted once or twice here over the last two weeks so if you have seen this post before I'm sorry! Anyway, the computer. Since last Black Friday, I have been planning to build a gaming computer. I have never owned my own computer, but I enjoy computers and want to learn more about them and I think building a PC won't only be a fun experience but also a learning one. I am a freshman in highschool (15 in December) and I have been saving up for a long time for something like this. I have an Xbox now and I play it a lot so I think a PC like this will get me even more into the gaming world. Some games I plan to play are Battlefield 3, Planetside 2, Minecraft, Hitman, Dishonored and Far Cry 3. Since I am new to the PC gaming world, and building a PC in general I need some help with my build. I have done countless hours of research and this is my final product. Can you look over what I have and tell me what you think? All help is appreciated!

Approx. Purchase Date: Black Friday

Budget Range: Around $1350

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Preferred Websites/Places for Parts: 1) Actual MicroCenter Store 2) microcenter.com 3) newegg.com

Selected Parts:

CPU: i5 3750K - $170

GPU: GTX 660 Ti or the Gigabyte Radeon HD 7870 - $230 or Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 - $290

MoBo: GA-Z77X-D3H - $95 after rebate ($40 off with i5 3570K) or the Asus P8Z77 - $110

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB - $100 or Seagate Barracuda 7,200 RPM 1TB - $85 I want a quiet HDD without sacrificing a lot of power.

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport (will be purchased in store)- $25

PSU: SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W - $90 Is 620W too much?

Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 - $100

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO- $30$

SSD: Samsung 840 Series 120 GB (will be purchased in store)- $100 or Crucial m4 128GB SSD - $100

Mouse: Logitech G9x - $65

Monitor: AOC 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor - $130

I also have a few questions. My first is should I look into water cooling my PC even if it is this early on? How hard will the transition from console to PC be? Windows 8 vs. Windows 7 (I'm thinking 7)? If I were to buy Windows 7, if it safe to buy on eBay with a trusted seller? What are some keyboards and monitors you can recommend? Is there anyways I can lower the price without sacrificing a lot of performance? Did I miss anything? Once again, all help is appreciated!!
Thanks

P.S. Sorry for the length, I just didn't want to forget something.

 

[Deemo13]

The thing is, if you want to overclock, then I would get a CPU cooler for your CPU. If not, you can save a bit of that cash for college (you'll be eating more food than you would think).

Personally, I would go with the Radeon HD7870 over the 660Ti.

You could get away with a 520W on this build, but having more watts is by no means a bid deal.

PC games look much better than console.

If you get a good air cooler, there is no need for a watercooling setup. the only reason why I have one is because I got it for free.

 

[rednal16]

The thing is, if you want to overclock, then I would get a CPU cooler for your CPU. If not, you can save a bit of that cash for college (you'll be eating more food than you would think).

Personally, I would go with the Radeon HD7870 over the 660Ti.

You could get away with a 520W on this build, but having more watts is by no means a bid deal.

PC games look much better than console.

If you get a good air cooler, there is no need for a watercooling setup. the only reason why I have one is because I got it for free.

Can you recommend a good psu? Also, would the 7870 be able to last me a few years? Is the 7870 I picked good?

 

[rednal16]

The thing is, if you want to overclock, then I would get a CPU cooler for your CPU. If not, you can save a bit of that cash for college (you'll be eating more food than you would think).

Personally, I would go with the Radeon HD7870 over the 660Ti.

You could get away with a 520W on this build, but having more watts is by no means a bid deal.

PC games look much better than console.

If you get a good air cooler, there is no need for a watercooling setup. the only reason why I have one is because I got it for free.

Also how's this for a psu?

 

[Deemo13]

Euh, I would really invest in something from Antec, Seasonic, or Corsair.

 

[boyabunda]

What are some keyboards and monitors you can recommend?

Definitely get mechanical keyboards.

Video about mechanical keyboards: Mechanical Keyboard Overview & Showcase

Examples: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823334013
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816002&Tpk=corsair%20k90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126299

For monitor, you can go with an one with an IPS panel like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236119
or a gaming monitor like BenQ XL2420T: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014270

 

[g-unit1111]

javascript:%20void(0);
I also have a few questions. My first is should I look into water cooling my PC even if it is this early on?

If it's your first build don't bother with water cooling, stick to air.

Windows 8 vs. Windows 7 (I'm thinking 7)? If I were to buy Windows 7, if it safe to buy on eBay with a trusted seller?

I'd tread *EXTREMELY* carefully buying software on eBay. There's a lot of shady sellers out there and you don't want to get the wrong copy.

What are some keyboards and monitors you can recommend?

That monitor you chose is junk. This would be better in the $150 range: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001651

Is there anyways I can lower the price without sacrificing a lot of performance? Did I miss anything? Once again, all help is appreciated!!

The 7950 is the best GPU out of the ones you chose. Maybe check out the NZXT Phantom 410 for a case. Otherwise there's nothing really I would change.

 

[rednal16]

javascript:%20void(0);
I also have a few questions. My first is should I look into water cooling my PC even if it is this early on?

If it's your first build don't bother with water cooling, stick to air.

Windows 8 vs. Windows 7 (I'm thinking 7)? If I were to buy Windows 7, if it safe to buy on eBay with a trusted seller?

I'd tread *EXTREMELY* carefully buying software on eBay. There's a lot of shady sellers out there and you don't want to get the wrong copy.

What are some keyboards and monitors you can recommend?

That monitor you chose is junk. This would be better in the $150 range: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001651

Is there anyways I can lower the price without sacrificing a lot of performance? Did I miss anything? Once again, all help is appreciated!!

The 7950 is the best GPU out of the ones you chose. Maybe check out the NZXT Phantom 410 for a case. Otherwise there's nothing really I would change.

Is the 7950 I posted about or this better?

 

[Deemo13]

The Gigabyte has a nice cooler.

 

[g-unit1111]

Is the 7950 I posted about or this better?

Yes that is a good choice.