All in all I've spent probably at least a few hours if not five or six each day since December doing research on parts and kind of just learning essentials about PC building and related topics. I've come to conclusions on most if not all of the parts and would definitely love some opinions. I'll post the title of each component as well as a link to newegg for pricing, reviews etc. I'm going to be using this computer for mainly gaming and maybe some video editing but I doubt any overclocking. Aesthetics are relatively important in this build despite it being a mid-range entry level PC. Any opinions on my components or advice for a first time builder would be much appreciated. Maybe how manually setting your RAM works? I've heard that it might be necessary with the Sabertooth z77. Thank you for your time.
My future PC!
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225
Have been looking at Nzxt cases as well, side window needed.
Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821
I've liked this one from day one but gone back and forth about it for a few months. Nothing else really carries the weight this one does, mobo can't be blue.
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Pretty much set on this one.
GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418
Really liking the benchmarks of this one. Also said to be quieter than many, and price drop recently. I am willing to move up to $300 if absolutely necessary.
Heatsink/Fan: COOLER MASTER V8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055
Absolutely love the look of this one, really catches my eye and the cooling seems more than sufficient. Almost went with the new Corsair h100i but then saw reviews and didn't like the sound of it, too hit or miss. Saved me some money in the long run though, $60 cheaper plus still looks badass. Btw I know the V6 cooler master heatsink won't fit with the thermal armor but from what I understand someone has successfully used the V6 with the Sabertooth, I think the pipes are angled higher.
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233240
Went with low profile because of the Sabertooth mobo as well as the big heatsink. I made sure the timing and version of this ram worked with the motherboard, whatever that means.
PSU/Power Supply: CORSAIR HX Series HX850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011
The HX is modular so I can save myself a whole lot of cable management headache and I want this to last with future upgrades so I went with 850, only ten dollars more after all.
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192
I actually already purchased this piece because of a deal they had when it first came out so I'm set here. I know the Vector is supposed to be overall better but I'm a Samsung kind of guy and it looks sleeker to me. Not to mention the read benchmark is higher.
HDD: ?
I guess a Western Digital? Though there is the Seagate Barracuda, does WD have something compareable? 1-1.5 tb is enough.
PERIPHERALS!
Monitor: ASUS VH236H Black 23"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059
I actually recently purchased the VH232H but it gave me some trouble with pixels after a few days so I'm returning it. I almost went with the VH242H for the extra .6" but then I saw this one has the Tracefree 2ms technology the other does not so I figured for the same price that was better. Also I didn't want to go with the VS series because of the complaints I've heard about the stand. Thoughts?
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95
http://www.corsair.com/us/k95/?utm_source=Corsair&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=K95&utm_campaign=FrontPage
This keyboard is pretty much screaming my name. The white LED backlit Cherry MX switches are amazing. I don't mind the 18 G-keys or the sleek design either. The only thing that bothers me is the fact it's "K95" that means next year there's going to be a 100 that's a thousand times more amazing somehow doesn't it? LED color control would be nice. But I think so far this is still my pick.
Mouse: Vengeance® M95 Performance MMO and RTS Laser Gaming Mouse
http://www.corsair.com/us/gaming-peripherals/gaming-mice/vengeancer-m95-performance-mmo-and-rts-laser-gaming-mouse-gunmetal-black.html
So this one just came out too, it's solid has intuitive button placement vs the keypad design of some other mice.. I'm looking at you Razer. The only thing is again this isn't much different from the m90 other than the amazing 8200 dpi. So should I wait and see if I'm right about next year? My alternative to tide me over in the mean time would be to get a nice wireless mouse so come next year I could have both. Any suggestions on wireless mice? I've looked at the Naga and Logitech g700, but what about the performance MX?
Headset: Steelseries Siberia V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826249083
From 2-3 hours of researching headsets I think this is my winner. Stylish, good bass, retractable mic, what else could I ask for?
COMPONENTS: Including the SSD I already have minus the HDD I haven't picked is $1348.
PERIPHERALS: Including the headset, mouse, keyboard (guessing $150), and monitor I already have is $500
GRAND TOTAL: $1848
Let me know what you think in this discussion. Are there new components/peripherals coming out I should know? Is something a definite NO in your opinion? Maybe you think these picks are great. Thank you for contributing your knowledge to a Tom's Hardware first timer.

My future PC!
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225
Have been looking at Nzxt cases as well, side window needed.
Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821
I've liked this one from day one but gone back and forth about it for a few months. Nothing else really carries the weight this one does, mobo can't be blue.
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Pretty much set on this one.
GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418
Really liking the benchmarks of this one. Also said to be quieter than many, and price drop recently. I am willing to move up to $300 if absolutely necessary.
Heatsink/Fan: COOLER MASTER V8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055
Absolutely love the look of this one, really catches my eye and the cooling seems more than sufficient. Almost went with the new Corsair h100i but then saw reviews and didn't like the sound of it, too hit or miss. Saved me some money in the long run though, $60 cheaper plus still looks badass. Btw I know the V6 cooler master heatsink won't fit with the thermal armor but from what I understand someone has successfully used the V6 with the Sabertooth, I think the pipes are angled higher.
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233240
Went with low profile because of the Sabertooth mobo as well as the big heatsink. I made sure the timing and version of this ram worked with the motherboard, whatever that means.
PSU/Power Supply: CORSAIR HX Series HX850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011
The HX is modular so I can save myself a whole lot of cable management headache and I want this to last with future upgrades so I went with 850, only ten dollars more after all.
SSD: Samsung 840 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192
I actually already purchased this piece because of a deal they had when it first came out so I'm set here. I know the Vector is supposed to be overall better but I'm a Samsung kind of guy and it looks sleeker to me. Not to mention the read benchmark is higher.
HDD: ?
I guess a Western Digital? Though there is the Seagate Barracuda, does WD have something compareable? 1-1.5 tb is enough.
PERIPHERALS!
Monitor: ASUS VH236H Black 23"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059
I actually recently purchased the VH232H but it gave me some trouble with pixels after a few days so I'm returning it. I almost went with the VH242H for the extra .6" but then I saw this one has the Tracefree 2ms technology the other does not so I figured for the same price that was better. Also I didn't want to go with the VS series because of the complaints I've heard about the stand. Thoughts?
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95
http://www.corsair.com/us/k95/?utm_source=Corsair&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=K95&utm_campaign=FrontPage
This keyboard is pretty much screaming my name. The white LED backlit Cherry MX switches are amazing. I don't mind the 18 G-keys or the sleek design either. The only thing that bothers me is the fact it's "K95" that means next year there's going to be a 100 that's a thousand times more amazing somehow doesn't it? LED color control would be nice. But I think so far this is still my pick.
Mouse: Vengeance® M95 Performance MMO and RTS Laser Gaming Mouse
http://www.corsair.com/us/gaming-peripherals/gaming-mice/vengeancer-m95-performance-mmo-and-rts-laser-gaming-mouse-gunmetal-black.html
So this one just came out too, it's solid has intuitive button placement vs the keypad design of some other mice.. I'm looking at you Razer. The only thing is again this isn't much different from the m90 other than the amazing 8200 dpi. So should I wait and see if I'm right about next year? My alternative to tide me over in the mean time would be to get a nice wireless mouse so come next year I could have both. Any suggestions on wireless mice? I've looked at the Naga and Logitech g700, but what about the performance MX?
Headset: Steelseries Siberia V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826249083
From 2-3 hours of researching headsets I think this is my winner. Stylish, good bass, retractable mic, what else could I ask for?
COMPONENTS: Including the SSD I already have minus the HDD I haven't picked is $1348.
PERIPHERALS: Including the headset, mouse, keyboard (guessing $150), and monitor I already have is $500
GRAND TOTAL: $1848

Let me know what you think in this discussion. Are there new components/peripherals coming out I should know? Is something a definite NO in your opinion? Maybe you think these picks are great. Thank you for contributing your knowledge to a Tom's Hardware first timer.
