First Gaming PC, 1500 USD Budget

[BearVault]

Hey there, I am trying to build my first gaming PC and have been asking around about parts. With a budget of $1500 and some help from all around I've come up with the build below and was wondering if I could get some second opinions from around here.

Some things to know:
- I have a 1TB HDD that I'll be transferring from my current desktop so that's why I only have a small SSD in the build
- I already have a monitor/keyboard/mouse/optical drive
- I am not hardware-savvy


Some questions:
- Is the case I picked good enough in terms of size and future upgrade-ability? Like new, bigger video cards and more hard drives.
- Will I get "bottle-necked" by my CPU in future card upgrades?
- Do I really need both of the video cards listed below? Should I remove one, lose crossfire, but save some money for a future card upgrade?

Thanks for reading, looking forward to comments/suggestions.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9iW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9iW/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9iW/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($106.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 1050W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1413.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-06 00:27 EST-0500)

 

[techdude9]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9Cx
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9Cx/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9Cx/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Cooler ($56.10 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($121.74 @ Mwave)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower Case ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($135.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1321.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-06 00:55 EST-0500)

Leaves you $200 for upgrades or keep and save another $200 and crossfire the 7970's.

 

[techdude9]

Wait, do you need an OS? If not I can suggest this.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9LB
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9LB/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r9LB/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($121.74 @ Mwave)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($110.43 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1504.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-06 01:21 EST-0500)

 

[BearVault]

Thanks for the feedback!

Case: Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower Case ($144.99 @ NCIX US)

I looked this case up and although the average review is good, I've noticed a few complaints such as the the fans being low quality. Do you have any other suggestions, or are you pretty confident in that choice?

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)

I forgot to mention that the harddrive I want to transfer over already has windows installed. I'm hoping on just booting straight to my old installation with all my old files/programs.

 

[techdude9]

The obsidian 650D is a beast, and yes I am pretty confident in that choice and fans are cheap and easily replaceable. But in my 2nd build I linked it has a pretty good case that is alot cheaper, although I still prefer the 650D as that is the case I am using for myself.

 

[BearVault]

The case in your second build looks great, and I like the upgrade to the power supply.

I think I have what I need, I really appreciate your help.

 

[refillable]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157296
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233365
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008 (x2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167121
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

Total $1562+8, Just a bit outta budget ($70) but you get an awesome system. I'm pretty sure if you do the rebates on all of the stuff you should get just right at the budget.

 

[BearVault]

Best answer selected by BearVault.

 

[techdude9]

The case in your second build looks great, and I like the upgrade to the power supply.

I think I have what I need, I really appreciate your help.

Np.