First Time Computer Builder

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jcarbelbide

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I was planning on building a computer for the first time, but I am not sure what parts to get (Assume that I am a complete noob at this because I am). I wanted to build a gaming PC. I will probably be playing games like Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Fallout 3, and Team Fortress. I was looking at another thread and I got a list of possible parts I could get. My range is around $1000, but I can go a little higher. Here's the list:

CPU and Fan Combo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.783352 $243.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R1 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157271 $124.99 - $114.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129066 $49.99 - $39.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

GPU - EVGA 012-P3-2068-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 448 Cores Classified 1280MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130739 - $289

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231428 $29.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

PSU: OCZ ZT Series 750W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply - $99.99 After Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341052

HDD: HITACHI HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" - $86.28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822145299

DVD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST SATA 24x DVD Burner - $18.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204

OS: Windows 7 Home Edition 64-bit - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116986

Total: $1,047.90


I have never built one so I also do not know exactly how to put it together. What would be the best way to learn?
Also, I already have a monitor. Samsung SyncMaster B2330 HD 23-inch, 1920 x 1080.

Thanks for all of your help.

P.S. Here is the other thread I was looking at:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/329214-31-first-time-builder-gaming-1000-1200-budget

I was just wondering how other people thought of this build and whether they would recommend other things.
 
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That Hitachi 500gb you were going to get in the first place would probably be a good choice :p
Yeah, it'll push the budget up, but it's absolutely worth it.
Oem is good for one PC, and, is limited to that pc as defined by the motherboard. If you have a need for a second copy of windows 7, there is a family pack which gives you three upgrade licenses for about $135
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Premium-Upgrade-Family/dp/B002MV2MG0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323639382&sr=8-1

There are three advantages to the upgrade version vs. oem.
1) It is considered retail which gives you ms support.
2) Because it is retail, you can later transfer it to a different pc.
3) You get both 32 and 64 bit dvd's.

Upgrade does not require you to have a previous copy of windows installed, just to be replacing one.

Normally, I would recommend a hard drive and an external enclosure. Considering the current cost of hard drives, see if you can't hold off for a bit.
If you don't have too much critical data, could you use dvd for a while? Or, rent some offline storage? At least until hard drive preces get lower in, perhaps, 6 months.
 

jcarbelbide

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I think I will go to Costco to get Windows 7 haha because I saw that they had a 3 pack for $100. And yes I was thinking of waiting until the prices of hard drives go back to normal. I dont have anything that I cannot store on a 2 GB hard drive on my current computer so I dont think I need an HDD right away.
 
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