My Elite-130 mITX build is almost there... please help with the last few components

[4pstart]

Approximate Purchase Date: this week
Budget Range: ~$900 (mostly I just want to be 'efficient' about getting good value)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, HTPC (for now it will be hooked up to my 1080p 55" Panasonic Plasma TV; may upgrade down the line)
Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3cFNt
Note: I will actually buy the CPU/Mobo from Microcenter, so I'll save about $60 on the price quoted there.

OS: Probably dual boot Linux/Windows 8
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Don't really care, though I'm only 10 mins from Microcenter and have Amazon Prime.
Location: Denver, CO
Overclocking: Probably, though I'd appreciate comments on the 'overclock-ability' of my build.
SLI or Crossfire: No

Additional Comments: This is my first build in 10 years, so I'm essentially a noob, though I've done a lot of reading on this and other sites. My main concern is about general compatibility/quality of my parts. Aside from the parts I've already purchased, I'm not particularly attached to any of my choices. I could probably even be persuaded to go mATX/ATX, though I've done very little research into those cases/mobos.

I'm particularly concerned about my choice of RAM - I've seen conflicting comments on the importance of getting 2400/2133/1866 vs 1600Mhz; or CAS 9/10/11; or 1.35v/1.5v/1.6v. Ideally I'd only get a single 8GB stick for now (I don't imagine I'll really need more for a while?), but it's hard to find a single 8GB stick with good specs. SO, I'm looking at maybe getting something like:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000)

I also have a question about the secondary HDD. Do I really need to care about any specs aside from storage size? What makes one 2TB 7200RPM drive better (or, more importantly, more expensive) than another?

Thanks!

 

[tiny voices]

Your RAM is good but you should be getting a 2x4gb kit., not a single stick. You have no need for 16gb RAM at all.

For the HDD stick with Western Digital or Seagate for quality.

You should get a better CPU cooler if you want to overclock. Have a look at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608019

Also 750w is way overkill here. I would get a 650w unit max.

 

[4pstart]

Thanks for the response. I already bought the PSU, since it was a good price. I can probably return it, but I'm having a hard time finding a better value 500-650W unit. Is it actually 'bad' to have an overpowered PSU?

 

[tiny voices]

It is not bad to have an over powered PSU, the worst thing that could happen is you lose 1-4% efficiency but even then nothing bad can really happen. That PSU will be fine.

 

[4pstart]

OK, thanks again for the quick response.

As for the RAM, what are your thoughts on the importance of good specs (and which specs should I care about the most)? This guy seems like the best value I can find:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231585

 

[tiny voices]

That RAM is fine but it runs at 1.65v which voids your CPU warranty.

You need 1.5v or less.

For RAM, CAS latency is as important or more important than speed.

Example: CL8 1333mhz RAM and CL10 1866mhz RAM will perform identically.

Also do not forget that whatever you get must be MANUALLY overclocked in the bios or it will default to 1600mhz.

The difference between the fastest RAM and average RAM is 0-3fps in games. It is not even noticeable.

 

[4pstart]

Thanks for the info.

I'm thinking that my box will also get used as a DVR, and that I might use it for software development at some point. I suppose my biggest concern would be if my box is serving 2 other PCs as a DVR while I'm trying to play a game (or run a VM or two). If you think 8gb would still be plenty for this use case then I'll stick with that, but I'm leaning towards getting 16gb of RAM just to play it safe and to avoid having to upgrade and being stuck with two 4gb sticks I have no use for.

I've been looking into that cpu cooler you suggested but pcpartpicker insists it's incompatible with my case. What properties should I be looking for in a cooler that are missing from the one I chose?