My first build - gaming desktop

[loonybin0]

Hi,

I am working on a build (my first) of a gaming PC. I have already had a bunch of helpful advice from the guys at the MaximumPC Forums in this thread and I think I'm almost completely set as to what parts I'm getting, but I thought it would be a good idea to get a second opinion anyway, just to be sure, since this is my first time.

Here's what I have:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright True Spirit (120) (~$30.00)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($254.95 @ B&H)
Optical Drive: LG Electronics 14x Internal BDXL Blu-Ray Burner Rewriter WH14NS40 - Bulk Drive with Software - Black ($80.00)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 660W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($169.74 @ Mwave)
Monitor: Acer GD235HZbid 120Hz 23.6" Monitor ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Full (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Razer Abyssus Mirror Special Edition Wired Optical Mouse ($33.98 @ B&H)
Other: NVIDIA 3D Vision Glasses, Wired ($100.00)
Total: $1958.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-19 11:38 EST-0500)

I'm not entirely happy with that case, but I haven't seen much selection as far as mATX cases that can accommodate a regular-sized optical drive.

Also, I was going to get just a cheap sound card, but the guys at MPC said the integrated sound was probably just as good.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

-Oh, and I wouldn't necessarily choose all those different retailers, those were just the auto-selected ones.

 

[g-unit1111]

I'd recommend this case over the Silverstone: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352008

You don't really need 16GB of RAM for a gaming system you can drop that to 8GB.

I'd also suggest this for your SSD, it's slightly faster than the 840: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227916

Otherwise pretty much everything else looks good. You don't need a sound card either, don't spend money there.

 

[avenseth12]

2 Things I am not sure about in your build:
1. The case
2. Microsoft Win 8 (havent heard good things about it)

Also, get the 16 GB of RAM because its so cheap

 

[djosbun]

I'd recommend this case over the Silverstone: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352008

You don't really need 16GB of RAM for a gaming system you can drop that to 8GB.

I'd also suggest this for your SSD, it's slightly faster than the 840: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227916

Otherwise pretty much everything else looks good. You don't need a sound card either, don't spend money there.

He doesn't have the regular Samsung 840 SSD listed: he has the 840 Pro, which in every SSD test I read is the fastest SSD on the market right now.

 

[loonybin0]

He doesn't have the regular Samsung 840 SSD listed: he has the 840 Pro, which in every SSD test I read is the fastest SSD on the market right now.

Yeah, that's why I chose it after advice from the MPC guys and looking at the Anandtech benchmarks. It isn't necessarily the best for writes but is by far the best for reads.

I hear what you're saying about RAM, but I think I'll stick with my 2 x 8 gig sticks.

As far as Win 8 goes... it may be a Vista-level flop or not, I'm getting it anyway.

I'd recommend this case over the Silverstone: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352008

Yeah, I'll consider that one as a definite possibility.

Thanks for the advice, keep it comin'.

 

[g-unit1111]

Yeah, that's why I chose it after advice from the MPC guys and looking at the Anandtech benchmarks. It isn't necessarily the best for writes but is by far the best for reads.

I hear what you're saying about RAM, but I think I'll stick with my 2 x 8 gig sticks.

As far as Win 8 goes... it may be a Vista-level flop or not, I'm getting it anyway.

You're looking at the Agility 4, which is like the bottom of OCZ's barrel. The Vector is the top of the line drive, here's a more accurate benchmark which puts it faster than the 840 Pro: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vector-ssd-review,3358-7.html