Need a second pair of eyes to review rig

[Echostarter]

Hey all,

I'm new here. I've been itching to build a new rig for a long while. I've built rigs with friends before, but this would be the first rig that I am building on my own. I've finally got around to picking out my components. My aim was to build a relatively strong microATX rig.

Anyway, I'm pretty much 99% dead set on getting these parts. But, I really just wanted a second pair of eyes to double check if all the components are compatible with each other. Or that if all components will even fit in the case. Can anyone provide input on it?

Approximate Purchase Date: Tonight/Tomorrow Morning
Budget Range: $1200 (not including monitor) before shipping and rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly for gaming, digital art, and possible video editing
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Case: APEX TX-381-C
APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case

Power Supply: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M600
Modular 600W ATX12V V2.3

Motherboard: ASRock Z77M LGA 1155 Intel Z77
HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX

Processor: Intel Core i5-3470
Ivy Bridge 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) Quad-Core

Video Card:GeForce GTX 660
2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB
240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB
7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"

SSD: Intel 330 Series 180GB
Maple Crest SSDSC2CT180A3K5 2.5" 180GB SATA III

 

[azathoth]

For $15 more you can get the i5-3570K, which at stock clocks is 200mhz faster.
It enables you to overclock the processor as well, I know you said you did not need the ability to overclock, but for $15 more and clicking a single option you can get a 4GHz+ processor.

 

[Echostarter]

Yea, it's true. I actually had the 3570k and the gtx680 on my list at first... but, I started feeling guilty because I'm over budget when including the monitor/os/other components/taxes/shipping... So I decided to just settle for the 3570 and the gtx660... :/

 

[azathoth]

I decided to create a second option build for you, this build is $15 more, and the case is a ATX mid tower so it's also slightly larger.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($217.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Green 630W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $911.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-02 18:24 EST-0500)

The case you chose has the dimensions of (16.00" x 7.20" x 16.00") versus this case (16.90" x 8.30" x 19.60") so it is an inch longer and wider, and three inches taller.

The SSD and HDD combined are the same price as your choices, but both of them have significantly more storage space on each.

The processor is now unlocked and includes an aftermarket cooler, so you can lazily overclock to 4.2Ghz in your sleep, just set multiplier and bump the voltage a smidge if necessary.

The RAM you chose on your system is simply not enough, and will run in single channel mode. I chose a different kit, that is Two 4GB sticks, $9 more and you double the RAM, and the bandwidth due to them being accessed in dual channel mode.

The power supply is pretty much equal, but comes at a much lower price point. However this is also at the cost of not being modular, whilst this is still nothing that a few zip-ties can't handle.

 

[mazty]

I'd go with the above and aim for 8gb ram.

 

[Echostarter]

Oh Cool.

First off, I wanna thank you for your suggestions. I did end up taking some of your advice with the changes.

I mistakenly put 4GB ram in my first post. It was supposed to be 4GBx2. But, I changed the ram to the one you suggested because it was better and cheaper.

I also changed the case. At first I was reluctant because I really wanted the handle. lol. It also didn't have any 3.5" external slots. I wanted to put in a 3.5" card reader eventually. But, I figured it'd be more convenient to have an external one anyway. At first, I thought it was more expensive, but I saw that it had a mail-in rebate for $20.

I decided to opt out on the storage options you suggested. I checked them out. They are more expensive than the ones I currently selected by 20$. And I'm not really foreseeing myself needing too much space anyway.

I stuck with the i5-3570(3.2GHz). lol. sorry. I really appreciate the suggestion, but I don't really need to overclock as I don't intend to buy an additional cooling device. plus it still adds $15.00 to my total and then some for the extra cooling device.

Spoiler

Side Note:

I found out that there's an i5-3570 at 3.4GHz.

What's the difference between these 2?
i5-3570 (3.4GHz)
i5-3570k (3.4GHz)

The only difference I see is the integrated graphics. Is the difference noticeable?

Lastly, I was torn between the power supplies. But, I felt ultimately inclined towards the one I picked initially... I do like the modular aspect. It has more connectors. I also liked that 80 Plus Bronze rating.

Anyways, thanks again for the help and advice. Definitely feeling better about this.