New gaming PC, looking for advice

[CaptainAfro]

Hello all, I'm building my first custom-built PC, upgrading from a 6 year old Compaq and man is this overdue. I'm looking to spend $1000 - $1200 tops on this, and hopefully be able to play games such as Skyrim, Hard Reset, Far Cry 3 etc and high to max settings; Particularly Skyrim, though I hear it's more CPU-based than GPU. Anyway, here's my current build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vhhf

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 ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($299.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($51.52 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.64 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $926.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I'd like to try and OC, having never done it before, my CPU to around 4.5, though I don't know if the CPU cooler can take it. I hear some people can get it near 4.8 as well. I don't know about OCing the RAM, or if it's possible to OC the GPU at all, but I'd like to get as much power and performance out of this as possible. My knowledge in this area is rather limited though, so any help or suggestions would be much appreciated !

 

[AMD Radeon]

this one is not good
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
get DDR3 1600, and it is best to get (2x8GB) version as one kit

 

[bigcyco1]

The build is good that 670 sucks and no you cannot overclock to 4.5GHZ on ivybridge with that cooler start thinking 4.3GHZ and your good.

 

[bigcyco1]

Make these changes and your good pick one of these 670 better bang for buck run cooler as well GPU:Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 OC 980MHZ 2GB 6.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=71107&vpn=GV%2DN670OC%2D2GD&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1366


GPU:MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Free 2 games w/ purchase, limited offer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=#top

RAM:G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546#top

 

[CaptainAfro]

Alright so here's my current revision:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vI72
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vI72/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vI72/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 ($29.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($51.52 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.64 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $971.05


I'm wondering if there's a negligible difference between 8gb and 16gb of RAM for gaming. Would I notice any sort of performance boost going to 16gb? Also, if I went with this cpu cooler http://www.silentpcreview.com/Thermalright_HR-02_Macho, do you think I'd be able to hit 4.5Ghz OC?

 

[bigcyco1]

Looks great.For gaming, the sweet spot is 8GB. You'll immediately notice that games load quicker, plus levels/maps do too. There will be less graphical anomalies and some games may allow you to choose higher detail levels. Plus, general multitasking is smoother. You can get 16GB if you want it but it certainly not needed for gaming.As for the cpu cooler you linked i don't know i never use it before sorry.

 

[CaptainAfro]

Alright thanks. Is there a cooler you'd recommend?

 

[bigcyco1]

CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 140mm UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709011#top

CPU Cooler:Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018#top

 

[CaptainAfro]

I'm liking that Noctua Cooler. Alright, so with that cooler, what would you say I could safely OC to?

 

[bigcyco1]

4.5GHZ or more.

 

[CaptainAfro]

Very sweet. Thank you so much for your help man.

 

[bigcyco1]

No problem.Your welcome.