My First Rig

[Furkan]

Hello guys,
I am looking to build my first PC finally. I've a budget of roughly $1,200
I've gotten the parts together, and I am looking for some feedback so I can buy it and start building. I'll mainly be gaming and some editing here and there, so it doesn't need to be optimized for editing at all.

Build I've put together:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB ( 2 x 4GB ) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)
Total Cost: $1199.87
PCPartPicker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2CYIJ

Also, I've gotten my Monitor which is 1920x1080, my peripherals and my headset. I won't also be needing an Optical Drive as I'll just use the one from my previous computer.

So, I am mainly looking for feedback and to see if there is anything that is incompatible w/ these hardware and/or if anything is overkill that would be not needed. Or something that would be better. I can overclock, but not a necessity. If I can bring down the price range, I can get a new keyboard ^_^
All of the feedback I can get appreciated, as I am just an amateur builder
P.S If anyone of the parts can be buy-able from MicroCenter that would be great, as there is a MicroCenter Store nearby just about 8 kilometers away. Also I live in USA, Maryland to be specific.

 

[Remmy]

Everything looks compatible, but I have one main recommendation; I realise that you are right on your budget, but if you could save a little here and there on some components, I'd highly highly highly recommend getting at least a 128GB SSD for your OS and programs. It really does make such a big difference over not having one.

You don't need as high as 750W PSU, unless you plan on CrossfireX in the future, you could save some money here by finding a 650W PSU.

Welcome to the forums

Edit: Not immediately necessary, but at some point I'd suggest replacing the stock Intel cooler with something like a Cooler Master 212, they're only about £20, and they're great performance for the money.

 

[RadeonHDx]

+1 for getting an SSD over the 750w PSU, maybe get something like a CX650(m). Take it from someone who has recently started using an SSD, You wont believe the difference till you try it for yourself!

EDIT: Just had a look on PCPartPicker and saw that the CX650m is only $50! you could make room for the SSD with that I think

 

[Furkan]

First of all, Thank you

Yeah, I can probably get the Cooler from MicroCenter, if the cooler is loud and/or I am going to overclock. Thanks for the Suggestion.
When it comes to PSU, I wasn't planning on doing any sort of CrossFire anytime soon, but since it is my first build I am not totally good w/ how much Watts would be more than enough, so I tried going safe. I'll change that 650Watts, that will definitely save me money. For the SSD, I've tried out some, Intel 520 I believe it was, and I do agree there is huge difference.
Now I've just looked around and found 2 SSD's for ~100$. Maybe, I can get rid of the HDD, and replace that with the SSD, and use my old HDD ( 7200RPM, 500GB ) as a secondary storage drive.
Samsung Evo 840 and Kingston SSDNow V300, which would be better I wasn't totally sure. But I think I can do that.

Without the SSD change, the price comes down to 1150$, which w/ the SSD change will roughly be ~$1200.

PCPartPicker: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2D0n9

 

[TheOuterOne]

Please don't reuse your ODD, lol. They generally look bad and you won't need them..

 

[NeverBackDown]

First of all, Thank you

Yeah, I can probably get the Cooler from MicroCenter, if the cooler is loud and/or I am going to overclock. Thanks for the Suggestion.
When it comes to PSU, I wasn't planning on doing any sort of CrossFire anytime soon, but since it is my first build I am not totally good w/ how much Watts would be more than enough, so I tried going safe. I'll change that 650Watts, that will definitely save me money. For the SSD, I've tried out some, Intel 520 I believe it was, and I do agree there is huge difference.
Now I've just looked around and found 2 SSD's for ~100$. Maybe, I can get rid of the HDD, and replace that with the SSD, and use my old HDD ( 7200RPM, 500GB ) as a secondary storage drive.
Samsung Evo 840 and Kingston SSDNow V300, which would be better I wasn't totally sure. But I think I can do that.

Without the SSD change, the price comes down to 1150$, which w/ the SSD change will roughly be ~$1200.

PCPartPicker: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2D0n9

Why not go for a haswell system? The 4670k at MC is only 30$ more iirc and MB are IMO much better in the low to mid range.
Just get as much as you can from a MC store so you can get those in store only offers.

Also the EVO ssd will be much faster but the V300 is more of a budget drive. For an OS drive the speed is slightly noticeable but get whichever is cheaper.


IMO i would look at getting a different case. The Phantom cases are quite dated unless you go for a 530 version(new). If MC has one then I would choose a Fractal Arc Midi R2 over the Phantom you have chosen.

 

[iBeInspire]

Mostly spot on, but I'd go for a hazwell i5 + z87 giga board, and an SSD - samsung's SSDs are usually great, kingston not far behind

I also agree, 650w is more than enough TBH, since you're not going crossfire

 

[barnsley]

Don't go for an XFX 'card. They still haven't fixed the coil whine issues that they seem to always have. Get an Asus one instead.

 

[Furkan]

Thanks for the Suggestions, I've made quite bit of changes.

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB ( 2 x 4GB ) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)
Total Cost: $1112.81
PCPartPicker: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2DkHp

So, firstly I've downgraded the Video Card from R9 280X to R9 270X. So I could do the changes incoming. Changed to 650W Power Supply as it wasn't needed, to save some more. Upgraded the Case to Phantom 530, only about 10$ difference or so. Changed from HDD to SSD for performance. And Since I've downgraded the Video Card, I was able to upgrade to Haswell as well, and get a CPU Cooler. I am not necessarily sure if there is any compatibility issues so any help w/ these changes would be awesome
Also, would there be any issues w/ the CM Hyper 212 EVO in spacing? Just want to make sure everything will fit nicely

 

[Feronix]

Could save a little money getting the Phantom 410, which is still a bit better than the original Phantom full tower case imo.

The 212 Evo will fit in either cases fine

 

[Furkan]

Could save a little money getting the Phantom 410, which is still a bit better than the original Phantom full tower case imo.

The 212 Evo will fit in either cases fine

Thanks for the info! I am glad it'll fit in just fine, and I didn't see that there was 410, and it is smaller in size which would be better and it is about 30$ cheaper, I think I'll change to that!

 

[NeverBackDown]

Hopefully the 30$ redutction allows you to go for the 280x again?

Also search on ebay for W7 or W8. You can get them so much cheaper than online etailers.

I got two versions of W7 Ultime both for $100 and at newegg or amazon they cost $300 easily. This could save you some money and help you probably upgrade something else as well.