So I am currently, and very slowly, putting the funds together for a new pc build.  This will be my first proper Intel build.(the other being an Atom based touchscreen jukebox)

So far I am looking at the following core components.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139012

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226302 x2

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782 potentially x2

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151110 or http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Professional-Certified-1050-Watt-Compatible/dp/B00539M4M0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_pc_9
 
CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226226 probably x2 to set up in a raid array

As I said, first Intel build, and also first Nvidia card in years AND first SSD build.  Any input or suggestions is appreciated.

Everything looks nice to me.  No real feedback, I guess.
I'm a huge fan of the Corsair CPU coolers, though.  I have an H50 and it is one of the single best purchases I've ever made for a PC.

I have an Antec Kuhler h20 620 on this AMD rig.  I will never go back to air cooling I think.

Looks pretty good. Though I'm always a fan of using a single, beefy card over SLI/Xfire. If you get one, then get a 680 or the AMD equivalent. Though some of the reason are due to using three screens. HAVE you considered going triple-screen? It's pretty sweet... That case is a bit "small" for my tastes. I've been a support if huge cases for a long time. It just makes everything so much easier. Those Coolermaster HAF cases are pretty awesome, and all are pre-prepped for water. and nice for the price. But that looks like a fine case. Be sure to read case reviews. Every case has drawbacks that you never find out until you have it in your hands. For instance, "tool-less" isn't always the ...case. And Intel SSDs ahve the lowest failure rate, although they do cost a bit more.

All else looking pretty good. That RAM is super-cheap for the amount and speed. You may want to consider buying it now before reh prices shoot up again - I've noticed that RAM ahs been cheaper for a while now, and it's due for another  price increase. RAM prices always raise and drop drastically, so get it while it's good.

I'Il also take this opportunity to tell you to turn your current PC into and HTPC.


Oh and get an audio card. I have the same audio on my mobo. Yes, it sounds good, but even my aging Xtremegamer PCI card still sounds far better. Plus, that Realtek does not support true DTS and Master Audio variants. Only important if you watch movies, but even a mid-range audio card will sound better.The X-fi series are good, as are Azuntech cards, if you're turned off by Creative.

Both of my current computers are in HAF 912s.  They are pretty nice cases but I am looking for something a bit different this time.  A single 670 can overclock higher than a stock 680 generally, so I may just stick with one 670.  Also I have not had any issues with tool-less cases yet.  It's $130 more for the Intel equivalent to those Mushkin drives.  Reviews on the Mushkins are generally ok at first glance.  There's always a chance for problems.  I also will not be putting this together for at least four months.  Oh and my current second pc is already an HTPC.  It also happens to sit next to me so I can use Badkon as well.  I run XBMC on it with a fairly large library of movies and tv shows.  However yes, This rig is newer so I would switch them out.

As for an audio card, I use a headset 99% of the time to game.  Soundblaster Tactic Alpha 3D or something.  These plug in to a THX usb dongle.  I see no reason to upgrade the onboard sound as I simply don't use it that much.

Also, I had never even thought of buying a full size case.  So I bought this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119245

Looks really nice

I really like the case, PS and CPU cooler Corsair makes good stuff.

I would go with the I5 instead  These over clock big time up to 4.2 - 4.6 GHz.
No real advantage for Hyper threading for $125 more.
CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Put the Money saved in to the video card.
Go with this Beast for video
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150586

SSD - We switch over to Crucial M4 drives at work.
I like the Mushkin and use them in my computer now in a raid 0
but Ifeel the M4 drive with the Marvell controls work better and last better.

That's my 2 cent

only input from me is when you install windows make sure to disable the scheduled defrag

And Prefetch. And.. soemthing else. Forget what.

User Account Control, probably.

First thing I disable.

Windows update is the first thin I kill. Though, UAC pops up when i try, so i  guess it actually does go first.

Honestly the Intel I7 3.4 ghz 2600-K Sandy Bridge processor is one of the best on the market and would save you some money. I bet there wouldn't be a noticeable performance change.

2600-K Sandy Bridge -Note the fact that there's 1,300 ratings and it's got 5 eggs.

The video card is bigger than the processor when it comes to gaming, I barely get above 30% CPU usage at any time. I don't know to much about NVidia cards well, but put most of your money into the video card because that's what you need to play games well.

-JL

Or get the variant without Hyperthreading, as it'll save ya some cash. Though if you DO want the hyperthread for encoding and such, it's a HUGE help. I keep mine off when i game, as i makes no difference in most games, but creates more heat. I'm not sure what eh new I7's  offer for non-HT enabled CPUs, but when i was shopping fir my Ivy CPU, the 2500k was 100 bucks cheaper.

Either way, all the Ivys overclock like crazy. I got my 2600k from 3.4 to 4.5 with a single BIOS setting change, right tout of the box.


What are you going to do with your current (to be old) HTPC hardware? My HTPC runs a LGA755 socket and ddr2, but I'm always up for new parts.

Ok.  Potentially switching out a few things.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130794

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106190

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148530


The current HTPC I am not sure. I may rebuild it and give it to my brother.