$1200 gaming computer (1st build)

[frand]

Help on $1200 gaming computer (1st build)

This is the first time to build a computer. I hung around on this website for a whole day and found that many forum members gave awesome suggestions and comments. I would appreciate a lot if you can give me some comments and advice on my build.
Here's basically my requirements:

1.) About a $1200 budget with monitor. I can go higher or lower, but I'd like to say $1400 is my MAX.
2.) I want to run games like Starcraft 2, FFXIV, Call of Duty 7 at high settings. Also I hope it can run the new FPSs, RPGs and RTSs in the next 2 or 3 years smoothly.


Here is what I found that fits my needs by now:

1) CPU
Intel Core i5-760 2.8GHz LGA1156 95W Quad-Core $205
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

2)MoBo
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

3)RAM
GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600MHz CAS 9 1.5v $48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

4)Video Card
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6970 2GB $370
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

5)Hard Drive
Samsung F3 1TB SATA II 3.0Gb/s $62
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001U3S5S0

6)Optical Drive
ASUS SATA 24X DVD Burner $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

7)Power Supply
SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS BRONZE $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

8) Case
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 2 x 200mm 1 x 120mm $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

9)CPU cooler
Zalman CNPS10X Performa CPU Cooler $41
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00350O5DK

10) Monitor
NEC Display Solutions EA231WMI-BK Black 23" $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824002524

Total: $1338
Whoops! Almost exceeds the upper limit. If you have anything cheaper or better than these components that will be awesome!

Besides I need wifi card, which type is better, USB or the ones plugged on MoBo?

Thanks for going through this long post, I'll wait for your comments!

 

[Drenlin]

Looks pretty good to me. Got a few thoughts though:

- You might want to beef up the PSU (~750W or better) a bit if you want to crossfire that card at some point.
This'd be fine, and it's the same price as that S12II after shipping and rebates:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025


- The hard drive is a bit cheaper here (free shipping):
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...-F3-HD103SJ-1TB-SATA2-7200rpm-32MB-Hard-Drive


- Combo on the Mobo/CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.570318


- There's nothing wrong with that Geil kit, but for overclocking you may want something that takes well to having its settings played with. This is an awesome deal right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231278

But if you don't want to spend any more money, this brand usually overclocks very well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313081

 

[frand]

Thanks Drenlin! The PSU and Combo on the Mobo/CPU are awesome!

A problem is that I'm kinda afraid of overclocking, since I have heard that there is a chance to damage the hardwares and shorten the life of the components. Do you mean that the i5-760 and the RAM I chosen should overclock to make full use of the HD6970?

Oh, BTW, I have a prime membership on Amazon.com, so 2-day free shipping is available for hard-drive, I guess I may take the one from Amazon.

Thanks a lot! Do you have any more suggestions on monitor?