Half way to a $1500 Build, need help with picking the rest of the parts.

[Thuban]

I had thought about building a new computer but not this weekend so I haven't done a lot of research. I saw a BF deals for the Dell U2412M, i5 2500K and Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 and grabbed it. Plus I bought a SeaSonic x650 PSU on sale a couple of month ago. So sundenly I had spend $750 of my intended $1500 and decide to buy the rest of the parts now.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming (BF3, Skyrim, etc.), some light Photoshop and image processing, internet surfing and general usage

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

US, I have a Microcenter nearby

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

No brand preference but I already bought an Intel processor and MB.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

No, it'll be a completely new build with new monitor, keyboard and mouse.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes, in the past 24 hours I've been trying to do some research so I could buy the rest of the parts this week.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Maybe some overclocking, nothing outrageous.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1200

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Within the next week

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

Ok

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($164.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($156.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Hard Drive: Sandisk Ultra 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($136.54 @ Mac Connection)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 2GB Video Card ($252.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH22NS70 OEM DVD/CD Writer
Monitor: Dell U2412M 24.0" Monitor ($307.65 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) got a left over key from a bundle
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite Wired Ergonomic Keyboard ($34.99 @ Office Depot)
Mouse: Logitech G400 Wired Optical Mouse ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: Come out around $1565

I would like to get a 120 Gb SSD, is the one listed any good? It seem a bit too cheap. With the price of regular hard drive as high as it is right now, would it be feasible to just use the SSD as my one and only drive until HD price come down?

As far as graphic card, I'd like to stay near the $250 price point, I'm not set on the choice above so any other suggestion?

The HAF 932 seem to be a popular choice. I might be keeping the case for the next 10 years through many upgrades so I'd like to have something that's durable, good cable management, tooless and easy to work with so any other option?

One last question, I have some Arctic Silver thermal paste left over from a build 2 years ago. Would it still be good to use or do I need to buy new paste?

 

[fastamdman]

Your paste is probably just fine as long as the cap was on it. I would go with a hyper 212+ cooler as they are on sale currently for like 17 bucks after mir. Good call on the 2500k. Nice job on the mobo. HDD I would go with a 64 or 128gb crucial m4 ssd as the boot/OS drive and then w/e you want for storage. Personally I wouldn't buy a HDD new right now, only used at a good deal. PSU I would swap to a tx650 or tx750. Rest of it looks fine. Personally I wouldn't run a ergonomic keyboard but its whatever you prefer. Either go with a cheap 5 dollar keyboard or go with a real mechanical board IMO, nothing in between.

Edit: You probably don't need 16gb of ram, I would go with neweggs gskill deal of 8gb 1600mhz ram 9-9-9-24 for 29.99. Great deal.

 

[mfenn]

The OP already bought the PSU, but other than that, I agree with fastamdman's suggestions ( for the regulars).

Some links:
- M4 128GB $215, alternatively the slower Intel 320 120GB for $120 AR
- Hyper 212+ $16 AR
- Ballistix DDR3 1600 8GB $35 looks like the G.Skill sold out
- Hitachi 7K1000.D 750GB $70 - wow, almost back to pre-flood prices

 

[Thuban]

I already bought the PSU so can't change that now, any wrong with the SeaSonix X650? I have a Logitech G15 keyboard on my current computer that i'm going to switch with whatever cheap keyboard i'm end up buying. I might even skip it and use the 15 years old IBM keyboard from my first computer on my current computer.

Thanks for your comment and suggestions.

 

[mfenn]

Nope, there is nothing wrong with an X650. I wouldn't have paid $100 for it when a good quality 650W can be had for $60 any day of the week, but it's not bad by any means.