1st Time Computer Build--Need Advice

[j2359]

Whats up, I'm looking to build a new computer for myself after having terrible experiences with those so called "high end" laptops. I don't really know much about hardware, so I kind of don't know what is good and what is not so good.

I want this thing be be able to run Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012, GTA IV and V (when it comes out), BF3, and Photoshop (not all at once, of course). I want to do this as cheap as possible (max budget is around $1200), but also get good performance, and more importantly, good quality and reliable components. In short, I want the Corvette of computers, not the Ferrari.

I went to Micro Center a few nights ago and worked with one of their computer people and this is what we came up with:

Processor: Intel Sandybridge i7 2600K ($279.99)
Micro Center - Intel Core i7 2600K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor 179499

Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme 4 Gen3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX ($134.99)
Micro Center - ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard 852145

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium ($99.99)

Graphics Card: MSI N560GTX-Ti-M2D1GD5/OC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card ($239.99)
Micro Center - MSI N560GTX-Ti-M2D1GD5/OC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card N560GTX-TI-M2D1

HDD: Hitachi 500GB 7200RPM 16MB cache ($89.99)
Micro Center - Hitachi 7K1000.C 500GB HDS721050CLA362 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -OEM 193276

Optical: LG 22x DVD drive ($16.99)
Micro Center - LG 22x DVD±RW Burner with Dual Layer Support - OEM 781450

Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 760w ATX ($99.99)
Micro Center - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 760 Watt ATX Power Supply PPCS760

Memory: Kingston HyperX blu 8GB DDR3 ($34.99)
Micro Center - Kingston HyperX blu 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules) 383794

Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout ATX Gaming Case ($67.99)
Micro Center - Cooler Master CM Storm Scout ATX Gaming Computer Case SGC-2000-KKN1-G

*Cooler Master Hyper 612 CPU cooler ($49.99)
Micro Center - Cooler Master Hyper 612 PWM Universal CPU Cooler RR-H612-20PK-R1

*I don't think I really need this, but I do want to make sure that this computer stays cool and well ventilated. If this is just overkill, I can live without it and save the 50 bucks.

I'm also going to have Micro Center build the computer for me +$100

Parts total, incl. tax - $1201.30

So, my questions are:
1. Are the components above good quality, reliable, etc.?

2. Is there anything I'm cheaping out on, or going overboard on?

I want this thing to be reliable, I don't want to have to worry about "will my computer work today?". Any help/advice/opinions you guys can give is appreciated,

thanks

EDIT: Also, I need some sort of way to connect to the WiFi in my house (no cable connection available where the computer will be). What will I need to buy to do this?

[flanzig1]

You could drop the CPU down to a 2500K and save about $50 with little lose of performance. Go with an Asus motherboard and drop the CPU cooler, the one that comes with the CPU will work fine.
For WIFI, get a PCI card

[djm227]

You would actually save more around $100 if you drop to the 2500k, since it's $180 at Micro Center.

[glc]

Replace the motherboard with an Asus, replace the ram with 1.5 volt ram, drop down to a i5-2500K, and upgrade the video card to whatever you can afford.

[j2359]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 You could drop the CPU down to a 2500K and save about $50 with little lose of performance. Go with an Asus motherboard and drop the CPU cooler, the one that comes with the CPU will work fine. For WIFI, get a PCI card

I've kind of been reading that Asus is a better board, is there one that you would recommend?


I have another question, mostly from a money-saving standpoint:

I have my old HD from my last laptop, it is 640GB (perfect working condition) and it has Win7 on it. Can I use this HD and OS for this new computer? or atleast use the HD (no OS)?

[glc]

Laptop hard drives are not a good idea for desktop computers, but you CAN use it.

Microcenter has a special going now on one of the Asus Z68 GEN3 boards.

[Extremerc12]

Microcenter is doing $50 off bundles on the i5-2500k and i7-2600k when combined with one of the Asus Z68 boards.

[j2359]

Thank you guys for your input. I think that I'm going to go for the computer (it was between this and a new Canon 7D camera). I am going to swap the ASRock motherboard listed above for an Asus after reading in multiple placed that Asus is good quality. I don't plan to overclock anything (mostly because I don't know how) so what would be a good, stable Asus board?

Also, are computers like this reliable? I just don't want things to stop crapping out in less than a year like my old laptop.

[glc]

Micro Center - ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard 021220

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by j2359 Thank you guys for your input. I think that I'm going to go for the computer (it was between this and a new Canon 7D camera). I am going to swap the ASRock motherboard listed above for an Asus after reading in multiple placed that Asus is good quality. I don't plan to overclock anything (mostly because I don't know how) so what would be a good, stable Asus board? Also, are computers like this reliable? I just don't want things to stop crapping out in less than a year like my old laptop.

Very reliable with the Asus board. Better than any name brand or one you buy off the shelf.