Mid-Level Gaming/HTPC Build
 

This will mostly be used for Starcraft II, maybe some newer FPS but not a lot, and streaming online media to my T.V. I'm considering getting a tuner card to use it as a DVR and a SSD, however I'm already over my budget ~$850. I'd like to just run Linux, do I need Windows for game compatibility? I could probably choose a cheaper case, quiet cooling/expandability is key. Any advice will be appreciated.

I have a 600w modular OCZ psu I'll be reusing.

ASUS P8Z77-V LK
ASUS P8Z77-V LK ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - Newegg.com
<Combo deal with mobo+cpu for $299.99>
Intel Core i5-3570K
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K - Newegg.com

WD Black 1 TB
Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX Internal Hard Drive - Newegg.com

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10D-16GBXL - Newegg.com

ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5-V2 Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5-V2 Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Newegg.com

Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl w/ USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case
Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl w/ USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case - Newegg.com

Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit (Full Version) - OEM
Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit (Full Version) - Newegg.com

Do not use Ripjaws ram. Get Corsair Vengeance low profile, and with budget issues cut it back to 8gb.

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9R - Newegg.com

You need Windows for most games, and I'd get 7 instead of 8 unless you really like 8.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Newegg.com

You are missing an optical drive.

LG Model GH24NS95 24X DVD Burner - Bare Drive Black - Newegg.com

Need to cut costs? For CPU, get an i5-3350P.

Intel Core i5-3350P Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.3GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 69W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80637i53350P - Newegg.com

Quiet and upgradeable case? Coolermaster 430. Remove the front fan, turn it around, and put it in the back as an exhaust fan. Half the price of the Fractal.

COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case - Newegg.com

I don't want to start an AMD/Nvidia war, but in the $100 to $200 range, Nvidia has the better cards right now.

Best Graphics Cards For The Money: April 2013 - Best Graphics Cards For The Money, April Updates

Newegg.com - EVGA 02G-P4-3658-KR GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST SuperClocked 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card

The 1gb Boost is less, and the 650 Ti non-Boost cards are excellent for the price, both 1 and 2 gb models available. Could have some savings here.

Thank you for the advice. I've never used Windows 8, I probably will just get 7. I was going to OC a little, the i5-3350P is locked right? Thank you for the link on video cards. I have no allegiance to either but always lean ATI/AMD out of habit.

If you are going to overclock, then you need the 3570K and an aftermarket heatsink/fan such as a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo.

Yeah, I forgot to add in the cpu cooler.
COOLER MASTER Seidon 120M RL-S12M-24PK-R1
COOLER MASTER RL-S12M-24PK-R1 Water Cooler - Newegg.com

What do you think of this case?
Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case (One) - PCPartPicker Canada

I want something simple looking, no leds or side windows.

You will never hear a complaint from me about Antec cases, but the rear exhaust fan on that one has to be pulled to install a water cooler.

Lian-Li has some very high quality plain black cases without the bling. They can get expensive although there are a few bargain cases. Corsair has a number of plain black cases as well. You can also put a very small piece of electrical tape over lights that you might find annoying.

Just ordered this case.
Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl w/ USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case - Newegg.com
Fractal Design Define R4