Planning Bitfenix Prodigy Build

Hardware Hub Build a PC
1

Hi, I've been using an Alienware M11x R3 for about 2 years now, (It was my first gaming machine, I didn't know that laptops weren't upgradable) and it gets the job done, but it can only run most modern games at low-medium settings.  I'm planning on getting a new PC based around the Bitfenix Prodigy.

 Specs are;

Cpu - Intel i5-3570K

Cooling - Corsair Hydro Series H40

Motherboard - MSI Z77IA-E53 mITK LGA1155 Z77 DDR3 1PCI-E16 SATA3 HDMI USB3.0

Memory - Kingston HyperX 8GB 2x4 DDR3 Dual Channel

Gpu - Galaxy GeForce GTX 680 1006Mhz 2GB

Psu - Seasonic S12II 520W

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1TB

SSD - Kingston HyperX 120GB

 What I was wondering is if this was a good build, and If I could make any improvements to it.

I was thinking about changing the CPU to a AMD FX 8350, By doing that I'd also have to find a different motherboard, and I have no idea what that would be.  Any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated.

2

I recccomend the ASRock z77e-itx motherboard, the h100i cooler (It fits up top) aand a GTX Titan. You'll have to wait for it to release though. Also, a Seagate Barricuda 2 TB is ten dollars more, so why not? Your build is very suberb though. Nice work.

3

I forgot to mention, a larger PSU is reccomended for my build, so I'd get a 650 watt.

4

Is it for just gamming?

If so id go with a 7970 over the 680

Check out some of the benchmarks below, the 7970 spanks the 680.

http://www.techspot.com/review/603-best-graphics-cards/

5

As much as I'd like to get a Titan and a h100i, I don't have the money.  I'm trying to keep the build in the $1,000 - $1,600 range.  I'll get the 2TB drive for sure, though.

6

Any suggestions on what 7970 to get?  I'm kinda new to this kind of thing.

7

I'd say the Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II if you were not using the Prodigy (as its a huge 3 slot card)....HIS do a slim 7970 that's been getting good review, will go find it for you!

Edit2add

HIS 7970 X Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Dgw7HLwGI

 

 

Watch out as there are 3 in the range with practically the same names

The HIS 7970 IceQ X GHz Edition
The HIS 7970 IceQ X² GHz Edition
The HIS 7970 IceQ X²

8

Alright, thanks!

9

Also, any good places to buy the parts from?  I was leaning towards NCIX.