new build FIrst time PC build, need advice!

Get the the second CPU and the second motherboard. But really, a high-end i5 is just as good for gaming. You're not really going to need an expensive i7. Invest all you can into the video card. Both of the ones you chose are terrible for your budget. You should be looking at something like the AMD 79XX, or GTX 6XX cards.

Those SSD's are equal. Get the cheaper one. And get a 1 TB hard drive. It's not like you'll only ever have 1 game installed. I keep all my games on hard drives.

8 GB RAM should be enough for any game at maximum settings, but if you want to have 16 GB, that's fine.

Both of those CPU coolers are terrible. They'd be very loud. The bigger the cooler, the better. You might even want to look at a Corsair H100.

Sound cards aren't really needed unless you edit sound files for a living.

As long as the case is big enough to fit your motherboard and has the right cooling features, it's pretty much good enough. Most if not all your choices are about good enough, so I'd just pick the one I thought looked the best.

for $1479.89:

DVD $16.99

Case $99.99

HDD $99.99

Video Card $499.99

PSU $109.99

RAM $51.99

OS $99.99

CPU Cooler $59.99

SSD $95.99

CPU & Mobo Combo $344.98

cheap DVD burner, high performance cooling case, 1TB hard drive, GTX 680, 750 watt gold efficiency PSU, 8 GB 1600mhz low voltage RAM, windows 7, high CFM CPU cooler with 140mm fans, 120 gig SSD with over 500 MB/s read rates, 3.4 Ghz ivy bridge CPU, and a supporting mobo with capabilities for a second video card in the future.

you dont need a dedicated sound card unless you are an audio developer, or something.

I heard that I need a sound card for better clarity with speakers for gaming/music, would I be able to use a basic surround sound speaker set up that has good quality without a sound card?

quote Nintendo150

duneworld, thank you for the view of that deal, I may have forgot to mension, but i would like to build a gaming computer. Do you think it would be better for the lasting of my parts and maybe future upgrades if I still get a 700W PSU instead of an 800W?

For the cards you have mentioned a 650W PSU is plenty, so for an 850W PSU to be justified you'd have to want the option to install two cards of the class of 7970s, whether it be from this generation or future generations.

quote Nintendo150

hiigaran - Ah, so no sound card necessary. thanks so much for that information! that will save me some money I can reallocate elsewhere.

duneworld - Oh I see, I was thinking of upgrading my video card in the future and am currently rethinking my choice for video card for a slightly more expensive one, but am still unsure. Maybe I should get the higher PSU for my future needs to leave room for upgrade?

Yes? No?