http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CsHX
I am considering buying this rig, piece by piece overtime. I plan on using this for gaming and some video editing. One thing I want to do is be able to run FRAPs while gaming. Mostly Strategy games. How good is this potential rig? I have met someone who can build it for me.
An unlocked i7 quad CPU is a toss-up. Really need the overclocking power? You can get the same CPU turbo boost feature on an i5.
Also not sure you'll really need an aftermarket CPU cooler to replace the one that Intel provides in the box.
Motherboard looks ok spec-wise. Pretty cheap. Asus is not my favorite, nor most disliked brand of mobo. Might triple check that there aren't features you'd want for more mobo. ATX (full-size) mobo's are the way to go in my opinion.
Just looked it up (
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/chipsets/mainstream-chipsets/chipset-h77.html) you can overclock the CPU with H77 (just not with earlier e.g. H67 series chipset). Not sure you won't want Z-series if you overclock. Why not overclock GPU too?
32 GB RAM is probably extreme overkill. 16 GB at most, I think. Have a technical use for 32 GB that 16 GB won't fulfill? Also that's a ton of money spent on RAM. I like name-brand, but if you're buying in bulk like that, maybe consider a cheaper brand.
Full tower case is probably more helpful if you're going to go for extreme components. It's also a tad easier for assembly, if you have thick fingers. Better air flow probably. I like the Cooler Master HAF series of cases. Probably add a lot of fans with high CFM too.
520 Watts may not be safe enough estimate for power needs. I'd consider at least 650Watts, especially if you will be replacing that GT 640 video card sooner than later. You basically have an economy choice in video card---decent quality for gaming but about the $100 price point rather than the bleeding edge near $300 price point. I'd be happy with it and the GT640 probably unless you are a cutting edge 3D FPS type of user (I'm content with a GTS 450 ). 2 GB is good to have in video card. I disagree this is a horrible card, a straight econo-model.
I recommend EVGA if you want to buy American. EVGA has great support, and frequent driver updates to optimize for popular PC games.
On Win 7 OS, buy OEM through like Newegg when you order at least one computer part. You will save a ton of money over the retail pack, which it looks like that is what you've picked out. Win 7 home is okey. Do a feature comparison.