Building an upgradeable computer: Not worried about saving

[imperialcruzer]

I was debating building a computer over time by buying the pieces for it as I come across the money. I'm not really looking to save money. If I do, GREAT!

What I want:

• I want it to operate and turn on the first time I purchase anything on it.
• I want to be able to replace nearly every component of it as I get more savings. I get enough for a top line graphic card, out goes the old one.
  

Would it be better to buy everything myself and build it? Or should I buy a computer from a store and gut it over time?

What would I not be able to take out from a store computer? Is ComputerPartABlah removable and upgradeable in all computers?

Case:
I am looking at this case: Cooler Master HAF $130

Motherboards Micro - ATX / ATX / E-ATX
Expansion Slots 7
5.25" Drive Bay 5 (without the use of exposed 3.5" drive bay)
3.5" Drive Bay 5 Hidden
1 Exposed (converted from one 5.25" drive bay)
2.5" Drive Bay 4 (converted from two 3.5" drive bay)

Does this mean it holds 5 5.25" drives AND 5 3.5" drives?
Also on the motherboard, how many does it fit?

Memory:
Corsair-Vengeance-1600MHz-16GB quad channel $143

Looking at something like this.

Hard Drive:
RealSSD-256GB $240
+
1TB Hard Drive $120

Processor:
Intel Core i7-3770 Bundle 575$ bundled with motherboard

Motherboard:
Asus 3770 Deluxe
$575 bundled with processor

Graphics Card:
Assuming 500$~

Power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011 $180

Sound:
Creative Sound Blaster 130$

Wifi/BlueTooth:
It claims to be in the motherboard. $0.00

Blueray Writer
Blueray 90$

Operating System:
Windows 7: Free due to college studies $0.00

Is there anything else I would need?
I already own speakers and a monitor. Do I have to to get the sound card to get sound?

Also again, can I grab any old cheap computer and put these parts into it?

[chaud]

Would it be better to buy everything myself and build it? Or should I buy a computer from a store and gut it over time?

What would I not be able to take out from a store computer? Is ComputerPartABlah removable and upgradeable in all computers?

Is there anything else I would need?
I already own speakers and a monitor. Do I have to to get the sound card to get sound?

Also again, can I grab any old cheap computer and put these parts into it?

Building yourself is always a better idea at the higher end. Most store bought computers will allow you to replace any part, but some have proprietary motherboard and power supply form factors, and most have poor cases / generic PSUs. Not worth the money.

Your motherboard will come with adequate onboard sound, but if it doesn't sound good enough to you, you can get a sound card later. I wouldn't buy one right away.

Unless you do some specialized work that requires more cores, a 3570k will save you 100s of dollars. That motherboard is incompatible. If you get the 3570k, get the ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE or ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77.

You may as well get the AX850 PSU if you are already spending so much. The AX750 would likely work as well.

[ApocolypticTampon]

A CPU cooler, SB-E series do not come with them.

Your selection of motherboards is incompatible with the CPU you have selected. (you chose P67 chipset which is SOCKET 1155 on the motherboard, the CPU is a SOCKET 2011)

Not to sound too condescending, it looks like you aren't experienced in what "works" with what. I feel that you may need to go to your local computer parts store if you want one to be "upgradeable" otherwise you can go down and take your luck at BestBuy.

If you are serious about building your own. Start watching videos on YouTube, and checking out websites for tutorials.

[imperialcruzer]

Thanks for the advice, found a bundle for the 3770.

At least now I know what price range I am working within.

[hapylol]

Can I ask why you are doing this?

Buying new parts as soon as they are available is pretty ignorant especially if you don't have the money.

[imperialcruzer]

Can I ask why you are doing this?

Buying new parts as soon as they are available is pretty ignorant especially if you don't have the money.

Going to school for Computer Science / Computational Physics (Molecular Dynamics research). I could and would put the speed / extra cores to use more than most people. Not an issue of not having money. More of an issue of were we talking 1k$ range or 2k$ or 3k$.

[Jaynith]

Going to school for Computer Science / Computational Physics (Molecular Dynamics research). I could and would put the speed / extra cores to use more than most people. Not an issue of not having money. More of an issue of were we talking 1k$ range or 2k$ or 3k$.

Your 3770, motherboard, and 500$ GPU will set you over 1000$ alone. Now add in 900$ for your PSU, HDD, SSD, sound card (srsly?) and ram...and you still dont have a case. You should know you're budget...

At any rate, you're running about 2100-2200$