UPDATE 3/9/14: I got my replacement HDD a while ago but never updated this. Absolutely love it. Runs crysis 3 on high and never breaks 45 fps. Totally in love UPDATE 2/28/14: Played battlefield 3, runs like butter on high settings but frames droop on ultra. Playable, but its a noticeable fps drop. HDD replacement comes tomorrow so I'll update about that later.

OHBOYOHBOY AFTER 9 MONTHS OF SAVING/BUYING PARTS I FINALLY HAVE MADE MY COMPUTER.

Need-to-know notes: This is my first computer build from parts only. I've always done small upgrades to computers but never something from scratch like this. Heck, I was terrified that I would screw it up and have wasted 1000 bucks, but everything went fairly smoothly. I'm sorry about the cable management, it's atrocious, but I feel like if I built another computer I'd do a much better job. Think of this build as a pilot- I wanted to see how everything connected and at the same time have an awesome computer that I could work on. So, yeah. Sorry about the cables. I'll do better next time. Also the name is based on the toa from bionicle, since the case reminded me of him.

What I'm using it for: Video rendering/editing was the first reason. I have an early 2011 15 inch (Entry model) Macbook Pro that's showing it's age and takes forever to do any kind of video editing. It throws hissy fits of lag every time I run google chrome and basically any other adobe program together at time (Man, don't even get me started on running games).

Then, I didn't really want to get a new console, so I thought I'd take out two birds with one stone and go back to my roots of PC gaming. (Still debating on getting an xbox one though. I'M SORRY)

The parts:

CPU: Needed an i7 for reasons stated above- and I want this build to LAST. I want to upgrade many things in the future, and the CPU is one of the things I DON'T want to have to upgrade if I can avoid it. I'm just too sheepish of opening up the little hatch and trying to replace it. What if I screw it up? Will the next gen CPUs even work with my board?

Heatsink: I know there isn't one in the part list, but I originally tried to get an arctic cooling fan that would let me overclock my CPU (you know, just in case I wanted to). Pcpartpicker SAID that it would work with a LGA 1150 socket, but it doesn't. So, 30 bucks down the drain. I WILL upgrade that fan soon. I will.

Motherboard: Not bad, not bad at all. Really like it. Pretty straight forward on everything. Nice, clear manual. Plenty of ports. Bios is pretty and simple. I would totally go with this one if you're trying to find a <120 board.

Memory: Got it during a black friday sale for CHEAP. Heck yer. Nice, solid, attractive looking and durable. Probably gonna upgrade it to 16 gigs in the future(maybe even 32, but I doubt it).

SSD: Works like a charm, perfect.

HDD: Works perfectly after a little DOA snafu. Western digital sent a replacement in 2 days, which is super freak'n fast. (The HDD is, too.) Love it.

GPU: It's really nice. So far the only games I have run on it are MW2 and CS:GO, but I'll play more games when my HDD works. I'm totally upgrading it later, maybe for a 770. But this'll last me a while.

Case: It's pretty cool looking. I like it. However.... I should've gotten a more expensive one. As cool as this is, it's not the best for cable management, with some holes being covered up and case fan cords not being long enough. The case fans are also pretty meh and I'll upgrade those later. Lesson learned- don't get a cheap case.

PSU: Works well. Quiet. Love it.

Optical drive: I can dig it. Works well.

Windows 8.1 Pro (It's pro, sorry it doens't say so in the list): Got the code for free from a friend so I just made my own disk and loaded the iso on there. Heck yeah. (TOTALLY LEGAL)

Anyway, this build will last me a while and that's all I need. I know the cable management is messed up but I just need it to run and work well. If you have any suggestions or anything let me know, I'm all for new tips. Thanks.

AND I LIKE THE CASE STICKERS. I THINK THEY'RE COOL.