$1.2k Gaming Build. Advice Needed!

[EpikTail]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. Gaming (SC2,D3,CS Source,HoN,BF3), Multi-tasking (Gaming+Music/Movies+Messaging+Internet Browsing at the same time)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread. $1400 (Tax included) so about $1200 subtotal

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. United States

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Intel-nVidia
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. None

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Yes

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Default, don't know how to overclock

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. 1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? Purchasing 11/04-Dec/ Build when I buy everything


Build:
Cpu- i5 2500k $179 (Microcenter)
Mobo- Asus P8Z68-V Pro $219 (Microcenter)
Cpu+Mobo = $329
Cpu Fan- CoolMaster Hyper 212+ $22 (Newegg)
Gpu- nVidia Gtx Twin Frozr III $370 (Newegg) Or the EVGA SuperClocked GTX 570?
Ram- CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model $50 (Newegg)
Psu- Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 850-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular $132 (Amazon)
SSD- Crucial M4 64gb $114 (Newegg)
HHD- Samsung Spin F3 1TB $70 (Already bought)
Cd/Dvd Drive- Asus 24x $20 (Newegg)
Case- Nzxt Phantom $125 (Newegg)
Subtotal - $1236 more or less.

I'll buy the parts if I find a good deal but probably will buy most of them during cyber monday/black friday. I plan on running dual monitors and looking into two 24inch LED monitors with a separate $400 to spend.
Will I be able to plug my ps3 into one of the monitors also?

 

[ElFenix]

windows?

unless you're going SLI you could probably save a few bucks going with a less expensive PSU. a good 650 watt unit would work. heck, for $130 you can get an x650 gold power supply. doesn't save money up front but it will run cooler.

i'd jump on the microcenter deal, their ads are good for 2 weeks, latest ad came out monday.

 

[Slufa111]

CPU: ( didnt realize your were buying a combo )


Second, I would save hundred dollars and go crossfire.

AMD Radeon HD 6850 CF smokes a 570 OCed and beats a 580 in a lot of tests.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150516

134.99 x 2 = 269.99 AR

With the extra money I would get another 8gb of RAM for future proofing.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233144

46.99 X 2 = 93.98


new total after changes and before tax is $1163 for more performance.

 

[lehtv]

You say you don't OC but you choose overclockable components like the unlocked CPU and the aftermarket cooler - so you might as well OC. It's easy, especially if you only OC mildly (which doesn't require voltage adjustments).

CPU+mobo good
CPU Fan good value, but 212 Evo (cheaper on ncix) has a better fan and base. Either one works

GPU GTX 570 TWIII is good but pricey; Gigabyte GTX 570 is a better choice for GTX 570 IMO. I know you said you want NVIDIA, but consider this. You'd get a lot better value for money with a $245AR Sapphire 6950 by unlocking and overclocking it to a HD6970. Unlocking and overclocking essentially amounts to flipping one switch and moving one slider - but even if you didn't do that, the 6950 would be better bang for buck. Add the following facts: 1) some games can max out the VRAM on a GTX 570, 2) 6950 has better dual-GPU scaling and the power of 6950 CF will be able to take advantage of all that VRAM even better, while 570 SLI would find itself limited by VRAM a lot faster. Crossfiring the 6950's from the get go isn't a bad idea either. I would not crossfire 1GB cards due to the VRAM limitation.

RAM G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB 1600 $47 or PNY 8GB 1333 for $42

PSU Only pay for 850W if you're fairly sure you'll go dual-GPU. And it'd be a good idea to get a modular unit, a fixed cable 850W unit will have a ton of cables and cable management will be a PITA. XFX 850W XXX Semi-modular $140

Will I be able to plug my ps3 into one of the monitors also?

Yes, most 1080p monitors have HDMI and those that don't can use HDMI->DVI adapter. With a TV you'd use the TV speakers, so I think you'll need a female/female RCA-3.5mm adapter to use your headphones or pc speakers.

 

[Ken g6]

Mobo- Asus P8Z68-V Pro $219 (Microcenter)

I realize you're buying a combo, but I really don't see why you need a $219 mobo. Your case doesn't have front USB 3.0 ports, so unless you need 3 or more SSDs, the ASRock Extreme3 Gen3 for $100 less would seem just fine for you.

Since I don't think Micro Center carries it, I'm not saying to necessarily buy that board. Rather look for a cheaper Z68 board you can bundle at Micro Center that has a few less features for a lot less price.

 

[EpikTail]

windows?

Didn't include it in the build but will buy Windows 7 Home edition.

Second, I would save hundred dollars and go crossfire.

I'd go for it too but past experiences with AMD/Radeon cards made me stay away from them.

With the extra money I would get another 8gb of RAM for future proofing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233144

I would get those but I've been recommended by others not to in case the heat spreaders get in the way when I'm mounting the other parts. I can't picture it that far ahead lol =/

You say you don't OC but you choose overclockable components like the unlocked CPU and the aftermarket cooler - so you might as well OC. It's easy, especially if you only OC mildly (which doesn't require voltage adjustments).

Cpu was recommended by almost everyone in other forums for the best bang for the buck buy. Same with cooler. But if I can, I'll try to learn how to OC.

As for the GPU, I wasn't sure since "Best" is very subjective and according to some reviews and recommendations, people preferred GTX 570 TWIII more.

PSU, as of now I'm 75% sure I'll go SLI in the future. As for the PSU that was posted, it was recommended as well as the one you posted. Someone told me to get a modular psu but I wasn't sure what that meant.

I realize you're buying a combo, but I really don't see why you need a $219 mobo.

I see. You do have a point there. (Guess what made me get it was the $60 off if I buy it with a CPU so then I'd be paying $149, according to thier site, which I thought wasn't that bad of a deal. If it was full price then I'd be wary)
Microcenter does have a limited amount of Z68 mobo, so i'll look into those. People recommended ASRock mobo's but I've never heard of them before so I wasn't too sure if I should go for it.

 

[mfenn]

I'd go for it too but past experiences with AMD/Radeon cards made me stay away from them.

Maybe in 2005 this was true, but not anymore.

I would get those but I've been recommended by others not to in case the heat spreaders get in the way when I'm mounting the other parts. I can't picture it that far ahead lol =/

Best bet is to get some non-fancy RAM like the PNY that lehtv recommended.

Cpu was recommended by almost everyone in other forums for the best bang for the buck buy. Same with cooler. But if I can, I'll try to learn how to OC.

It's the best bang for the buck if you plan to OC. If not, the i5 2400 and stock cooler are better.

As for the GPU, I wasn't sure since "Best" is very subjective and according to some reviews and recommendations, people preferred GTX 570 TWIII more.

I don't see how the best GPU is subjective at all. You look at the benchmarks for the games you want to play, then you look at the prices. If you do that you'll see that the 6950 2GB is the best value for money in the high-end space.

PSU, as of now I'm 75% sure I'll go SLI in the future. As for the PSU that was posted, it was recommended as well as the one you posted. Someone told me to get a modular psu but I wasn't sure what that meant.

I've been around long enough to know that somebody who is "75% sure" when they're caught up in the excitement of picking out parts is going to actually follow through maybe 15% of the time. I would definitely get a less expensive PSU and mobo. The XFX Core 650W for $60 AR and GA-Z68XP-UD3 for $60 AR (combo with CPU) are good deals.

 

[EpikTail]

****Edit later***
Wrong Post