Another Gaming/Photography Build

[theattrox]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming (Skyrim, BF3, Etc..) Tons of Photo Editing on Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$1300
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Buying parts in USA, Los Angeles.
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
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Windows 7 Pro 64, Thermaltake XASER V1 red, Corsair Sata 3 SSD, HPzr30w 2560x1600 monitor.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Overclock
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
HPZr30w 2560x1600
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
ASAP tomorrow if possible


Long story short my friend saw my computer and wants to build one now, he doesn't wanna drive to microcenter and he also doesn't want to order parts online. He wants to buy everything at Fry's but I think I can convince him to just order from newegg.

Here's what I came up with so far:

CPU - i7-2600k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115070

Mobo - Not sure maybe the Gigabyte z68xp-ud3? (Plans on SLI/Crossfire)

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139021

RAM x2 (16gb) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231417

GPU - Either 2 6950 2gb or he wants to get a 3gb GTX 580/ 4gb 6990

CPU Cooler: Corsair H-100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181017

DVD Drive - ? not sure

SSD - (Already bought for $180 at FRYS) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233220

Basically needs this computer to run everything on max on his monitor and edit pictures very fast.

 

[mfenn]

What you have looks fine, though I would skip the H100 in favor of a Mugen 3, especially since the Xaser has nowhere to physically mount the H100 that I can see.

Also, show him this benchmark and the prices relative GPU prices. If he is in any way rational, he'll see that that a 6990 or GTX 580 3GB are bad values.

 

[theattrox]

What GPU do you recommend?

 

[Ken g6]

I'd recommend 2 Sapphire 6950s which can likely be unlocked to 6970s. Newegg's out of stock mysteriously; Amazon isn't.

On the other hand, the 7900 series may be only a month or two away.

 

[mfenn]

What GPU do you recommend?

Sorry about that, I implicitly recommended the 6950 2GB CFX setup, but I should have been explicit. Ken is right on the money (as usual).