Critique my PC Build

[sweetca]

Hello.
Yes, I am still around. I read the forums quite a bit, but I don't really post that often.
Anyway, on to the build!

Key Assumptions:
1. I play games like Starcraft 2 and Half-Life. I also do basic school work, usually while watching movies on my second monitor. I do not need to play games at the maximum resolution with every detail option maxed out.
2. My budget is not set in stone, but I would like to stay in the general range indicated.
3. I have good experiences with corsair products, but certainly open to using any quality product.
4. I do plan on some basic overclocking. I am not interested in any other additional overclocking equipment.
5. I am going to order in the next few days.
6. I will run 2 monitors at 19x12, which is identical to my current set-up. I am very interested in possibly running 3 monitors in portrait mode.
7. One general goal was to spend more money on parts that are changed out less frequently. For example, my case choice is not cheap but I can probably use it for many years. On the other hand, my video card choice is pretty mid-range, but I replace it much more often.
8. I will provide a brief explanation as to why I chose each component

Components:

Case: Obsidian 650D - $174 (Pretty sold on this case)
I like the look and features of this case; I do recognize it is a little pricey.

Power Supply- Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750W - $120
I wanted something modular, but was hesitant to spend too much more on the PS. Also, the cable mess should be somewhat ameliorated through the use of the cable routing system in the Obsidian case.

Motherboard - Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3 - $160
This motherboard does not include the intel graphics chipset. I don't plan on using the integrated graphics, and I don't need the advanced transcoding feature. I do want a Z68, and not a P67 board; the Z68 board has other unique features that are important to me. I considered purchasing a more expensive board, but I typically end up using 1/10th of the available slots and features.

CPU - Intel 2500K - $220
This CPU overclocks well and is a good value proposition. I could spend more for the 2600k's extra cache and speed, but I would rather save the $100 to use towards a newer CPU not too far off in the future.

CPU Cooler - Corsair Hydro H80 - $92
It seems to do pretty well on cooling and does not require too much technical tweaking

Videocard - TBD - Approx $200
This is where I need the most help. Despite my choice, I am not sure whether I should go with the Radeon 6950 or the Nvidia 560TI. I thought about the Nvidia 570 and the Radeon 6970, but their price is a little out of my budget. I don't mind replacing my videocard more frequently when I find a good deal.
If I do choose the Radeon 6950, should I go with the the 1GB or 2GB version?

Memory - Corsair 8GB Vengeance - (2x4Gig @1600-C9) - $61
According to the Anandtech article, 1600 is the sweet-spot and aggressive timings do not make much of a difference.

SSD - Corsair Vertex 3 120 - $220
This should provide a noticeable speed bump over my 1st generation Intel G-25 SSD.

Total - $1247

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful comments.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I don't overclock, so I'd be using the stock intel cooler, a $110 ASRock Z68, and DDR3-1333 RAM to save ~$140.

I recommend the 560 ti based on driver quality, even though my first one died after a couple of weeks of use and EVGA's replacement has a really annoying fan (sigh). Gaming has been flawless aside from the couple of weeks waiting on the RMA.

 

[sweetca]

I am going to go read about the ASrock Z68, as I am not familiar with it.

Thank you.

 

[sweetca]

Quick question:

I am pretty certain the 750W power supply is more than sufficient to run my system. I was curious as to whether 650W would also be enough?

Please keep in my mind that I may eventually run 3 monitors, which may even require adding another videocard.

 

[DaveSimmons]

650 is enough for 2 x GTX 560 with everything at stock speed, or a 560 + some low end card for the non-gaming monitors with a bit of overclocking.

 

[DesiPower]

Whats so special about your case? have you looked at Antec 902?

I have similar setup running on 620 watt NEO ECO

For Video card go with 560 ir 560 ti, EVGA is a good manufacturer or with HD 6950

I prefer ASUS so I would recommend you look at P8Z68-V

Another good SSD is Crucial M4

 

[sweetca]

That is a very nice case, but I have 3 little munchkins that would love to push that reset button, hah!

I think I am going with the 560TI, seems like a good balance between price and performance. I can always double up later on if they get to the low 100's.

Thanks!

 

[mnewsham]

motherboard

You can go as low as a quality 450w PSU if you wanted. I would suggest this (and use the promo code PCPowerAug) if going with a single GTX 560ti or HD 6950. I personally would go with the 6950 as it uses less power.

And a note on RAM, the 1600Mhz RAM while giving the best improvement is still only about 3-4% better then the 1333 stuff. That being said if you want the 1600mhz I would go with this stuff as there is a rebate and it is already fairly cheap.

 

[notty22]

Quick question:

I am pretty certain the 750W power supply is more than sufficient to run my system. I was curious as to whether 650W would also be enough?

Please keep in my mind that I may eventually run 3 monitors, which may even require adding another videocard.

If you might upgrade to 2 video cards someday, I would choose a model with 4 pci-e power connectors. To avoid using , adapters. Some of the better 650 watt units do have 4. Most 750's do. So either will work.

 

[sweetca]

That's a good point about the PC I connectors. Thanks.

 

[mfenn]

If you might upgrade to 2 video cards someday, I would choose a model with 4 pci-e power connectors. To avoid using , adapters. Some of the better 650 watt units do have 4. Most 750's do. So either will work.

IMHO, someday isn't worth spending real money. By the time that day comes along, the OP would be better off just getting a better single card.

 

[sweetca]

Hah, it is funny you say that. I swear I have planned on doubling up video cards 100 times, but I never do!

I am however almost positive that I want to run 3 monitors at 1080P. I am not sure if that is easier done with SLI cards or 1 super card.

 

[mfenn]

OP, you can easily knock a couple hundred off that build with no difference in performance.

- Case: There are lots of nice cases that allow you to route cables behind the mobo that cost less. The Lian Li PC-9F for instance.
- PSU: For a single GPU system, the Neo ECO 520C is just about perfect.
- Mobo: $160 is still a little high considering that your needs aren't extravagant. The ASRock Z68 Pro3 mentioned above is solid.
- CPU: Good
- HSF: You're better off in terms of overall performance by getting something like the $20 AR CAFA50 and spending the other $60 elsewhere.
- GPU: I'd go with a 6950 2GB, but if you are committed to $200, a GTX 560 Ti is OK.
- RAM: DDR3 1600 isn't really faster at all in games and likewise won't matter in the other tasks you mentioned. Get some G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB instead.
- SSD : I'd avoid OCZ right now because they don't understand the meaning of the acronym QA. The Crucial M4 is a nice deal at $200.

 

[mfenn]

Hah, it is funny you say that. I swear I have planned on doubling up video cards 100 times, but I never do!

I am however almost positive that I want to run 3 monitors at 1080P. I am not sure if that is easier done with SLI cards or 1 super card.

AMD cards can handle sending output to 3 monitors easily, so that's where you want to go. Since you only plan on gaming on one monitor, a single card is plenty.

 

[sweetca]

I think I will switch the GPU to the 6950, I was considering it earlier due to its better multi-monitor support. At first I nixed it as I was already over-budget, but I think I can afford it now by using some of the money saving suggestions in this thread.

Thanks all, I appreciate the help!

 

[mfenn]

No problem.

 

[beginner99]

You already have an ssd? Personally even it is an old one I would not bother getting a new one because for your usage, I don't think you will notice much difference. Not to mention that new drives have reliability issues which yours does not.