gaming rig - $1500

[Ezara]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

gaming mostly. Watching videos while gaming and vent/mumble

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

around $1500

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

USA

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.
cpu - intel
ati - video card
hd - wd
ssd - intel or crucial

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
1x42 inch 1080p - main display
2x24 inch 1080p - secondary displays - normally for watching video while gaming and vent/mumble
3x2tb wd black hard drives
keyboard & mouse
windows 7 64 bit pro

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

I checked out other builds and reviews on a few other web sites other than anandtech.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

i was thinking about 4.4ghz on a i-5 2500k on air.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1080 - game on one and watch tv/video on second and vent/mumble/chrome on third

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

this week or next

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

okay!
******
I already picked up the following at frys electronics today:
i-5 2500k @ 179.99
CM 212 plus HSF @ 17.99
asus 24x dvd-rw @ 19.99
tax was around 23 dollars
******
I know newegg is amazing, but I have to pay tax and shipping(sometimes) when I order from them. So I want to try to buy from Amazon.com where as long as it is fullfilled by amazon I don't pay tax. I also have amazon prime so I get free 2 day shipping on anything.
case - antec lanboy air @ 184.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WMVI2M
psu - corsair 650hx @ 117.49 -20 rebate = 97.49
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LVUPZQ
mobo - gigabyte ga-p67a-ud4-b3 @ 179.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PGAMG2
ssd - crucial 128gb realssd c300 @ 237.49
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039SM0AS
memory - gskill ripjaws x 1600mhz @ 115.00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HZG4ZO
video card - asus eah6970 dcii @ 416.37 + 8.99 shipping T_T
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MN59KW
total 1500.00
The reason why I went with the video card is cause my friend has the exact same card and he has no problems. Also he would be willing to sell it to when he upgrades to a 6990 for a good price. So I went with a crossfire set up in mind. Sort of wondering if the 650 watt psu will be enough to power everything when I do go for crossfire.
I currently play Rifts, WoW and fps games on Steam.(i.e. crysis 2, portal 2, brink, l4d, cs)
Either way, I would love to see what you guys think.
Thanks for you time!

 

[DominionSeraph]

It'll work.

 

[mfenn]

It'll work.

OP, I'll be slightly more verbose. My main comment about the build is that you should be sure that you will be going Crossfire (i.e. have the card from your friend in your hand) before you spend $60 extra on a CFX capable mobo and $50 extra on a PSU to power the two.

I'm betting that your friend is unlikely to purchase the 6990, which will leave you with $110 of extra gear that serves no purpose and an overpriced GPU. My recommendations to you are the following (prices from Newegg, feel free to shop around):

- Swap the mobo for an ASRock Z68 Pro3 $130
- Swap the PSU for an Antec 520C $60
- Swap the GPU for a 6950 2GB $240 AR
- Take the extra cash and put it in the bank for a GPU upgrade in 12-18 months

 

[gorcorps]

OP, I'll be slightly more verbose. My main comment about the build is that you should be sure that you will be going Crossfire (i.e. have the card from your friend in your hand) before you spend $60 extra on a CFX capable mobo and $50 extra on a PSU to power the two.

I'm betting that your friend is unlikely to purchase the 6990, which will leave you with $110 of extra gear that serves no purpose and an overpriced GPU. My recommendations to you are the following (prices from Newegg, feel free to shop around):

- Swap the mobo for an ASRock Z68 Pro3 $130
- Swap the PSU for an Antec 520C $60
- Swap the GPU for a 6950 2GB $240 AR
- Take the extra cash and put it in the bank for a GPU upgrade in 12-18 months

What he said. Plus both crossfire and sli are known to have stuttering issues that vary in severity from game to game... but they're there. IMO I would buy a single fast card, and then in ~2 years upgrade to another fast single card.