Looking for feedback on my $600 gaming rig

[ruibo]

I've ordered or got most of the parts already but wanted to hear some feedback about my selection as I still have plenty of time to return/exchange.

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Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 weeks

Budget Range: $600-700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing, coding, movies

Parts not required: DVD-RW, HDD, Keyboard/Mouse, LCD, Case

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Microcenter, Amazon

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: no preference

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future when needed

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 22" asus LCD

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Additional Comments: Looking to run games such as BF3, MW3, GW2, SWTOR. Not necessarily in the highest graphic settings but close to it while running smooth.

Intel I5-2500K + Asus P8Z68-V LX Combo - ($300 + $25 tax - $60 combo) = $265
http://www.microcenter.com/search/se...=200121+812289
or
http://www.microcenter.com/search/se...=200121+909002 for $20 less


Intel 320 Series 160GB Sata II SSD + Battlefield 3 Combo - ($275 - $120 rebate) = $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.757245


Patriot G Sector 5 DDR3 1333 8GB (4GB x 2) - ($34.99 + $3tax - $25 rebate) = $13
Patriot G Sector 5 DDR3 1333 8GB (4GB x 2) - ($34.99 + $3tax - $25 rebate) = $13
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0353874 (deal is over but i got 16GB worth)


Antec EarthWatts Series EA-750 Green 750W ATX12V - ($79.99 - $25 rebate) = $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371051


Radeon HD 5850, 5870, 6850, or 6870 - somewhere between $100-150

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The final cost should be roughly around $600-650. I got the 750Watt PSU incase in the future I want to run the video card in crossfire.

I'm currently using a RAIDMAX Scorpio ATX-868WSP case with stock fans and no special cooling added. I have no plans to overclock but may explore that option further more in the near future if its easy enough to manage.

Generally the feedback I'm looking for is if there's any obvious conflicts, over-committing or under-committing to a specific part given the budget range, or if any selections are just bad or not as optimal as is reasonable. Thanks in advance for any help or feedback anyone can provide.

 

[lehtv]

P8Z68-V LX doesn't support sli/crossfire. MSI Z68A-G43, G45 and Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 support sli/crossfire. I'm not 100% sure which mobos get $60 off so if these don't, then
get Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 from newegg for $115AR or Z68XP-UD3 for $110 AR..

You won't need a 750W PSU. 2500K + 6870 will run off of a 500W PSU, crossfire needs 650W. XFX 650W $45 AR.
http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
So you bought the RAM already, or?

5850 and 5870 aren't really sold new anymore. I'd get 6870, perfect for your res in terms of price/performance.

 

[ruibo]

P8Z68-V LX doesn't support sli/crossfire. MSI Z68A-G43, G45 and Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 support sli/crossfire. I'm not 100% sure which mobos get $60 off so if these don't, then
get Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 from newegg for $115AR or Z68XP-UD3 for $110 AR..

You won't need a 750W PSU. 2500K + 6870 will run off of a 500W PSU, crossfire needs 650W. XFX 650W $45 AR.
http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
So you bought the RAM already, or?

5850 and 5870 aren't really sold new anymore. I'd get 6870, perfect for your res in terms of price/performance.

According to the microcenter website, the Asus P8Z68-V LX does support Crossfire, but no SLI support. CrossfireX ready is also labeled on the Mobo and I do see two gpu slots. Correct me if I'm wrong as this was the mobo that I was leaning a bit towards.

You're the second person to mention that the PSU was a bit overkill but $45 vs $55 is not a huge difference. Is there any negative impact for having a more powerful PSU than needed?

Yah, I am leaning towards a 6870 also but just two days ago I did see a nice sale on the 5850 for $125 on slickdeals.

I'm hoping I can snag a 6850 for $100 similar to the 1 on ncix, missed out on the deal. Second on my list would prob be this 6870 with a free d/l of Deus Ex for $138.99 after $25 rebate and $20 code.

I probably would've jumped on that already but holding out for Cyber Monday.

 

[mfenn]

Have you already bought that stuff or no? I pretty much agree with lehtv on all counts.

A few additional points:
- The P8Z68-V LX "supports" Crossfire, but since it is in a x16/x4 configuration, the performance will be bad. I'd get the UD3.
- The PSU is indeed overkill and with a very low load, a higher-wattage PSU will be less efficient. The XFX is a Seasonic build and will be a bit higher quality as well
- The RAM is 1.65V, so that's not a good match for Sandy Bridge. Intel recommends 1.5V.

 

[lehtv]

You're the second person to mention that the PSU was a bit overkill but $45 vs $55 is not a huge difference. Is there any negative impact for having a more powerful PSU than needed?

But the thing is that you get a slightly better PSU for $10 less. 5-year warranty, Seasonic built, comes with power cord. That the Antec is 100W more powerful is only relevant if that extra power is actually useful to you which, in the case of 6870 crossfire or similar 150W x2 setup, it won't be. If you were planning on overclocked 6950 crossfire, then the Antec 750W would be a good idea.

One of the improvements of 6000 series over 5000 series is better crossfire scaling. However for what it's worth, I think it's going to be a better idea to upgrade to a powerful 7000 series or GTX 600 series single GPU than to crossfire the 6870.

 

[ruibo]

But the thing is that you get a slightly better PSU for $10 less. 5-year warranty, Seasonic built, comes with power cord. That the Antec is 100W more powerful is only relevant if that extra power is actually useful to you which, in the case of 6870 crossfire or similar 150W x2 setup, it won't be. If you were planning on overclocked 6950 crossfire, then the Antec 750W would be a good idea.

One of the improvements of 6000 series over 5000 series is better crossfire scaling. However for what it's worth, I think it's going to be a better idea to upgrade to a powerful 7000 series or GTX 600 series single GPU than to crossfire the 6870.

The PSU was purchased from Newegg and is scheduled for delivery sometime today. Not sure if I would be able to get a refund without having to pay the 15% restocking fee but I wish I had posted first before acting. Perhaps I can ebay it and swap in the one you mentioned.

As for the mobo, you've listed a few but a bit more expensive than I had planned for. Would the GA-Z68AP-D3 be sufficient? It's $39.99 after rebate and $60 off on the bundle.

Here's a link to the bundle deal if you can kindly take a look and offer me some suggestions.

 

[ruibo]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I think I'm going to pick up the GA-Z68XP-UD3. Seems like a decent bang for the buck.

 

[Corporate Thug]

P8Z68-V LX doesn't support sli/crossfire. MSI Z68A-G43, G45 and Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 support sli/crossfire. I'm not 100% sure which mobos get $60 off so if these don't, then
get Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 from newegg for $115AR or Z68XP-UD3 for $110 AR..

You won't need a 750W PSU. 2500K + 6870 will run off of a 500W PSU, crossfire needs 650W. XFX 650W $45 AR.
http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
So you bought the RAM already, or?

5850 and 5870 aren't really sold new anymore. I'd get 6870, perfect for your res in terms of price/performance.

I'm using this PSU and it's an untouchable value at this price.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I think I'm going to pick up the GA-Z68XP-UD3. Seems like a decent bang for the buck.

It's pretty decent, though if you don't need a lot of PCIe slots, the LX would be better.

Also, did you catch the part about 1.65V RAM being a bad idea for Sandy Bridge.

 

[ruibo]

It's pretty decent, though if you don't need a lot of PCIe slots, the LX would be better.

Also, did you catch the part about 1.65V RAM being a bad idea for Sandy Bridge.

the LX as in the P8Z68-V LX?

As for the ram, 1.5V or 1.65V, I doubt there would be any noticeable difference. Especially at the price of $13 for 8GB.

Is there more information that can be had regarding the voltage?

 

[mfenn]

Yes, P8Z68-V LX.

Sure, there won't be any noticeable difference between 1.5V and 1.65V until your $200 CPU suddenly stops working. Intel specifies 1.5V for Sandy Bridge, 1.65V is on the ragged edge of the tolerances.