New build, LF Advice =)

[Scynd]

Hey guys,

I've read this forum for over a year but this is my first post.

I am building a fresh tower with a budget of $1600. I don't need Windows or any peripheral hardware. So far this is what I've got.

CASE: 650D from microcenter $200
CPU: i5 2500k from microcenter $180
MOBO: Asus P67 Deluxe $240
GPU: EVGA GTX 580 $500
RAM: Corsair vengeance 2x4gb (1600mhz 8-8-8-24) $140
PSU: corsair AX850: $185
HDD+Optical DVD $100 (WD black 1tb and a solid dvd drive)
HSF: I want to get a Megahalem for $70 and 2 slipstreams at 1900rpm for $20, but I'm worried about clearance with vengeance ram =/ Could go cheaper with corsair A70 $50 or even Hyper 212 for $35

It all ballparks out to about $1600. I would probably pick up a 256gb SSD down the line once the new controllers are available and cheaper than launch.

Do you guys think the megahalem is a good idea, or would even clear?

Thanks a bunch for any input guys =)

 

[mfenn]

My thoughts:
Case: Fine, if you are OK with the price
CPU: Good
Mobo: Ridiculous overkill, get the ASRock Extreme4 for $160 instead.
GPU: Fine, if you must have the best, though I wouldn't pay $500 for one. This Galaxy is $435 AR AP.
RAM: Overkill and has annoying heatspreaders to boot. Get some normal G.Skill DDR3 1333 with no heatspreaders for $80 instead.
PSU: Again, overkill. Here's a quality Antec TP-750 for $90.
HDD: I'd get a Samsung F3 1TB for $65.
ODD: Any $20 one is fine.
HSF: Megahalems are old news IMHO. Either go cheap with the Hyper 212+ or get the Noctua D14.

Finally, spending $1600 on a computer without getting an SSD would be a travesty IMHO. I'm pretty sure that I easily saved you enough money to get a 120GB Sandforce like the Mushkin Callisto Deluxe.

 

[rockyjohn]

^+1

You might also take a quick look at these for ideas:

1. Tom's Hardware Guide does an annual "System Builders Marathon". They have post model builds for $500, $1,000 and $2,000 (March 2011)
$1,000 model
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6950-unlock-build-a-pc-overclock,2893.html
$2,000 model
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-sandy-bridge-build-a-pc-overclocking,2876.html

2. ExtremeTech’s also does several model builds:
A “cheap” ($850) desktop (December 2011):
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2374769,00.asp
A “Best Value ($1,714) PC (November 2010)
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2372895,00.asp

3. You can also find some model builds at by usage and for different price points at the THG forum:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/269162-31-recommended-builds-usage