Sanity Check -- new build configuration, any major problems?

[JPepper]

(EDIT: Admittedly this got TLDR. Sorry about that, just trying to be thorough. Thanks in advance for any input and many thanks for all the great discussion available in these forums!)

I'm upgrading my nearly 3 year old gaming machine (Phenom II x4 955 BE, Asus 4870EAH 1mb CFx2) and hoping the forum community can help validate my build by pointing out any compatibility issues and/or suggested improvements. My budget is very flexible and I'm willing to pay another 50+% on any given component if there is something significant to be gained. I haven't kept up on PC components much since I built my last machine but have tried to review this forum (and several others) to get caught up on all that is PC tech in Q2 2012.

My goal is to create a system initially capable of max settings in Diablo 3 and Guild Wars 2 at 2048x1152 on my existing 23" monitor while running a second monitor for vent/mumble/ts and other stuff. I want the system to be upgradeable in the future to support the same games at an increased resolution around 2560x1440 by adding a second GPU in Crossfire config. In the near future I may upgrade to a larger monitor at higher resolution like the Dell 27" IPS monitor (U2711) or maybe a 120mhz at similar res (if/when they are available).

I plan to overclock the CPU for sure and maybe the GPU(s) if I can manage heat problems w/o liquid cooling. I'm not a hard-core OC'er though, mostly just like tinkering w/ settings to get a stable OC. And once stabilized I stop tinkering and just game (I know, wtf? ). I'm partial to ATI video cards and ASUS motherboards simply because I've used them before and am comfortable with the quirks, install, etc.

Here are the components I'm considering:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2550K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155
NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115230
- this seems like the de-facto standard for gaming rigs

CPU Cooling: CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60 CPU Cooler
NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181015
- have an H60 in my existing machine; easy-install, fits Antec 900

GPU: XFX FX-797A-TNFC Radeon HD 7970 Core Edition 3GB
NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150585
- willing to invest in a top-tier card w/ intention of adding a second in CF/SLI eventually; worried about heat output though in compact case (Antec 900)

MoBo: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131790
- not sure about this choice; prefer ASUS but this version has raid support which I may never use?

PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold 850W ATX12V GOLD Certified Full Modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139015
- would get PC Power & Cooling if they had modular option; *really* want modular given Antec 900 case size

SSD!: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147164
- not sure on this one either; don't need massive storage just need space for OS and a handful games; priority on performance

Using existing components:
- two Samsung 2343bwx monitors, 2048x1152 each
- Antec 900 case
- Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
- keyboard, mouse, DVD-R, CD, etc.

Questions I have are,
- is there any benefit to a better CPU/Mobo? will the GPU(s) ever be bottlenecked?
- am I crazy for buying now instead of waiting for Ivy Bridge? are there better cpu/mobo options to buy now for better upgrade potential with IB?
- is there any advantage upgrading the SSDs to raid0 or one dedicated to OS and another to games/data?
- Sound card... do I need one? Will be gaming w/ a headset only.
- really not sure about the MoBo and SSD -- so many options. halp!

Again, thanks for reading and for any advice!

 

[mfenn]

I'll go down the list:
- CPU: Not worth even $5 more than the i5 2500K IMHO since you will be overclocking anyway. You turn an i5 2500K into an i5 2550K by changing literally one setting in the BIOS.
- HSF: Not really worth it in terms of performance and noise compared to a nice air cooler like the Mugen 3 IMHO.
- GPU: The words "invest" and "video card" should never be used in the same sentence. GPUs depreciate faster than Detroit iron, and that's saying something. Save some money and get a 7870 or 7950 instead, you're only looking an an incremental performance difference. The 7970 is a particularly bad value in a world where the faster and less expensive GTX 680 exists.
- Mobo: Waste of money. The GA-Z68XP-UD3 will do what you want for a lot less.
- PSU: Another big waste of money, the $90 AR 750TX will do what you need, especially if you get more reasonable GPU. Modular cabling in a dual-GPU setup doesn't really buy you anything because you're going to be using pretty much every cable anyway.
- Do you really need 256GB? The 128GB Corsair M4 is $160.

After saving $90 on the GPU, $85 on the mobo, $80 on the PSU, and $140 on the SSD, you can go ahead an get a second 7950 right off the bat without really changing the budget envelope.

 

[ElFenix]

if i'm spending $500 on a graphics card in the next month i'm holding out for a 680 to come back into stock.


for SLI/xfire, if you're not doing it right now, don't bother with 'planning' on it. by the time you think you need more graphics oomph, it'll be more cost effective to sell that original card and buy a whole new one.

 

[JPepper]

Thanks for the advice albeit a bit snarky I think. TH provided better, more constructive advice. Comments provided there, not here. Cheers.

 

[lehtv]

How was any of the advice above snarky? What. Certainly not any more snarky than your decision to deny our help.

 

[steptaker]

How was any of the advice above snarky? What. Certainly not any more snarky than your decision to deny our help.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[mfenn]

How was any of the advice above snarky? What. Certainly not any more snarky than your decision to deny our help.

Apparently offering alternative parts along with reasoning for the choices is not "constructive". I suppose this is more constructive. The Tom's thread is pretty much the same advice.