Trying to build awesome SB build for gaming. Any help?

[DFischer]

My ceiling budget is 2k. I don't want to exceed 2k. I also want to go for best bang for buck. Just because I have my budget at $2k doesn't mean I want to reach it.

Goal is playing max settings with eyefinity and 30" u3011.

I chose AMD over NVidia because of the high resolutions I am playing. The 2gb simply wins at high resolutions.

3x 2408WFP's (1920x1200) and 2560x1600.

This rig will be used ONLY for gaming. Nothing else.


Anyone have some input? I was planning on ordering the parts before Sunday so I can get them shortly after I pick up the CPU at Microcenter.

I think Microcenter will have best CPU prices ($70 cheaper?) So everything but the CPU I'm getting online.

https://spreadsheets0.google.com/cc...authkey=CMbIrqQE&hl=en&authkey=CMbIrqQE#gid=1

Concerns:
1) Not sure which motherboard to get. I think I want the asus p8p67 Ultra. I was thinking about the p8p67 Sabertooth (I like the shroud).
2) 1333 DDR3 vs 1600. No difference on Sandy Bridge right?
3) Does it make more sense to get 2x 6970's over 2x 6950's? I don't want to void warranty by flashing the 6950's in case I sell it in future so I can upgrade quicker down the line.
4) I need a white case, that's why I chose the phantom.
5) What's best modular PSU between 1000w-1200w that will last me a couple builds but not break my bank?
6) NEW SSD's announced at CES. Should I wait until those new SSD's come out before buying current ones?
7) Caviar Black best HDD to buy for now?
8) Planning on overclocking CPU to 4.6GHZ with stock heatsink (many reviews said you can get easy overclock on the new SB processors with stock heatsink). [h] review said this too.

 

[mnewsham]

Im on my phone right now or else I would throw a build your way. Mfenn, patrick or david will probably give you a build before I can, but I will see what I can do when I get home in a bit.

 

[mfenn]

1. I would get the least expensive one that supports x8/x8 Crossfire. There's certainly no need for "Ultra" anything.
2. Only the usual 1-2% performance difference. The speed doesn't matter for overclocking anymore. The memory that you have spec'ed out is both ludicrously expensive and 1.65V. Just get this Mushkin for $80 instead.
3. Yes, you should get the 6970. The only good reason to Crossfire is when you want performance higher than what is achievable with a single card. It's $80 more than the 6950 CFX you have spec'ed out anyway for another 10% or so performance. With the other cuts that I'm making, you should see the final build come out at the same price.
4. Personal choice, seems fine.
5. First off, you don't need anything like 1KW. Second, modular is absolutely pointless for this build because you are going to be pretty much using every cable anyway. Here's a nice Seasonic 850W.
6. Doesn't really matter. The current gen Sandforce drives are fast as hell already.
7. The F3 and Black are pretty much equivalent. Get whichever is cheaper.
8. Low-mid 4Ghz range should be easy. Pre-release review units tend to be "golden samples", so take any overclocking results with a grain of salt.

 

[mnewsham]

1. I would get the least expensive one that supports x8/x8 Crossfire. There's certainly no need for "Ultra" anything.
2. Only the usual 1-2% performance difference. The speed doesn't matter for overclocking anymore. The memory that you have spec'ed out is both ludicrously expensive and 1.65V. Just get this Mushkin for $80 instead.
3. Yes, you should get the 6970. The only good reason to Crossfire is when you want performance higher than what is achievable with a single card. It's $80 more than the 6950 CFX you have spec'ed out anyway for another 10% or so performance. With the other cuts that I'm making, you should see the final build come out at the same price.
4. Personal choice, seems fine.
5. First off, you don't need anything like 1KW. Second, modular is absolutely pointless for this build because you are going to be pretty much using every cable anyway. Here's a nice Seasonic 850W.
6. Doesn't really matter. The current gen Sandforce drives are fast as hell already.
7. The F3 and Black are pretty much equivalent. Get whichever is cheaper.
8. Low-mid 4Ghz range should be easy. Pre-release review units tend to be "golden samples", so take any overclocking results with a grain of salt.

Knew you would beat me too it, and agreed on pretty much everything, Remember you need 1.5V RAM, also an inexpensive HSF (like hyper 212) would be better then stock, just because you CAN get that OC on stock fan doesnt mean you should.

 

[mfenn]

Knew you would beat me too it, and agreed on pretty much everything, Remember you need 1.5V RAM, also an inexpensive HSF (like hyper 212) would be better then stock, just because you CAN get that OC on stock fan doesnt mean you should.

Good point on the RAM. It's something that I just consider to be second nature and sometimes forget to mention it. The Mushkin that I linked is 1.5V though.

As for the HSF, it really depends on what stock cooler comes with the 2500K. The 2600K is confirmed to come with a tower cooler that is about as good as the Hyper 212+. It remains to be seen whether or not the 2500K will come with the tower cooler or the old 1156 one.