Building new $1k-$1.4k rig, need help!

[tritan]

Alright. So i will be needing these (unless i forgot something):

----------------
Case / Cooling / PSU

CPU
GPU
RAM
Mobo

OpticalDrive
HardDrive
SoundCard
------------------

-I want to stick with Intel and Nvidia-
with a Mobo & Case that will support 2x Nvidia GPU's (probably pretty large in size) in the future.
(right now im looking at a single GPU solution of maybe a Geforce GTX 260 if i want to spend a bit more.)

A CPU minimum of a Core 2 duo but... yeah... Prefer something a bit beefier. Whatever is the most bang for the buck.

I would like to obviously avoid all heat problems, and i would LIKE to be able to overclock but it isnt a MUST...

The priority of this rig is gaming obviously, and i do not NEED more than 250gb harddrive or a really beastly motherboard (whatever is best for the system but not rediculously high-end.)

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[legato89]

Hey, I just recently built a gaming rig with your same budget a few days ago (everything should be here tomorrow). Currently I'd suggest getting the 4870 for a single card. Here is the topic I made, scroll down to see my final build.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/255774-31-gaming

 

[faster3200]

optical drive: Samsung DVD-Burner w/ Lightscribe sata

case: CM RC-690
Best price/performance for mid-tower cases. Also very moddable.

HD: Seagate 250gb
You said you didn't need a great HD. Personally I would recommend this hd because it is very fast while being reasonably priced.

gpu: BFG GTX 280
Best single card on the market and with your budget you can afford it. If you wanted to do SLI GTX 260s it wouldn't be much more though, and would be within your budget. If you did go for ATI you could get 4870 crossfire for maybe $70 more plus a better (OCing wise) mobo.

ram: G.Skill 4gb DDR2 1000
Very good ram. A bit overkill with an air setup though, but it is only $10 more than DDR2 800.

mobo: Evga 780i
I am not a fan of nvidia chipsets but if you want SLI this is your only option. This seems to be one of the better nvidia based mobos.

cpu: Intel Q6600
Great cpu for a great price.

cooler: Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer
Good cooler great price.

psu: Corsair TX 750w
Will easily power whatever you throw at it. Great stability.

Price: $1,271.90 before MIR ($1,192.90 after MIR)

I did not include a sound card as most people are fine with onboard.

EDIT: I couldn't post this since it is a limited time combo deal on Newegg but, if you go with an OEM Q6600 and the Corsair TX 750w you can knock another $35 off the price.

 

[aevm]

I'd rather spend $85 on a WD 640GB or $90 on a Seagate 640GB rather than $60 on a Seagate 250GB which is also slower. But that's just me, I do need lots of HDD space.

The Corsair 750TX will not power two GTX 280 cards and a quad and a 780i motherboard. For one GTX 280 it's just about right, no problems. For two of them, nVidia recommends something like 1000W or 1200W, e.g. Corsair HX1000. For two GTX 260 I'd still pick the Corsair HX1000, even though some 800W PSUs are also certified.
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

So, here are some combinations that make sense to me:

750TX + GA-EP45-DS3R (or P5Q Pro) + one GTX 280 (or GTX 260) (save $100 and get a more stable chipset, give up SLI)
HX1000 + 780i + two GTX 280 (or GTX 260)
HX1000 + 780i + one GTX 280 (or GTX 260) (add a second card later)
750TX+P45+HD 4870X2
750TX+X48+2*HD 4870
750TX+X48+HD 4870+HD 4850

 

[tritan]

Thanks alot guys

I actually re-thought this, and now i am confident that i will not be needing SLI, i will settle with a single GPU solution that will probably end up being either a 280 or 260

I am bound to have more questions soon, but for now - thanks alot, you guys are really helpful!