New Build $1600 budget ( some concerns )

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within 2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: US $1600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Video editing, Gaming, Surfing the internet, Watching movies)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS, UPS and Hard Drives

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Nvidia cards and Intel CPU

OVERCLOCKING: Yes and SLI

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I use a 22" LCD flat screen Monitor at 1680x1050 normally

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

I want the case to have a clear side for lights

I am sticking with my current 22" monitor for the time being but will upgrade in the near future. Looking into 24" + sizes

I have a single 60Gig SSD for the OS and a single 1TB drive for storage

I will be purchasing 2 Nvidia cards for SLI

My main scare on this build is if everything will fit inside the case without issues.

Will I also need an extender power cable for the motherboard power as the PSU will be at the bottom of the case?

I am also worried about the size of the Cpu cooler and if there will be any interference with memory slots or case clearance

PARTS

CASE : LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62 Black 0.8 mm SECC, Plastic + Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail = $129.00

POWER SUPPLY : CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail = $119.99

MOTHERBOARD : ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail = $289.99

GRAPHICS (X2): EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI ... - Retail 2 X $189.99 = $379.98

CPU : Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail = $279.99

MEMORY : OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail = $114.99

CPU HEATSINK : COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail = $54.99

DVD : Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM = $25.99

This Brings my total to $1,395.91 before taxes and shipping.

My last build was about 4 years ago and I am still using it
Nvidia EVGA 680i motherboard
EVGA 8800 GTS 640Meg
2 Gig Ram
Intel C2D 6400 running at stock

This system will be going to my 12 year old son and the new build will be for me. I play a lot of FPS games and a little warcraft at times when I am bored. I do a lot of video editing ( mostly weddings, training videos and dog/horse shows )

I will be running Windows 7 upon release. Using The latest RC at the moment.

Any suggestions, comments or answers to my questions please feel free to post.

Thanks in advance

Thanks Tecmo34

The LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62 case is still out of stock at newegg so I have been looking at alternatives. I do not live near a Microcenter however so it will all be ordered online.

I have been looking at the Antec 1200 case. I think with 8-pin and 24-pin extension cables so that I can route all wires behind the motherboard may be the way I will go. I have always used Lian Li cases in the past but I am impressed with Antec

I like the look of the Xigmatek Dark Knight as well.

I see in your sig that you are pretty much using the same setup I am ordering. I assume you are happy with your rig?

Everything looks good, now when you got your PC parts chosen you should probably start with the moddings ( Led's etc ) with your spare cash =]

are you sure you wanna go with that case? Pick out a nice looking but very cool case.

Forgot to mention I also took a look at the black TRUE 120 CPU cooler and I am wondering if it would block access to the memory slots?

I really enjoy my rig... There isn't much I can't play on max settings. I have my CPU at 3.2 and runs pretty cool with the DK. I have to re-do my thermal compound to get my OC higher (didn't apply it right at first but have suitable temps so haven't messed with it).

For the 1200, I would just get the 8-pin extension. You should have enough length on the 24-pin to run behind the MOBO.

Updated parts list with changes suggested by others

CASE : Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail = $169.99

POWER SUPPLY : CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail = $139.99

MOTHERBOARD : ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail = $289.99

GRAPHICS (X2) : EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI ... - Retail = 2 X $189.99 = $379.98

CPU : Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail = $279.99

MEMORY : OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail = $114.99

CPU HEATSINK : XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail = $44.98

DVD : Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM = $29.99

KEYBOARD : Logitech G15 USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail = $74.99

8-PIN Extension : 1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail = $8.99

10-PIN Extension : Athena Power 10 " Extension & Conversion Four-In-One Model CABLE-M204M204F - Retail = $6.99

I know I most likely will not need the 10-Pin extension cable but for only $7 it would not hurt.

I decided on the Antec 1200 case based on user suggestions and reviews. I like the look as well

I already have Arctic Silver 5 compound

My son has wanted a gaming keyboard for some time so I thought I would surprise him with one

I will receive $90 in mail in rebates. 2x$30 for the GPUs and $30 for the PSU

I upgraded the PSU to 850W from Yoosty's suggestion and the great deal

I will most likely mod the side panel with a full clear window as seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SroKo2k74g

I am going to hold off a bit on the cold cathodes.

---------------------------------------------

I should be placing my order this week with hopes of building everything during labor day week.

Not sure if its ever done here but I will post some pics of the build once complete.

One last question...

Should I mount the XIGMATEK Dark Knight blowing up through the top or out through the back?

Thank you everyone

That is a tough one, usuually you would have it blowing out the back. Since the Antec 1200 has great Airflow, but aeeing you are getting a pair of Evga GTX 260's, you might want to have it going out the top.

But also see two other Evga cards you might want to look at, they are the newer GTX 275 and the prices are only $40 to $70 more for t he pair, plus they have higher clock speed and those cards move there heat outside the case.
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit $229.99 ($209.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130475

EVGA 896-P3-1171-AR GeForce GTX 275 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit $234.99 ($214.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130478

Anyway that is a great build specs you have there.

Any real difference in the two GTX275 cards?

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit $229.99 ($209.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130475


EVGA 896-P3-1171-AR GeForce GTX 275 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit $234.99 ($214.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130478

From what I understand from the last few posts is that the GTX260s do NOT blow air out the back of the case like the GTX275s do?

Actually I'm gonna go out on a limb and not recommend the factory overclock version. I find that the chips aren't really any higher quality than the stock ones, just that they pick some good ones from the batch and clock them to that level. It is pretty much dependent on what you get since my stock 260 can even match the EVGA FTW speeds.

And in most cases anything less than the ftw level of overclock will result in only negligible gains anyway. Besides, gpus are by far the easiest to overclock, so I say don't spend the extra cash on factory overclocked ones.

I would definitely go with the 275's though if you had the cash, their performance is superb for the price. Again I recommend the stock one.

Looks good!! Good luck with the build.

Good luck from me as well, please post pictures if you get a chance.