From scratch gaming build $1700 cap

[cmdunne85]

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750

MSI N460GTX-M2D768D5 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM

Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST31000340NS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive


build so far $1316

my two questions are do I have enough memory and do I need to add either fans or a liquid cooling system??
I also need suggestions on a monitor

its my first from scratch build, so I need all the help I can get

 

[cmdunne85]

oh, I will be overclocking and will probably add another gpu in the future so heat could be a real concern

 

[dndhatcher]

Replace i5 750 with i5 760. Newer/faster model, price is usually almost the same.

Skip the sound card unless you are using the PC as a sound studio. For gaming and video playback, onboard is plenty good.

Use the saved money on the sound card to upgrade the 460 to a 1GB RAM model. It is significantly faster than the 768MB model.


902 is one of the best aircooling cases available. Twin 260s wont cause serious overheating if room temperature is reasonable.

Look for Cas7 timing RAM at around the same price.

Unless you have an application that you know needs more than 4GB RAM, you arent likely to need it.


For overclocking you need a good CPU cooler like a Xigmatek Balder, Xigmatek Dark Knight, Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer, Coolermaster Hyper 212 plus or Scythe Mugen 2 (SCMG-2100). All are under $50 and will let you overclock to 4GHz without heat issues. You might leave Turbo boost on and just overclock to 3.2 GHz. That seems to be a sweet spot for power/heat/performance on the i5 750. The 760 might go a bit higher with turbo on and no major voltage increase.

 

[cmdunne85]

thanks, after your suggestions I have about $300 left for a monitor

 

[sp12]

Guys, that's an X58 motherboard with a P55 CPU.

For 7$ I'd get the G.skill eco series 1600 speed ram.

You're way overpaying for a 1TB drive. A samsung F3 would be more appropriate and 75$ cheaper.

 

[cmdunne85]

ha, glad someone is paying attention
P55 motherboard: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard