$2000-2500 Budget Gaming Build - ORDERING TONIGHT!

[jr88]

Hey Everyone,

Sorry it's a bit of a short notice, but ncix.com is having a grand opening sale with some really great deals, and I'd like to take advantage of it to build my new system. I will be ordering tonight to take advantage of these deals, and have a rough idea of what I want.

Country of Origin: Canada
Budget: $2000-2500, the lower the better!
Sites: www.infonec.com, www.canadacomputers.com, newegg.ca (I live in Canada) and ncix.com.
Usage: Gaming (FFXIV, SC2, etc.), Simulations, Media Center
Not Needed: keyboard/mouse/monitor/speakers/printer/OS (it will be Windows 7)
Overclocking: Yes
SLI/Crossfire: Possible

The build is listed below, please give any comments/suggestions . The monitor I will be using is 1920x1200 res.

Processor:
Intel I7-950 - 319.99 (http://infonec.ca/site/main.php?module=detail&id=447483)

SDD:
OCZ Vertex 2 120 GB - 279.99 (+$30 MIR) (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?...E120G&manufacture=OCZ Technology&promoid=1053)

HDD:
Samsung Spingpoint F3 1TB - 79.99 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...152185&cm_re=spinpoint-_-22-152-185-_-Product)

Power Supply:
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35456&vpn=OCZ700MXSP&manufacture=OCZ Technology&promoid=1053
or
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26415&vpn=CMPSU-750TX&manufacture=Corsair or do you suggest another one?

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 6GB DDR3-1600 8-8-8-24 - 144.99 (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=44260&vpn=F3-12800CL8T-6GBRM&manufacture=G.Skill&promoid=1053)

Motherboard: Asus Rampage III Gene - 249.99 (http://infonec.ca/site/main.php?module=detail&id=452024)

Case: HAF 922 - 85 (http://infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=447965) Will this fit everything nicely? I'm open to suggestions for better cases.

ODD: Something Cheap - 22, I can pick this up wherever.

===
UNKNOWNS:

Graphics Card: I'd like a good card, I am unsure as to whether nVidia or ATI are ahead in this department. Suggestions? SLI/Crossfire is possible, maybe a dual GPU card? Not sure.

CPU Fan: What will fit in my case? I will be overclocking.
===

The stuff listed above comes to a total of 1251.94-1326.94 not including $30-50 of MIR. This leaves about 700-1200 of wiggle room for the last 2 parts and suggested changes. I was unsure as to how much wattage I would need in a PSU also, so just picked 700-750, which is 100W higher than my last build 3 years ago.
Did I miss anything? Comments, suggestions? Fire away! Thanks for your help in advance!

EDIT: Fixed Links

 

[dndhatcher]

My standard list of good yet inexpensive CPU coolers:
Xigmatek Balder, Xigmatek Dark Knight, Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer, Scythe Mugen 2 (SCMG-2100), Coolermaster Hyper 212 plus.

A 922 will fit any cooler.

When it comes to RAM, I try to get Cas7 without tall heat spreaders (like the jaws) so they dont interfere with the CPU cooler. Look for Gskill Eco series, they are lower power and low profile and have been as cheap as anything else lately.


You cant pick the PSU until you pick the GPU. The GPU will dictate how much power you need. The Corsair 750TX will handle about anything. It is more powerful better quality than the OCZ 700.
The Antec Earthwatts 750 is a great deal
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38107&vpn=EA750&manfuacture=Antec&promoid=1053

Given your budget and build, an ATI 5970 (5870x2) probably makes the most sense. The next card down would be the Nvidia 480 and below that would be an ATI 5870.

 

[jr88]

Thanks for the reply dndhatcher, I will most likely pick up the Scythe Mugen 2 http://ncix.com/products/?sku=47758&vpn=SCMG-2100&manufacture=Scythe as well as that Antec PSU you linked.

My current build has a 8800 GTS 512mb in it, I was thinking of just using that until the Radeon 6XXX series comes out and picking up one of those high end cards. However, I don't know if this would be a good course of action. Do new cards generally have higher prices? Or do current cards drop in price to accommodate the new high end cards. Are current generation cards generally better than the first revisions of the new generation cards due to driver/bug issues? Also, I don't know what nVidia has around the corner. I don't mind waiting a bit for this part if it means I'll get a noticeably better card for my build.

This brings up a new question... would that Antec 750W PSU be sufficient for a dual gpu 6XXX series or next gen nVidia card? I'm assuming very little is known about these cards atm though, and realize this question might be difficult to answer.

 

[dndhatcher]

Because they are being built with new silicon technology, the newer graphics cards in general use less power per performance. ATIs 5000 series was huge in that regard. Nvidias 480 was a disappointingly hot and power hungry, though. There is no guarantee. I havent seen any rumors or leaks on the 6000 series yet. I dont think anyone is expecting a big jump like we saw going from 4000 to 5000.

If you are looking to crossfire two top-end single GPU cards then I would look for Corsair or Antecs 850 to be safe. If you might want to get two dual GPU cards (like the current 5970 or old Nvidia 295) then you should look at the 950-1000W range.
Corsair, Antec, Seasonic I trust up at that wattage. Any other brand I would have to see a professional review for stability and check the 12V rail amperage.


New cards generally come in at slightly higher prices. Then it depends on if they sell well or not. If they dont then they will drop in price pushing everything else down. If they sell well they could even go up in price like the 5850 did (originally released at $260, they were constantly out of stock until the price went up to $320).

 

[jr88]

I will most likely buy a dual GPU card, but I'm going to wait on purchasing this part for a few weeks, to see if any news comes out. All the other parts seem good though. For CAS7 latency ram without heat spreaders, I'm having trouble finding any that isn't overly expensive at 6gb. How much RAM does Windows 7 64bit even support at this time? Is it up to 12gb? or something lower?

Edit:

Does this work?
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3C1600C7
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286

Edit2:
I just noticed that the SSD I posted was a 2.5" SSD... Am I able to install this in a desktop PC, or do I need to get the 3.5" one? I've never put a 2.5" into a 3.5" drive bay before.
Edit3:
Nevermind, stupid question lol. I just realized the SSD has no mechanical parts, so I can just place it anywhere in the case and it will run normal.

 

[falseg0d]

don't remember the actual number of gigs the OS can use, but it's some ridiculous number. For some reason upwards to a terrabite comes to mind. It's more than any motherboard can hold right now.
You can get a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter for your ssd drive. You can place it anywhere, but it would be cleaner and saver than just having it lie around in the case.

 

[dndhatcher]

RAM options: (cheaper and lower voltage than the corsair)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144412
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148246

Most x58 motherboards allow 12 or 24 GB, but I dont think windows 7 is the limiter.

 

[davcon]

OD-Samsung SH-S223C 22X DVD Writer SATA Black OEM -$16.99
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=46792&vpn=SH%2DS223C%2FBEBE%2DOEM&manufacture=Samsung&promoid=1053

GPU-ASUS Radeon HD 5970 2GB -$661.77
http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=VC-AS-EAH5970%2FG%2F2GD5%2F

HSF-Thermalright Venomous X-RT -$65.05
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14650AC0418&vpn=Venomous X- RT&manufacture=THERMALRIGHT

Psu-Corsair Professional HX750W 750W ATX 12V 62A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply Active PFC 140MM Fan -$129.99 after mir
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38649&promoid=1053
The ANTEC will do fine but the Corsair is more efficient and delivers much more then 750w close to 900w in fact.

Too bad you missed out on the Seasonic M12D's and the Noctua cooler.
Good case which i prefer has intake filters and nicer looking imo.
Coolermaster CM 690 II Advanced -$79.75
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/225611/COOLERMASTER/RC_692_KKN2/

 

[mgrzTX]

My few suggestions...

H50 or H70 cooler...Ok, ok slightly expensive and maybe unnecessary, but their sweet!
Can't go wrong with either the Antec or Corsair cooler, just make sure you've got enough juice.
Lastly get a 3.5" to 2.5" converter so you don't just "place your ssd anywhere" and you keep it safe...for example

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994064

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817997007&cm_re=2.5%22_to_3.5%22_converter-_-17-997-007-_-Product

 

[jr88]

Thanks for your help everyone, all parts were just ordered and I'm looking forward to putting it all together!

 

[jr88]

Best answer selected by jr88.