Need help choosing a few components for $800 gaming rig

[bubbleman441]

I'm want to put together a gaming computer for around $800. I've have most of the components picked out (I'm open to other suggestions and deals). I'm pretty set on getting the i5 and GTX 470 but if anyone can help me out with the rest of the setup to keep it under $800, while still being reliable that would be much appreciated. As far as motherboards go, I'd like to find one with optical output for my receiver. Additionally, I'm looking to possibly SLI another GTX 470 in the future. I'm not sure what brands make reliable motherboards either. Same goes for RAM... Here's what I've been looking at so far:

CPU - Core i5 760 2.8GHz - $210
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6634220&CatId=4729

GPU - EVGA GTX 470 - $300
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6594580&sku=E145-0472%20SC

RAM - $85
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4837614&sku=C13-8220

HDD - $60
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4691121&sku=TSD-1000AS4

PSU - $70
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276567&sku=ULT-LSP750

CASE - $50
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5222597&sku=A406-1094



Motherboards I'm looking at (I'm sure there are better options out there to keep it under $800):

EVGA P55 Micro SLI Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5083731

ASRock P55 PRO/USB3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157203&cm_re=p55_motherboard-_-13-157-203-_-Product
I'm unclear as to whether or not this has 2 PCI Express 16X slots or just one.. if I sli'd two 470's together wouldn't I want two?

 

[Timop]

The ASrock scales X16/X4 which is not ideal fro SLI.

I would suggest this board+PSU Combo $300: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.493852

Cheaper RAM $75: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260&cm_re=Corsair_DDR_3_1600-_-20-145-260-_-Product

A GTX460 instead for $180: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127512

Better PSU for $65: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007&cm_re=xfx_PSU-_-17-207-007-_-Product

Finally do you live near a microcenter?

 

[bubbleman441]

Thanks. I'm definitely thinking about going with that motherboard cpu combo! As far as the PSU I think I'm going to: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4362115&Sku=O261-2018
Probably still going to go with the 470 just because I want the bulk of my money spent on the GPU as it is for gaming. No, I don't live super close to a microcenter...why?

 

[Timop]

Microcenter has the 750 for $150, and 760 for $170, so you can save some cash righ there.

I would strongly recommend the XFX PSU however. $10 gets you 70W more real power (the "700W" OCZ can really deliver 552W on the +12v rail where it counts, while the "650W" XFX can do 624W), Higher quality, and efficiency that can save you money in the long run from the power bill.

Also really consider the 460, runs cooler and quieter and you can use 2 for GTX480 beating power.

 

[bubbleman441]

Actually... after looking at the benchmarks on the GTX 460 in SLI (although it is 1bg not 768mb in the benchmarks), It would only be a little more expensive to buy two than a single 470... yet it give me better performance than a 480. I might just get one for now and get another one in the future. I'll probably be running my comp off of a 1080P LCD TV. I don't know how the number would change using a 768mb 460 in sli though...

 

[Timop]

The 768MB is ~12% worse in SLI.

But heres a 1GB 460 for $205AR, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130570

 

[bubbleman441]

Microcenter has the 750 for $150, and 760 for $170, so you can save some cash righ there.

I would strongly recommend the XFX PSU however. $10 gets you 70W more real power (the "700W" OCZ can really deliver 552W on the +12v rail where it counts, while the "650W" XFX can do 624W), Higher quality, and efficiency that can save you money in the long run from the power bill.

Also really consider the 460, runs cooler and quieter and you can use 2 for GTX480 beating power.

Didn't even see this post... Yeah I see your reasoning. Thanks so much for the help. You're the man!

 

[bubbleman441]

I actually have this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152026&cm_re=rx-630a-_-17-152-026-_-Product
however, I'm not sure of the quality of Raid Max and I don't want it to fail and fry my motherboard. Do you think I'll be ok with this PSU for the time being until I end up with an SLI setup?

Also based off of the reviews, I'm leaning towards going with MSI's 460 over EVGA. It seems it runs cooler.

 

[Timop]

I actually have this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152026&cm_re=rx-630a-_-17-152-026-_-Product
however, I'm not sure of the quality of Raid Max and I don't want it to fail and fry my motherboard. Do you think I'll be ok with this PSU for the time being until I end up with an SLI setup?

Also based off of the reviews, I'm leaning towards going with MSI's 460 over EVGA. It seems it runs cooler.

Avoid Raidmax, its just a minute step up from Diablotek and is far from the word decent.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[bubbleman441]

Best answer selected by bubbleman441.