New SB build. first time builder need advice

[trancemission]

Approximate Purchase Date: End of April


Budget Range: $1000-$1300


System Usage from Most to Least Important: games, Adobe Lightroom, CS5, surfing the web

Parts Not Required: OS (I can get Windows 7 for ~$70USD from student discount). I will need everything else including monitor, case, mouse, and keyboard since I haven't used a PC in over 6 years now.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: Intel 2500k


Overclocking: Maybe in the future


SLI or Crossfire: in the future


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Additional Comments: would like to be able to play Elder Scrolls V at max settings

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'd consider stepping up to the i7-2600K if you use Adobe a lot. Here's the full build (I'll leave room for the mouse/keyboard):

CPU: i7-2600K $330
Mobo: ASRock P67 Extreme4 $150ish
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 9 $100
GPU: GTX 560 Ti $230
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $55
PSU: XFX 650W $67 after rebate and shipping
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $55
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $19
Monitor: Asus 23" 1920x1080 $170 after rebate and promo

Total: $1,176.

I would have really liked to try dropping to the i5-2500K and squeezing a GTX 580 (with an 850W PSU), but it comes out to around $1,350, so that's not happening.

 

[trancemission]

I'd consider stepping up to the i7-2600K if you use Adobe a lot. Here's the full build (I'll leave room for the mouse/keyboard):

CPU: i7-2600K $330
Mobo: ASRock P67 Extreme4 $150ish
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 9 $100
GPU: GTX 560 Ti $230
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $55
PSU: XFX 650W $67 after rebate and shipping
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $55
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $19
Monitor: Asus 23" 1920x1080 $170 after rebate and promo

Total: $1,176.

I would have really liked to try dropping to the i5-2500K and squeezing a GTX 580 (with an 850W PSU), but it comes out to around $1,350, so that's not happening.

Would a good 650w PSU like the XFX be enough for 560ti SLI and light OC'ing or should I go for a 700-750 to have a little more headroom?

 

[MadAdmiral]

650W should be enough. If you feel more comfortable with a 750W, XFX's is $106 after rebate and shipping.

 

[trancemission]

Does anyone have a recommendation on which 560 to purchase? I am leaning towards the MSI twin frozr.

 

[jsc]

Because this is your first build, look at the following threads while you are waiting for your parts.
Build it yourself:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

And although this primarily a troubleshooting thread, the first part contains a checklist that will catch most noob mistakes:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems

 

[MadAdmiral]

I generally recommend getting either the cheapest GPU or the one with the best warranty. There's generally not a lot of differences between models.

 

[matta85]

Buy Gigabyte GTX560TI SO (Super Overclocked), really bang for buck and amazing benchmarks. Crushes 6950 in allmost every test and sometimes as good as GTX570 and 6970. Believe you can get it for around $250. It has an aftermarket cooler that makes it run cooler and alot less noise (which I think is quite important).