I7-2600k Gaming System - Comments please

WithoutShame

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Looking to buy a new gaming system with a i7-2600k and overclock it, if anyone has any suggestions or recommendations for something better please let me know.

MSI N570GTX-M2D12D5/OC GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127568 x 2 = $700

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009 = $139

Saitek Cyborg V5 CCB44026N002/06/1 Black USB Wired Gaming Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175012 = $42

MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
+
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.616761 = $260

Plextor PX-M2 Series PX-128M2S 2.5" 128GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820249010 = $280

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 = $55

Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612646 Combo Deal

Antec Lanboy air Blue Black / Blue Computer Modular Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612646 = $480 combined Case/CPU

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 = $30

Total = $2,164 (includes a random CD/DVD and win7)

So, anyone see any bottlenecks, any shitty brands, or anything that just plain won't work? Also I have a 2TB external harddrive I plan on hooking up to store movies/etc, so I figure the 256 SSD should be enough for game storage.
 

eloric

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An H67 Motherboard will not overclock. You need a P67, and this is the only one Newegg has at the moment: MSI P67A-GD65 for $188. This assumes you are ready to buy today and do not want to wait a couple of weeks for the selection to grow as manufacturers come back on-line.

The SSD you selected is 1.8 inch. Your case can accomodate a 2.5 inch drive. 256GB is expensive, and 120 GB will probably hold your games. This one is faster: Plextor PX-M2 Series PX-128M2S 2.5" 128GB for $283. Supplement that with a standard spinning drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB for $54. Use your external for back up.

As an alternative, your case will hold two small drives - if you think you need the extra space, think about getting a matched set and putting them in RAID0.

16GB of memory is overkill. There is argument for 8GB, but even 4GB would exceed what you need for a gaming machine. You can always upgrade easily later.
 

WithoutShame

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Thank you for the suggestions. I updated my post with your suggestions. Thanks for catching the mistake with the motherboard, that would have been embarrassing... Any more suggestions, looking to buy this tomorrow.
 
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U have 2 Motherboards on the list

 
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There are 2 Motherboards on the list
Instead of 2 GTX 570's get 2GTX 560Ti
They overclock to the speed of 570's in no time and run much cooler
 

eloric

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OK, it looks like you need to remove the extra entry for the memory and H67 mobo - the total that I come up with is $1986.

Do you need a DVD burner? (get a cheap one around $20 including shipping).

How about Windows OS? Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for $100

This is a good insurance policy to trouble shoot potential issues: APEVIA 2" Case speaker cable for computer cases that connects to the motherboard for $7

I think that rounds out all the parts you need to put together this incredible extreme gaming machine. I know this is a bit outside the scope of the thread, but are you considering running triple monitors with this monster rig? A simple 1920 X 1080 display will let you verify the machine is operating, but will not do this machine justice in the long run.

Finally, don't know how savy your build skills are, but here are a couple of references to ensure your assembly proceeds trouble free:

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC by tecmo34

PERFORM THESE STEPS before posting about boot/no video problems! by shortstuff_mt and others

I still refer to these most excellent references, and think they represent some of the best advice that Tom's Hardware has to offer.

Good luck!

 

WithoutShame

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Sorry, forgot to delete the old one from the post. As far as the 570's / 560's, do the 560's still run cooler when they are OC'd up to the speed of the 570's?
 
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Yes
 

eloric

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The 570 runs hotter and is nosier, but outperforms the 560ti pretty much accross the board at stock speeds.

Here is a comparison of the two cards: AnandTech Bench

I cannot imagine the 560ti getting as hot as the 570 when it is overclocked. Of course, you could overclock the 570's also, and leave everthing else in the dust.

In my opinion, both options are overkill, but then again, I am not shameless.

The LANBOY case will hold video cards one and a half times as long as the 570, so that measurement will not be a problem. All of your equipment should fit easily. If you have specific configuration requirements, this case is ideal and worth the premium. It does not do much for managing sound, but it sure looks awesome. I do not think you need a bigger case, unless you want to go for more impressive.


 

Themace

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I'm also looking to build/buy a system in this league. However, though I have before and can now build my own systems, my time is limited. So I would prefer to buy a box like this from a cool gaming box shop. Can anyone recommend some shops that "do everything right" like choose the best components, wire everything neatly, don't skimp on cooling, case (I really care about getting a great case with plenty of room, air flow, and more than ample power), layout, etc? Ie a shops that build boxes as good as or better than (since they do it all day long) you would for yourself? (Of course at a premium.)

If not, can you recommend where I can find recent pre-designed system builds? Something like what is in this and other threads here but nicely organized/consolidated perhaps into different tiers/price points?

Thanks so much!

PS : In case it matters I need to run 4 screens as I'm using this for work in addition to gaming.
 

Themace

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Please accept my apology for not reading the "READ BEFORE POSTING: Buyer's Guides and Troubleshooting" sticky before posting. I see some of my question (particularly the request for consolidate system build lists) are probably answered. I'm not sure if it answers my question about shops to buy built systems though. Of course, I would still appreciate any answers.
 

WithoutShame

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I would get two HD 6950 and unlock them into HD 6970's. Can't beat that in performance/money. For two powerful video cards I would get a full tower case but good mid towers might do the trick.
 


Try Avadirect
http://www.avadirect.com/
Make a configuration and post it in here

 

WithoutShame

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Decided to go the gtx 560ti route, should be plenty for me. Just one final thing I want some insight on before I buy this guy, is if I should buy more/better cooling for it? The reviews of the cooler I bought now are good, but I'm wondering if a 30$ cooler is going to cut it or not. Or if perhaps I need to buy a cooler for my 2 gtx 560ti's? Thanks again all of you for your help so far.
 

eloric

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There are several coolers that are slightly better, with the good ones about three times the price. Unless you want to overclock the last Mhz out of your machine, I would not recommend them. The Cooler Master will get you an everyday overclock that will be nicely faster than stock, at cool temperatures.

You have a very nice configuration there. Have fun purchasing it today.
 
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Cooler Master Hyper 212+ will do the trick 30$
Happy Shopping