$1500 Gaming Computer, Need Opinions

[narayanjr]

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as more 1155 MOBO become available

Budget Range: 1500ish After Rebates (Probably gonna be around 1700)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Internet, Movies, Word processing

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Keyboard, DVD/CD drive, OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, im open to alot as long as i feel comfortable with their websites.

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Other than that Im open to suggestions, most likely AMD/ATI video card, but im open to nVidia.

Overclocking: Probably, but not extensive

SLI or Crossfire: Eventually

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080, 1920 x 1200, or any resolution close that doesnt bump me up to more expensive monitors.

Additional Comments:

So here is my build as of right now,
Processor: BX80623I52500K Intel core i5 Sandy Bridge
Case: RC-942-KKN1 Cooler Master HAF X
Power Supply: CMPSU-850HX Corsair 850W PSU
RAM: F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL G.Skill 2x4gb
Monitors: 2x ML228H ASUS 21.5 inch Monitor
Hard Drive: WD1002FAEX WD 1Tb HD
SSD: SSDSA2MH080G2K5 Intel X25-M 80GB
Graphics: 100312SR Sapphire Radeon 9650 flashing to 9670
MOBO: I dont know yet, I want one that can support crossfire. I do intend to crossfire 2 9650s but not right now.

Thanks for any help, insight, and opinions anyone has to offer on anything.
I am open to opinions on everything except for the RAM as I have already purchased that as it went on sale as a Shell shocker deal.
As of right now I am at 1706.41 without tax, without rebates, and assuming a 200$ MOBO
with rebates I am at 1631.41, still ignoring tax and assuming 200$ MOBO.

Will this PSU be able to handle 2 9650's flashed to 9670's?
Are OCZ SSD really unreliable? Ive read alot saying they are the worst out of everyone and Intel is the best. However if OCZ isnt really that bad I would like to change my SSD to one of theirs as I can get a cheaper drive that will still accommodate my needs.

Also the Graphics card rebate ends tomorrow so I would really like to know if that card is a good one to buy as I would like to get it tomorrow so I can still get the rebate on it.

Thanks for any input, advice, or opinions

 

[Proximon]

Your RAM sold out, sadly.

My only objection to your list is the slow and small Intel SSD.

For a good value, you want an SSD with a Sandforce controller.

OCZ Vertex 2 120GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227590
OCZ is quite busy mass-producing these things and selling tons at low cost, but yes the QC could be better. Much of what you are reading though is due to the number produced, and does not necessarily indicate a higher fail ratio. Probably, the fail ratio IS higher but not by a huge amount.

The newer Marvell controller is even faster and the renowned Crucial C300 128GB just dropped in price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348
At that price I might actually have to go in debt for one myself.

Now the board... I just got an Asus P8P67 Pro. I consider that to be a nice mix of features and price. I got mine from Amazon last night, and they only had 20 or so all of which were gone after a few hours. We'll see more in a few days for sure.

6970 CF pulls 450W peak. That's 37.5 amps from the 12V rail. Allow 15-20 for the rest of a robust system and you still have the margin you need to allow. 850HX has a single 70A 12V rail.

 

[Martin9630]

Intel Core i5 2500K $230
Asus P8P67 EVO $200
Vengeance 6Gb $90
WD Black 1Tb SATA $80
Radeon HD 5870 $300
LG Super Multi $30
Thermaltake DF-35 $140
22" Monitor $150
Coolermaster V6GT $50
Corsair TX750W $100

TOTAL = $1,370

My super rushed build.
Hope you like it!

 

[narayanjr]

Your RAM sold out, sadly.

My only objection to your list is the slow and small Intel SSD.

For a good value, you want an SSD with a Sandforce controller.

OCZ Vertex 2 120GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227590
OCZ is quite busy mass-producing these things and selling tons at low cost, but yes the QC could be better. Much of what you are reading though is due to the number produced, and does not necessarily indicate a higher fail ratio. Probably, the fail ratio IS higher but not by a huge amount.

The newer Marvell controller is even faster and the renowned Crucial C300 128GB just dropped in price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348
At that price I might actually have to go in debt for one myself.

Now the board... I just got an Asus P8P67 Pro. I consider that to be a nice mix of features and price. I got mine from Amazon last night, and they only had 20 or so all of which were gone after a few hours. We'll see more in a few days for sure.

6970 CF pulls 450W peak. That's 37.5 amps from the 12V rail. Allow 15-20 for the rest of a robust system and you still have the margin you need to allow. 850HX has a single 70A 12V rail.

I already bought the ram when it first went on sale so that isnt an issue.
Is this a better SSD? OCZSSD3-2VTX90G Its 90Gb but I dont really see a need for 120Gb and I am already over budget so going to a 120 will only put me farther over.
Thanls

 

[Proximon]

Yes, that's a good compromise.
However, you aren't going to improve load times in games unless you have those games on the SSD.

The 120GB Vertex 2 is $10 more than the 90GB you know.

 

[narayanjr]

I didnt see that, I guess I can spring the extra 10$ for the 120gb. Thanks for that. Sadly this is going the wrong direction from me saving money from going from the intel to the OCZ, but I am getting much more for not that much more money so its ok.

Thanks for the help.

As of right now my build stands as
Processor: BX80623I52500K Intel core i5 Sandy Bridge
Case: RC-942-KKN1 Cooler Master HAF X
Power Supply: XPS-850W-BES
RAM: F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL G.Skill 2x4gb
Monitors: 2x ML228H ASUS 21.5 inch Monitor
Hard Drive: WD1002FAEX WD 1Tb HD
SSD: OCZSSD3-2VTX120G Vertex2 120gb
Graphics: GV-R695D5-2GD-B gigabyte Radeon 9650 flashing to 9670
MOBO: MSI 1155 MOBO I do intend to crossfire 2 9650s but not right now.


Thanks for any input.

 

[Proximon]

I think there is very little or no difference in those 4 cards. Gigabyte has the 3 year warranty and free shipping. No reason not to save what you can there. They all have stock cooling and are probably all stock PCBs (important for fitting after market coolers on them later should you need to).

 

[narayanjr]

They are all reference cards correct? So there shouldnt be an issue flashing them to 6970s?

Thanks

 

[narayanjr]

So this is my build as of now,

As of right now my build stands as
Processor: BX80623I52500K Intel core i5 Sandy Bridge
Case: RC-942-KKN1 Cooler Master HAF X
Power Supply: XPS-850W-BES
RAM: F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL G.Skill 2x4gb
Monitors: 2x ML228H ASUS 21.5 inch Monitor
Hard Drive: WD1002FAEX WD 1Tb HD
SSD: OCZSSD3-2VTX120G Vertex2 120gb
Graphics: GV-R695D5-2GD-B gigabyte Radeon 9650 flashing to 9670
MOBO: MSI 1155 MOBO I do intend to crossfire 2 9650s but not right now.


Will that MOBO work well? It doesnt say anything about the 2 16x pcie slots dropping to 8x when both are populated, but will they? Is that a normal thing or are there board that can do real dual 16x pcie slots?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Proximon]

All P67 boards will have X8/x8. Limitation of the chipset.

MSI would not be my first choice... this month I would go Asus, ASRock, Gigabyte, MSI. In that order. That's my personal preferences, but I have no major objections. It's probably a good and fast board and does have a good warranty if something comes up.

 

[narayanjr]

Yeah after reading some reviews and talking to some other people it seems MSI and alot of issues with their boards, so I am gonna hold off and look around some other places and hopefully find some Asus that are not sold out.
Any suggestion on other sites to look at since newegg is sold out all the time?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Proximon]

Amazon
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Home.jsp
http://www.buy.com/

Your local Microcenter or Fry's.