Gaming System Advice

[kustiki321]

I was wondering about people's thoughts on this gaming build. I also plan to do some overclocking as you'll notice from the parts. It may be early to plan because I'm getting sometime during the summer for college but I like the process. I have no motherboard picked out because I'm waiting for the Z68 Chipset.

Case: NZXT Phantom
http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-Crafted-Tower-Steel-Chassis/dp/B003WE9WQY

CPU: Intel i5-2500K
Microcenter In-store deal

GPU: XFX HD-587X-ZNFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

RAM: Patriot G Series 'Sector 5' 8GB DDR3-1600
http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-PC3-10666-9-9-9-24-Channel-PGV38G1333ELK/dp/B0039ZURBU

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5592441&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244&cm_re=spinpoint-_-22-152-244-_-Product

PSU & SSD Combo: OCZ Agility 2 & OCZ StealthXstream II 700W (I'm thinking about getting it soon because not much will change in these departments)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.617894&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL031011&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL031011-_-EMC-031011-Index-_-Combo-_-Combo617894-LM2A

 

[boiler1990]

I personally would get a better GPU than the 5870. Just a little dated IMO. You could allocate more money to the GPU by buying less expensive RAM. Patriot tends to be a bit expensive compared to other good brands like G.Skill and Kingston.

You may also want to wait for the Ivybridge CPUs, which will supposedly work on those motherboards.

If you're only considering a single GPU system, I would also consider going with a mid tower case instead of a full tower. You could save another $70-80 by going with an Antec 300, Coolermaster 912 or 922.

 

[kustiki321]

Well the Ivy Bridge's are being released in february of next year and I need this computer for college.
I also like this case because of the looks and most of the other ones just had several problems that I didn't like.
Also, I can't find any RAM kits that are cheaper than $65 which is what that one runs at after rebate.

 

[boiler1990]

What are you using this computer for? If it's just basic stuff, you only need 4GB.

What's wrong with the other cases?

 

[kustiki321]

Gaming and overclocking.
I don't like the other cases as much because either they're not tool-less, the cable management isn't that great, it won't accept the cooler, or may not look as cool.

 

[boiler1990]

The Cooler Master 912 and 922 are huge mid towers, and have CM's great cable management. Though tool-less designs are nice, they are much more expensive. Airflow is what you really want from a case though.

Even the Antec 300 could fit that cooler (I had a Titan Fenrir and Cooler Master Hyper 212+ in mine).

 

[kustiki321]

Best answer selected by kustiki321.