Need help selecting components for first PC build.

[clamber]

Hey guys. I've been looking for a good PC forum to get some help, and this looks like a great community.

In a month or so I want to build my first PC. I really don't know a whole lot about hardware, so I need some help deciding what to get. My budget is $2000, but if I don't have to spend it all that would be a plus. The computer will be used for everything. Gaming, HD video editing, photo editing and some music production., etc... One major reason I want a new PC is for the upcoming BF3.

I've just done a little bit of research and I think I have a basic idea of what I want, but I need some help making sure everything is compatible and if it's a good idea to get it.

So far I'm thinking:
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Intel Core i7 2600k CPU - $330
MSI P67A-GD55 (B3) 1155 Intel P67 Motherboard - $164
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 Memory* - $95
Intel X25-M 2.5" 120GB SATA II SSD - $230
EVGA GeForce GTX 570 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 Video Card - $350
CORSAIR HX Series 850W Power Supply - $165
ZALMAN 135mm CPU Cooler - $70
LG 10X Blu-ray Burner - $90
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Case - $54
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit - $140
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I'm not sure if that is the best RAM. On the motherboard specs it says 1600 is compatible, but theres an asterisk so I don't know what that means.

Would that be a pretty decent setup? Will all of that work together? Is there anything I should change?

I'm also looking for a guide or walkthrough on how to properly build a computer. I want to make sure I do it properly.

Thanks

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The Antec 300 is a bit small for a $2000 system.

MoBo - Check to confirm that MSI MoBo will be PCI-E x8 x8 and not 2nd one x4. The P8P67 Pro is the THG pick in this category but not back on newegg just yer .... figure a few more days.

Corsair 2 x 4GB DDR3-1600 is $4 more. But CAS 7 is avialble for

X25-M is two generations back. Vertex 3 is the "king in waiting" but hasn't dropped in the channel yet .... supposed to be by end of March. Intel 510 is the current king and is available.

Corsair HX850 is a great PSU.....and the current $150 price tag is attractive. But the XFX Black is easily it's equal and is $20 less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207001

I'd recommend the CP-850, also an easy equal to the HX850 but it won't fit in the 300.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=142

It is completely unmatched by any ATX unit on the market I can think of. You'd have to spend twice as much as this thing costs to find the next best thing, performance wise.

Zalman gets beat by the $40 Mugen 2.....the Thermalright Silver Arrow is current champ.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=674&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=5
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=15

Here's a recent $2k ($1,887) build I did:

Case - $140 - Antec DF-85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.591259
PSU - $110 - Antec CP-850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024
Case Window Fan - $15 - Antec 120 mm Fan http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209006
MoBo - $390 - ASUS P8P67 Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575884
CPU - incl above - Intel Core i5-2500K
Cooler - $40 - Scythe Mugen 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142
TIM - $5 Shin Etsu 751 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
RAM - $155 - (2 x 4GB) Mushkin CAS 7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226178
GFX - $260 - EVGA GTX 560 Ti 900 Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610
GFX - $260 - EVGA GTX 560 Ti 900 Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610
HD - $65 - Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 rpm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
SSD - $290 - Intel 510 120GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167042
DVD Writer - $22 - Asus 24X DRW-24B3L w/ LS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221
OS - $140 - Win 7-64 Pro OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

The GTX 560 Ti at factory OC'd 900 MHz is a rockin card. It benches close on the heels of the 570 and 6970. AT current prices, ya could have two of them and come in $100 below budget . And it can be easily OC's to 1000 MHz (see comparable Asus Cu model review at bottom of page here)

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/nvidia_asus_gtx560ti/4.htm

Or .... get the 570. AT $330....it's $70 more than the OC'd 560 Ti and would bring your total to $2,027 for twin 570's. The Case, PSU, side fan and MoBo can all handle twin 570's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121412

As for a guide .... the Motherboard manual will be a pretty good guide. I'd suggest that you download the manual and print it on the day you order ya parts. Read it, highlight it, study it, and then when parts arrive you will be ready to go.

 

[boiler1990]

I like that build setup JackNaylor, but I feel like he'd get some good use of the i7's hyperthreading for his editing work.