Help with the twins.

[opisthobranch]

After much thought, and even more reading, I've decided to build myself. I blame this forum for making me feel brave enough to attempt it, so I'm going to need your help to build the twins...

Approximate Purchase Date: In a week and a half. (See additional comments)

Budget Range: 1200 (each for two computers) Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming and Internet

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country of Origin: Mine?

Parts Preferences: See list below

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes, eventually

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I live overseas, but will be in the states for 10 days. I'm going to place the order on the 7th of April, and pick up and assemble on the 20th. This means I can't count on MIRs. I've put together a list of parts I'm looking at. Keep in mind that this will be two identical builds. In the future, I'll Xfire the cards for one and buy a new fancy-dancy card for the other. I hope this will extend their lives a bit.
I know the Ram is 1.65v, but I've read up on that, and it seems to be fine, and the price is good.


ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM ($18.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans ($54.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

GIGABYTE GV-R695D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ($264.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125356

MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard ($134.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K ($224.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders ($99.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ($254.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348

COMBO: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M700 RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX ($124.98 each) ($15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612790


Subtotal: ($1,178.91 each)

Subtotal: $2,357.82
Shipping: $21.80
Grand Total: $2,379.62 (for two)

Thanks in advance!

 

[WR2]

Hello opisthobranch;

Here is a review on that RAM you're looking at. Kingston HyperX blu KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX Review @ OverclockersClub

It looks like everything is there except for CPU cooler for some overclocking. And a HDD.

Do you plan on running 2x HD 6970 (HD 6950 flashed) on that CM Silent Pro M700.

 

[WR2]

For which ever system is getting the 2x CFX HD 6950/6970 I like this PSU better.
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W 80+ BRONZE PSU $90 & free shipping
You'd end up paying about $12 more through losing the combo deal on this PSU.

But you gain a PSU with 62Amps +12v over the CM 700 50Amps +12V. Keeping 1 CM 700W in the mix - for the single video card system - would be OK.

 

[opisthobranch]

Thanks for responding so quickly.

I've got 2 320gb HDD's already that I stole from my old laptop that will be fine for storage. I was going to leave the stock cooler and do a minor overclock for the time being, as the budget is tight.
Thanks for the link to the RAM, it makes me feel confident to know it's was rated so highly.
I used a wattage calculator to figure out if the PSU was enough to handle xfired 6950's. I overestimated the draw, and it says 700 is (barely) enough, though i didn't account for overclocking them. I thought it was the best modular PSU i can afford. However, I looked at the PSU you linked and it seems great. It even comes with the same RAM deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612775

Any thoughts on the MB? I can only find reviews of it's big brothers, but it has x8 x8 for when I do xfire...

Are there any cables I need to buy (SSD and HDD to MB, etc.) if so, what?

Is there a particularly awesome low budget heatsink to look for (15$-20$) range, or should I just keep the stock and save for a more expensive one?

Thanks for making me think of more things I need to prepare, and thanks for your patience. I just started reading about this a week ago, so am new to this.

 

[WR2]

A big cooler is the one item where it makes sense to mount after moving the system long distances. It's not like a stock 2500K is going to be 'wimpy'.
A combo deal on the i5 2500K and CM Hyper 212+ CPU cooler takes the CPU cooler cost to $28.

Antec Truepower New 750W review @ JonnyGuru

I thought the MSI P67A-G43 was a good choice of MB. It seems everyone want to review the 'big guys' so far.
The MB accessory pack has 2 SATA cables so it has the DVD and HDD covered.
A SATA III cable for the SSD is the only thing you'll need. Link Depot 1M (39.37") SATA III Round Cable with Latch $4

 

[opisthobranch]

Hmm... I just got a bit of bad news. Apparently newegg won't take any payment of any kind from any overseas account. Not even money order or direct bank transfer. So it seems I'm back to the drawing board in a bit of a last-minute scramble.

**sigh**

 

[WR2]

Check out http://www.shipito.com/ and see if it will work for you.

 

[WR2]

I don't suppose you'll be near a MicroCenter will you visit?
http://www.microcenter.com/

 

[Subidoo]

Did you ask Customer service if they will accept a Paypal acct? Maybe put funds into a Friend or family members acct in the US and have them order it for you.

 

[opisthobranch]

Ok, it's all sorted now. I had to jump through some hoops, but I've placed my order.
I changed a few things due to specials:

I ended up with the HIS 6950 instead of the Gigabyte because it came out to 250$ instead of 265$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161355

I then spent that savings (and more) on extra RAM. On-special, 70$.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

I got 2 HDD's (one each) instead of SSD's for the moment. I'd like a vertex 3, so we'll see if they've been released by the time I get to the States. I was filling out the checkout page when the 200$ 120gb C300's when out of stock, I'm bummed I missed that deal. Got these for 36$ each.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

Subtotal $1,977.78
Tax $0.00
UPS 3 Days $40.90
Promo Code -$57.98
Order Total $1,960.70

Not bad. I'm way under budget, but that's due to the lack of SSD's. I've also left out cpu coolers until I can measure the clearance (and the finances).

I'll post a build journal with pictures once I start. What forum should I put that in?

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[WR2]

Glad you got things worked out. Good luck.
This would be the right forum for homebuild/newbuild feedback and reviews.

 

[opisthobranch]

Cool, when I get started on the build, I'll just carry on in this thread...

And thanks, WR2, your assistance has been invaluable.

 

[WR2]

You're welcome.

I think a new thread is probably a better idea. This one is already long and will be even longer with a new build report and photos.

 

[opisthobranch]

Best answer selected by opisthobranch.