New build - Can't decide on a few things. Ordering tomorrow.

Title says it all. Basically, my college (University of Texas @ Dallas) is providing me with the funds to build any computer of my choosing. I've already got a few parts from my current computer, which I'm just transferring over.


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor, HDs, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg is preferred as always

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: None really....

Overclocking: I love to do it :]. Just don't have the time much anymore (currently because of school, wait till summer comes)

SLI or Crossfire: Don't really NEED it because of my resolution.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Current Rig:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX

(Not currently using)Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

2X----- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

Thermaltake Frio Overclocking-Ready Intel Core i7 (six-core ready) & i5 Compatible Five 8mm Heatpipes Dual 120mm Fans Intel & AMD Universal CPU Cooler CLP0564

DFI LANParty DK 790FXB-M3H5 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard

VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

The parts I'm transferring over are:

Corsair Force 60gb SSD - it's my boot drive.
Western Digital Black - 640gb (storage)
Samsung Spinpoint - 500gb (primary)


I'm pretty sure this power supply is fine. I got it on sale @ Frys for 80$, so it was a steal.
Antec 850W Modular PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371009

I have a haf932, but I'm selling it along with the rest of my rig to someone, so that is something that needs to be decided also.

----

I've got a 23.6" Asus Widescreen, running @ 1920 x 1080. I regularly watch Blu-ray movies, because I "buy" them. I love to game, and my profession will be computer programming. Might use my 19" tv some time to just be "cool", but not really.

I'm afraid of WCooling, because I don't care to know enough about it, so don't bring it up.

Not really looking @ 6990 / 590 because of drivers/current price -> performance is not where I'd like it to be.
Don't really want to upgrade this computer ever...I mean, it's inevitable because of my field, but I'd like to think I'm not going to upgrade for a LONG time.

Here's what I've got so far.

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD7-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128480


Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115070


2X ---- 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/Prod [...] 6820231428


Antec 850W Modular PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371009


GPU ?? Case?? Heatsink?? DVD drive??






My name is Genzer, and I'm a long time troller of this website. I do use it religiously along with a lot of other sites. I am not a major fanboy of anything.

What kind of budget range are we dealing with? SLI GTX 590s would probably be overkill, but if you're getting the thing free go ahead and get two and sell me one for $400, lol.

Edit: I wanted to get the budget question posted because it'll help people help you, but for higher end value that a lot of people are looking for:

GPU: The GTX 570/SLI GTX560s/GTX580 are all right up there at increasing price points (about $350, $460, $510).

Case: I like the Cooler Master cases, the 932 doesn't have the value ($40 or 50) over the 922 in my opinion, but it'll last a while, so if you're getting it free...

Heatsink: The Hyper 212 Plus is really popular for buget Sandy Bridge builds right now, but if you're interested in pushing the i7 2600k as far as it can go on air hopefully you get some other responses for some higher end coolers.

DVD Drive: If you just need DVD (not blue ray) you should be able to pick one up by a reputable supplier for ~$30. Try Samsung or ASUS for quality.

I just want to make sure you catch my edit, there are a few of my thoughts having just bought components for my computer. I hope they're of some assistance.

Bump...

But they don't unlock to the 6970 anymore. So why not just get one of those?

Bump again

Ok, then XFX VS SAPPHIRE? Do I really have to post this in the GPU section>?