Sandybridge gaming build

[schmittay]

I almost have this build figured out but I am just double checking if I can optimize any parts. I can go a couple hundred either way of what I have planned:

i5 2500k 3.3GHz (I do plan on overclocking to 4.5GHz or there abouts)
Noctua NH-C14 All-In-One CPU Cooler OR Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler (I heard the C version is better but has some fitting issues with certain memory?)
G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
Now for the HDD I was maybe thinking a RAID 0 config with 2x WD Caviar Black 1TB?
I'm still uncertain about SSD's and if I were to buy one I'd wait for the Vertex III
Corsair HX-1000 Power Supply (maybe I'll need 1250?)
CoolerMaster HAF X Case

Now everything else I am a bit uncertain on. Motherboards...I am going to be overclocking my CPU and I will also be going with a SLI / XF GPU setup (next part).
GPU: At first I was thinking 2x HD 6970's but looking at these: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1193&products_id=16798
They look totally beastly!
I also wouldn't mind advice on a decent monitor (not 3D lol), I'd be looking at 23 - 24 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution. I can spend a few hundred here if you think it's worth it.

Thanks for any help!

Edit: Primarily used for gaming (WoW, SC2, Rift, lots of shooters)

 

[WR2]

Hello schmittay;

For 1920x1080 gaming 2x GTX 560 Ti gets you plenty of GPU power.

And you'll be able to use a good 750W PSU - enough for overclocking with plenty of reserve power. Corsair HX 750 or XFX 750W Black Edition.

HAF 932 case I'm thinking. The GTX 560 Ti are not huge cards.

 

[WR2]

ASUS P8P67 PRO or ASRock P67 Extreme4 match up well with the i5 2500K and 8GB DDR3 G.Skill RAM. The 8GB set you picked is equally fine as well.

I think you're better off with a single 1TB HDD. You'll be able to afford to get that Vertex 3 SSD all the sooner.

 

[schmittay]

Thanks very much, as recommended I will get only one HDD and wait for the Vertex 3, get a slightly less huge case and go with the ASUS P8P67 PRO board.

Oh and maybe an 850W Corsair PSU.

 

[Why_Me]

Here's a few ideas to think on...

First this factory O/C version is only clocked 50mhz less than the SOC version yet in a few minutes can be bumped up to SOC speeds.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1193&products_id=16576 $279.00
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560 Ti Overclocked 1GB

750w is more than enough to power dual 560's and leave you plenty of juice left over for extra drives, o/c, etc... This one down below is fairly new to the market but it's rock solid. That and it's fully modular.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_290&products_id=16692 $155.00
Enermax NAXN 750W Modular 82+

Seeing how those vid cards aren't all that long, yet Oz gets extremely hot, then a smaller case with great cooling/airflow would be perfect imo.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_31&products_id=11652 $135.00
CoolerMaster HAF 922 Case

Now that case up above doesn't come with front 3.0 USB ports nor does it come with a SSD bay...yet this mobo down below provides both. Not only that but this mobo has gotten great reviews.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=16802 $229.00
ASRock P67 Extreme4 Motherboard B3

Optional fans for that case...Side fan and bottom fan...

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_215&products_id=11180 $35.00
CoolerMaster MegaFlow 200 Red

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_215&products_id=16491 $15.00
CoolerMaster 120mm XtraFlo PWM Fan

http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6606 <---- specs, info, and pics of that case

http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=1234&page=1 <--- review of that psu

http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/power/enermax/NAXN_750w/p1.asp <---- another review of that psu

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000116#axzz1EqpvWFEN <---Review on that Asrock motherboard after the latest bios update

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg2/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-asrock-p67-extreme4.html <---Review on that Asrock motherboard after the latest bios update

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4080/welcome-to-sandy-bridge-with-the-asrock-p67-extreme4 <--- Review before the latest bios...and it still smoked the Asus and Gigabyte boards in it's class

http://www.asrock.com/news/events/201102ex/warranty.html <----- Asrock two year warranty

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=P67%20Extreme4 <--- ASRock P67 Extreme4