Final Review before purchase! Thanks for help!!

[sotu]

Background:
1.) I am using the i7-2600k to take advantage of the Hyper Threading Tech in the processor over the 2500k.
2.) I would like to overclock some.
3.) I do not know enough about the difference between SLI and Crossfire to choose one way or the other but this motherboard / gpu combo was recommended to me.
4.) I use Adobe CS5, Ableton, and and Visual Studio 2010 the most and do not game.

Questions:
1.) Will this PSU be suitable if I add an additional GTX 570 later on in SLI?
2.) Should I be thinking CrossFire or SLI?
3.) What about the "newer" Z68 Mobo, better than P67 for my needs?
4.) Should I use a better cooler for the CPU than the stock one?

I'm still completely flexible with changing this build around. I like the idea of being able to scale up to 2 video cards later on so I would like to keep a mobo that atleast allows for that and also a PSU powerful enough to support that.

CPU – $315
Intel I7-2600k (3.4ghz, dual-quad core, hyper threading)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070&cm_re=i7-2600k-_-19-115-070-_-Product

Mobo – $180
Asus P8P67 Pro (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131703&Tpk=p8p67pro

RAM - $95
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&cm_re=g.skill_8gb-_-20-231-428-_-Product

Main HD - $121
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227704&cm_re=vertex_2-_-20-227-704-_-Product

Secondary HD - $60
Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1304993558&sr=8-2

GFX Card – $355
EVGA GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593&cm_re=gtx_570-_-14-130-593-_-Product

PSU - $90
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

CASE – $100
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=cm_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

ROM - $70
SAMSUNG Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model SH-B123L LightScribe Support – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151222&cm_re=blu_ray-_-27-151-222-_-Product

Monitors – $180 x 2 = $360
ASUS VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50,000,000:1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=24-236-117&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

System Total: $1386
Add the monitors @ 360 for both
$1750 before taxes.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Build looks great as is.

To add a second GTX570 in SLI you will need a bigger power supply. I would go with a 800-850w unit. Stick with Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, XFX, Antec, Enermax or Silverstone.

To overclock you need a better cooler. For $30 the Hyper 212+ will be great.

 

[sadams04]

Good build overall. I would swap the OCZ SSD with the Crucial RealSSD C300 simply because it is on sale today for $100 (key there being today!). Use coupon code EMCKEJK36. Both are great SSDs, but the Crucial is SATA 6.0Gb/s..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357

Answers:
1.) Will this PSU be suitable if I add an additional GTX 570 later on in SLI? - Yep, but you will need to bump the power supply to 750w or 850w unit to be sure you are covered for that future upgrade. Stick wtih the Corsair...
2.) Should I be thinking CrossFire or SLI? - Maybe not at the moment with the exception of the power supply. You don't want to buy that 650w today, then turn around in two years and buy an 850w when you want to add a second GTX 570. The ASUS motherboard will run dual GPUs at 8x/8x so you are good there...
3.) What about the "newer" Z68 Mobo, better than P67 for my needs - Eh... debatable if the SSD caching is worth it or not. This MIGHT be a reason to wait and see some reviews / benchmarks before buying a motherboard.
4.) Should I use a better cooler for the CPU than the stock one? - If you are overclocking, then yes. The Cooler Master Hyper 212+ is often recommended.

 

[mortonww]

Hmmm. I'm wondering why you need a card as fast as the GTX 570 and an SLI capable motherboard and power supply when you're not planning to play any games. I guess the more CUDA cores the better, but I'm not sure if SLI helps the rendering and modeling applications. I think that's purely a gaming benefit.

As far as Z68 goes, I'm not sure. I think Quick Sync is the technology that would benefit you the most, but I barely know anything about it. Tom's just did an article on it, so I would suggest skimming through that. I haven't had a chance yet.

 

[buzznut]

For me, quick sync would be pretty useless. It soundded from the article like you'd want to use one drive for quick sync, and at SSD prices it doesn't sound like worth the premium. If the price is similar, then go ahead and get the Z68.

I think you should take a look at this power supply from Kingwin:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121076

It is one of the highest rated PSU's from Johnny Guru:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=206

I say grab that Cruciall SSD today if possible.

 

[buzznut]

I also wonder why the expense of sli if you're not playing games? Even the GTX 570 is overkill for your needs..

 

[sotu]

Ok good advice I think I am going to drop the SLI ability.. I wont be gaming so its not needed.

I will swap THIS:
Mobo – $180
Asus P8P67 Pro (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel

With this:
Mobo - $130
GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128476&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687

And THIS:
PSU - $90
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

With This:
PSU – $60.00
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687

Suggestions anyone?

 

[buzznut]

Aftermarket CPU cooler not necessary if not overclocking, however it will be more efficient and more quiet. Looks good.

 

[sotu]

last question before buying will this PSU
With This:
PSU – $60.00
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] =u00000687

be enough juice if I add in Cooler Master Hyper 212+ and do some minor over clocking?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

It should be fine. This is a little better choice though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

On sale for $60.

 

[mortonww]

What GPU do you plan on getting now? A 550 Ti or 560 Ti seem like appropriate choices. For those, I feel like you'd be more comfortable in that Corsair TX 650. More headroom for overclocking your 2600k.

 

[sotu]

i was still leaning toward the gtx 570 but since it appears to be excessive maybe the 560 ti, Its about a hundred or so cheaper too. If I end up going with the 570 should i get more than that corsair tx 650?

 

[sotu]

Best answer selected by sotu.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey