New Gaming Rig

[ooonooo904]

To start off, this is my first attempt at a build ever. I've been doing as much research as possible, but my knowledge base isn't that great. I'm looking to create a gaming computer at a reasonable price, but which will also last a few years. I've decided that I want to go with the 2nd-gen intel cpus, but I'm not sure which one to pick, the i7-2600k or the i5-2500k. I'm doing all of my shopping on newegg, as I've got a few gift cards to the website. Anyway, on to the meat. If anyone could tell me what I'm missing or what I'm doing wrong, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm trying my best to be cost conscious, while also being forward looking... very tough I've found...

Case -- Antec Nine Hundred Two $119
CPU -- i5-2500K $369 combo with MOBO
MOBO -- GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 $369 combo with CPU
RAM -- G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $205 with Win7 Pro combo
Hard Drive -- Crucial RealSSD, 128GB SATA III $238
GPU -- GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB, OC to 950MHz $260
PSU -- Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W $90

Another idea is extra fans or cooling or whatever, but I have no idea how many or what...

Any suggestions/tweaks/etc.? Also, my budget is currently topped at $1200, but could get bigger if necessary (like for a 2600k or something), but like most people, smaller is better in the end. Thanks in advance!

 

[mortonww]

It all looks really solid. You've got a really balanced build here. The only suggestion that comes to mind is this: Swap the Crucial RealSSD for an OCZ Vertex 3 120 GB. The Vertex 3 is $60 more expensive, but it will take your write speed from 355 to 550 and your read from 140 to 500 MB/s. Definitely worth the extra $60.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706&cm_re=vertex_3-_-20-227-706-_-Product

 

[ooonooo904]

It all looks really solid. You've got a really balanced build here. The only suggestion that comes to mind is this: Swap the Crucial RealSSD for an OCZ Vertex 3 120 GB. The Vertex 3 is $60 more expensive, but it will take your write speed from 355 to 550 and your read from 140 to 500 MB/s. Definitely worth the extra $60.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706&cm_re=vertex_3-_-20-227-706-_-Product

Great idea, thanks for the input.

 

[mortonww]

As for extra cooling, you might want to invest in a Cooler Master Hyper 212+. Should allow you to overclock that k-series CPU pretty decently. The Antec 902 comes with three 120s and a 200 mm fan, so you shouldn't be too worried about that.

 

[cmadrid]

I'd look in to a CM Hyper 212+ or Thermaltake Frio cpu cooler

 

[ooonooo904]

Thanks guys, I'll look into it. I just purchased the Antec case, because I'm set on it.

 

[mlcaouette]

The hyper 212+ is cheapest from amazon and walmart.com, just so you know.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

$15 more gets you the Asus which THG said OC's better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.642515
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/p67-motherboard-roundup-lga-1155-sandy-bridge,2837-31.html

Agree on the Vertex 3 w/ Windows 7 pro 64 (-$25)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.653140

I'd get the 900 MHz version and OC to 1000 Mhz saving $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.653140

Better PSU for $5 more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207015

XFX 9.5 rating http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story10&reid=216

Antec 8.5 rating http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=163

The Scythe Mugen 2 has topped several venerable coolers such costing twice as much as the Megahalems and DH-14
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
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=62