2500k Value build

[nero552]

I'm currently looking to build a new computer based on the 2nd gen Sandy Bridge CPU. I've already mapped out the build just had a few questions on compatibility and price vs. performance.

Approximate Purchase Date: Next two weeks

Budget Range: $750 to $800 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Multitasking(internet, movies, and Video encoding/conversion), games(civ 5, shogun 2, ect.)

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, DVD drive. Hard drive and Case are already purchased.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon(can't beat no tax and 2 day free shipping) or Newegg

Country of Origin: U.S

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, prefer ATI video card.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Possibly in the future

Monitor Resolution: 1024x768 and 1440x900 with 1080p TV I would like to hook up occasionally, 1080p monitors are next on the list but around probably 2 months out

Additional Comments: I would like this to be able to play the next installment of RTS games and last until the 2nd generation of Ivy Bridge.

CPU: $223 Intel Core i5 Processor i5-2500K 3.3GHz 6MB LGA1155
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processor-i5-2500K-LGA1155-BOX80623I52500K/dp/B004EBUXHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1308098468&sr=1-1

CPU Cooler: $33 Coolermaster 212+

MOBO: $160 ASRock P67 Extreme4 B3 Intel P67 ATX DDR3 2133 Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-P67-Extreme4-B3-Motherboard/dp/B004QTHYZK/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1308077013&sr=1-4

Case: HAF 912 (purchased)

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA 6Gb/s 1TB 32MB Cache (purchased)

Memory: Considering a couple of different options, it seems that Newegg likes to have sales on the G.Skill memory so I'm looking to go that direction. Currently considering:

$85 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=ripjaws_x-_-20-231-428-_-Product
or

$100 G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-20-231-460-_-Product

Is going to 1866mhz worth the extra money and is there any plus to going Sniper over the Ripjaws series? Also will the heatsinks interfere with a coolermaster 212+ if I were to expand to use all 4 memory slots in the future?

PSU: This is where I'm totally lost I know I need some power if I were to crossfire in the future so I've been considering a couple of different options.

$90 ($70 w/rebate)Corsair Enthusiast Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Bronze 650TX v2
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-compatible-platforms/dp/B004LB5AZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1308099587&sr=1-1

$65 Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN ATX12V v2.3 80 Plus Bronze
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

$100 LEPA G700-MA 700W SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194084&cm_re=lepa-_-17-194-084-_-Product

A couple of Questions is 650W going to be enough to power what I want to do and for someone who leaves their computer on constantly is an 80 plus gold going to be worth the extra cost in the long run? Is the LEPA a good choice when it comes to 80 Plus Gold, I know its not an Antec or Corsair but from what I understand it uses the Enermax guts.

GPU: Not really factoring in the cost as I can just use my current 4550 to get it up and running and wait for a deal on a 6850, looking at

$170 (140w/rebate) XFX Radeon HD 6850 1GB DDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150516&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-14-150-516-_-Product

OS: Windows 7 home premium or professional. Is there any reason to spend the extra $40 on professional?

Thanks for any and all help, I've been working this build out over the past month trying to see what deals I can piece together to make a decent rig to last me 2 or 3 years.

 

[Rusting In Peace]

I had never heard of that LEPA PSU before. It's a terrible name for a brand but this review seems to say it's a decent PSU.

The good thing about the PSU efficiency ratings is that it's measured at various loads. However the GPU you use will largely determine what the idle power of the system is in a gaming system.

For example a 6850 can idle around 160W. So for a 700W PSU you'd be using more than 20% but less than 50% which is not guaranteed to be efficient under 80 Plus Gold certification. It's likely to be efficient, but perhaps not as you'd expect.