Advice/Comments for my New Build

[hop2it]

I am building a systems for gaming. My goal is to build a system that will run, at a fairly high level, all current and upcoming games (say, Battlefield 3, Diablo 3). As well, as I am on a "budget" of sorts, I want to be able to upgrade the system going forward (i.e. add a second video card, etc.)

My questions regarding this build are:

1. I selected the power supply because it is SLI and Crossfire certified. I understand that this would allow me to add a second card and improve performance in the future - Is this true? Would you recommend another video card configuration?

2. How can I be sure that the selected power supply will work with my motherboard (if this is even an issue)?

3. Any other suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Motherboard:

ASUS P8P67 PRO, Intel P67 DDR 3 2400 ATX

CPU:

Intel Core i5 Processor i5-2500k 3.3ghz

RAM:

Corsair Vengeance 8GB

Power Supply:

Ultra X4 850 Watt, NVIDIA SLI & ATI Crossfire certifications

Video Card:

EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB

HD

Western Digital 750GB, 7200 RPM, 64 MB Cache

CPU Heat Sink:

Zalman 9900 Max-R

Sound Card:

Creative Labs, Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium

Case:

Antec 300 Gaming Case

 

[Timop]

1. Its not a great PSU, It will work but power quality is mediocre and you're over paying like crazy. A top-notch 850W costs ~$150 with much higher efficiency and quality. SLI/CFX certified means nothing either, if it has enough powers it will power as much as you it can handle fine.

Additionally, the heatsink is mediocre and a sound card isn't really needed.

Are you shopping Tigerdirect? Here is a newegg/amazon build if you're fine with them:

2500K +Z68 $320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.676009

8GB RAM $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231440

GTX 560 Ti $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133384

Samsung F3 1TB $60
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/accessories/B002MQC0P8?tag=vglnk-c1001-20

LEPA 850W $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194093

V3 case $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133094

Comes out to $820, probably less than your original.

 

[bora63]

All psu's work with all motherboards so dont need to worry about that, the 560ti is a great card and when SLI'd it is amazing.

If you liked the look of the motherboard you chose maybe try this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730&cm_re=z68_asus-_-13-131-730-_-Product

z68 chipset so has lot of extra features but layout and styling identical.

As stated above, change the CPU cooler and drop the sound card, unless you are going to be using some seriously expensive headphones or speakers you will not notice any difference

 

[hop2it]

Thanks...

If I loose the sound card, for now, I gain some $$ in the budget.

Any thoughts on whether it would be better to go 2 x GTX 560i @ $250 ea or 1 580 @ $480?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130590

 

[Timop]

Canada...
2*560Ti is better than one 580, but you lose upgrading headroom
For 1080, a pair of 6950s if your budget is higher, or a single GTX570 would be my suggestion.