First Build - Input desired from you knowledgeable people

[mknott1]

Components purchased so far:
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor $180

Motherboard:Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel $75

RAM: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR$68

Hard drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $55

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm ...$50

Components to be purchased:

GPU: 2 Radeon HD 6950 2GB Crossfired. Possibly - HIS IceQ X Turbo H695QNT2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity$540

Power: Possibly - ??Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply $90 ??

Cooling: ?? Input needed please

Questions:

1) Any obvious compatibility issues that I am missing?
2) Case should house everything?
3) Suggestions on power and cooling?
4) Power supply sufficient or overkill?

Thanks in advance.

 

[redeemer]

Looks good just make sure you get a side panel fan to cool your crossfire.

 

[buzznut]

The Coolermaster Hyper 212+ is a good cooler if you're interested in overclocking, and who isn't when you're paying for an unlocked multiplier? Its a decent price, but performs like a more expensive cooler.
If possible, I would look for DDR3 1600 ram with lower timings. Yeah, the CL9 stuff is cheaper but latency should not be overlooked. My next build I am paying for lower latency.

If it were me investing in a new platform, I would seriously consider adding room in the budget for an SSD. The hard drive is the weak point in this build, however that is an excellent mechanical drive that I would keep for data.

Also, what resolution are you running? One HD6950 is plenty to run anything at 1080p, or 1920X1200 even. I'm not saying don't crossfire, I'm just wondering why unless its for bragging rights.

 

[buzznut]

Ah, that was the other question-the case. Seems a little cheap for this build...

 

[mknott1]

The Coolermaster Hyper 212+ is a good cooler if you're interested in overclocking, and who isn't when you're paying for an unlocked multiplier? Its a decent price, but performs like a more expensive cooler.
If possible, I would look for DDR3 1600 ram with lower timings. Yeah, the CL9 stuff is cheaper but latency should not be overlooked. My next build I am paying for lower latency.

If it were me investing in a new platform, I would seriously consider adding room in the budget for an SSD. The hard drive is the weak point in this build, however that is an excellent mechanical drive that I would keep for data.

Also, what resolution are you running? One HD6950 is plenty to run anything at 1080p, or 1920X1200 even. I'm not saying don't crossfire, I'm just wondering why unless its for bragging rights.

Thanks for the cooler recommendation.

Wow yeah glossed right over the timing issue on those.

Was thinking about adding a SSD as well but wasnt sure it was necessary. Will add that to the list.

Crossfire was for the sexiness and not wanting to have to upgrade for a while. Guess Ill start with one then add one and crossfire if I feel its needed.

Think the case wont hold up since its kind of cheap?

Appreciate the input.