$2000 Gaming / Overclocking (incl. 3 monitors)

[rxneng]

Hello, just looking for a once-over of sorts before I purchase my system. I'm upgrading from a 2003 Dell XPS (P4 3.0 GHZ, 1.5 GB ram, 7800 GS), I think I'll be in for quite a shock. =D

Approximate Purchase Date: Tonight if reviewed by then.

Budget Range: ~$1700 USD

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, overclocking

Parts Not Required: Keyboard

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: i5-2500K, full tower capable of water cooling

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Concerned about my motherboard choice, have heard problems with boot loops. It also lacks a clear CMOS button available from the exterior of the case. Open to P67 boards (originally planned on ASUS P8P67 Deluxe). Open to other 6970s although I'd like to stay away from the super expensive ASUS unless it's absolutely worth it. Is it easy to water cool a GPU like that?

******
EDIT: I decided to CF 6950s and bump up to three monitors. Thoughts?

Case: HAF X + 200mm fan

Motherboard + RAM: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD4 and G.SKILL 2x4GB C8 9-24-24-24

CPU + ODD: i5-2500K and LITEON DVD Burner

CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK Gaia
Will be replaced by water cooling in the future

GPU: [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945]Sapphire 6950 2GB[/url]

PSU: CORSAIR HX850
Large PSU in case I CF and to future proof

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB

Mouse: Razer Naga

Monitors: 3x ASUS VE247H
Hard to go wrong with these at $169.99 each with a $10 MIR

 

[jmsellars1]

That build looks great, i'd go with the HD 6950's too since theyre good value and even one of them would easily max any game at 1920x1080.

A SSD might be worth considering for a build like this too. Even if it's just for the sense of satisfaction when everything just feels faster.

 

[nd_hunter]

I know that overclocking is listed as a system usage....but why water cooling? Nothing you mentioned is going to need it, unless you are talking about hardcore overclocking. Even a Megahalems with two fans will get you close to 5.0GHz on the CPU with a lot less maintenance and hassle. If you just plain want to, that's cool, I won't try to talk you out of it, I'm just saying it's really not needed with Sandy Bridge.

FPS gaming (if that's your thing) across two monitors doesn't really work...the crosshairs/reticle gets split. You kinda need either one or three...and three would require two vid cards to get good frame rates.

Everything you have listed looks good, just thought I'd throw in my $0.02 on those points.

 

[rxneng]

I know that overclocking is listed as a system usage....but why water cooling? Nothing you mentioned is going to need it, unless you are talking about hardcore overclocking. Even a Megahalems with two fans will get you close to 5.0GHz on the CPU with a lot less maintenance and hassle. If you just plain want to, that's cool, I won't try to talk you out of it, I'm just saying it's really not needed with Sandy Bridge.

FPS gaming (if that's your thing) across two monitors doesn't really work...the crosshairs/reticle gets split. You kinda need either one three...and three would require two vid cards to get good frame rates.

Everything you have listed looks good, just thought I'd throw in my $0.02 on those points.

Thanks for the input guys. The water cooling is just a hobby thing, I'm an engineer so I think it would be a fun thing to do.

Looks like I've got a couple of options here:

1. 6950 CF with 3 monitors -- $2052 BR / $1952 AR
2. 6970 with 3 monitors, CF later
3. 570 or 6950 with 1 monitor