New Gaming Build (~$2000)

If you are not OC'ing the processor, no need to buy an aftermarket cooler.

Comments:

Processor: If you are not doing video/photo editing, stick with the 2599k and save $100. The 2600k offers no advantage in gaming.

GPU: Usually 2 fans on a gpu give you cooler temps and less npise but if noise is not important for you, feel free to stick with that video card

mobo: fine with that

psu: 1020w is more than sufficient. You can manage SLI with 750 W and save money. try the Corsair HX 750

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Great thank you for the response. I did some PSU calculator (not sure how accurate) and it recommended me around 900 watts. The 750w would definitely save me some money.

Are there any cons to using my old case?

edit: When checking out motherboards I found this for the same price with built in SSD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Is there any major advantage to that? It's right around the same price

Those calculators always over shoot. 750w should be fine, especially with a reliable and efficient brand like corsair.

That mobo is for SSD caching which enables you to speed up your primary mechanical HDD. Personally, I worry about the built in SSD dying...I'm not even sure that could be replaced if something happens to those nand chips.

The difference between P67 and Z68 is that Z68 allows you to utilize SSD caching and utilize SB's integrated graphics. If you are not utilizing those features, stick with the P67

I think I might also pass on the SSD and just get HDD. It will save a lot of money, could potentially leave room for a new case (if i need it), and I don't care too much about how fast my computer boots up or load times like that. All I want is performance.

Also, if you are just gaming, I would get the 2500k instead of the 2600k..like I said before - no improvement in gaming with the 2600k versus 2500k

Don't get a SSD if you're spending this much.. get the Samsung Spinpoint F3, drop down to 2500k for sure.. get side fans and front fans.. your rig will be a beast and there will be a lot of hot air being pushed out of your graphic card when they're rev'd up. A side fan will be helpful.

Thanks again for the replies.

Is there a reason the 2500k is just as good as the 2600k for gaming? I was thinking longevity with the 2600k, but I don't really know the reason behind it.

Did you use the Newegg PSU calculator? I believe that it would be safer to get the 900W, but if you want to save a little money, I think the 850W is just as good. Seasonic is a very good brand PSU and is cheaper than Corsair when you look at the 850Ws. Check this out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... (Is even cheaper than some 750W Corsairs and just as reliable as Corsair, if not more.)

Cons to using old case:
1) Dusty - could increase temps in your case
2) Outdated - This could mean a couple of things like, your case has bad airflow because it doesn't have many case fans or because it doesn't have much holes for clean air to go inside.
3) It's old... Gotta remove parts from within to exchange with new parts. (Yea I'm lazy, so that is a con for me.   )
4) May not be compatible.

I don't know what your case is so those are some of the factors I could think of. If your case is not outdated then I see no reason for you to not use it. It would be nice to know what case you have though. That way we can tell you whether or not it is worth it to get a new case.


You can overclock the 2500K to the same speeds as the 2600k. The only thing the 2600k has that the 2500k doesn't have is Hyper Threading as far as I know. I don't know of many, or any games at all that use HT.

Agreed with everything posted on here other than the recommendation of a 750w psu for dual 580's. 900+w psu for sure. Google it.

This psu down below is manufactured by Enermax for LEPA and it's top of the line.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $179.99 - $129.99 after mail-in rebate card
LEPA G900-MA 900W SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Also you can cut some cost with the mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $159.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $179.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS P8Z68-V LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

The Corsair HX750 is one of the best PSUs out there and can handle SLI/CF no prob. Hell..it's advertised as sli/cf ready. I wouldn't trust a 750W PSU from a cheaper brand to run sli/cf but corsair disappoints few...

In any case, it's up to the OP. There were some other good suggestions here too

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&source=hp&q=nv...

Best answer selected by Chrisjag92.