[New Build] ~$1250 budget

[accountname]

I've never used this site before, so... hopefully I'm doing it right.

Here are the builds I'm considering... I haven't totally settled on a budget, but here's what I'm looking at:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-B10-212P-G1 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($115.00 @ Mac Connection)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($135.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7260S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VH242H 23.6" Monitor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1181.88

Budget: 1000-1250. I also have a ~$1000 build, but I'm hoping to have the money for this one instead

Uses: gaming (not incredibly often, but I want to run games well at full graphics, ideally), internet browsing, movie watching. Ability to multitask/open processes quickly is important.

Don't need keyboard/mouse/speakers/OS. Ignore the stores listed above; I'm planning to buy everything from Newegg. I'm planning to overclock, and probably SLI/Crossfire when I have the money. Will be running at 1920x1080.

This is my first build, so any extra tips are also appreciated. Thanks.

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $900 Build, here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Then this monitor (+130)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009261
Add the Hyper 212+ (+28)
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1240995-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB002G1YPH0
And then your SSD. OCZ Solid 3 60GB $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227728
Total: $1168

You'd get a nicer looking case, a solid and higher wattage PSU that is modular and still 80+ Bronze, as well as a solid motherboard, though you get a smaller monitor.

 

[aznshinobi]

Your build would equally work though. Maybe swap the Corsair for the Lepa and save some money. Lepa is actually a solid brand, started by Enermax a well known PSU maker. In fact got a decent review from HardOCP.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/06/20/lepa_b_series_850w_power_supply_review/

 

[accountname]

Thanks for the help, I'll definitely consider that.

 

[genghiskron]

id consider a little nicer 560 ti. a dual fan cooling system will keep the card cooler and quieter, and it comes with a 900mhz factory overclock. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.717976

for the ssd, im sure youve heard this: 64gb is small for a drive. im a pretty light user. i have bf2, bfbc2, tf2, sc2, office 2010, matlab, solidworks on my drive and im running at about 90gb. with a 64gb drive, youre probably going to be cleaning up alot. 128gb drives are also a good bit faster. obviously your storage habits may vary.

 

[accountname]

I'm actually thinking about moving up to at 6950 or maybe even a 570, but if I stick with the 560 Ti I'll look at that one instead.

Yeah, if I have the money, I'll get a 128gb, but we'll see if that works out. I'd probably have... the OS, Office, TF2, and SC2, and a few smaller programs. A bigger SSD would be nice though.

 

[Abyssalx]

You can get a considerably cheaper PSU, like a Corsair Builder 600w. Considering the Corsair VX450 would power an i7 and a GTX580, this would be fine at $65. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

With that savings, you could reasonably upgrade to a 3.4Ghz sandy bridge Core i7.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115071

 

[accountname]

You can get a considerably cheaper PSU, like a Corsair Builder 600w. Considering the Corsair VX450 would power an i7 and a GTX580, this would be fine at $65. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

With that savings, you could reasonably upgrade to a 3.4Ghz sandy bridge Core i7.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115071

I was getting the 750W to be able to SLI/CF with another GPU, but at that price, that looks good. I've heard they're not the highest quality, though? A lot of the reviews complain about a high pitched noise.

And if I have money left over, it'll probably go to a better GPU/SSD. The 2500k is just as capable, especially when overclocked. I've heard that the i7s aren't really worth it unless you're running big rendering programs and such.

 

[genghiskron]

this would be my choice of psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.703218
with promo code COPSUA

 

[aznshinobi]

^+1