[New Build] $1500 Gaming Rig

[AlterReality]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week

Budget Range: ~$1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: Keyboard/Mouse (Currently own budget varieties of both. Suggestions for gaming?)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com

Country of Origin: United States

Parts Preferences: No heavy preference towards any brand; Rather spend the extra buck on known quality

Overclocking: CPU - Yes; GPU - Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1080p

Additional Comments: Bling/windows not required; Quality cooling required (live in the humid/hot south)
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[$265]
SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.733020

[$258]
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.723510

[$300]
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr III PE/OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.731452

[$185]
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.722409.11-119-197

[$30]
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

[$60]
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
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Total comes out to about $1100 not including shipping and tax. I currently have a 19" (1680x1050) monitor and am in no rush to upgrade, though if I can find a great deal, I'd include in the order.

Final check on compatibility? Will it all fit in the HAF 922? Would that PSU be able to push 2x 6950's just in case I decide to SLI in the future?

After a great deal of research I believe this is the "sweet spot" for price vs performance. Do you guys see any upgrades available to improve price/performance ratio or better quality products available for comparable prices?

Your opinions, criticisms, critiques, and comments are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for all the help.

 

[xerxces]

First, I would get a stronger PSU. I got an AZZA 850 for aobut $40 after rebate. The HAF 922 has enough room for what you want. I would buy the mobo and PSU seperate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817517003

That is 139 + 64 =203. Or you could go with the same mobo and this PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817517008

139+109=248.

Still cheaper and you get a very good PSU. I have never had a problem with my AZZA 850w.

 

[xerxces]

Also, if you are not using 1080p or higher, two 6950's would be an overkill in my opinion. In a year or two, you might need that kind of power. Try and save a few dollars on your build and buy a better monitor.

 

[AlterReality]

Xerxces - First of all, thank you for your response and insight.

The 2nd 6950 would obviously come at a later date. I do plan on running 1080p eventually (sooner rather than later), just waiting for a great deal on a monitor. I want to ensure my PSU and Mobo are SLI/Crossfire ready so the only required upgrade would be purchasing another 6950.

In terms of the Azza PSU, the lack of reviews and testing on this PSU is a huge worry for me. From what I remember 3 years ago when I did my first build, a PSU was something you should never cut corners on. From what I understand, SeaSonic is essentially the highest quality manufactured PSU on the market. I'm not sure I'm willing to 'bet' a $1100 computer to save $17-$62 on a PSU.

How do others feel about the Azza PSU brand and their reliability and quality?

 

[AlterReality]

Looking at ordering this tonight or tomorrow morning. Thoughts?

 

[008Rohit]

Processor : i5 2500K - $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

MoBo : ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=ASRock%20Gen3%20Extreme3

RAM : G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Hard Disk : Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200rpm - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=Spinpoint%20F3%201TB

Graphics : GIGABYTE GV-R697OC-2GD Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 - $360
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125371

Case : COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

PSU : SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W Modular - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087&Tpk=Seasonic%20750W

DVD : Lite On 24x DVD Burner : $21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

Total : $1141 after rebates