Advice on new build

[PowerFreak666]

Hey im currently working on building my new system and wanted some feedback on what ive picked (please note my budget is of small concern)
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Useages: Mostly gaming however i do plan on some video editing with it
Purchase date: today. or tomorrow (my old pc just died so)
Gameing res 25inch 1920x1080
Not needed: keyboard mouse speakers


Any feedback would be appreciated , i am also looking for a good CPU cooler so if i could get suggestions for that thanks

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
-189.99

Graphics card:MSI N580GTX Lightning GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (i plan to add a second one in the future)
-499.99

ram: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
-52.99

MOBO: MSI Z68A-GD80 (G3) LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS (realisticly im not going to be upgrading when the new processers come out)
-239.99

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
-314.99

SSD: OCZ Vertex 3 Series – MAX IOPS Edition VTX3MI-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
-294.99

HDD: WD caviar black 2tb (i plan on using a 64gig ssd for cashe on the hard drive ive got one now so i might as well put it to use)

PSU: PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W High Performance 80PLUS Silver SLI CrossFire ready Power Supply
-144.99

 

[x Heavy]

You will want the Extreme. The onboard memory and a few other things with these two cards just absolutely makes them a... game crusher.

I am uncertain of the wildfire. I went the OCZ Vertex 3 route myself. as luck would have it they shipped already equipped with version 2.11

Try to consider either the MSI Z68 GD65 A or the Z68 GD80 motherboard before you get into the Sniper.

I run the same i7 2600k as you listed on my MSI Z68 GD65A and it mildly runs overclocked at 4.2 gig using the MSI's one button OC Genie. The video cards are capable of further speeds and strength using the afterburner software... again these are so strong.. it's hardly necessary.

You will want to get a 200 mm fan for your top optional on the HAF X as I have done, in addition get a Silverstone 4 in 3 enclosure and use a strong fan at both ends to pull-pull air straight to your video cards and CPU Cooler.

I use a Ballistix Memory cooler with the curved top plate removed on top of my GSkill 2133 RAM Just remember to Bios XMP Enable and check to ensure it's set for the speed you need.

In addition when using SSD, hunt down everything related to green power and euro power trash and disable it all. Also go into your windows Power plan and build a plan that strictly leaves everything on.

I am running a V8 cooler and found that my MSI board has the bolts on the back. I double check them several times a week. I am prepared to get a better and bigger mass cooler in copper if I have to. But right now I am running at 42 degrees in the CPU at 4.2 gig. Again, I have so many fans inside and around the HAF X Case. There are literally no warm spots left in the case with all the cables shoved into the back out of the way.

Why bother with a overclock to 4.0? MSI's boards with the OC Genie will take you to 4.2 and you have the ability to take it to 5 gig and beyond if you have the cooling to make it happen.

Don't bother with the little duct on the side fan or the little square duct for your PCIe cables on the video cards. Do place one or two more fans inside the area to keep air moving through.

Don't forget to mount whatever powersupply you get fan side down through the bottom of your HAF X case. It will save you the hassle of losing screws or whatever.

Dont plan on using the slot between the big video cards. There isnt any room. I do have a Killer 2100 NIC above my top slot. I am aware more mo bos are coming with the killers already on board. It's important to have it as it may depend upon your life or death in battle.

I rely on OkGear's EMI shielded round cables that are 18 inches long mostly straight to straight locking in black with a couple of straight to right angle for the two BR drives up top.

 

[x Heavy]

Before I forget, go ahead and install the SATA III cables onto all your SATA ports. You may use one, some or all of them right away... it saves you from having to remove the lower video card everytime you wish to install something. Make sure they lock.

 

[legendkiller]

I Would recommend you get a i5-2500k because gaming dont take advantage of 8Threads unless you do encode stuff than your good...

For your SSD, I Recommend getting OCZ Vertex 3 120GB Max IOSP(Currently on top/best in my opinion)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227714

For GPU, I Recommend getting this MSI because it'll last you longer than a lifetime plus it wont overheat at all!!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127589

For MoBO, I Recommend getting this ASRock because it's just one of the best Z68 board for lower price...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157263

EDIT: I recommend this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008&Tpk=corsair%20400r

 

[PowerFreak666]

i went ahead and switched out for the xtreame ver of the card and the ocz vertex ssd, and im a newbie overclocker so forgive my stupidity on the clock of the i7 any recommendations on a good 200mm fan? and the sniper 2 has a killer nic built in i believe saves me the trouble ive got the money to spend so i don't see whats wrong with using the sniper 2

 

[danraies]

Give us things like usage and budget and purchase date.

If you're just gaming then there's no point in the 2600K. You'll see no difference between 2600K and the if-2500K

That G1.Sniper2 is overpriced and under-featured. Unless you're willing to pay $100 for that look, you can do better for cheaper. I reccommend the ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269
It has x16/x16 mode for SLI and PCIe 3.0 for ivy bridge.

 

[legendkiller]

Give us things like usage and budget and purchase date.

If you're just gaming then there's no point in the 2600K. You'll see no difference between 2600K and the if-2500K

That G1.Sniper2 is overpriced and under-featured. Unless you're willing to pay $100 for that look, you can do better for cheaper. I reccommend the ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269
It has x16/x16 mode for SLI and PCIe 3.0 for ivy bridge.

PCI-E 3.0 is not for Ivy-Bridge, it's for newer cards like 7000 series and kepler and other new stuff that's coming out...

 

[Why_Me]

For that kind of bread for a board, I think I would expect it to run dual cards @ x16 instead of x8. Also you didn't state your intended resolution and if you don't plan on running triple monitors that 3GB card is going to hose you in FPS due to latency. You will actually get lower FPS with that card on a standard 1900 x 1080 monitor. Google the review of that card done by Hardware Canucks. That psu will push one of those cards...a 650w psu will push one of those cards, but a 750w psu is not going to push two of those cards. Also as the other poster pointed out, the 2600K gives you ZERO advantage in regards to gaming. By the time the Ivy Bridge cpu's come out next spring there might be some games that take advantage of it.

Here's a few idea's you might want to take a look at. That board down below has a NF200 Bridge allowing dual cards to run @ x16 & x16 instead of the usual x8 & x8.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CC600TWM-WHT-Special-Graphite-Computer/dp/B004O0PAKW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1315703503&sr=1-1 $159.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair CC600TWM-WHT Special Edition Graphite Series 600T Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - White

or same case in black...

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Graphite-Mid-Tower-Computer-CC600TM/dp/B004X63JWS/ref=sr_1_5?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1315770382&sr=1-5 $159.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Graphite Series 600T Mid-Tower Gaming Computer Case with Mesh Side Panel CC600TM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139034 $219.99 - $199.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Professional Series HX1050 1050W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Power Supply

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028 $149.99 - $129.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING 10% off with promo code PCPowerSep1, ends 9/15
PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W High Performance 80PLUS Silver SLI CrossFire ready Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269 $279.99 $10 off w/ promo code EMCKAKA32, ends 9/15
ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.721538 $289.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3049 $49.99
Cooler Master Hyper 612 PWM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186 $52.99 FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

***Down below are two 120HZ Refresh Rate 3D Capable LED 2ms Gaming Monitors

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001475 $469.99
SAMSUNG S23A750D Black 23" 2ms Full HD 3D LED BackLight LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 DCR 1,000,000:1 (1,000:1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014241 $369.99
BenQ XL2410T Black 23.6" 2ms GTG HDMI Widescreen LED Backlighting LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 10,000,000:1 (1,000:1)

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme7%20Gen3 <---- A better look at that board

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/PCIe3/ <----- PCI-E 3.0 supported by the new 22nm Ivy Bridge cpu's due out in April/May

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/IntelZ68/index.asp <----- Z68 Features

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4272/asrock_z68_extreme7_gen3_intel_z68_motherboard_review/index1.html <--- Full review of that board with benchmarks

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html <----- Review done here on Toms a few weeks ago showing that board with the NF200 Bridge reduce micro stutter.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139005 <----- A better look at that case.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&safe=off&source=hp&q=cooler+master+hyper+612+pwm+review&oq=cooler+master+hyper+612+pwm+rev&aq=2&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=203588l204827l4l207543l4l4l3l1l4l0l0l0ll0l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=ad22561d38e22c32&biw=1440&bih=775 <----- Reviews and benchmarks of that new Cooler Master Hyper 612 PWM cpu cooler

http://www.tcmagazine.com/tcm/news/hardware/40011/cooler-master-hyper-612-pwm-debuts-north-america?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tcmagazine+%28Techconnect+Magazine%29 <---- that cpu cooler is due out within the next two weeks.

 

[danraies]

Why_Me makes good suggestions. +1 to that.

PCI-E 3.0 is not for Ivy-Bridge, it's for newer cards like 7000 series and kepler and other new stuff that's coming out...

What I meant is that pcie 3.0 slots will only be useful after an upgrade to ivy bridge. sandy bridge won't support pcie 3.0 speeds but ivy bridge will support it.

 

[legendkiller]

Why_Me makes good suggestions. +1 to that.



What I meant is that pcie 3.0 slots will only be useful after an upgrade to ivy bridge. sandy bridge won't support pcie 3.0 speeds but ivy bridge will support it.

Oh i see, lol... I NEver knew about it or that the cpu support or not lol...

 

[Why_Me]

Oh i see, lol... I NEver knew about it or that the cpu support or not lol...

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/PCIe3/overview.html