Gaming PC Build - Suggestions for a couple parts

[xxmurrxx]

Hello, Im looking into building a gaming pc
My last three computers have been mac's so I have kind of lost touch on whats good, whats better, and whats the best for the cost.

Purpose: Gaming hopefully on max settings. (bf3, mw3, starcraft II, etc)
Budget: $1000-1500

Here are a couple of things I have picked out and a couple of blanks I need to fill in. (Prices for my picked are in Canadian)
If you have any negatives or better suggestions on what I have picked out feel free to input.

Case: COOLER MASTER Storm Scout http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196 $84.99

Memory: Crossair 8 GB http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180 $48.99

HD: WD 750 GB - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136794 $69.99

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020 $94.99

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - $109

DVD: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $22.99

Total so far: 431

Things needed:

MOBO:
CPU:
Video Card:

 

[aznshinobi]

What is your resolution you will be playing on? Also do you plan to overclock?

 

[xxmurrxx]

I do not yet have a monitor so Highest res possible within my budget.
Not too familiar with over clocking so as of right now I would have to say no

 

[aznshinobi]

Alright, so I suggest shopping at Canada Direct since purchases over $50 are free shipping. With that said.

i5 2400 $190 (Free shipping)
http://www.amazon.ca/I5-2400-Lga1155-3-10g-Smart-910678/dp/B004EBUXIA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317581137&sr=8-1
Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 $147
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD2247&vpn=Z68%20Extreme3%20Gen3&manufacture=Others
OCZ ZS 750w $86 ($25 MIR)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220AC2351&vpn=OCZ-ZS750W&manufacture=OCZ
G.Skill 8GB DDR3 1333 $42
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15380BD8579&vpn=F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL&manufacture=G.SKILL
MSI 560 Ti TFII OC $244 ($25 MIR)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD8066&vpn=N560GTX-TI%20Twin%20Frozr%20II/OC&manufacture=MSI
Seagate 1TB $53
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950AC9713&vpn=ST31000524AS&manufacture=Others
LG DVD Drive $17
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12600DR6205&vpn=GH22NS70&manufacture=LG
Windows 7 64-bit $111
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12850SW2113&vpn=GFC-02050&manufacture=MICROSOFT
HAF 922 $90
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC5964&vpn=RC-922M-KKN1-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
Total: $980

 

[xxmurrxx]

List looks good.

Couple questions. Is the Canada Direct a pretty reputable seller?
Total = 980, Are there any critical upgrades that would really improve my system for a couple hundred more? (video card, or cpu)?

Also with the above listed, would I more than likely be able to play max settings in newer games? (bf3)

Thanks.

 

[aznshinobi]

Yes they are, if you want you can get an i5 2500K instead and have the option to overclock in the future. Overall though, there is no real thing you need to change. You could get this 560 Ti instead though, or add another one.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125369&Tpk=560%20Ti%20SOC

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Dump the tall heat sinks. The only cooling effect of these big coolers is that they "look cool". While they served a purpose (when they were effective) w/ DDR2, they are absolutely useless on DDR3.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=773&Itemid=67&limit=1&limitstart=1

At more than 2" tall in certain areas the Corsair Vengeance could pose a problem for users like me who use large coolers such as the Scythe Mugen 2. I was able to use the Corsair Vengeance only after I mounted the fan on my cooler on the backside. Size is definitely a concern with heat spreaders of this size and therefore I encourage users to check that they will have enough space under their heatsinks before purchasing the Corsair Vengeance kit.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=773&Itemid=67&limit=1&limitstart=6

The problem I have with the Corsair Vengeance is the same I have with many kits of RAM on the market. Companies insist on putting large coolers on their RAM and it limits the choice in CPU heatsinks that can be used within users system. DDR3 does not require these elaborate coolers with its lower voltages which translate to lower temperatures then RAM saw during the DDR, and DDR2 era. Corsair is correcting this with low profile versions of its Vengeance line but ultimately I would like to see the average size of coolers drop instead of having to look for specific low profile versions of a memory line.

Same specs, no interference issues:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

PSU's better choices available for lower prices:

650 watts $70 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014
750 watts $90 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207015
850 watts $100 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

HD - I'd get one of these:

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1015.html?prod%5B2371%5D=on&prod%5B3016%5D=on&prod%5B2365%5D=on

As for ya other items ......

I recommend seeing if you will benefit at all from Z68 .... I have yet to run into a user asking me to build a system who would .... if not, no reason to rule out P8P67. Read this to decide:

http://www.ukgamingcomputers.co.uk/difference-between-h67-p67-z68-and-h61-chipsets-a-22.html

I'd also make sure I got an industry standard 3 year warranty.

With your budget, there's plenty of room for an i5-2500k and top end cooler (Scythe Mugen beats 212 by 7C)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185168
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080

One of these for the GFX card, tho two will fit under ya budget

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006520&IsNodeId=1&Description=560%20Ti%20900Mhz&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

An SSD would be nice....Vertex 3 is a starting point ... also look at Corsair Performance 3
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706

 

[aznshinobi]

^ LOL To bad almost all of those things have $5-$20 shipping charges.

Also, just because the Asrock doesn't have a 3 year but a 2 year, it makes little difference because they rarely break down after that 2 year period. If they end up run down it'd be within a year. Besides, The P8P67 only runs 16x/4x and not only that costs way more that many boards that are better around its price range.

Jack just to tell you, those are MIR prices not before rebate. Not all companies Honor them, I don't see how you don't get that.

 

[xxmurrxx]

So for the price difference i'll probably go with the i5 2500
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

Would the recommended video card
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125369&Tpk=560%20Ti%20SOC be a better choice? Looks like some better reviews on the one you posted originally. Not sure how hooking two up works? can any two be hooked in?

Rather spend a little extra to get a system that will do what I want, and won't have to be upgraded the next time a new game comes out.

 

[aznshinobi]

Why not get the 2500K off Direct Canada.
Virtually the same price but you'll be able to overclock in the future if you so choose.

Yes it would be, it'd perform better than a stock 570. Cooler too.

 

[xxmurrxx]

Thanks for the help.
I will probably be ordering from direct canada

Just still up in the air on a video card. If I should go with two low-mid ends or one single better one.
From reading about the battlefield game it'll require a lot from a video card.

I know prices are dropping all the time on computer hardware, but can you for see any higher end models dropping in cost any time soon?

 

[aznshinobi]

The card I recommended would be sufficient in running BF3 on High or even ultra. You won't see price drops for a long time. They rarely do.

 

[xxmurrxx]

Well I think im going with the GeForce 560 TI.

One final (i think) question..
Will that 750w power supply be able to handle SLI (dual 560 ti's) if I end up getting another card in the future.
I read that brand is pretty solid. Just want to confirm.

Tks.

 

[aznshinobi]

Assuming it's a good one, like the one I recommended. Yes it'll be good enough.
The 560 Ti is a great choice.

gL