Advice on gaming build

[archer35]

I'm building a midi atx for a friend for gaming things like bf3 and shogun2. Fell free to change anything but I'd like to keep away from sli and crossfire due to the problems it can start. Also try not to move the price up to much 20-25 dollars is acceptable. Lastly an sad is unnecary so no need to ask or point one out. Thanks in advance

Normal Evga 580 479.99$
Fractal arc minincase         100$
Core i5-2500k.                219.99$
Asus Maximus IV rgene     170$
Seagate barucuda  1tb         55
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900)      75$
Asus DVD 24x                    18$
Corsair tx650.                   95$

For a total of 1213$

Edit: forgot to mention all prices here are bases off new egg

 

[Cinci555]

A 570 Frozr II OC is a nice card and can save $150.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7303352&CatId=3669

I would recommend the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB, better HD than Seagate, I just hate SG and see far too many failures for my comfort level.

If he has the room upgrade to a midsize tower and a full ATX motherboard, its better for upgradability.

 

[archer35]

I'm not to concerned about upgrade ability as he isn't to tech savvy. Ans he wants we to keep it from a mid size tower and full tower but that's it

 

[cutebeans]

Why are you going to buy such an expensive motherboard?

A z68 asrock pro3 would do and it's only $100.

I would get a DRR3 1600. Cheaper by $25. You won't even notice the diference.

 

[archer35]

The motherboard because I've used it before and have a lot of trust in it and the RAM will get changed along with the earlier stated gpu.

 

[cutebeans]

The motherboard is too expensive especially when he won't even be SLI or anything.

If you're going to buy from newegg.

I would get this combo. $500 for the whole rig except the GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.644166

Get a 560ti.

 

[geofelt]

Looks like a nice build as it is.
Here are some added thoughts.

1) I like the fractal case, but it may be larger than necessary. Look at the Silverstone TJ08B-E case at the same price.
I use one with a GTX580, and it is very quiet with good cooling. It includes a two speed 180mm intake fan is all you need. It includes a washable fan filter, and can hold tallish cpu coolers.
It tends to sell out quickly, so you may have to shop around.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163182

2) I suggest you add a cpu cooler. It will keep the cpu cooler and quieter than the stock Intel cooler. If you OC a bit, (and that is why you are getting a"K")
you can oc easier and higher. A CM hyper212 will do the job at $26

3) The Asus motherboard is nice, but you are paying for sli capability which you don't need.
Look at the ASUS low cost spinoff motherboard, the ASRock Z68 PRO3-M which will do what you want for $110:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252

4) Sandy bridge is largely insensitive to ram speeds. Do not pay much extra for faster speeds or better timings. Real app performance or FPS will not change by more than 1-3%. Also, 1.5v ram does not need fancy heat spreaders; they are mostly marketing.
A 8gb kit should be <$50.

5) Since you do not want a SSD(which I heartily endorse), get a better 1tb hard drive.
The WD Black with 64mb cache should perform better. It is also one of the more trouble free drives. Here are hard drive return rates from a December report:
http://www.behardware.com/articles/810-6/components-returns-rates.html

6) The EVGA cards with a TR suffix have 2 year warranties, the AR cards are lifetime, and cost a minimal amount more.
Here is the one I would get for $479 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130590

 

[archer35]

Frozers oc II 570
Asrock z68 pro3
Fractal arc midi
WD Caviar Black 1 TB SATA Hard Drive
Same psu
G.skill ripjaws 8gb 1600
Some for of CPU cooler

 

[archer35]

Here's a revised build so how Ia it now

Frozers oc II 570
Asrock z68 pro3
Fractal arc midi
WD Caviar Black 1 TB SATA Hard Drive
Same psu
G.skill ripjaws 8gb 1600
Some for of CPU cooler

 

[geofelt]

Here's a revised build so how Ia it now

Frozers oc II 570
Asrock z68 pro3
Fractal arc midi
WD Caviar Black 1 TB SATA Hard Drive
Same psu
G.skill ripjaws 8gb 1600
Some for of CPU cooler

Looks OK, A GTX570 is appropriate, but I might pick a different GTX570.

The frozer twin fan cooler will do well in open testbed benchmarks, but in a case, where will the heat dissipate to?
...Back into the case where case cooling has to deal with it.
That heats up both the gpu and the cpu... not good.
I like the direct exhaust type coolers that get the heat directly out the back of the case.
Here is a EVGA GTX superclocked which is a tad stronger, and has a dual slot cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130614

 

[archer35]

That evga card looks perfect.

 

[archer35]

Best answer selected by Archer35.