First time builder, need advice/critique on an $1000 gaming rig

[josh2000]

Approximate Purchase Date: asap

Budget Range: approx. $1000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, general office tasks, movies/music

Parts Not Required: kb/m, monitor, os

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg or amazon

Country of Origin: usa

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: cpu = definitely, gpu = yes, but not regulary

SLI or Crossfire: in the near future, yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments:

I am mainly building this system for battlefield 3. I do plan to buy a second gpu on or possibly before black friday, so it's set up for SLI.


CPU - Intel i5 2500k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Motherboard - ASRock Z68 Extreme4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

GPU - MSI Twin Frozr II GTX 560 Ti
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565

HDD - it WAS the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1tb...however, it just sold out at newegg, and is $20 more at amazon.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

PSU - LEPA B850-MA 850W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194093

Case - COOLER MASTER HAF 922
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

total is $922, without the HDD

I am looking to cut costs where it makes sense, as I am nearly $100 shy of the monitor I want (Dell U2311h) and until then will have to play on an old 1280x1024 panel

I plan on OC'ing the 2500k to a reasonable level and, occasionally, the 560 ti's. I'm looking for the most cost-effective cooling solution, be it from the case or additional heatsinks. would the HAF 912 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 ) have enough airflow for this setup, since the MSI twin frozr already has 2 fans?

the PSU was recommended to me because of the rebate, however, I don't want to rely on a rebate. are there any good 850w under $100?

and obviously, the HDD - I can settle for 750gb, as I have a ton of external storage. as long as it's fast and reliable.

thanks for reading, any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[cutebeans]

Get this board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=asrock%20z68%20extreme3%20gen3

Haf 912 is good too.

Get this 750w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051

Use combos, there's a lot of em that can save u a buck.

i5-2500k and MSI Twin Frozr II combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749718

Change your ram to DDR3 1600.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

If you don't have an optical drive, HAf 912 + op drive combo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.743728

 

[casualbuilder]

GTX560 Ti is not applicable in this situation where you are going to OC it anyways. Get the GTX560, save $70.

Hyper 212+ EVO is the better buy, and only an extra $10. Go for it, you'll love it!

The board Cutebeans suggested is amazing, as well as the PSU.

With those, you have an extra $125 in your budget, plus the $75 you have left over is an extra $200. Upgrade the GTX560 to a GTX570 (leaves you with $40)

New total is $960ish, with a much better GPU, and power where it counts. You can upgrad to a better monitor later on. For now, get the meat and potatoes!

 

[josh2000]

wow, great suggestions, thanks.

I'm concerned though, are you sure 750w is enough for sli 560 ti and oc 2500k? seems like that's shaving it awfully close.

GTX560 Ti is not applicable in this situation where you are going to OC it anyways. Get the GTX560, save $70.

I don't understand, do you mean that a 560 can match a 560 ti when overclocking both? I thought a factory-clocked ti was nearly the same performance as a stock 570, and I saw that as the sweet spot since once I SLI it there probably won't be an appreciable difference between 2 560 ti's and 2 570s, at least not for a while, and not enough to justify the extra $100+.

still need an HDD!

 

[cutebeans]

Seagate Barracuda 1tb $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697&Tpk=seagate%20barracuda%201tb

Yep, a good 750w can easiliy SLI a 560ti with OC. It's not shaving it close. Some SLI the 560ti with 650w and it's stil lfine.

 

[casualbuilder]

yes...750W on good psu is plenty

 

[josh2000]

well this brings me under $1000, OS included. bravo! considering the 570 now, but I may wait until some bf3 retail benchmarks are released.

big thanks to both of you

 

[josh2000]

Best answer selected by josh2000.