Gaming System Upgrade ≤ $800

[fumoh]

Hello all,

It's that time again... my last upgrade was 12/28/2007, so now it's time for new components! I'm looking for some feedback/suggestions on some items that I've picked out for my new build.

What I've picked out so far (I prefer Intel CPU's and NVIDIA GPU's, but don't have any strong preferences for motherboard brands):
ASUS ENGTX560 DCII OC/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
ASUS P8P67 LE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

My goal is to have a system that'll allow me to game for the next three years or so. I may also consider adding an additional video card for SLI later on down the line. My case, HDD, and monitors are fine. I'm also not much of an enthusiast, so I'm not interested in overclocking.


Another question: Would I be able to keep using my current Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply, or should I purchase a new power supply?

Thanks for your time!

 

[cutebeans]

Get an i5-2500k
Get a 560ti not just a 560
Keep your powersupply, it's still pretty good.
get this z68 motherboard. Better than a p67.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=asrock%20z68%20extreme3%20gen3

 

[fumoh]

Thanks for the suggestion.

What's the best way to determine what power supply is required for a system?

Based on your response, I've swapped out the Motherboard, CPU, and Video card and replaced them with the following:

GIGABYTE GV-N560UD-1G GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (cheapest one, had decent reviews)
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

Dropping the Corsair power supply and using my current one brings the price down to around $600.

 

[cutebeans]

Oh crap! I didn't see you were planning to SLI. :O You aren't going to OC right?

Sorry, didn't read what you said properly. Are you sure you plan to SLI? I wouldn't right now since the newer cards are supposed to be more efficient and 2x stroner which are going out at the end of the year. The 560ti will last you about 2-3 years of gaming as long as you are not picky about getting it on ultra settings.

If you do plan to SLI. At least 700w is required

Get the i5-2500. Use promocode.

The K series are for overclockers

What I do to is google video card name guru3d review. They give you the watts you need for your system, They overestimate it most of the time by at least 50w so I subtract that and get the watts needed

 

[fumoh]

I was considering SLI later down the line, so it wouldn't be a huge deal to up my power supply at that time.

Thanks!

 

[fumoh]

Best answer selected by fumoh.

 

[fumoh]

Get an i5-2500k
Get a 560ti not just a 560
Keep your powersupply, it's still pretty good.
get this z68 motherboard. Better than a p67.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=asrock%20z68%20extreme3%20gen3

This is exactly what I went with. I was a little worried that my PS wouldn't be able to hold up with the new components, but I've been playing BF3 for over a week now and it runs awesome.

Thanks for your feedback!