New Gaming System Based on the $1000 SBU Winner!

[krokodile]

Hey there Toms! Did a lot of homework on this one, read the stickies, now I just want some tips from the community:

Approximate Purchase Date: Nov. 25 - Dec 24

Budget Range: $1000 - $1200

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Games

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg!

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: This is mostly what why I ask, what's good and who should I avoid?

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: MoBo: EVGA P67 Micro SLI ($149)
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K ($220)
Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 ($20)
RAM: Kingston HyperX 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 1600 ($90)
GPU: 2 x EVGA GeForce GTX 560 1 GB ($390)
HD: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State ($115)
ROM: Sony Optiarc DVD Burner ($20)
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply ($95)
Case: Raidmax Atlas-295WB ($40)

Total Price: ~$1140 after shipping

(Link to origional SBU $1000 winner: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-cpu-ssd,3027.html )

Compared to the SBU winner, I wanted to lay down $40 more for 4 times the RAM and $50 more to go from the SLI GTX 460s to the SLI GTX 560s. Those are the only notable differences.

I was mostly curious about brands, experiances and opinions. If any of you know of any specific deals I am over looking please let me know. I don't need much space so the 64 GB SSD HD should be fine but I have never used SSDs, and SLI array, or DDR3 memory so I am stepping on new territory. Please let me know what you all think and if there is anything you would change. My price limit is $1200 and I hope to have a machine that does not need any upgrading for 4 years.

 

[FinneousPJ]

Link doesn't work.

 

[rwayne]

Couple points:

I think you mean GTX 560 instead of 650.
Also there is a GTX 560ti which is faster than the 560
And Nvidia is also in the works of coming with a GTX565 which will fall performance wise between a GTX560ti and a GTX 570.

HAVE you seen the new EVGA GTX560ti 2WIN? It looks awesome! basically two GTX560tis on a single card:
http://www.evga.com/articles/00656/


Also if you could please link the items you are proposing on buying as it will help out the forum.

 

[krokodile]

Link doesn't work.

Sorry about that, fixed it! Thanks for letting me know.

 

[theZomgtiger]

HD Radeon 6870 Is fairly close to GTX560 ti and far cheaper. Idk much about overclocking but im sure if you overclocked the 6870 it could beat it

 

[krokodile]

Couple points:

I think you mean GTX 560 instead of 650.
Also there is a GTX 560ti which is faster than the 560
And Nvidia is also in the works of coming with a GTX565 which will fall performance wise between a GTX560ti and a GTX 570.

HAVE you seen the new EVGA GTX560ti 2WIN? It looks awesome! basically two GTX560tis on a single card:
http://www.evga.com/articles/00656/


Also if you could please link the items you are proposing on buying as it will help out the forum.

Yes I did mean the 560, sorry. I checked out the Ti and it was about 40 dollars per card more spendy which puts me beyond that 1200 ceiling ... I may take and overtime shift and move up though. Toms video charts say the Ti is a good one. Any word on when the Ti 2win is out, I didn't see any prices or a release date.

 

[rwayne]

The good thing about the Radeon 6870 is that is runs cool, is very power efficient, and is significantly cheaper than the GTX 560ti. However the overclock headroom is very narrow where as the GTX560ti overclocks like a beast.

I was about to buy a GTX 560ti then the prices jumped up which at that point made the 6870 more attractive.

I am happy with my HD 6870 but I think if I could do it over I still would have went with the GTX 560ti. Nvidia does DX11 (particularly tessellation) significantly better than AMD.

 

[theZomgtiger]

Yeah as i said idk much about ocing. DX11 is better in nividia cards but AMD works well

 

[rwayne]

krokodile,

I am a little concerned about SLI'ing two GTX 560ti s on a 650 Watt Power Supply. It may be possibly be fine, but if it was me for my own personal 'comfort factor' I would want a little more wattage headroom.

Did you see this combo bundle on newegg?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.722615

This looks great. The combo saves you nearly $75 upfront.
■Plus you get a 1TB drive at 6GB speed
■Get upgraded 100 Watts to a Corsair 750Watt PSU
■and you would get a better case with a CM 690 II Advanced
■You would only get a single GTX 560ti however it is an ASUS DirectCUII version which will run cooler and quieter than a reference card.

All for $996

With the savings you could get a 2nd GTX560ti if you felt the need. However I don't think you will. A Core I-5 with a GTX560ti will give you a great gaming experience. If you just stick with the bundle at $996 odds are you would be able to buy sooner rather than later.

This bundle may not be available at the time you go to buy but keep an eye out for stuff like this.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Your PSU is a bit undersized. The 850 watt XFX Core Edition is $5 cheaper and gets the same 9.5 performance rating from jonnyguru.

The case is undersized and undercooled for what you are putting in it.

$1215

Case - $ 105 - Antec 902 V3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097
PSU - $ 90 - XFX Core Edition 850 PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011
MoBo - $ 180 - ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792
CPU - $ 220 - Intel Core i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Cooler - $ 26 - Hyper 212_ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
RAM - $ 50 - (2 x 4GB) Corsair CAS 9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196
GFX - $ 225 - Asus GTX 560 Ti 900 Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425
GFX - $ 225 - Same
HD - $ 75 - Seagate 7200.12 750 GB 7200 rpm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148789
SSD - later - OCZ Vertex 3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706
DVD Writer - $ 19 - Asus 24X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

 

[krokodile]

Hey everyone, I really appreciate the information, this all helps a lot! I will weigh what kind of deals I am going to get to see to decide whether I should go down to the 6870's or up to the Ti's. Also Jack, thanks for bringing the case to my attention, had not thought of the system heat and the need for more air-flow. Looking forward to a Black Tuesday buy-a-ton!