Help build my first system

[thracy1]

Hello!

I'm new to the forum, but more importantly new to computer building in general. I'm trying to build my first homebuilt rig, but there's too much for me to process and I'm very nervous that I'll miss some compatibility thing here or there, etc.

So I thought I would ask you fine folks for some help!

There are three things I want to achieve with this system:

1) Since its my first one, I want to have upgrade path's for the future (i.e., I want to do SLI in the future; I may want to reuse this case; I want to have extra power so I don't have to rebuy a PS, etc);
2) I want it to be as cheap as possible, but I have a budget of about $1000-1500;
3) I want it to be stable, quiet, and cool.

So, if you had a budget of $1500, but got 'bonus points' for saving money, wanted an intel based system with upgrade paths for the future, what would you build?

+EDIT+

Oh, and of course, my intended use is for Gaming! I mostly play MMOs, but I'm hoping to play Skyrim, D3, and some of the newer FPS games like Call of Duty. BUT, I've never played a game on high settings before, so I'd like to spend money to give that a try.

 

[Emelth]

Couple places to save: Case (Roswell has a good $50 and $60 case), SSD (not everyone needs one), MoBo (there should be a $130 z68)

Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $100.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107

Intel Core i5-2500K - $220.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

ASRock Z68 Extreme4 - $180.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250

Enermax ETS-T40 T.B.APOLLISH CPU Cooler - $44.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214024

MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB - $270.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127608

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB - $140.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Crucial M4 64 GB SSD - $115.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $47.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Rosewill Xtreme Series RX750-S-B 750W Continuous @40°C ,80 PLUS Certified - $90.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182067

Total: $1206 (not including MIRs/Shipping)

 

[jsc]

On the other hand, Rosewill has not yet learned how to build a good PSU.

And never, ever buy a PSU with an advertised "Peak Power" rating.

 

[Emelth]

Well before choosing the PSU i checked out the reviews and noone has had a complaint about it yet, so for me I would go with it and if you didnt notice I wanted it to match the BLUE LED theme I had going with it, but either way 750W would be good enough

 

[kajabla]

But SSDs are wonderful...
I like that list, Emelth, but a few things. Might as well save on the case in the first place, and get a Hyper 212 EVO for $35 or a Mugen 3 for $50. One's cheaper and the other's excellent. Good mobo choice for SLI.

 

[Emelth]

Again I was going for a BLUE LED theme (this is a build I am working on for myself as well). God why am I repeating myself so much lol

 

[nordlead]

Well before choosing the PSU i checked out the reviews and noone has had a complaint about it yet, so for me I would go with it and if you didnt notice I wanted it to match the BLUE LED theme I had going with it, but either way 750W would be good enough

reading reviews on newegg for PSUs is like reading my reviews on jet engines. I know just enough about how they work, but the only thing I can tell you is if it turns on or not. Here is a good review worth reading - http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=60

@jsc - rosewill doesn't build PSUs. They don't even design PSUs. Rosewill just says "I want to sell a 750W PSU to gamers" and the real manufacturer designs it and sells it to them and then rosewill throws a sticker on it. Also, I wish more PSU manufacturers provided peak power specifications along with sustained max load. It would be nice if they specified the max temperature and the performance degradation for going over that temperature. However, you should be careful when reading the specifications as manufacturers will use certain words to make their products seem better than they really are.

Anyways, turns out the RX750-S-B is a decent PSU, but you could do better for the same cost (minus the modular component). The Corsair TX750V2 runs $95 after rebate and is 80+ Bronze with better power output.

 

[aebome]

While Emelth's build is a good place to start, I agree with the above posters that better options exist for the PSU and CPU cooler.

In addition to the Corsair TX750V2, either of these PSUs would work well also:

PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

OCZ ZT 750 (jonnyguru recommended)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052


As previously stated, the above mentioned CPU Coolers (Hyper 212 or Mugen 3) are better options than that Enermax.

Finally, I might consider this ram to avoid clearance problems with a CPU cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

 

[Emelth]

Hey its just my advice on a build I was thinking of yes I know it can be changed I know its not the best but it will do imo