Looking for build comments

[i_like_tacos]

I want to build a box that is powerful yet fairly portable. Here are the parts I'm considering:

CPU: I5-2500K (I doubt ill OC but its less than $10 above the 2500)
GFX: Sapphire 2G Rad 6970
MB: Asus Maximus IV Gene Z
CASE:Thermaltake Armor A30
HS: Cooler Master 212+
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650HX
MEM: 8 GB need some suggestions
HD: SATA(no SSD for now, but will add one later) minimum 1 TB need suggestions

Preemptive thanks for your comments!

 

[ewood]

whats your budget?
it would be a shame to get a 2500k and not overclock it. i bought one sunday and it runs at 4.5 ghz at stock voltage. that case however will limit you a bit since the psu is right over the cpu. id recommend something like this lian li: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112300
It has a reat 120mm fan mount which you can use for a closed loop water cooling setup. A closed loop seems like the best choice is small micro atx builds since they fit much easier than similarly performing air options.

As for ram this corsair set looks good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233219
it has tight timings and is rated at 1.5v which should be easy on the sandy bridge mem controller.

Its a really bad time to be in the market for a hard drive if you didnt notice. the prices went through roof with all the flooding in thailand this summer/fall

as for ram

 

[geofelt]

No need for fast speed, low latencies or fancy heat spreaders with a 2500K.
Here is a good kit for $45:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

I could be wrong, but I don't think a tower type cpu cooler will fit. It looks to me like 160mm is too high and will hit the psu.
You probably need a downdraft lo profile cooler with that case. Find some reviews to see what they use.
It looks to me like the A30 case has limited air intake which could be a problem.
If you want a box that is portable, look at the lian li Q08 case. It is much smaller and weighs 1/3 the amount.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112265

It will need a itx motherboard such as this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157268

The sapphire card has a restricted back plate, so it will not exhaust the hot air out the back of the case very well
I might go with a GTX580 instead.

For a Hard drive, the WD black 1tb drive is quite good. Or Samsung.