$1100 gaming build i5 2500k (my first build ever) could use input

[ScottR]

This is a gaming/internet only system that I am building. I have spent hours looking into this as I have been out of the loop with the latest hardware. I mainly play or will play Swtor, Lotro, BF3, Skyrim, etc. What I have listed after tax/shipping puts me around $1090.00 and that is pretty much my max. Anything I can replace, get cheaper, combo? Does the compatibility of everything look ok?

I will be ordering online the Newegg and TD items but will head down to a Microcenter near me.

Thanks for input.


Newegg:

Case - Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, come with Five Fans, window side panel, top HDD dock $99

MOBO - ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $184.99

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL $44.99

DRW - ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM $20.99

OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM $99.99

Cooling - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ... $25.99

GPU - EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ... $184.99 after rebate


Microcenter:

CPU - Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor $179.99

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive WD5000AAK... $89.99


Tigerdirect:

PSU - Corsair CMPSU-750TXV2 Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 Power Supply - 750 Watts, ATX, 140mm Fan, 80 Plus Bronze, SLI Ready, Active PFC $94.99

 

[Outlander_04]

There are decent enough cases that cost less
Antec 300
Antec 100
CM HAF

Any of those could save you $35 [ or more]

You could also spend $30 less on your mb and get the same performance

The power supply is over kill . 500 watts will run that rig with plenty of head room

Personally Id reinvest those savings in a better graphics card . 560 ti or the Radeon 6950

 

[ScottR]

If I plan on using two video cards then I should keep the 750 correct? Id rather not pay for the lesser one now then buy another down the road.

I was wondering about the case. Will look at that again.

 

[Outlander_04]

You would be fine SLIing two GTX 560's on a 650 watt psu

 

[g-unit1111]

If you get a case in the ~$99 range, you must look at the Corsair Carbide 400.

The Cooler Master HAF isn't a bad choice either.

 

[ScottR]

Ok, chose a cheaper case. They look just as good. Since it will save me some $50 I chose the 560 Ti instead of the 560.

What about the MOBO, is that a good one?

 

[g-unit1111]

Nothing wrong with Asrock but if you want a second opinion I'd suggest the Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3P. I have that board and it's really excellent.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Do not get the GTX 560. Get a 560Ti at least.
This MoBo still allows SLI ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Saves $60.
EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610
$257.55 incl. ship $20 rebate. $62 more than the 560 and has 384 cores as compared to 336 cores on the 560.
Rest of the build looks good. I think that's a good price on a 750W Corsair GPU. It has 4 ea. 6+2 connectors for GPU's, handy indeed. Yeah, you can get cheaper cases. My Antec 300 has served me well thru 3 builds but has NO cable management. So get the 560Ti if you can't come up with another $90 or so for a GTX 570.

 

[ScottR]

Thank you so much for the suggestion on the MOBO!! Did save a ton. I just might be buying the 570 afterall. May look at cutting a few more dollars by getting cheaper thermal compound...every $ counts right?

 

[g-unit1111]

Thank you so much for the suggestion on the MOBO!! Did save a ton. I just might be buying the 570 afterall. May look at cutting a few more dollars by getting cheaper thermal compound...every $ counts right?

True but thermal compound is one area where I would NOT skimp. You get really cheap thermal compound - you could fry your CPU. Tread very carefully in that area.

 

[ScottR]

Yeah I looked over the compound and decided to stick with what I have listed. I think I'm gonna drop the heat sink i have listed for now and not over clock. I can transfer the $ difference to justify getting the 570 with the other savings.

I will eventually buy a better heatsink/fan when I decide to overclock.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

You get entirely adequate thermal compound with the CM HSF. Installing it before installing the MoBo makes things considerably easier, but your choice. You can probably OC to 4GHz with the stock HSF as long as you can keep temps in the 65C range.