Help Finalizing $1200-1400 build

[scottamc]

Approximate Purchase Date: Cyber Monday/this week

Budget Range: +/- $1200-1400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, watching streaming tv/movies, surfing, work (internet,office 2010,etc..), some video editing

Parts Not Required: Mouse/Keyboard, Speakers,some listed components down there

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon (no tax?), Newegg, (US customer...so whatever is best deal)

Country: United States

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe- interested in conversation of the new SLI'ing 560/570 ti updated version or single gtx 580 (maybe sli that next year or as needed)

Monitor Resolution: 24 in monitor.. so probly 19x12 -- thinking of getting new 27" or new updated hd monitor, but this will be later.

Additional Comments: Interested in slaying BF3 on all ultra settings... also want quick computer for multitasking, opening folders/programs, etc..

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Have These Parts On Hand:

CPU- i5 2500k
$149.99 Microcenter BF Deal In-store

CASE- Corsair Carbide 400R
$59AR Fry's In-store
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008&Tpk=corsair%20carbide%20400r

Memory- Corsair Vengeance 16gb (4x4gb) (Was cheap as 8gb AR- so just went for it)
$45AR Fry's In-store
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143

MOBO- MSI Z68A-GD65G3
$139 Microcenter BF Deal In-store
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130611


Sound- Sound Blaster x-fi Fatal1ty w/ front bay
$0 owned for several years
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102189

CPU Cooler- Zalman 9500
$0 also owned for few years
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223


3 Misc Sata HD's I already own will go in rig as backup data drives
1 DVD/CD lightscribe burner

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Will purchase

or
Hyper 212+ ?
$25-$10 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065


HD- Crucial SSD M4
~$209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

GPU- Either GTX 580 w/ potential sli late next year or SLI 560ti-448
$400-500
Waiting to see price and final specs this week regarding this decision

PSU- Don't know how much I need based upon above

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Questions:

1) Regarding Sound card --- Should I reuse this part in my new rig or is the onboard sound better in the newer MSI z68 board?

2) Is my older Zalman 9500 better to reuse than paying for a new hyper 212+ as a CPU cooler? I saw on NewEgg you can purchase a $5 part to make the Zalman work on 1155 socket.

3) Based upon the above parts, how much PSU power will I need?

 

[scottamc]

bump

 

[steadywaters]

1. No harm in trying both out and see which one you like better.

2. The Zalman 9500 is likely to underperform compared to the Hyper 212+. But, note that you won't be able to mount all four of your RAM sticks in the normal CPU cooler fan position since the tall heatsinks have clearance issues with many tower CPU coolers. If I was in your position, I'd just pick up the Hyper 212+ and put the CPU cooler fan in pull position.

3. 650W would be the minimum amount I'd suggest that fits a single GTX 580 with a little room for CPU overclocking. For SLI, 850W+.