Lots of Questions! Hope You Guys Are Ready! First Build Wooohooo!

[udm787]

So I'm planning my first computer build and I wanted to get a few (actually quite a bit) things checked out. Lets go over my build first and see where I can save money.

Approximate Purchase Date: Christmas. But I'm able to start ordering parts right now in order to save money.

Budget Range: $1400 Max

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Multimedia, E-Mail/Web Browsing

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: Brand doesn't really matter, but I'd prefer the more well known ones.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Additional Comments: It's very important that I get a the most future proof motherboard for the money.

What I have so far:

CPU: Intel i5-2500k $199.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

MOBO: ASUS P8Z68-V Pro/Gen 3 $214.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790

Heatsink: Cooler Master V6 GT $29.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103089&Tpk=cooler%20master%20v6gt

Ram: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB $44.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=100&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 2GB $264.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102929

Optical: LITE-ON 12x Blu Ray Burner $59.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106369

Hard Drive: OCZ Agility 3 120GB SSD $119.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726

PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold Series 800W $134.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171057

Case: Cooler Master Storm Series Trooper $189.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119245&Tpk=storm%20trooper

 

[udm787]

Ok now for the questions.

1) Does the motherboard I have selected offer optimal crossfire support?
2) Do you believe ASUS is being completely honest about it supporting ivy and pci express 3.0?
3) Do I need some sort of cooling mechanism if I choose crossfire in the future?
4) If so what?
5) Where can I save money??? (the most important haha)

edit: 6) One more question. I don't want a loud heatsink and I've heart the V6GT is quite loud. However for the performance I feel I'm getting quite a bargain (with the MIR). What other options do I have? I want to be able to overclock to 4.4-4.6GHz and I'd like it to be reasonably quiet.

Also I'm in love with the case, I'd rather not change it, but if you guys feel it is a waste let me know.

 

[Nigelfrost]

Answers:
1) Yes, on that motherboard you can have 2X Radion Hd 6990s.
2)Yes, Asus is being honest about Ivy Bridge and Pci Express 3.0- they have already updated the Bios to support 22nm (Ivy Bridge) CPUs.
3)No.
4)See answer 3)
5)Downgrade (if that is the right word for it) the CM Storm Trooper to a Corsair 600t White and drop the SSD.

Changes to your build:
Never buy a Cooler Master Power Supply- they are RUBBISH. Instead, pick up a Corsair HX 1050- more stableand extra wattage gives you more headroom in future.


With the cash you save on the case get a Gtx 570- more powerful.

If you drop the SSD you will be able to afford a Corsair H60/H100. If your main aim is to save money geta Hyper 212 Plus/Evo, both arebetter than the V6 butathe same price point.

Apart from that a perfect build.

 

[Nigelfrost]

6)By the way, I own the Hyper 212 Plus and my i5 2500k is OC'd to 4.7 Ghz and even when gaming it is very quiet. It also always keeps my temps under 65 C

 

[Nigelfrost]

Oh, and also if you are purchasingat Xmas, then wait for the 7xxx Gpus to come out from amd.

 

[udm787]

Answers:
1) Yes, on that motherboard you can have 2X Radion Hd 6990s.
2)Yes, Asus is being honest about Ivy Bridge and Pci Express 3.0- they have already updated the Bios to support 22nm (Ivy Bridge) CPUs.
3)No.
4)See answer 3)
5)Downgrade (if that is the right word for it) the CM Storm Trooper to a Corsair 600t White and drop the SSD.

Changes to your build:
Never buy a Cooler Master Power Supply- they are RUBBISH. Instead, pick up a Corsair HX 1050- more stableand extra wattage gives you more headroom in future.


With the cash you save on the case get a Gtx 570- more powerful.

If you drop the SSD you will be able to afford a Corsair H60/H100. If your main aim is to save money geta Hyper 212 Plus/Evo, both arebetter than the V6 butathe same price point.

Apart from that a perfect build.

Thanks man. Appreciate the advice and will take them into account.

 

[udm787]

Best answer selected by udm787.