My $1300 Gaming Build

[Shavako]

I have finally selected all of the parts for my gaming build. I thought I would post it here and see what you guys think. I plan on adding a second GPU within 4-5 months for an Xfire set up. I play on a 23" 1920x1080 monitor and I believe this system will show me 60+ FPS in most games on ultra. If you happen to notice anything that clearly won't work well together please let me know as I know I could have easily goofed something up.

Case: Antec DF-85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

CPU: Core i5 2500k Sandybridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

CPU Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

GPU: XFX HD 6970
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

HD: Samsung Spinpoint 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Optical Drive: Samsung Blu-ray Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151232

Plus some Creative 2.1 speakers a couple LED case lights and a wireless adapter.

Grand total: ~1,300 after shipping and rebates.

So there it is. What do you think?

 

[jsrudd]

I know the XFX card is pretty cheap, but I've read lots of complaints that the 6xxx series XFXs run hot and loud compared to other manufacturers. This probably won't be an issue with a single card, but with crossfire it might.

Other than that it looks fine. Maybe think about a different case? This one is going to be giant.

 

[Zero_]

^+1. Perfect IMO. I assume you are getting the Earthwatts 750W combo with the DF85 since you haven't mentioned it.

 

[Shavako]

I was thinking about ditching the XFX card but I'm not sure which one to go with.

And yeah that case is a monster but it has excellent airflow. I'll have to measure the distance between my floor and the bottom of my desk to see if it will fit. If not it's definitely getting changed but if it fits I might go with it lol.

I was just looking at the RAM compatibility for that mobo though and it doesn't list the Corsair Vengeance which seems weird as it's a very popular brand and model. Then again it doesn't list ALOT of the RAM that I saw on Newegg.

 

[Shavako]

Oh zero_ I forgot to mention the PSU. I picked the Corsair HX1050 but I'll have to look at that combo. Do you think 750W would be enough to run two 6850s in Xfire?

Edit: Actually I don't see that combo your talking about. I see a combo containing the DF-85 with the Earthwatts PSU. It includes a 60GB SSD and 1.5TB HD though which would actually be nice, but it's out of stock.

I'm thinking about buying an additional 120mm fan for the side of the case. Should that be an intake or an exhaust fan?