New build: Need help polishing off

[joeey89]

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: Monitor

Country: USA

Overclocking: No

Crossfire: Maybe later

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200

Current build (that I'm set on):

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

GPU: Radeon HD 6970 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

SSD: 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191

ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

And 8 GB of ram

3 Questions:

What Motherboard?

What Case?

What HDD?

Thanks!

 

[g-unit1111]

GPU: Radeon HD 6970 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150517

Go with the 2GB 6950 - with a BIOS flash it will perform at the exact same level as the 6970 and it will save you $50 - $60. This would be a better choice:
GPU: Radeon HD 6970 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150517

SSD: 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820233191

I like a lot of what Corsair makes but I have not heard good things about the Force 3. Go with the Crucial M4 - it's one of the best drives on the market right now.

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371049

This would be a better PSU for the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

What Motherboard?

Three choices (I prefer the Gigabyte myself - but a lot of people give them generally mixed reviews):

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792

For RAM it doesn't really matter what brand you go with as long as it doesn't have tall heat sinks and is 1600MHz timing 9-9-9-24. Corsair, G.Skill, PNY, Crucial, and Kingston are all generally good and reliable brands.

What Case?

Try this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010
And this cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016

What HDD?

HDD prices are pretty ridiculous due to the flooding situation in Thailand but for now these are my go-to drives (it all depends on your space and storage needs):

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769 (includes MSI DVD burner)
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

 

[fb39ca4]

Case: How big? Do you need any partiular ports? What kind of looks? How many fans?
Mobo: If you want SSD caching, get an Asrock z68 extreme4, otherwise get asrock p67 extreme3 gen3.
HDD: Any reliable 7200 rpm drive will do, just get the cheapest one.

 

[joeey89]

Thanks for the help! SSD caching is different than using it as a drive correct? I can use a P67 and still use the SSD correct?

 

[joeey89]

Best answer selected by joeey89.