$1500 gaming pc

[Poost]

How does this build look?

Part list permalink: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3mOx
Part price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3mOx/by_merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($20.63 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($122.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Scorpio Black 160GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.21 @ NCIX US)
Hard Drive: Corsair Force Series 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6970 2GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec P183 V3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.88 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH22NS90B DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VW246H 24.0" Monitor ($180.69 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (32-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse ($59.93 @ B&H)
Total: $1435.12
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2011-12-30 10:49 EST-0500)

I plan on overclocking the CPU because I hear it is easy enough to do.
I chose a small HDD because I don't really keep a lot of media. I have had a laptop for 3+ years with a 100 GB HDD that currently has 30 GBs free. I have never owned a SSD and would like to see how that goes.
I plan on using this primarily for gaming on a single monitor. I would like to run ultra settings on BF3. I don't really know much about monitors so I just chose a 24", but am willing to spend more for a 27". I am open to suggestion on the video card. I went with the 6970 because I hear crossfiring is more for multiple monitors, and a single card would allow more air flow and less noise. I would like this PC to be quiet, that's why I went with the Antec case.
Plan on ordering to receive parts next week. Any advice or decreases on price would be appreciated.

 

[sadams04]

Looks pretty good!

HD - A 160GB for $50... eh... For $20 more you can get a 640GB.
http://www.goharddrive.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=G01-0498&Click=46406

PSU - The XFX 850W is $90 also...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

 

[sosofm]

If you use 8Gb memory the best thing is to buy Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 on 64-bit. On 32-bit windows don't recognise and use more then 4Gb RAM. That's the advantage of 64bit,the OS use all the memory when he need.
The build is great , the only problem it was the OS. Remember 64-bit not 32-bit.

 

[Poost]

If you use 8Gb memory the best thing is to buy Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 on 64-bit. On 32-bit windows don't recognise and use more then 4Gb RAM. That's the advantage of 64bit,the OS use all the memory when he need.
The build is great , the only problem it was the OS. Remember 64-bit not 32-bit.

Sorry I accidentally clicked the wrong version of windows. Will be going 64-bit.

 

[sadams04]

The build is great , the only problem it was the OS. Remember 64-bit not 32-bit.

Good catch! I completely missed that. Agreed! 64-bit is the way to go...

 

[Poost]

Looks pretty good!

HD - A 160GB for $50... eh... For $20 more you can get a 640GB.
http://www.goharddrive.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=G01-0498&Click=46406

PSU - The XFX 850W is $90 also...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

I went with that PSU because I was willing to spend a little extra for a modular PSU for better cable management and air flow.

I think I'll switch out my current HDD for this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Hard%20Drives-_-Western%20Digital-_-22136771&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Poost]

Will I be able to crossfire two 6970's with the PSU i have picked out? I am asking because I hear that future games will need more vram. Or should I just pony up for a better video card?

 

[sadams04]

750w is enough for a pair of 6970's, but the 850w would give more peace of mind. There is NOTHING wrong with the HD 6970, but if you are concerned about vram and have the budget, the GTX 580 3GB is a great card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=gtx+580+3gb

 

[Poost]

750w is enough for a pair of 6970's, but the 850w would give more peace of mind. There is NOTHING wrong with the HD 6970, but if you are concerned about vram and have the budget, the GTX 580 3GB is a great card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=gtx+580+3gb

Those cards are outside my budget. What do you think about this card? EVGA GTX 570 2.5GB. I don't mind having to crossfire/SLI, but would prefer buying one card that can last me at least 2 years until I have to upgrade to the latest and greatest. That would also help me save some money on a PSU keeping the wattage down.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130687&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Video%20Cards-_-EVGA-_-14130687&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Poost]

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