First Build ~1500 Gaming PC

[samuraischolar]

Approximate Purchase Date: within the next few weeks

Budget Range: ~1500 (not including monitor)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming (SWTOR), watching videos, web browsing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: amazon.com, newegg.com

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


This is what I'm thinking of so far. This is my first build, so I would love suggestions/advice.

Case: Coolmaster HAF 912 $59.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZM7YTA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Mobo: AsRock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 $121.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

CPU: Intel i5 2500k $219.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EBUXHQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 560 ti 448 $299.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006FCCOII/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

RAM: Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8R $79.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006FCCOII/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

PSU: OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS Bronze $99.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005A2RJOI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus $24.39
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

OS: Windows 7 Premium $99.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q0PT3I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

SDD: Crucial M4 64GB $101.49
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W2JKWG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB $118.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IZN3YI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER


Total so far: $1226.80

I definitely want to overclock the CPU, and I might want to add a second 560ti. What can I add/change to maximize my pc build? I'd love to leave the door open for future upgrades. Thanks for your help.

 

[phamhlam]

Get rid of the HAF 912. It is too flashy. Try a Fractal Design or Antec. For the price of a 560 Ti, you could actually get yourself a 560 Ti 448 which is almost a 570. You should switch your PSU for Corsair HX 650 or 750. Save yourself money and get a 128GB Crucial m4.

 

[xtremegamer2da-max]

get a haf x and u only need about 650w for that pc and i wouldnt get an nvidia v-card id get a amd 7950 or a 7970

 

[azeem40]

That's ridiculous. The HAF 912 is an amazing case... Lots of airflow and good cable management.

 

[samuraischolar]

Get rid of the HAF 912. It is too flashy. Try a Fractal Design or Antec. For the price of a 560 Ti, you could actually get yourself a 560 Ti 448 which is almost a 570. You should switch your PSU for Corsair HX 650 or 750. Save yourself money and get a 128GB Crucial m4.

Would a 650w be enough to power 2 of the 560 ti 448s if I decided to get 2 of them? Are you suggesting that I drop the Seagate and just get a bigger SSD? I do have a few external drives to store my video/music files, so I suppose I don't need much space.

 

[samuraischolar]

get a haf x and u only need about 650w for that pc and i wouldnt get an nvidia v-card id get a amd 7950 or a 7970

What would be the benefit of getting a 7950/70 over 1 or 2 560ti cards? Are there issues with the nvidia line that I haven't heard about yet?

 

[samuraischolar]

Amazon.com has a $20 rebate on a XFX Pro 850W PSU, making it 96.82. Is this a good option?

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-PRO850W-Supply-Certified-P1850SNLB9/dp/B0045L4BNW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328748470&sr=8-1

 

[samuraischolar]

If a helpful person should stumble across this thread, are there any recommendations on whether I should go for 2 560 ti 488s, 2 Radeon 6950s, or 1 7970? It would amount to roughly the same price, it looks like.

 

[Why_Me]

Would a 650w be enough to power 2 of the 560 ti 448s if I decided to get 2 of them? Are you suggesting that I drop the Seagate and just get a bigger SSD? I do have a few external drives to store my video/music files, so I suppose I don't need much space.

You have a nice build up top...nothing at all to change than maybe add a larger SSD. Do not go to a 650w psu seeing how it won't push two of those cards, and you do not need a 850w psu.

Larger SSD if it's in your budget and add some fans to that CM 912 HAF. Amazon has killer deals atm on those CM 200mm case fans...red or blue and they will fit on that case. That case lacks fans but has plenty of options to add them. You can see more on that case and it's cooling options on the Cooler Master site. But again I wouldn't change anything on that build in your original post other than maybe a larger SSD...but that's just personal preference.

 

[Why_Me]

Those links down below are that MSI 560 ti 448 Core when over clocked running head to head with a stock gtx 580. There's not a card out on the market atm that over clocks as well as those MSI 560 ti 448's.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-448-core-oc-power-review/23 <------ If only they did 1920x1080 on there. That's that MSI card I linked (over clocked) vs a gtx 580

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_560_Ti_448_Cores_Twin_Frozr_III/30.html <---- there's that MSI card again. There's a few more reviews on it also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211588 $154.99 FREE SHIPPING
ADATA S510 Series AS510S3-120GM-O 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM

 

[samuraischolar]

Thank you so much for your help!