First time system builder, need help making sure everything will work

[Gameralert]

Hi, I'm building my first computer and I was wondering if someone could help me out by telling me if all the components I've selected will work together, and if there might be cheaper, or better versions of my selection. I would be almost solely using this computer for gaming and I'm trying to keep the price under 1400, and would prefer to go lower if possible.

Parts list:
Asus Maximus extreme IV z68
Intel i5 2500
Radeon xfx hd 6970 2gb
Corsair vengeance 8gb 1600mhz
Corsair Gaming series 700 watt 80 plus power supply
Cooler master HAF 932 advanced Full tower case
Windows 7 64 bit premium system builder

 

[Proximon]

The parts are good. The PSU is not one that gets recommended because it just doesn't make sense. It's not really better than a budget PSU. There's a Rosewill Capstone 650W at newegg that is a great buy. Other than that, great list.

 

[Gameralert]

Cool, thank you. And I was thinking about going with the bigger power supply since I plan on buying a second video card down the line for crossfire, so would a 650 watt power supply still work?

 

[zolton33]

I would drop down to 1333 ram as intel tends to void your warranty for anything higher. They do not mind the over clocking but when it comes to ram that is a whole other ball game. But other then that it looks good.

 

[xtremcarl]

Hey I just made a computer myself and really am loving it.

For your cpu I would go with the i5 2500k, not sure if that is the one you meant but its the unlocked version and only costs a tiny bit more. Even if you don't plan on overclocking now its a nice option for the future

For the PSU I used a Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 I have been very happy with that PSU and would recommend it

I would also recommend picking up an after market cpu cooler like Hyper 212 + http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 . it will help keep your cpu cooler if you do push it and will also be less noisy than a stock cooler

The parts you picked out all seem to work together so there shouldn't be any compatibility issues. Also maybe look at a ssd. Personaly I was looking at them before and decided to not get one when i did my build but 3 weeks later after I saw the diff one could make.

Here is a side by side video I made after I got my ssd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t481F_lqkYo

 

[Proximon]

If you want two 6970s, or to keep open that option, you need to consider that they can draw a max of 450W (under synthetic benching) on their own. That's stock clocks, with the max gaming draw around 400W. Add in the CPU, overclocking and margin, and I think you would be better off in the 850W range for 6970 CF. 750W would do it, but I think 850W might be better. So 650W for one, 850W for two... or at least a 750W with most of the 750W available on the 12V rail.

The XFX 850W would be the budget choice then
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

But I would spend a bit more and get the modular Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139029

Here is a link to Intel's overclocking insurance, which ALSO covers memory overclocking
http://click.intel.com/tuningplan/

And here's the thread where we recently discussed the memory thing
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/333313-31-warning-intel-builds

 

[xtremcarl]

Here is a link taking you to a PSU calculator. Now remember that its better to have a margin of safety. One thing I really didn't understand when building my computer was that just because a PSU says its 850W it might not actually be able to give 850W continuously. It might hit that at its peak but can only run at 850W for a little bit. That antec PSU I listed can run at 750W continuously.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[Gameralert]

Best answer selected by Gameralert.