First time build need help :(

[SnoopyMike]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next week will start ordering parts today.

Budget Range: 800 - 900 After Rebates. Willing to go a little over if it's really worth it.

System Usage from Most to Least: Gaming (Diablo 3, Starcraft 2), Internet Surfing, Minor Video Editting, Etc

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.newegg.ca, tigerdirect.ca, canadacomputers.com

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences: Intel i5-2500 CPU

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future

Monitor Resolution: Need one, but will use an old LCD screen I have for now.

Additional Comments: A quiet pc would be nice

 

[SnoopyMike]

Alright so I got my first build and need some suggestions.

CPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073 - $214.99

Mobo: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121506 - 109.99 but 15$ off so it's 94.99

Memory: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311 - 41.99

Gpu: I have no idea yet need to find one that will support my games/minor video editting

Harddrive: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136358 - 129.99 but $30 in savings so it's 99.99

Psu: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159111 - 69.99

Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Altogether that's 605 before shipping & tax. Any suggestions?

 

[tlmck]

CPU - i52500k - $229.99 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Motherboard - ASUS z68 - $109.99 after rebate - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131781

Ram - 2x4gb Kingston - $49.99 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104262

Video card - Sapphire 6870 - $159.99 after rebate - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Hard drive - WD 500gb SATA III - $109.99 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

DVD RW - Samsung - $16.99 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

Power Supply - XFX 650 watt - $84.99 after rebate - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014

Case - CM HAF - $64.99 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Total $826.92

Video card will handle most games on high settings at 1920 x 1080. Power supply is of excellent quality and will allow for a second 6870 card in the future. Of course you will need a copy of Win 7 64 bit to run it all if you do not have one. $119.99 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

edit: you will also need an aftermarket CPU cooler for overclocking. CM Hyper 212 EVO - $36.99 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

 

[tlmck]

Oops, I guess we posted at the same time. If you are not going to overclock with the 2500k, I would suggest dropping to the i5-2400. It is only 10% slower at stock speed and will save a few dollars.

The Intel mobo will work, but the P67 chipset is getting a little old. The ASUS z68 board I suggested would be better.

Without overclock, this ram will work just as well - Gskill - $35.49 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422

I would advise against the "green" hard drives as they are kind of slow for a gaming rig. One of the reasons they are cheaper is they do not sell very well. They are OK for DIY external kits though.

Avoid Coolmax PSU's. They are junk. Stick with 80 plus certified or better units from Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, Silverstone, or XFX. In a high powered gaming rig, a good quality power supply is a must. Otherwise, you are asking for trouble.

 

[SnoopyMike]

Would the 560 gtx be a better option than the 6870? And if I did plan to sli or xfire you think 650 would be enough?

 

[tlmck]

The 560 will be about the same as the 6870. It will also burn a bit more juice, but still should be fine on that power supply. If you went up to the next level dual 560 Ti cards, a 750 watt PSU would be better. The equivalent dual 6950 AMD cards would still be fine on the 650 watt.

edit: here is Tom's graphics chart. Higher on the chart = faster card. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

 

[SnoopyMike]

Best answer selected by SnoopyMike.