Advice on a First PC Build

[dynk]

I wanted to ask if there were any glaring flaws with my idea of building a computer in the next month or two. I am coming from an old hp810n with an AMD 3300+ Single core(Don't bother looking it up its hp exclusive), with and nvidia geforce 7600 GS AGP x8 Card (Which has blown all its capacitors), so anything will be an improvement. I am a chemist by profession, but I don't do much with Chem programs. Thank you in advance for any responses.

$600-800 range up front (Want it to be upgradable)

I live in NC

Use: Gaming, Watching Video, I want it to be viable for several years, Possible future SLI/Crossfire and possibly OCing.

Build:
Case
Rosewill Challenger
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Processor
i5 2500k
From Amazon (Have a credit)

Motherboard
Biostar TZ68A+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138319

RAM
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CRSM4I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Power Supply
Thermaltake W0382RU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=419877&sku=T925-3083

Hard Drive
I want an SSD but that might have to come later. HDD's are really overpriced atm in my opinion... I might reuse old ones for a few months while i wait for prices to normalize, but suggestions are welcome.

Optical Drive
Just a bulk dvd burner should be fine.

Video Card
Suggestions welcome...
Geoforce 550Ti Superclocked
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=41126&sku=E145-0552

I guess thats it...Any advice about cooling and OCing is welcome too. Thanks

 

[dynk]

I knew I'd Forget something...

Operating system
Windows 7 Ultimate ( Already have)

 

[azeem40]

For the video card, the 550ti is pretty bad. A Radeon 6850 is much better. Heck, even the GTX 460 is better.

Thermaltake is not a good PSU, and PSUs are not the type of components to go cheap on. You most certainly don't need 750W for the 6850 I recommend. I would just buy a 500W PSU from Antec, XFX, Corsair, or Seasonic.

 

[dynk]

Thanks. Is there a particular Manufacturer of the 6850 to avoid? I see this on TD by PowerColor:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7168016&CatId=3669

I will probably go with a 750w corsair enthusiast series. Thanks for the tip. I have memories of bad power supplies that I must have repressed...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7195038&sku=C13-2802

 

[azeem40]

I don't think any GPU manufacturer should be avoided.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

We can do a bit better overall in your budget I believe.

DVD Burner $21.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Case $55.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

GPU $229 - $30 rebate = $199

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130623

PSU capable of adding a second GPU in SLI at a later point. $99 - $25 rebate = $75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049

RAM $46.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Motherboard. Sli and Crossfire capable. $154 - $20 rebate = $134.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128488

CPU $225.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

CPU cooler. $35

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099



Total is $867.92 with $75 in rebates for a total of $792.92

This build will max most games at 1920 x 1080.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

And of course I forgot a hard drive so much for doing better for your budget.

Oh well hard drives are so expensive right now I would just get something small and save up for an SSD.

This adds $85 to your build. Bringing you total to $877. Sorry about breaking your budget but it's a great build if you can justify it. You could also go with a cheaper GPU like was recommended above. A 6850/6870 would still be good especially if you plan on adding a second one later.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

 

[dynk]

Hey no worries. I am pretty sure I can secure some hard drives for the time being and back them up on a 1tb external. Thanks a ton.

 

[dynk]

Is there an advantage to the P67 that I am missing? I was thinking the GA-z68-d3H-B3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Just me being in a hurry. I actually meant to link you to that exact Z68 board. Z68 is a better choice.

That made me second guess the entire build I posted for you and I went back and looked. Everthing else is what I intended to post. I'm not usually so careless sorry about that.

 

[dynk]

No worries. I was second guessing myself as well. Thanks for the advice. Now to sell the idea to the wife!