New PC Build... Triple Monitor, Decent Gaming Setup...

[seaneboy]

Approximate Purchase Date: Today - This month

Budget Range: Under $2,000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming - (I only want to play BF3), surfing interwebz, a lil' bit o' downloading... "organizing" my movie collection/potential media server


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, anywhere else

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel, Triple 24",

Overclocking: Yes / Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: No preference - but want best bang for buck



Here is the parts list so far...:
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K @ $217.90

Mobo: MSI Z77A-GD65 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS @ $139.99

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9D-8GBXM @ $69.99

SSD: OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) @ $134.99

HD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive @ $134.99

BDR/CDR/DVDR: Pioneer Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 10X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Internal BD/DVD/CD Writer BDR-207DBKS @ $84.99

VidCard: EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-2672-KR GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card @ $419.99

PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850 (CMPSU-850AX) 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply @ $199.99

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded USB 3.0 @ $99.99

CPU Cooling: Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler @ $89.99

Where can I cut back on this one to bring the cost down? I would imagine the CPU cooler, which I don't really want to.. And, also, the Video card, except again, I really don't want to... Thoughts? Ideas? All input is greatly appreciated.. I'd like to go SLI/Crossfire, but quite frankly I'm too broke to at the moment...



Here is a link to my wish list... :
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=15175614

 

[g-unit1111]

A D14 will *NOT* fit in an Antec 900 - I could barely get a Hyper 212 Evo in one, there's no way a D14 will work. You'll need a far bigger case for that.

I'm not the biggest fan of MSI around here - go with Gigabyte, Asus, or Asrock.

For $2K try this setup:

Case: Corsair Carbide 500R - $139.99
PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MKII 950W - $149.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H - $189.99
CPU: 3.4GHz Intel Core i5-3570K - $249.99
Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 - $89.99
RAM: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $69.99
SSD: 128GB OCZ Vertex 4 - $179.99
HD: 2TB Samsung Ecogreen F4 - $119.99
Optical: LG Black Super Multi - $79.99
Video Card: EVGA Geforce GTX 680 - $499.99

Total: $1,864.89

If you drop to a 670 you won't lose anything and you'll save $100 that can be used elsewhere.

 

[seaneboy]

Yeah, I was afraid of that cooler, I kind of threw it on there though because I would like to get 4.5 out of the i5-2500k... I also like Gigabyte, had one busted capacitor on my last computer build (~8 years ago), and they sent me another in no time... I take it the "green" drives have worked out their kinks?
I might very well stick with the 670.. I'm even debating picking up something second hand to get me through the summer - as I'm sure I won't game as much while it's nice out..

 

[phemonus]

well id say get a gtx 670 if u can becuse of two reasons 1. there actually in stock and 2. within 5% of the gtx 680 and if u need to sli its alot cheaper
dont get that evga tho becuse if overclocking matters at all to you that one is a renfrence board :
i recomend the gtx 670 gigabyte windforce oc model its Cheaper @ 399 and better perfomance.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423

get an i5 3570k but not at newegg tigerdirect has them for 220 i believe there are marginally faster than i5 2500k plus u have pci gen 3 if u sli ur cards later on.


for the psu id get what the guy above me recommend if u dont mind silver efficeny instead of gold.
Msi z77 gd65 is a very good board in fact it was the best overclocking board with the asrock extreme 6 right behind it so stay with that

Case u will need a full tower case for a noctua nh d14
ii recomend a thor v2 $ 120 i have this case its great

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053


stick with that vertex 3 unless u do photo editing or video editing on a consistant basis you wont notice the diffrence at all for the extra 40 u pay

other than that ur build looks pretty solid to me

 

[g-unit1111]

Yeah, I was afraid of that cooler, I kind of threw it on there though because I would like to get 4.5 out of the i5-2500k... I also like Gigabyte, had one busted capacitor on my last computer build (~8 years ago), and they sent me another in no time...

I had an Antec 900 and it was fine until I started using aftermarket coolers - I was using a Xigmatek Gaia and the thing just barely clipped the edge. I'd be afraid to install a D14 in one - you'll need a far bigger case like the Corsair I linked to.

I take it the "green" drives have worked out their kinks?

Not sure what you mean.

I might very well stick with the 670.. I'm even debating picking up something second hand to get me through the summer - as I'm sure I won't game as much while it's nice out..

Yeah the 670 is sweet, of course they release it not even a month after I buy my 7870. :lol:

stick with that vertex 3 unless u do photo editing or video editing on a consistant basis you wont notice the diffrence at all for the extra 40 u pay

No - don't go Sandforce - you're more likely to run into issues and errors with a Sandforce drive than anything else you can buy. If you don't want to venture into Vertex 4 territory go with a Marvell based drive like the M4 or Plextor PX-M3, they're slower but less likely to run into BSODs and that sort of thing.

Case u will need a full tower case for a noctua nh d14
ii recomend a thor v2 $ 120 i have this case its great

A D14 will fit in a Corsair Carbide or Antec 1100. The Thor is a good case but it's ridiculously huge, and you really only need it if you're running an XL-ATX board.