SemiGaming Desktop (new builder)

[koroae]

Buying: end of this month or June

Budget Range: 700-800~, After Rebates

Usage: Mid-High Gaming, surfing

Not Required: keyboard, mouse, os, monitor

Country: US

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Yes


For my first build im looking to build a decent gaming desktop for @ or around 700-800. I dont use that much memory (hence the small hdd) i will most likely buy a 120gb os/games SSD later on if i find it lacking. And i wont be adding the second video card for another 2 months or so after the build
(the 700-800 range is not factoring in the second card/ssd/hdd or extra heatsinks/fans i may need)

Parts:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811553002

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153136

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514
(Or: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138341 )

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
(will add another faster hdd later)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106010

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353


Opinions? or are there any problems with my build/plan? im slightly concerned over heat when i plan to xfire the cards, and i some say the gigabyte mobo NB gets hot fast

 

[geofelt]

Bulldozer chips are not the best for gaming. OK for highly multithreaded apps.
An Intel chip would be better would be better.
Read this article:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-3.html

Nothing wrong with a 6850 by itself.
But I do not like planning for sli up front when a single good card will do the job.
a) How good do you really need to be?
A single GTX560 or 6870 can give you great performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A single GTX560ti or 6950 will give you excellent performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.
Even 2560 x 1600 will be good with lowered detail.
A single 7970 or GTX680 is about as good as it gets.

Only if you are looking at triple monitor gaming, then sli/cf will be needed.
Even that is now changing with triple monitor support on top end cards.

b) The costs for a single card are lower.
You require a less expensive motherboard; no need for sli/cf or multiple pci-e slots.
Even a ITX motherboard will do.

Your psu costs are less.
A GTX560ti needs a 450w psu, even a GTX580 only needs a 600w psu.
When you add another card to the mix, plan on adding 150-200w to your psu requirements.
A single more modern 28nm card like a 7970 or GTX680 needs only 550W.

Case cooling becomes more of an issue with dual cards.
That means a more expensive case with more and stronger fans.
You will also look at more noise.

c) Dual cards do not always render their half of the display in sync, causing microstuttering. It is an annoying effect.
The benefit of higher benchmark fps can be offset, particularly with lower tier cards.
Read this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html

d) dual card support is dependent on the driver. Not all games can benefit from dual cards.

e) cf/sli up front reduces your option to get another card for an upgrade. Not that I suggest you plan for that.
It will often be the case that replacing your current card with a newer gen card will offer a better upgrade path.

Lastly, I understand that thermaltake power supplies can be iffy.
Stick with known quality brands like Seasonic, Antec, XFX, Corsair, and PC P&C