First post, and first build! 1800ish budget. Wizard input welcome!

[tristansly]

Ok guys, here's what I'm trying for:

Superfast LC gaming/photoshop pc that will run any game maxed out at 1920x1080, one 27" monitor for gaming, one 23" NEC IPS monitor for extended desktop and more photoshop room, better color (I already own the NEC). Going for gtx 670 with path for 2xSLI, 256gb SSD at first will add data drive later. Not sure if want multiple monitor gaming setup down the road.
Sure on CPU i5 3570k, found a MB/RAM combo, wondering if mobo is a good choice, trying to decide between evga gtx 670 4gb superclocked and ASUS GTX670-DC2-2GD5 GeForce GTX 670 2GB, was going with evga gtx 670 ftw but newegg sold out.Wanted Coolermaster Haf-X but can't find the combo after I deleted it as it was pretty spendy ($350), settling for Coolermaster Haf 922 and COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M700 combo... Anyways here's what I've got so far. I was going to go cyberpower (I know, I know, I know) but I decided it might be fun to try a build (never done it). Advantage with cyberpower you get support and they build it, also their prices seem pretty competitive to me. Was looking at Zeus 2500se with about these specs:
Here's the parts from newegg:

ASUS DVD Burner Black SATA Model DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS $22

Acer S271HLbid Black 27" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LED Monitor $250

ASUS GTX670-DC2-2GD5 GeForce GTX 670 2GB $420

EVGA 04G-P4-2673-KR GeForce GTX 670 Superclocked+ w/Backplate 4GB $460

Borderlands2 free (SWEE)

XIGMATEK 3.5" Internal 75 in 1 Card Reader $8

Rosewill RTK-045 45 Piece Premium Computer Tool Kit $17

steelseries 63005SS QcK mini Mouse Pad - OEM $14

i5 3570k $230

Thermaltake Water2 Pro $230

SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB $199

COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M700 RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular
+ COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN3-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Black
Combo for $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1020660

Intel BOXDZ77GA70K LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
+
Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Edition 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Desktop Memory Combo for $330
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1044385

Total $1785 with the 4gb evga 670
or $1745 with the asus 670 dc2

The water kit comes with thermal paste already applied but I was wondering if I should get a tube anyway, never built before so I might need little screwdrivers, n00b here but I've been researching for weeks and this is what I've come up with. Looked at so many mobos they're all blending together, and the combo looked like a deal, and the intel mobo looked pretty solid. Please let me know if any clarification needed and I hope I've trimmed this so it's easy to read for good feedback. I need all the help I can get and please tell me if I've left something major out. You won't hurt my feelers. I'd also like a good mechanical kb but I figure that and a mouse is something I'd like to handle before I plunk $200 down on em. I'm trying to build this in the next couple weeks - a month, planning to find a stable point to oc and sticking there (I don't need a large expensive brick, I need a computer )
Thanks for your help guys! I've been reading posts for weeks, and it all helps the learning process...
PS I've got my own totally legit version of windows ultimate 64..

(edited after reading stickies that I should have read before I posted, but I'm too damned excited and caffeine jittery for all that responsibility)

 

[TheBigTroll]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/e7Mc

get this instead. the OS you can buy from this guy. sells it for much cheaper
http://us.ebid.net/for-sale/microsoft-windows-home-premium-x-71238157.htm

1 670 is more than enough for 1080p gaming. the i7 3770k should be good for your work as well.

 

[obsama1]

Good build TBT. Only thing I'd change is the mobo. Swap it for an ASUS Maximus V Gene.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131830

 

[TheBigTroll]

why would i do that????? the maximus v gene is a matx board. when you do SLI, the cards are right next to each other making less breathing room= higher temps

 

[obsama1]

I didn't even realize that! *facepalm*

The ASUS P8Z77-V is a good mobo I'd recommend then.

 

[TheBigTroll]

nah. the gigabyte z77x-ud5h has more features like dual gigabit lan and a heavier rear io

 

[TheBigTroll]

only reason to get asus is that its on sale or you dont know how to use a gigabyte bios

 

[tristansly]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/e7Mc

get this instead. the OS you can buy from this guy. sells it for much cheaper
http://us.ebid.net/for-sale/microsoft-windows-home-premium-x-71238157.htm

1 670 is more than enough for 1080p gaming. the i7 3770k should be good for your work as well.

1. Better to get 4x4 ram than get 2x8 for upgrade path to 32?

2. XFX P1-750B-NLG9 Better than Corsair HX750? If so why?

3. I thought I read performance gain in games from i5 3570k to i7 3770k was marginal?
Source:

4. Also is this noctua fan better than thermaltake LC? I thought LC is the new standard?

 

[obsama1]

2x8 is better, because if you want to go 32GB, you won't have to throw out your modules. You just get 2 extra sticks. They're both great PSU's, bu the XFX one looks better, lol. You're doing Photoshop work, so the i7-3770K will make a difference, and you will notice it. The Noctua is very powerful and beats some LC solutions. LC isn't needed unless you're going for extreme OC's.

 

[killerhurtalot]

There is NO point in getting a 4GB version of ANY card.

Save yourself some money and get a 2GB version.

 

[obsama1]

There is actually. If you like modding games, and playing at high resolutions, those games will use more than 2GB. BF3 with AA cranked up at 2560x1600 will use a lot more than 2GB. But I digress.

 

[killerhurtalot]

There is actually. If you like modding games, and playing at high resolutions, those games will use more than 2GB. BF3 with AA cranked up at 2560x1600 will use a lot more than 2GB. But I digress.

$20 says he doesn't have a triple monitor set up or a 30" 2560x1600 monitor :/

hahaha. i just actually read the top of his post.

dual monitor set up. I guess I win my own bet lol.

 

[obsama1]

That's why I said, "I digress." Now, I can haz $20?

 

[tristansly]

Alright, update: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eR4o
Here is what I'm looking at. I know you were suggesting the corsair but it's expensive on newegg and they don't seem to charge tax which is like 10% here... I like the black and red look of the Coolermaster HAF 922, and they have a combo w/ 700w psu.

COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M700 RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular ...
+
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN3-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1020660

What do you think?

Also, you prefer MSI Frozr 670 over evga 670 ftw?
Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[TheBigTroll]

no thanks on coolermaster power supplies. not the best.

the msi twin frozr 4 670 beats the ftw anyday

 

[obsama1]

Get the case, and switch out the PSU.

This PSU by XFX is 750, $105, but w/ rebate, $80. And free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-PRO750W-Edition-Bronze-Certified/dp/B0045L4BJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345216129&sr=8-1&keywords=xfx+750

 

[TheBigTroll]

Get the case, and switch out the PSU.

This PSU by XFX is 750, $105, but w/ rebate, $80. And free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-PRO750W-Edition-Bronze-Certified/dp/B0045L4BJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345216129&sr=8-1&keywords=xfx+750

i call hacks. i bought it a couple weeks ago for 20 more dollars. great unit

 

[tristansly]

Amazon no good for me, with the sales tax. ******. This good?

XFX Core Edition PRO850W (P1-850S-NLB9)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

 

[TheBigTroll]

nah. stick with the amazon one. its better. there is no tax on amazon from what i heard (i dont live in the states)

 

[obsama1]

Actually, there is. But only because the states have been cracking down and forcing Amazon to charge tax. I know they do in Texas, and they will start taxing more states soon. Kind of stinks if you're making big-ticket purchases. I'd get the one from Amazon since you get the rebate. When I bought my XFX GPU, I filed the rebate, and it took a few months, but they came through with the rebate.