$1700 Gaming New Build

[TiLT_Racing]

Looking for comments suggesting on the following build. Think Triple-Screen sim racing!

Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 weeks
Budget Range: $1500-1800
System Usage: Trip Screen Sim Racing (iracing, F1 2010, Dirt II), Visual Studio 2010
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s): Avoid sales tax to california when possible (amazon)

CPU - $314.95
Intel Core i7-2600k
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processor-i7-2600K-LGA1155-BX80623I72600K/dp/B004EBUXSA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305140686&sr=8-1

CPU Cooler - $29.51
Cooler Master Hyper 212+
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1305140869&sr=1-1

MOBO - $199.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250&cm_re=Z68-_-13-157-250-_-Product

RAM - $94.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&Tpk=F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

GPU - $314.99 (after rebate)
MSI R6970-2PM2D2GD5
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Radeon-Express-Graphics-R6970-2PM2D2GD5/dp/B004G5YXVC

SSD - $237.49
Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB SATA 3
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Technology-RealSSD-Solid-CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1/dp/tech-data/B0039SM0AS/ref=de_a_smtd

HDD - $61.75
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U3S5S0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=A2JUPN4BTA3CZV

OPTICAL - $25.99
Lite-On 24x DVD Writer OEM 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SIMPXM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

PSU - $164.99
Corsair 850HX 
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-850HX-850-Watt-Professional-Certified/dp/B0029F21LA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1305142489&sr=8-5

CASE - $189.99
Cooler Master HAF X
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003S68Q0Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

TOTAL ~$1635

Overclocking: Yes, but not to the extreme
SLI or Crossfire: Yes, eventually
Monitor Resolution: Already have triple 1920x1200 24" LCDs

Other Comments/Questions

Do all these components match or is anything out of line performance-wise? i.e. CPU vs GPU.

GPU: Opted for the ATI 6970 over nvidia because iracing currently doesn't support crossfire or SLI and this single card will drive 3 monitors via eyefinity. Opted for the ATI 6970 over 6950 (+$50 over 6950 Twin Frozr II) to max performance, if iracing supported crossfire would probably go with 2X 6950 instead.

MOBO: I probably won't use any feaure in the Z68 over the P67 since I'll have a dedicated SSD drive for OS, but at this point why go with the P67?

CPU: Opted for i7-2600K because of hyperthreading and also read that i5 had some issues overclocking on initial Z68 boards.

HD: Not sure about this crucial SSD versus an Intel 120 GB 510 series at $284.95? Considering 2nd 1TB HDD and using RAID for data (I will also work on this system). Will the onboard SATA raid support OS in non raid and data in raid 1? Because of raid I'd probably put the two HDD on the hot swap bays in the HAF X.

CASE: Opted for a full size case for future upgradability (more drives and raid) and the extra room will private an inexperienced builder like me more room to work and easier cable management.

PSU: The Haf X is a large case so do I have to worry about cable length for this PSU?

Thanks in advance.

 

[henryvalz]

You're probably overpaying a bit for the "Corsair" version of that PSU, as you can get identical PSU's for about $40 less.

However, the cord length should be fine. You can also get the F3 for cheaper than that.

So, all-in-all a good build, I think, but you would probably save around $100 if you hunted for better prices

 

[dalauder]

I'd get a Corsair TX. Also any Antec, Seasonic, or XFX should be plenty good enough. But all of your part choices are good or great. Of course, you don't need an i7-2600K, but that's never the point. And the Haf X is about $60 more than I'd spend on a case considering an Azza Solano 1000 gets the job done.

 

[TiLT_Racing]

I just read the 2500K and 2600K do not support virtualization technology (Vt-d)... I'm a programmer and like to create sandboxes for certain projects... that might be a killer for this build. If I want to overclock and run virtualization I guess I'm out of luck with the i5 and i7? It's either a 2600 with Vt-d or 2600K with overclocking... Is that right?

 

[nd_hunter]

You'll still be fine without the overclocking. However, you might need to Crossfire off the bat to get good frame rates at that resolution. I'm assuming 5760x1080p, correct?

 

[TiLT_Racing]

The target resolution is actually 5760X1200 (3x 1920X1200)... I just did some additional research and found that I can "probably" run virtualization under Windows 7 without Vt-d. I don't need the VM sandboxes to have chipset access anyway... I say probably because I only got that from one source at the moment.

 

[nd_hunter]

My bad, guess I should have read your original post a little more closely. Your build looks really good. My only suggestion for change is to go with the HAF 932 Advanced case. It's $35 cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Advanced-Tower-SuperSpeed/dp/B001EPUQAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305216534&sr=8-1

 

[mjmjpfaff]

go 6950 cf im pretty sure f1 and dirt 2 uses crossfire and is iracing tough on ur gpu?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=140320&CatId=7005 x2