Building a 2560x1600 gaming rig, how's the balance?

[Gnug315]

Looking to buy a new computer. While it will have some nice parts in it, I cannot really up the budget any more. I am asking here to see if it's a good balance for my needs, and whether I am missing something:

- General internet use, plenty but light multitasking (no heavy programs, photoship/vid editing/compressing etc).
- Gaming in 2560x1600 on 30"

I put emphasis on gaming, multitasking, noise levels and above all reliability.

* INTEL i5-2500K
* GIGABYTE Z68A-D3-B3, USB 3.0, SATA3
* CPU COOLER: SCYTHE SHURIKEN
* 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHZ RAM, KINGSTON HYPER-X
* ASUS DCII, 1536MB DDR5 GTX580, NVIDIA GEFORCE, 2xDVI, 1xHDMI
* SSD: CRUCIAL M4 128GB or PATRIOT WILDFIRE 120GB
* HD: 1000GB WD10EALX
* COOLERMASTER ELITE430
* 700W 80+ CERTIFIED COUGAR PSU


Some considerations (please forgive stupid questions):

1) Could go 2 x HD 6950 2GB instead for Excellent Performance in 2560x1600, tho am wary of potential problems with multi-stuttering, heat and noise. This would, I believe, require upgrades of motherboard to SLI-compatible version, as well as a stronger PSU. Thus, it would require me to drop the SSD to afford it.
2) I hear triple-channel RAM outperforms dual channel. Considering it is so cheap nowadays, can one go triple-channel 3 x 4GB, even tho it has been shown more than 8GB is pointless for standard use, meaning the upgrade is solely for a possible speed upgrade?
3) The case's appearance is irrelavent to me; I just need it to be big enough for large CPU coolers, vidcards and decent airflow. Do I need to get something better?
4) Is the PSU good enough for sure?
5) With reliability being the primary concern, are the mentioned SSD's the best choices for their price range? What is the risk of problems over a couple years? (general ballpark, 3% or 30% or what?)

.. and anything else I might have missed?

Gladly appreciating all feedback =)

- Gnug315

 

[Why_Me]

www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <----- I don't see a psu in that build, that case is cramped/small, and that board is meant for a single vid card. It runs dual cards @ x4

 

[Outlander_04]

The scythe shuriken is the stand out weird addition . Why? its for home theater pc's

You cant use triple channel RAM on any sandy bridge motherboard , and it offers no gaming advantage if you could

The PSU is overkill for the rig with a single gtx 580

Toms did an article on SSD'd recently where they rated the potential problems at a fraction of those you might have with a conventional hard drive . That makes sense .

I dont know your case and it looks like it has OK cooling , but I would be really concerned in a computer running that hot . I HAF or similar top end gaming case makes more sense .

For graphics ... how about GTX 570's ?

 

[flyboy86]

2: I am pretty sure that the 1155 doesn't support triple channel memory so no.

3: The case says it supports 5970 cards so it should be fine, but if you are looking for a better case I would recommend something with better airflow
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

 

[Gnug315]

Thanks for the answer re the RAM. The scythe is what the shop happened to recommend. I'll look into what else they can offer.

I forgot to list the PSU, it is a "700W 80+ CERTIFIED COUGAR". Is is enough for the current setup?

I prefer to run a single graphics card, so the GTX 580 seems like a solid buy(?)

 

[cgleckman]

Well the easiest thing to fix would be your HDD, you should consider going with

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

this HDD is actually 49.99 if you buy i think by tomorrow.. Otherwise its $5 more but out preforms the WD you have posted..

1) 6950 will out perform the GTX 580, however your case only comes with 1 fan incase you didnt see that. Either way I would recommend a new case

Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3 Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, front mounted dual USB 3.0 $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153


2) I am not sure about this so I will leave it to someone else. but I think your ram would work fine and more then 8 gb is overkill.

3) See above

4) I dont know if I am just being blind but for the life of me I cant find a PSU in your post.... please point it out if im just missing it.

5) Hmm once again not entirely sure. However crucial SSDs seem to preform amazingly and I would guess any possible problem wouldnt come for 2-3 years assuming you dont get a defect of course. (not very likely most are just DOA and then you get a new 1 the next day from newegg).

I hope I answered everything. IF i didnt please let me know

 

[cgleckman]

The PSU is overkill for the rig with a single gtx 580

How can the PSU be over kill if he hasnt posted it yet when you posted this?

 

[cgleckman]

Thanks for the answer re the RAM. The scythe is what the shop happened to recommend. I'll look into what else they can offer.

I forgot to list the PSU, it is a "700W 80+ CERTIFIED COUGAR". Is is enough for the current setup?

I prefer to run a single graphics card, so the GTX 580 seems like a solid buy(?)

The PSU you have listed i feel could bit a bit small.. I feel like 750W would be the minimum for 1 card but im having a problem finding the power consumption for that card so I cant be sure.

 

[Gnug315]

Thanks muchly for the quick responses. I am hoping to order this tomorrow so I greatly value it =)

Other options for case are, for example, HAF 912 PLUS, SILENCIO 550, 690II ADVANCED, ENFORCER and slightly more expensive HAF 922.

Which of the first four there would be large and good enough? Trying to keep the budget down =)

1) 6950 will out perform the GTX 580, however your case only comes with 1 fan incase you didnt see that. Either way I would recommend a new case

I am somewhat shocked to hear you say the HD 6950 outperforms the GTX 580 at 2560x1600. Looking at http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-performance-radeon-geforce,2997-4.html "Radeon HD 6950 1 GB (Check Prices) Excellent 1920x1200 performance, Good 2560x1600 performance in most games with lowered detail" and on the next pages "Honorable Mention: GeForce GTX 580: Great 2560x1600 performance" and "2 x Radeon HD 6950 2 GB in CrossFire: Excellent 2560x1600 performance"

 

[cgleckman]

Im sorry I mis typed, i ment the dual 6950 would out perform a single GTX 580 As for those cases

if your willing to spend the $99 the Antec 900 IMO will destroy any other case as far as airflow. The stock airflow in it is just amazing http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

 

[cgleckman]

Otherwise Antec 300 illusion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 for 69.99

is nice or you can go the regular antec 300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

(you lose the blue light and 2 front fans and save $20.. You would need to buy the 2 fans you lose or your airflow may not be enough'

 

[flyboy86]

This is a great site to figure out what your psu needs to be
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

Recommended psu watts is 580. however I would recommend going with a Antec

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

 

[Outlander_04]

How can the PSU be over kill if he hasnt posted it yet when you posted this?

Because he edited the original post .

Im good , but cant actually predict the future