First build - are the parts compatible

grensell87

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Jul 27, 2011
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18,510
First time builder here. It feels like I know next to nothing, but after a few hours of research and a few posted builds, I have come up with the following build. Please let me know if anything seems out of place or just downright aweful.

Approximate Purchase Date: approx. 3 months from now

Budget Range: $1500 - $2000 (not including rebates)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, some light schoolwork

Parts Not Required: mouse, keyboard, monitor, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com and tigerdirect.com

Country of Origin:USA

Parts Preferences: Intel processor; nvidia GPUs

Overclocking: Yes, just as soon as I figure out how to do it safely

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: unsure

Additional Comments: I just want to run demanding high end graphics games with max settings and a decent framrate. I also want my system to last for a year or so without upgrades.

Case: Cooler Master RC-932-KKN5-GP HAF 932 Advance Full Tower
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4146085&CatId=32&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=iFudSkud_Rc-rNci.Adxb48YE7hsH8xPqA ] $150

CPU:Intel Core i7-2600K quad core 3.4 GHz
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7073159&CatId=6991 ] $315

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo ] $85

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST 24X Internal DVD Burner
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6078414&csid=_21&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=iFudSkud_Rc-D0_A4ljbnGmqFtoejBKy5A ] $21

CPU fan and heatsink: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=cooler%20master%20hyper%20212 ] $25

GPUs: 2x GIGABYTE GV-N56GOC-1GI GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
$380

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX950 (CMPSU-950TX) 950W ATX12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready
[url= [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139013]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139013
] $155

MOBO: ASUS P8P67 Deluxe B3 Intel P67 Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7343077&csid=ITD&body=REVIEWS#tabs ] $240

Memory: G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
$95

total = $1466
 
You would probably do fine with i5 2500k, for gaming it's just as good as the i7 2600k.

At 1920x1080 GTX 560Ti will give you good framerates on most games with high settings - so in any case upgrade the graphics card to at least 560Ti.
But since you want to play the highest end games at max settings, including crysis 2 i would imagine. I would say that get a 2nd 560Ti as well and SLI.
That should pack enough punch to keep you going for a year. When overclocked they really pack a punch.

Get ones with good non reference coolers such as Asus DirectCUII or Gigabyte 3 fan models.
 
its a good start but i have several suggestions:
the i7-2600k is going to give you little to no gaming performance improvement over the cheaper i5-2500k. its excels only when its hyperthreading feature is well utilized, typically only in video editing and workstation type applications. Some might argue that games are moving towards using more threads. Imo, when that happens, you will be $100 closer to a next-gen processor if you go with the i5.
you wont need anywhere near 950w for dual 560's. 750w would be plenty, as well as for the gtx 560 ti's/hd6950's that i would recommend instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049
the p8p67 deluxe is a nice mobo, but you dont need all the features it provides. A cheaper board like the pro would still be more than enough. However, the z68x-ud4 recently had a price drop from $190 to $160, and is an incredible value ($145 savings from your current mobo+ram) in this ram+mobo combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689144
With these changes, you will have more than enough money for a dual GPU upgrade (even if you decided to keep the i7):
either a pair of hd6950 2gb:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945
or gtx 560 ti:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662889
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662871