In-Progress Gaming Build

[Sadukar]

Current In-Progress build.
Used primarily for gaming.

Overclocking in future.
SLI or Crossfire in future.

Note: Some parts have been ordered and are in route. Some parts I am undecided on and would like advice.

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i5 2500k (purchased)
Scythe Mugen 3 CPU Cooler
Asrock P67 Extreme4 Gen 3 (purchased)
Antec 902 v3 Case (purchased)
Corsair AX 850 PSU (purchased)
G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) (about to purchase)
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 RPM (purchased)
generic DVD-R (purchased)

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GPU (UNDECIDED) not sure which way to sway..SLI or Crossfire. possibly 570? then another in the future when price drops
Display (UNDECIDED) thinking of a 23-24" display
Mouse (UNDECIDED) possibly Razer BlackAdder Black Edition
Keyboard (UNDECIDED) something good for gaming.. possibly mechanical??
SSD (future upgrade)
Windows 7 (need to purchase)

 

[AdrianPerry]

What you've bought so far looks good

GPU - You pretty much have 4 choices here, any of which can SLI later on: 6950, GTX 560Ti, 6970, GTX 570. 850w is enough to run any of those cards in Crossfire/SLI.

CPU Cooler - Narrowing down a NewEgg search to fit your spec, brings up these 4 coolers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008000%204025%20600035313%20600110699&IsNodeId=1&name=Socket%20AM2%20%2f%20AM3%2c%20LGA%20775%20%2f%201155%20%2f%201156%20%2f%201366

SSD - Intel have been known for great reliability recently, Crucial M4 and Corsair Force GT are also good choices. I've hard mixed reviews on OCZ, question marks over their reliability recently?

Windows - Just make sure its 64-bit 😀

 

[Sadukar]

Went ahead and ordered the Scythe Mugen 3 cooler.

No to decide on the mouse/keyboard..and still not sure about whether to go GTX or Radeon...

Oh yeah..and still need to buy that damn Windows 7 64-bit..probably just get the OEM version.

 

[AdrianPerry]

Yeah OEM is fine.

What resolution will you be playing at?

The Gigabyte GTX 560Ti OC 900MHz is on a great offer on NewEgg currently at just $205 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363

If your playing at more than 1920x1080 id recommend the 2GB Radeon cards.

If your playing at 1920x1080 or less, Nividia is probably the way to go. So between 560ti and 6950, or 6970 and gtx570 - both good cards, honestly depends on budget.

GTX 560Ti and 6950 will max out all current games with 30+ fps (apart from metro 2033) and the 570/6970 obviously performs slightly higher again.

Id probably suggest get a GTX560Ti (Gigabyte one for great price, quality cooling, low noise) and shove a 60GB SSD into your initial build to put your new Windows on ect.

 

[Sadukar]

Havent decided on monitor but I was thinking a 23-24"..so the highest resolution possible (probably 1920x1080)..havent spent much time on researching that as I have been away from pc building for about 4 years now. Just recently found out about modular PSUs!!

Im thinking of going with atleast a 570 that I can SLI in the future..or going with AMD if the crossfire is a better option for 2 card setup.