Is this system compatible/suggestions?

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peanut1313

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Jan 4, 2012
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18,510
Approximate Purchase Date: Next few weeks
Budget Range: $2000-2500 U.S, but I would be happy to spend closer to $2000 if the increase in gaming power isn't worth the extra money.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Games, Net, Movies

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, HDD, DVD Drive, Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I have been using newegg for pricing but they don't deliver outside the U.S =( Will probably use Amazon but cheaper the better really.

Country: New Zealand

Parts Preferences: Intel, EVGA but definitely open to suggestions.

Overclocking: Probably not

SLI or Crossfire: SLI

Monitor Resolution: Again not sure, was planning on buying a 40" LED but I don't know if this will be too much for the system. Maybe a large monitor. Suggestions?

Additional Comments: Would like it to be quiet but isn't a must.

These are the parts I have picked out so far. ANYTHING you guys have to say will be greatly appreciated

CPU
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K $319.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

MOBO
EVGA Z68 FTW 160-SB-E689-K2 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard $299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188099

RAM
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9R $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180

GPU
2x EVGA 012-P3-1571-KR GeForce GTX 570 HD w/Display-Port (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $679.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130613

SSD
Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

PSU
CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 (CMPSU-850HX) 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Case
Antec Twelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATX Full Tower $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100

Pretty new to this so any help at all optimising/choosing parts will be greatly appreciated! Also going to have a friend help me assemble and he knows what he's doing.

I also need help with the cooling, haven't chosen any CPU fans etc because I'm not entirely sure what the best options would be?

The current price for all the parts I have chosen sits at $1850

Thanks in advance!
 

6_5x47lapua

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Nov 7, 2011
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18,690
different size slots for CPUs, the 1155 is the most practical, it is widely used and up to date. you will be fine sticking with 1155. the 1366 is cool, but unneeded unless you are doing HEAVY video rendering, its not even needed for extreme gaming.

I personally really like the ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68, but everyone has their own opinion. "when in doubt- buy the most expensive one" haha this was someones status on tom's cant remember who it was.

for cooling, you can get a significant upgrade over stock for pretty cheap.
your solution can be as simple as this,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057

or you could go with water cooling. design you own water loop with pump, radiator, reservoir, tubing, and waterblocks, or simply purchase a closed loop, install, and you are good to go. closed loops are great for stock CPUs and light OCing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017
 

Tzoi

Distinguished
Dec 28, 2011
9
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18,510


Most likely it'll still be cheaper buying it from Amazon, even if you do have to pay GST. Small things like RAM and a PSU would be worth it, but once you take into account GST for the bigger items it may get close. What I did was have a look around the NZ websites and calculated how much cheaper it would be if I bought it off Amazon, and whether the price difference was worth the potential warrenty problems and shipping. Also, buy your case locally, because it'd cost a fortune to ship from overseas.

For NZ sites, I generally use pbtech.co.nz because I've bought items from PB Technologies before. If you want cheaper prices, have a look on pricespy.co.nz because they aggregate prices from a number of New Zealand stores and you can have a look at where the prices are the cheapest. It's useful but I'm normally not sure how much I trust those websites and stick to the well known ones, such as pbtech, playtech and computerlounge.

I ended up getting my RAM, GPU, DVD drive, PSU and SSD from Amazon, and will go and pick up the rest from pbtechnologies sometime soon.