Need help on new gaming rig, budget $1000-$1300

[saaking]

I've been a console gamer all my life, but I making the jump to PC gaming and I'm astonished at all the options. So first off, let me go ahead and give some info:

Approximate Purchase Date: By December 2011 or sooner.

Budget Range: I'd love to get as close to $1000 as possible, but I'm willing to go up to $1250-$1300

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Metro 2033, Crysis, and BF3 along with dozens of others I have bought on steam), Photoshop, Sony Vegas, research, word processing, internet.

Parts Not Required: I already have a monitor (1920x1080), keyboard, speakers, mouse etc. All I need is the actual PC.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg and amazon and/or any other reliable sites you guys want to recommend (I live in the US).

Country of Origin: United States

Parts Preferences: Intel and Nvidia, I've been using an AMD computer for a while and I want to switch gears completely so please, stick to Nvidia and Intel.

Overclocking: Maybe, but very little if at all. Probably not with this build as I"m barely learning.

SLI or Crossfire: Yes, but in the future, not right now.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I just want a good PC.

So, I didn't want to be lazy and let you guys do all the work, after some research, this is what I have in mind right now:

Intel Core i5-2500k

ASRock P67 EXTREME4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229

G.Skill X Series 8GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Antec CP-850W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024

EVGA GTX 570 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593

Seagate Barracuda 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Cooler Master Storm Sniper http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

ASUS DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Total: $1,125

Now, will this build work? And will it get me good graphics? Also, I intend to add another GTX570 in sli sometime next year (the budget doesn't allow for 2 right now) so will this build be capable of supporting that? Finally, is there anything I could add or take away? Maybe cut back on some costs or is it fine the way it is? Thank you for your time, I know I wrote a lot but I greatly appreciate any help I can get.

 

[Why_Me]

Everything works but that psu. It's a CP and not an ATX. It's designed for specific Antec cases.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.730588 $162.98 - $15.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696136 $72.48
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 $124.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.733472 $529.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

 

[saaking]

Everything works but that psu. It's a CP and not an ATX. It's designed for specific Antec cases.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.730588 $162.98 - $15.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX850 V2 850W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696136 $72.48
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 $124.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.733472 $529.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

So with that PSU combo, I wouldn't need the G.Skills right? With those combos, the total goes down to around $1,075 (AWESOME!). So do you think this PC will be good enough for a good 6 months and after that will I be able to add another gtx570 in sli? thanks.

 

[farrengottu]

yep on gskill dump them, and that system should last you a few years with just video card upgrades.

 

[Why_Me]

So with that PSU combo, I wouldn't need the G.Skills right? With those combos, the total goes down to around $1,075 (AWESOME!). So do you think this PC will be good enough for a good 6 months and after that will I be able to add another gtx570 in sli? thanks.

Should max most games other than maybe Metro...but Iv'e never met anyone that actually plays that game, and they say BF3 is going to be another stress test on the graphics card. By the time BF3 is open to the public you won't be far away from picking up another one of those cards so no biggy there. Again though there's no benchmarks for BF3 yet...so it's all rumor for now.

 

[saaking]

I've been looking at cases and I came across this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

Do you guys think that would be better or should I just stick with the Haf X?

 

[Why_Me]

I've been looking at cases and I came across this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

Do you guys think that would be better or should I just stick with the Haf X?

Some peeps on here have built with that case and loved it, others have said it was narrow and cheap. Iv'e never built with it so I can't say.


I used to hate Corsair cases for the fact I thought they were over priced hot boxes but they have come a long way since last year and they are putting out some great cases now...all new on the market also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008 <------ Here's one worth checking out. I plan on using it in my next build. It's gotten some great reviews and has a lot of options to add more fans/cooling.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009 <----- This case is due out on the market next week and it looks like a good one with decent cooling also. It's a step up from that case I posted up above this one.

 

[saaking]

Some peeps on here have built with that case and loved it, others have said it was narrow and cheap. Iv'e never built with it so I can't say.


I used to hate Corsair cases for the fact the were hot boxes but they have came a long way since last year and they are putting out some great cases now...all new on the market also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008 <------ Here's one worth checking out. I plan on using it in my next build. It's gotten some great reviews and has a lot of options to add more fans/cooling.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009 <----- This case is due out on the market next week and it looks like a good one with decent cooling also. It's a step up from that case I posted up above this one.

I'll check those out. Also, I was thinking of going with this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131753

I know it's more expensive but if I buy that will it help me pretty much future proof the PC? Or is the Asrock one good enough? Thanks for all your help man.

 

[madchemist83]

That antec case is narrow but will fit Hyper 212+ and still have 6-8mm left to the side. Check out InWIN Dragon Rider. Awesome cooling.
If u don't mind a lack of front USB 3.0 Bitfenix Shinobi is the case to go // also Hyper 212+ is tight fit and u'll have to find something low profile

@ Why_me

when r u planning on building ur rig? i'm gonna do one too
was hoping to get ur opinion on case and low profile coolers for 1155 socket

 

[Why_Me]

I'll check those out. Also, I was thinking of going with this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131753

I know it's more expensive but if I buy that will it help me pretty much future proof the PC? Or is the Asrock one good enough? Thanks for all your help man.

That Asus board is spendy and doesn't offer the PCI-E 3.0 slots for Ivy Bridge. If you plan on spending that kind of money on a board then I would spend another $20 and get the Asrock extreme7 Gen3 that has the NF200 Bridge allowing dual cards to run @ x16 and x16 instead of the usual x8 & x8.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265 <----- Personally I would go with this board here. It's set up for Ivy Bridge and those new generation PCI-E 3.0 cards due out whenever.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=P67%20Extreme4%20Gen3 <----- A better look at that board

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/PCIe3/ <----- An overview of the Gen3 PCI-E 3.0 for Ivy Bridge.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/index.asp?s=1155 <----- All the boards on that link that say Gen3 on them are those new boards. That P67 extreme4 Gen3 is a good one imo.

That antec case is narrow but will fit Hyper 212+ and still have 6-8mm left to the side. Check out InWIN Dragon Rider. Awesome cooling.
If u don't mind a lack of front USB 3.0 Bitfenix Shinobi is the case to go // also Hyper 212+ is tight fit and u'll have to find something low profile

@ Why_me

when r u planning on building ur rig? i'm gonna do one too
was hoping to get ur opinion on case and low profile coolers for 1155 socket

It won't be until next spring/early summer. That's when my wife's contract is up at the hospital here and we can move back to Wasilla, AK. Right now my net is maxed out at 128K seeing how were living in Dillingham, AK near the Bering Sea. Fly in only...no roads out, and no roads in. We have one month in Belarus after we leave here, and then I'm back on regular net again. Gaming time.

 

[madchemist83]

hehe nice .. im building mine end of this year.

 

[phenom90]

for psu you can go for this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194093

and for memory any 8gb kit running at 1.5v 1600mhz would be just fine such as this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

for a total combine of $120 after MIR this will save you even more money... and don't worry lepa branded psu may not as popular as corsair... but its psu in fact is manufactured by another top tier maker enermax... so quality-wise it should be equal to that corsair...

as this is your new build i suggest in choosing cases pick the one that is more versatile that you can acommodate anything you can throw at in the next couple of years... this model comes with all total 8 fans included and it can mount a triple 120mm radiator internally should you want to go for water cooling next time...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517010

for cpu and vga card go the evga gtx 570 and intel i5 2500k combo... its a good deal...
and for mobo the asrock z68 extreme3 gen3 is a good deal as well...

you need a hsf as well such as this one...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181011