New to building pcs, advice needed for gaming pc build

[mgagen]

Hi,

I’m new to building computers (this will be my first one) but I’ve been researching the parts and want to try and build a great gaming/all around pc within the next month. This is my build feel free to give me some recommendations. I want to make sure everything is compatible as well. I’ve already purchased the case and power supply listed below just fyi.

Approximate Purchase Date: as soon as possible once i figure all the parts out

Budget Range: 2500 dollars, money is not an issue though

System Usage: Gaming

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country of Origin: United States

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

$99.99

Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001&Tpk=corsair%20800d

$279.99

Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

$314.99

CPU Cooling: CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017

$119.99

Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 DELUXE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http:

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131701

$214.99

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145347

$109.99

Hard Disk-Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136792

$149.99

Disk Drive: SONY Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 8X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner BWU-500S

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118049

$119.99

Power Supply: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200 (CMPSU-1200AX) 1200W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139014&Tpk=corsair%20ax1200

$279.99

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100310SR Radeon HD 6990 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102927

$729.99

Sound Card: ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 Channels PCI Express x1 Interface Sound Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271003

89.99

 

[Onus]

I think you're spending a lot of money unnecessarily. Here are your picks, and my suggestions:

Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
$279.99

For less than half that, Rosewill makes some excellent gaming cases. Also, check out the Enermax Hoplite. I really like mine; the drive mounting options are especially nice. If you want something almost furniture-quality, check out Lian Li.

Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
$314.99

For games, save $100 and get the i5-2500K.

CPU Cooling: CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
$119.99

A $30-$35 air cooler like the Xigmatek Gaia will be sufficient even for moderate overclocking.

Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 DELUXE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
$214.99

Ok. You might check out the Z68 boards too, especially if you think you might be interested in SRT.

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B
$109.99

RAM is cheap, but even 8GB is more than most people are likely to need; that will be around $60.

Hard Disk-Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$149.99

Take the money being saved elsewhere and get a 120GB-128GB SSD. I would suggest Intel, for reliability, or perhaps Corsair. You can then make your data drive something a little quieter, like a WD "Green" or "Blue", or Samsung Spinpoint F3.

Disk Drive: SONY Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 8X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner BWU-500S
$119.99

Ok.

Power Supply: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200 (CMPSU-1200AX) 1200W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$279.99

Good brand, but overkill. With my GPU suggestions, even 850W will be more than you need.

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100310SR Radeon HD 6990 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
$729.99

Lots of bang, but awful bang/buck. Get a single HD6970 now, with plans to add another when your games need it; or start out with a pair of them. They'll cost less, but outperform the HD6990.

Sound Card: ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 Channels PCI Express x1 Interface Sound Card
89.99

Probably not needed. Start with mobo sound, and improve it only if needed.

 

[mgagen]

Thank you for your advice, I was wondering would I be better off with a nvidia gtx 570 or a radeon 6970 or does it matter? i don't plan on getting more than one card as I will probably upgrade in the spring when the new line of nvidia and ati cards come out.

 

[Onus]

With a single GTX570 or HD6970, a 600W-650W PSU will be sufficient, and that much only because you indicate you intend to OC. Your original post specifies that you are interested in dual GPUs, so 850W would be more appropriate.
I believe the GTX570 will be a little stronger in most games than the HD6970, but check benchmarks because some games will clearly favor one or the other.