Opinions on my i5 2500K build

[vice86]

Hi folks...its time for me to replace my 2004 Dell XPS Gen III PC...before that I built an AMD Thunderbird PC and now I want to build again since its cheaper than buying a prebuilt.

Please tell me what you think about the items I've selected so far. I want a mix of an an HTPC and mid/mid-upper gaming PC

Approximate Purchase Date: Tomorrow or Friday from amazon.com using 1 day shipping.

Budget Range: $1000 or under (under being better)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: General computing, 1080p viewing thru Boxee or XMBC, streaming 1080p to iDevice and xbox, gaming at 1920x1080 on my 63" Samsung Plasma with no jaggies and looking better than playing the game on xbox 360

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, DVD drive, Case?...i have an old Antec SX1030 case from my Thunderbird build back in the day...can I still just use this and save the $75-100 on a new case?

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon.com. I'd like to do Newegg but pointless if there's 1-2 days proccessing order hold up. Amazon actually ships the same day if you select next day shipping.

Country of Origin: [borat] US&A [/borat]

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: Probably but not a priority...would just set it once and forget about it

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 using my 63" Samsung plasma as a monitor right now

Additional Comments: Want a mix of HTPC and decent gaming


Here's what I've chosen so far

Intel i5 2500K:
$219
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EBUXHQ

Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1 GB DDR5 DL-DVI-I/SL-DVI-D/HDMI/Dual Mini DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 100314-2SR:
$179
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E0KV3I

ASUS LGA 1155 SATA 6Gbps USB 3.0 Supported Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 2400 Motherboards P8Z68-V PRO
$194
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00503EA80

Corsair Builder Series CX600 600 watt 80 Plus Certified Power Supply Compatible with Intel and AMD Platforms ATX 700 CMPSU-600CXV2
$43 after $20 rebate
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W2T2UQ

Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3
$60.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CRSM4I

After rebates I'm at about 699 so far....I'm not sure if I should get a CPU fan or just use the stock one that comes with the i5.

I planned on throwing in my old 5200RPM 75GB HDD in that already has Windows 7 Ultimate on it....or should I go all out and get a 64GB SSD? Right now I have 40GBs left on my drive, would only have to install Adobe CS4 and then some games....64GB might not be enough.

How do I know if the Z68 board has onboard graphics in case i wanted to test out the Quick Sync feature of the i5 GPU?

As i mentioned earlier...i would love to just be able to use my old Antec SX1030 case...4 fans in it..should be good enough?
http://images.tweaktown.com/content/1/5/15_1.jpg

Do I really need 8GB ram? I can cut the price in half with just 4GB. CAS 8 or 9 better?

Audio: I just plan on using the optical out to my AVR for sound..i'm assuming that supports DTS and 5.1...that's all my old AVR supports.


What I'd like to know is there anything I should swap out that's either better quality for not that much more money....or something that's just as good as what I chose but cheaper.



Thanks in advance for any help...sorry for all the questions. I just want to be sure and happy with what I buy.

 

[Lukums]

Hello,

The Specs you have listed are fine, but ask yourself if that;s what you want. It will do HTCP and your general gaming but, it's still considered low end.

Here's my build.

i5 500k
Fatality Red Motherboard pro
8GB dominator red Corsair
Corsair red 900W

NZXT phantom Full - MUST HAVE THIS CASE! Can't reckomened this enough, great space, hot swapable, space for OC Water cooled. Again you didn't mention OC but it's worth the $120.

Heat skink you mentioned, stock fan is fine for the CPU unless you want to Modd.

I can highly reckomened the TT Heat Skin CPU large cylinder with LED red fan $40.

In the end it's your money and if your low on cash the build you listed is great.

I would swap the graphics card for a 6970 2GB or a GTX 480++ model. All based on money something to think about

 

[vice86]

Hello,

The Specs you have listed are fine, but ask yourself if that;s what you want. It will do HTCP and your general gaming but, it's still considered low end.

Here's my build.

i5 500k
Fatality Red Motherboard pro
8GB dominator red Corsair
Corsair red 900W

NZXT phantom Full - MUST HAVE THIS CASE! Can't reckomened this enough, great space, hot swapable, space for OC Water cooled. Again you didn't mention OC but it's worth the $120.

Heat skink you mentioned, stock fan is fine for the CPU unless you want to Modd.

I can highly reckomened the TT Heat Skin CPU large cylinder with LED red fan $40.

In the end it's your money and if your low on cash the build you listed is great.

I would swap the graphics card for a 6970 2GB or a GTX 480++ model. All based on money something to think about

Thanks for the suggestions lukums...i will have to look into the 6970. I kinda want to stick with the ATI cards for the stereoscopic 3D feature without needing to buy another thing like you have to with the nvidia cards. I'm a nerd and have a 3DTV and would love to see how the games look in stereoscopic mode...my TV does 2D to 3D conversion but not in VGA mode like I'm in now...i would think it can in HDMI mode but wont know till i build new PC.

I'm just a litte worried my old Antec case wont have proper ventilation...i could always try it and if it stink order a new case. I like simple looking...nothing to alienware looking.

I guess I would need a bigger PSU if I went to the 6970. Is the 6970 REALLY that much better than a 6870? I haven't gamed in years partly cuz I know my current PC stinks and I can't play anything new...I'd hate to get a super grfx card and end up not really playing any games. I'm more into emulation like MAME or Supermodeler for Sega Model 2/3 games.

 

[vice86]

Best answer selected by vice86.