About to build my first computer. Need some help finalizing my options.

[timk617]

Hi, this will be the first computer I ever build. It's primary uses are for gaming, so I'm trying to build a system that will run games, such as Battlefield 3, on high to max settings, and not need an upgrade for atleast a couple years.
After some research and asking on some other forums, this is what I have so far:
All parts were found on newegg.
Sorry I could not post links, I am new to these forums, and it won't let me.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Bundled with Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
$227.98

MOBO: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$159.99

GPU: EVGA SuperClocked 015-P3-1582-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$499.99

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$134.99

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$64.99

SSD: Corsair Nova Series 2 CSSD-V60GB2 2.5" 60GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$99.99

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
$69.99

CPU Cooler: Scythe SCMG-3000 120mm Heat Pipe CPU Cooler

$49.99

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0 and Black Interior
$149.99

I plan on buying a Logitech keyboard and mouse for about $50 from Best Buy,and I already have either the Samsung Syncmaster P2370HD or B2030 to use as the moniters. OS will be Win7.

Other parts from Newegg I am buying:
Speakers: ALTEC LANSING VS2620 5 Watts RMS 2.0 Value Computer Speakers
$29.99

Thermal Paste: ARCTIC COOLING Arctic Cooling MX-4 AC-MX4 4 gram (g) All-Around Thermal Compound
$12.99

Surge Protector: CyberPower 850 6 Feet 8 Outlets 2400 Joules Home/Office Surge Protection
$19.99

Total after Rebates: $1505.87

That's not too much money for what I am buying is it? Also, is there anything I could get better price for, or just a better part to buy? I'm sure they are compatible, if they are not, please let me know.
What do you think? Is this a strong machine?

[scaryjim]

tbh you're probably getting better value than most of us in the UK can - $1500 works out at somewhere around £940, which is decent for an i5 K, GTX580, 8GB RAM and an SSD boot drive.

Looks like a sensible set up at that budget

[danroyle]

the core of your pc i5 8gb and gtx580 are the same as i have it is hugely powerful i love my setup.

For a complete build thats not bad at all

for your gtx 580 they run pretty hot unless you are desperate for the evga warranty and step up i'd choose either

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814125364

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814127567

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814121429

one of those 3 is gonna run a lot cooler than the evga superclock which has stock cooling. and most are actually clocked higher than the EVGA superclock

[timk617]

Thanks! I'm real excited to put this all together.
I took your advice and I added the MSi Twin Frozr to my cart instead of the EVGA.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

BF3 is an AMD sponsored game AFAIK so it might be worth considering a pair of HD6950 2GB cards.

I would get this SSD:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820148441

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820148447

The second one seems to be the same drive as the first but comes with some extra parts.

I would get a Z68 based motherboard:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...CE&Pagesize=20

This PSU gets very good reviews:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817207011

[Doherz]

I'm with CAT, a z68 board is the way to go plus you've quoted an SATA 2 ssd drive. Now seeing as your buying a board with sata 3 your best off getting a sata 3 drive, the crucial one cat linked is a good drive.

CAT is also right about the AMD sponsorship of BF3, now with the crossfire setup he suggested you will probably get better performance for your money but there is also a lot to be said for staying with a single card over dual. Namely no having to wait for drivers to get a game working properly with crossfire, the same goes for sli too.

So basically how low maintenance do you want your rig to be?? If you don't mind playing around with drivers a bit when some new games come out then go with the crossfire setup. But if you want a no hassle just works approach go with the single card. Which is a personal choice.