Looking to purchase a new gaming PC within the next two weeks and was hoping to get your feedback from the community. Below is the setup that is currently in my Newegg "wishlist".

First some general things:

Purpose - Gaming
Overclock - Yes please
Games - All DCS and LOMAC games, Cliff of Dover.
Retailer - Newegg, though I am open to others if you have recommendations.
Spare parts - Purchased a 128 MB Intel SSD about a year ago, so I'll probably used that in the new rig, and get another one as I need the space. Additionally will use spare dvdrw drive.
Maximum Cost - $1,300 USD


Qty. Image Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price

Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:CC600TWM-WHT
Item #:N82E16811139005
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$179.99 -$10.00 Instant $169.99

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
Item #:N82E16813157271
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$129.99 -$8.00 Instant $121.99

EVGA 025-P3-1579-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) HD 2560MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Model #:025-P3-1579-AR
Item #:N82E16814130687
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card
$339.99 $339.99

CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular ...
Model #:CMPSU-650HX
Item #:N82E16817139012
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card
$139.99 -$10.00 Instant $129.99

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
Model #:BX80623I52500K
Item #:N82E16819115072
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$219.99 $219.99

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit
Model #:CT128M4SSD2CCA
Item #:N82E16820148448
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$199.99 -$71.00 Instant $128.99

G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2
Model #:F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2
Item #:N82E16820231461
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$49.99 $49.99

CORSAIR H80 (CWCH80) High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Model #:CWCH80
Item #:N82E16835181016
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$109.99 -$5.00 Instant $104.99


Subtotal: $1,265.9

What do you think. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Hi Looks good, but I would see if there is a MicroCenter around which there might be the sell the CPU's a little cheaper??

Also if you plan on Overclocking I would get more watts for your system..especially if you plan on going SLI ..

Looks good

Couple thoughts:

Newegg usually has a brand name Single Rail 750W PSU on sale for under $100 (I got my Gold rated 850W for about $100). While 650W is enough for a single graphics card system (and for CrossFire), 750W is good to provide margin. Really don't need above 850W -- for any normal SLI or CrossFire system.

Recently got SSD for myself. One can see a slight improvement in load times (not enough room for all my games though -- have to leave it half empty for long lifetime). Basically, I'd not buy an SSD -- until after I bought the best graphics card and had money left over to spend.

GTX570 is a good card, but the new GTX670, GTX680 and HD79xx cards crush it -- can be nearly twice as fast (as they are on the new 28nm manufacturing process). For a new rig, it will be cost effective in the long term to get one of the new cards -- probably be years before something faster is needed. Have to jump fast to get a 670 or 680, Nvidia is having manufacturing problems and has a hard time keeping them in stock. Newegg has three brands of GTX670 left as I write this -- they had several a couple days ago when it came out. Given the good price, think seriously about buying it today.

$60 more would get you a 670,
if your lucky enough to order before they sell out, Increased efficiency, better architecture, display port for 3 screens on 1 card, puts out significantly less heat and uses less power than a 570 while beating it easily in benchmarks.

HD7950s are in the same price range, but i think Cliffs of Dover is one of those titles like FSX that Heavily favor nVidia GPUs.

$14 More, upgrade to the H100, I have one of these, and it works better than the H80, twice as much air moving over the radiator, larger radiator. mount it to the roof of the case if it has a dual 120mm fan mounting up top (Corsair makes the H100 and the case so it should).

other things:
Make sure you get at least a 700-750W PSU w/ a Single rail.

SSD will only really help windows load quicker and be more responsive after first boot up, IMHO, the SSD isnt important, as I've had 2 and other than O/S Boot times, it didn't really help gaming scenarios.

I'd go for 2 8GB sticks of Ram (16GB w/ room to upgrade) and drop the SSD until the price per GB drops and the Size of the Flash Arrays go up, and the longevity as well.

if your not partial to that case, the HAF922 is NICE, the red led/mesh side is on sale for $79, (Normally $119), Saves you $90
You can mount the H100 to the roof of the case, and put the 200mm fan that ships in the roof on the side mesh panel to help cool mainboard and GPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Agree w/Skate Zilla

Thanks for the feedback!

Really annoyed, I was staring at the an EVGA GTX670 last night on Newegg. Actually had it in the cart, but decided to hold off. It is now on auto-notify .

As for power supply, whats your take on this, hoping to get something with modular cable design nto realyl sure what is name brand in the PUS space, obviosuly corsair seems to be domiant -

NZXT HALE82 HALE82-750-M 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817116015

Comes to 89.99 after mail in rebate.

On the topic of cases. Do you guys have any recommendation there? Looking form something with great cable routing and relatively simple design/look.

Thanks!

As I write this, its back in stock. That one got a good write up

Others have said that "auto notify" is not working for GTX6xx cards (though it may have for you). Rather, they say, one has to get the GTX6xx page up -- then keep hitting refresh -- then "jump on it" when your card shows up. While that may not always be necessary, one takes a chance by waiting.

that was my 7950 strategy (hit refresh),
But i had also hit the auto - notify,
I got the email saying it was back in stock 15 minutes after threw it in my cart and paid for it.

Have you considered a combination of an H77 motherboard with the 2500k CPU? You might like the features and the extra bit of future-proofing. Dunno if the price gap between comparable boards is too big for such a consideration though.

I think the power supply you were going for originally, the Corsair HX650, is fantastic. I got one based on some pretty nasty tests some websites did one power supplies and the Corsair was one of the few which give the wattage they state consitantly and safely. You've got to remember that the wattage doesn't mean anything if it's going to **** out on you. I'd buy quality first.

Use this guide Corsair it's great to gauge which is the best power supply for your system because you've got to remember also that power supplies have an a set range of wattage where they are most efficient. Funnily enough, it recommends the HX650 for your intended rig

Oh and definitely go modular, sooo much tidier

Edit: I'd also consider trying to stretch a little and go Ivy Bridge with the i5 3750k if you can find one on special. In the UK they are only £5 more than the i5 2500k. It'd be silly not to really.