Help with first build

[ruddiger]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to build my own comp for the first time within a couple weeks and need a bit of advice. I'm trying to build a gaming & workhorse processing computer for <$1000 (incl OS if possible) with a future-resistance built in (seems like a common goal around here...) since I'm hoping to use this for as long as I can (my last one died after 7yrs and was still decent, but probably got left behind by the most up-to-date games about 2yrs ago).

This is what I am currently thinking of, why, and what I'm hoping to do with it:

CPU: Intel i5-2500K (been convinced to go with the 2500K over the 2400 due to the small price gap and the ability to overclock down the road if the processing power is required instead of replacing with something new)

GPU: Currently thinking MSI N560GTX-Ti Hawk GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card. I don't need an amazing amount of power right now as I will be playing games like SC2, Portal2, CivV etc, but might try skyrim soon and others if I have the power to run them. Basically I don't want it to be below minimum reqs in a couple years. Also I was thinking of keeping the SLI option open for more power in a couple years time if its required (does this make sense?). I've gone with nvidia for a while and like them but I guess I don't necessarily need a nvidia chip so maybe an AMD 6950 with crossfire option would work too...? Also, I want to support 2 monitors but don't need to game using both - more for multitasking like streaming video on one and working on the other.

Mobo: I'm leaning towards the gigabyte GA-Z68A-DH3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB3.0 ATX mobo, but this is where I'm currently running into difficulties being a noob to the game here - there just seem to be too many considerations:
-I understand the z68 chip is the higher-end, safer chip than the p67 for upgradability etc but is there really a benefit/difference?
-If SLI is a good GPU upgrade path, I want something with SLI compatibility (and/or crossfire), which is the primary reason I'm looking at the one I am. There seem to be a limited selection for SLI, particularly with ASUS which I would prefer over GB (though honestly for the trivial reason that the gigabyte splash screens on startup that I've seen look absolutely horrid). Also, how important is the x16/x8 or x16/x4 spec for PCIe 2.0 slots?

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) 240-pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

HDD: Don't need anything big at the moment - can expand if necessary. Thinking Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Case: I really don't care about it being flashy at all, just something that holds pieces in place and lets the air flow through. Thinking about a bottom-mounted PSU option like the Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan case but am honestly not sure about sizings for PSU mounting, space for a CPU heatsink for if/when I overclock, and it comes with 3 fans but the mobo only has 2 additional fan plugs - is this an issue?

Optical: Bare-bones combo drive, no blu-ray, maybe ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

Anyway, this post is more than long enough. What I've listed is in just under $950 without OS (will be windows 7 64bit, not sure about home or pro), but if the logic is sound and I haven't made bad assumptions then I'm ok with that. If anyone has any advice on compatibility, the thought process for the GPU/mobo selection, or general suggestions, it would all be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers!

[glc]

Looks fine to me with one exception - get the low profile Vengeance instead of those ridiculous heatsinks. Reason: CPU aftermarket heatsink clearance issues.

To get an Asus board that can run 2 slots at 8x or better will cost you considerably more.

[supernater]

I'm also looking at the core i5-2500k processor build and I was wondering about your ram selection. I read that on the Intel Core I5 2500k the bus is set to except 2 lanes of 1033 or 1333 speed DDR3 ram. Does this mean that the ram you selected (1600) is overkill? Can the processor use this ram at it's full speed?

[glc]

The Z68 can run ram at 1600 through XMP.

DDR3 Overclocking with Intel® Extreme Memory Profile

[ruddiger]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll switch to this RAM to avoid space issues then:
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

And thanks for the RAM speed question and XMP note - again, being new to this I hadn't caught that possible issue. It seems that it's a manual selection in the BIOS rather than an automatic setting, is that true? I looked at the link glc provided and there's a table of certified memory chips and mobos for XMP (from August 2011) and neither my proposed memory or mobo are on there, should I be wary about this?

I am kind of assuming the other ideas I mentioned make sense - "upgrading" by getting an after-market heat sink and overclocking the CPU, adding a second GPU with SLI, etc.

I forgot to mention this in my first post, but is the fact that my current "monitor" is a 42" HDTV going to be an issue?
Also, does anyone have suggestions for wireless networking cards? I have a dlink DIR-615 wireless N router (I think, will confirm when I get home).

[glc]

Vengeance is XMP-certified ram.

Newegg.ca - Zonet ZEW1642S Wireless Adapter w/Fixed Antennas IEEE 802.11b/g/n PCI Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, WPA, WPA2