New Build, feedback appreciated

[Foodspice]

This will be my second build. The first lasted a solid 4 years (thanks to many on this forum ) and I am looking for an upgrade. This new build will mainly be for gaming (@1680x1050) and surfing the interwebs. The catalyst for this build is the upcoming release of BF3. I am concerned mostly with reliability and keeping everything cool, quiet and clean. I would like to do some mild overclocking (~4.6Ghz) on the processor and maybe the GPU if it will handle the heat.

I am getting close to pulling the trigger on the following:

Intel Core i5-2500K
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3
EVGA GTX 560 Ti FPB
SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM
Corsair Carbide 500R case

and Windows 7/64 on this: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive

I have been having trouble deciding on the make and model of the GPU. I'm pretty certain that a GTX 560ti will be able to handle BF3 at 1680x1050 at reasonably high settings. My concern is cooling and reliability. Based on newegg reviews, the MSI Twin Frozr and the ASUS and Gigabyte variants are unreliable. I am currently running an EVGA 8800GT and it is hot and loud (but reliable). Can anyone spec me a better card than I have selected? I would like to stick with Nvidia.

[zanzabar]

looks good, the only thing i would change is the case since i would get a fractal design r3 or xl at that price point for a sleek case or a haf. and for the HDD the samsung f3 1TB is only $50 now and its quicker than the WD 640

[EniGmA1987]

Needs faster RAM speed. At LEAST 1600, preferably 1866.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226223
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231455


Also what heatsink are you using? You MUST have an aftermarket heatsink to overclock to 4.6GHz. A minimum of a CoolerMaster Hyper 212+, preferably something better though

[Foodspice]

looks good, the only thing i would change is the case since i would get a fractal design r3 or xl at that price point for a sleek case or a haf. and for the HDD the samsung f3 1TB is only $50 now and its quicker than the WD 640

Thanks Zanzabar, I'll definitely get that HDD instead. I am in Canada and for some reason our version of Newegg here does not carry Fractal Design cases (although I could special order it from my local store). The selling point for me on the Corsair was the 200mm side fan. I'm expecting to have a warm GPU and figured this would help. I do like the looks and dust management of the Fractal though. After reading the Newegg reviews it looks excellent. Thanks mate.



Enigma, I am using my TRUE 120 Extreme from my previous build. I lapped it and it has served me well. Apparently the Asrock mobo has socket 775 holes as well as 1155 holes. Thanks for the note about my RAM -- I'll pick up the faster Ripjaws you suggested.

Thanks for the help guys, very much appreciated

[zanzabar]

ncix ha the r3 and xl. the side fan dose not typically help for gpus unless u have no case flow or you are using heatsinks for single cards setups

[EniGmA1987]

The selling point for me on the Corsair was the 200mm side fan.

Be sure and do the math to make sure your TRUE will still fit with a side fan in place. I dont remember how tall the true is but many of the modern towers do not fit with side fans

[Foodspice]

ncix ha the r3 and xl. the side fan dose not typically help for gpus unless u have no case flow or you are using heatsinks for single cards setups

I just noticed NCIX had them too. After your suggestion, I watched a video review on the XL and it looks really well made and suits my needs perfectly. Pulling the trigger on the case this weekend.

Be sure and do the math to make sure your TRUE will still fit with a side fan in place. I dont remember how tall the true is but many of the modern towers do not fit with side fans

The XL does have an option for a 140mm side fan. I'll buy the fan and install everything, if the TRUE is too tall, I'll just leave the fan off. The XL has quite a lot of airflow potential even without the side fan.

Again, thanks a lot for the help guys.

[BossBorot]

Watch what drivers you use with the 560 ti. I have had a crash or two on the lastest drivers as have other users check the nVidia sub forum.

[Foodspice]

Alright, I've taken all of the feedback, for which I am very appreciative, and this is my final list:

Intel Core i5-2500K
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3
EVGA GTX 570 [changed from 560 ti]
SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) [changed from slower version]
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM [changed from smaller WD caviar drive]
Fractal Design R3 [changed from Corsair Carbide]

and Windows 7/64 on this: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive

Just wanted to run this by you guys before I pull the trigger. I did read about issues with the 560 ti so I opted for the GTX 570 instead. I'm still not sure about the GPU choice. I would rather get away with the 560 ti considering I will be gaming at only 1650x1080. But if a 570 is better in the long run (ie. skip the next couple of generations due to its greater power) then I will go for it.

Thanks guys

[EniGmA1987]

Looks like a solid gaming machine