Need help selecting final parts to custom build

[TheShorterBus]

So I am almost finished collecting all the parts I need for my new computer... this is my first build *gulp*. I am having issues selecting the last couple things, as I find their is an overwhelming amount of info, and I'm cant make up my mind on GPU, PSU, and Case. I know for GPU im looking in the $250 to $350 range, and I will eventually want to SLI/Cross so I am having issues selecting a PSU as my research is ranging anywhere from 750W up to 1200W if I want to add fan controls and SLI/Cross or overclock anything. Then I look at the PSU's and they seem to all have a chance of being DOA, I dont really want to pay over $200 on a PSU but its hard to find a good one. Lastly I need some opinions on a Case. I have looked at everything from the HAF X, to Bitfenix's window Colossus. I know I want a window to show of my parts, or do I HaHa? here is what I have currently.


Processor: 2nd Gen Intel i&-2700K
Motherboard: Intel Extreme Series DP67BG Board
RAM: 16GB (4X4GB DDR3) G.Skill Ripjaw
Optical Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Optical Drive
Video Card: UNDECIDED
Solid State Drive: Kingston V100 64GB (Boot Drive)
Hard Drive: UNDECIDED, thinking Caviar Black
Computer Case: UNDECIDED
CPU Cooling: Corsair H50 CPU Cooler
Power Supply: UNDECIDED

any thoughts or opinions, whatever, would be appreciated.

[SugarJ]

Video card, I'd go with a GTX570.
HDD - I usually use Caviar Blacks, but they are in very short supply right now and hard to find.
PSU - Anything from Corsair or Seasonic. You can find a TX750 for $99, or a TX850 for $129 on sale at NCIX.

Cases are always a matter of personal taste, so I don't usually make recommendations on those. Most people build their systems and don't open them for months or years, so if you like the looks go for it. If you're in it frequently (I've been in my TJ-07 4 times this week), then cable management and ease of use are more important. Check the reviews on what you like, and focus on the cons. If they don't bother you, buy it.

[TheShorterBus]

Also I am using a 240hz 32" 1080p tv for a monitor, is either Navidia or Amd better for 1080p res? I would assume not, 1920x1080 is just that, 1920x1080. Thanks for the rec on the GTX 570, I have been looking at it for awhile and was leaning that way. Is 850W PSU enough for SLI though? and do you think thier would be a point to maybe overclock them in the future?

thanks

[SugarJ]

I tend to recommend Nvidia cards currently, as AMD seems to have more issues with their drivers and Crossfire. And a GTX570 will run every game currently out at 1080P with the highest settings. Mine did. I think a 850w should be plenty for SLI'd cards. See the power chart on this page: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores Review SKYMTL's complete OC'd system with a GTX570 hits 350w, so there's plenty of room for a second card.

[great_big_abyss]

Harddrive:

Since you have an SSD, you won't be using an HDD as your primary boot drive. This 500GB Caviar Blue should do the trick to begin with (storage and the rest of your installs). In a years time (or hopefully 6 monthes?) once prices come down you can buy a 2TB to supplement your storage.

The Blue is $65 cheaper than the black of the same size. Do you really need the extra cache of the Black, especially when most of your installs will be going on your SSD? Actually, you could use the cash your saved to up the size of your SSD a little.

[TheShorterBus]

Thanks Sugar! and Abyss, I never thought about getting a bigger SSD to hold me over, only issue is I already have it. I'm not sure what to do, but isnt the bigger cache better for gaming as well? or rwill it really make a diff? I play BF3 mostly on work computer, and I plan on getting Skyrim once i have built my computer. Should I just go with a cheaper drive for now?

[bonanza2000]

I got a HAF X case and I love it but it is a big honking beast 25" x 21" x 10". I just slide it under my desk as it has some little wheels on it. I like it is roomy and I figure I can reuse the case for years to come when I upgrade stuff. That said, I also built one for my kid and it is more of standard 22"x 20"x10" CoolerMaster HAF 922 and that fits better in her desk area. No windows on the 922 but you could still put colored fans in and light it up a bit. New egg has a special edition HAF X with blue lighted fans.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF X Blue Edition RC-942-KKN3 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case with Black Interior and Four Blue LED Fans-1x 140mm rear fan, 1x 200mm top fan, 1x 200mm side fan, and 1x 230mm front fan

Get a case you like with the thought that you will reuse it over time