[Callipygian]

Hi guys I've never built a computer but I am pretty confident in making my first gaming rig. I've been reading and learning a lot about everything in general. I want to make a new extreme gaming PC that's future proof.
What I came up with is this build. I also plan to overclock but I only have the gist of it. Is it really hard to do?

-Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

-EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

-XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
I plan on buying 2 of these to run in SLI

-COOLMAX CUG-950B 950W ATX12V V.2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply

-Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

-CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9

-Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

-SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q

-Logitech G5 2-Tone 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Laser Mouse

-Logitech G11 Silver & Black USB Standard Gaming Keyboard

-The last thing I need is a good CPU cooler, I want the best performance so I can overclock good. I Plan to overclock to about 4ghz in the end.

This all comes down to $1960.90 pre-tax and shipping. (Not including the CPU cooler I'm going to buy)

Do I need to alter anything? Could I be making a faster build that is cheaper and also future proof? Thanks in Advance

[UnrealAlex]

Welcome to the forums

It looks alright I suppose. But I'm not a fan of Sli/Crossfire. I would get one powerful card rather than 2 weaker cards.

[Callipygian]

Thanks a bunch!
Any idea as to what single graphics card I should buy that will get me great FPS on Crysis on max? Cuz thats what I was aiming for lol

[UnrealAlex]

The ATI 4870x2 is the most powerful single card I believe. Next is the GTX 280

With a single card you can buy the Corsair TX750w, which is currently on sale for $69.99 after rebate


Edit: I was looking at benchmarks at tomshardware.com, and it seems the GTX 260's in Sli out perform the 4870x2. Even a 9800 GX2 out performs it, I don't know if its driver issues or what. It's weird in some benchmarks the 4870x2 does better and in some it does worse. Just ignore what I said, it seems I don't know what I'm talking about :P Very contradictory tomshardware is...

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...rd,2064-7.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...2,2073-18.html

[Firestrider]

The 4870X2 still has the disadvantages of high power cost and the crossfire implementation. Unless you are running a resolution of 2560x1600 I wouldn't recommend an SLI/Crossfire setup.

[sandyduff]

i can play crysis with everything at very high (with the ultra quality mod) and 4xAA and it runs really good... that was at 1680 x 1050... ever since i got my new monitor crysis only seems to go to 1600 x 1000.... which i find strange....

[Callipygian]

Originally Posted by sandyduff

i can play crysis with everything at very high (with the ultra quality mod) and 4xAA and it runs really good... that was at 1680 x 1050... ever since i got my new monitor crysis only seems to go to 1600 x 1000.... which i find strange....

Is that with the HD 4870 X2 in crossfire? Or just one Hd 4870 X2?

[sandyduff]

just one 4870x2... its with whats in my sig, except the monitor

[ou_phidelt]

My vote goes to a Gigabyte X58 and a single 4870x2 assuming you gaming at least at 1900*1200. 1600*1050 just stick with a single card. I just haven't seen enough on the EVGA to go one way or the other on it but the Gigabyte has been proven to be very solid. I would also go with the Corsair 750 over the coolmax.(or Silverstone, seasonic, ppc&c, among others)

HSF's are still pretty scarce right now. The best combination I have seen at this point the a Thermalright 120 Extreme with the 1366 conversion kit.

[sandyduff]

+1

[Callipygian]

I'm thinking about getting two 9800 GX2's now but I can't find them for sale on newegg.com or tigerdirect.

[UnrealAlex]

You can try Ebay. There is a thread in cyber deals on how you can get 30% cash back with ebay purchases by using Buy it Now. Can save quiet a bit of money.

[Callipygian]

Thanks for all your help guys I really appreciate it and I'm learning many things from your suggestions.

I don't know why but everyday I'm renewing my build and I've been changing it A LOT.

I'm thinking about completely dropping i7 and getting an Asus Rampage Formula
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131284

A Q9550 Quad core processor. I will try to overclock it to like 3.5ghz hopefully i'll find out how to.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115041.

DDR2 Ram is very cheap so I'll be saving money, thats a plus. But I'm having trouble with compatibility. I wanted to ask if this specific ram set would be compatible with my mobo. And if not what would be the best performance ram for the least money I can get? Also can I buy 4 seperate sticks of 2gig ram (same model and brand) and put it in my mobo? My goal is 8gigs
GeIL Black Dragon 8GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144240

I'm keeping the same case and going with a single HD 4870 X2 GPU.
Would that 950 Watt power supply still be overkill?

[Cuiiey]

no 950watt seems resonable for a system of you calibre