Request review/suggestions w/ HAF X Gamer

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Budget:  $1900-$2000 range
Expectations:  Just want a decent, stable, upgradeable system.  I'd rather overkill cooling than risk heat issues, and overkill PS than have insufficient power.  Don't need game settings at max, just a clean, clear, smooth-running game.  No current plans for OCing.  No SLI necessary or planned at this time as present monitor is only 1600x900,  but want option available if upgraded in future.  Would like to try SSD if they're worth it, otherwise will switch to HDD's.  Everything on current HDD takes up 92 of 320 gig, so I figure 120 gig ssd sufficient.  Intend to add SB type sound card unless on board sound is exceptional.
Usage:  This is a gamer and web-surfer.  Right now playing  Left4Dead2, TeamFortress2, SeriousSam2, etc, but want to be able to run new ones.  
Special needs:  None really, just best performance/value for parts installed, intelligently saving money where possible --> retired.  Examples:  1)  Do I NEED an i7, or is it wasted money over the i5 for gaming?  2)  240mm cooling- Corsair or Digital Storm Vortex?  Experience on which is more reliable?  
Any assistance is appreciated...plan to purchase 4-6 weeks.
Thanks

Total Price with Instant Savings: $1,921.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=816589

Specifications:

Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X

Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core)

Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar)

System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance 

Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible)

Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (128GB Solid State (By: Samsung) (Model: 840 Pro Series)

Set 1 Raid Options: Configure HDD Set 1 to a Raid 0 Config - Stripe Performance (Requires Two HDDs)

Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (128GB Solid State (By: Samsung) (Model: 840 Pro Series)

Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)

Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks

Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)

Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB (Includes PhysX)

Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio

Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H100i 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition)

Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans

Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red) 

Boost Processor: Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking

Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)

Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory

Boost OS: - No Thanks, do not tweak services on operating system

Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)

Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD)

Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Medium)

Edited by padutchman - 24 Apr 2013 at 10:54am

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padutchman Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Quote Reply Topic: Request review/suggestions w/ HAF X Gamer Posted: 24 Apr 2013 at 8:40am
	Budget: $1900-$2000 range Expectations: Just want a decent, stable, upgradeable system. I'd rather overkill cooling than risk heat issues, and overkill PS than have insufficient power. Don't need game settings at max, just a clean, clear, smooth-running game. No current plans for OCing. No SLI necessary or planned at this time as present monitor is only 1600x900, but want option available if upgraded in future. Would like to try SSD if they're worth it, otherwise will switch to HDD's. Everything on current HDD takes up 92 of 320 gig, so I figure 120 gig ssd sufficient. Intend to add SB type sound card unless on board sound is exceptional. Usage: This is a gamer and web-surfer. Right now playing Left4Dead2, TeamFortress2, SeriousSam2, etc, but want to be able to run new ones. Special needs: None really, just best performance/value for parts installed, intelligently saving money where possible --> retired. Examples: 1) Do I NEED an i7, or is it wasted money over the i5 for gaming? 2) 240mm cooling- Corsair or Digital Storm Vortex? Experience on which is more reliable? Any assistance is appreciated...plan to purchase 4-6 weeks. Thanks Total Price with Instant Savings: $1,921.00 Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=816589 Specifications: Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X Processor: Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar) System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible) Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (128GB Solid State (By: Samsung) (Model: 840 Pro Series) Set 1 Raid Options: Configure HDD Set 1 to a Raid 0 Config - Stripe Performance (Requires Two HDDs) Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (128GB Solid State (By: Samsung) (Model: 840 Pro Series) Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB (Includes PhysX) Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H100i 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition) Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red) Boost Processor: Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory Boost OS: - No Thanks, do not tweak services on operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD) Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Medium) Edited by padutchman - 24 Apr 2013 at 10:54am

Fludgerdoodle Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 2013 at 9:39am
	Hi padutchman that's a pretty nice setup you've got but if you're looking for te best performance/value I would recommend looking at the ode lvl 2 or lvl 3. The lvl 2 has an i7 3770k 8gb of ram and a 670 2gb for $1700 and that would still play all of your games you listed. It doesn't have an ssd though. If you like that case better and want to keep that then you could leave it as is cause it will also play all your games. The only thing I would get rid of is the raid 1 option and have no raid. Raid 1, I think, needs 2 hardrives and it pretty much makes 2 copies of everything and places one on each drive, correct me if I'm wrong though.

starwars6544 Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 45	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 2013 at 2:14pm
	My rig is coming with one ssd and regular hdd. One is for the OS and the other is for the applications (games). I'd strongly recommend doing one ssd and regular hdd. 128GB isn't as much as it used to be, and games are getting bigger and bigger (through Steam). I'll let other folks more knowledge comment on the other bits =)

Request review/suggestions w/ HAF X Gamer

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