Feedback needed on $1000 first build

[Trilleong]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next week


Budget Range: $1000 before rebates and shipping


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Browsing internet


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon


Country of Origin: US


Parts Preferences: None


Overclocking: Yes(but I will have to learn)


SLI or Crossfire: I'm open to it


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 (Though I will be using a 19" 1280x1024 monitor for three weeks or so when I can pick up a new monitor)


Additional Comments: I'm terrible at choosing parts, and the way I put this together was by lifting pieces from other builds I've seen posted here over the last few days. Because of that, I'm not really attached to anything and will change it out if necessary. I'll even scrap the whole thing if I have to.

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[CPU] Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K -$219.99

[CPU COOLER] Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1 -$34.99

[MOBO] GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard -$144.99

[RAM] G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL -$45.99

[PSU] CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply -$89.99

[GPU] EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card -$339.99

[HDD] SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive -$64.99

[CASE] COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -$59.99

[CD/DVD]LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM -$18.99

Total before shipping and rebates: $1019.91
I am buying the cooler from Amazon where I have about $40 worth of gift credit so total out of pocket is $984.92

 

[z_4]

the hard disk can had for cheaper like the one same capacity. But lower price : Seagate Barracuda. Or by spending a bit more you can double the storage capacity Western Digital

 

[lunyone]

First off, your build looks pretty good. Most will want you to use 2 x GPU's to get better performance, but using a single GPU has a couple of advantages over 2 x GPU setup.
* Less power use
* Less PSU needed for single GPU setup
* Less complexity with a single GPU setup (no crossfire/SLI driver issues - if there are any)
* Less heat in the case, which means you might not need to spend more $ on additional cooling solutions (more fans or even higher GPU/CPU/Case fan speeds to keep temps under control)

So here is what I'd consider (mind you that these are just suggestions)
* Consider getting an AMD 6950 2gb (~$250-275 and possibly can unlock to a 6970!!) or a 6970 (~$340). Both are very good GPU's, the 6970 is better than the GTX 570 and the 6950 2gb is about equal to the stock GTX 570 and could be even better with it unlocking to 6970. I also would mention that the 6950/6970 are a little bit more power efficient over the GTX 570 (if that matters to you).
* Another CPU HSF option to consider - $30 XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler bracket included I7 i5 775 1155 AMD and dual fan push pull compatible
* The PSU you selected is good, but a quality 500w is all that you should really need, like this one for $65 - $15 promo card = $50!! Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
* And with some of the savings you could get a 60 gb SSD for your main OS/Program HD. It'll speed this up generally and make the system a bit more snappier, but isn't required.

Your build looks pretty good the way it is. I value the mobo and the PSU as the most important parts on any build. Your mobo is your backbone, so it should have what you want and support what you need. The PSU should last you several upgrades and be power efficient. Your selections look sound and cover just about any upgrade you should need in the near future.

 

[Trilleong]

First off, your build looks pretty good. Most will want you to use 2 x GPU's to get better performance, but using a single GPU has a couple of advantages over 2 x GPU setup.
* Less power use
* Less PSU needed for single GPU setup
* Less complexity with a single GPU setup (no crossfire/SLI driver issues - if there are any)
* Less heat in the case, which means you might not need to spend more $ on additional cooling solutions (more fans or even higher GPU/CPU/Case fan speeds to keep temps under control)

So here is what I'd consider (mind you that these are just suggestions)
* Consider getting an AMD 6950 2gb (~$250-275 and possibly can unlock to a 6970!!) or a 6970 (~$340). Both are very good GPU's, the 6970 is better than the GTX 570 and the 6950 2gb is about equal to the stock GTX 570 and could be even better with it unlocking to 6970. I also would mention that the 6950/6970 are a little bit more power efficient over the GTX 570 (if that matters to you).
* Another CPU HSF option to consider - $30 XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler bracket included I7 i5 775 1155 AMD and dual fan push pull compatible
* The PSU you selected is good, but a quality 500w is all that you should really need, like this one for $65 - $15 promo card = $50!! Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
* And with some of the savings you could get a 60 gb SSD for your main OS/Program HD. It'll speed this up generally and make the system a bit more snappier, but isn't required.

Your build looks pretty good the way it is. I value the mobo and the PSU as the most important parts on any build. Your mobo is your backbone, so it should have what you want and support what you need. The PSU should last you several upgrades and be power efficient. Your selections look sound and cover just about any upgrade you should need in the near future.

How feasible would it be to go with just a mechanical hard drive now and then buy a SSD later? I did want to go SSD in the future, but I have been using a dell dimension 3000 since 2004 and the sooner I can get away from it the better.

Also, how long would a 500W PSU last in terms of upgrading? I assume that wouldn't allow for sli/crossfire and if so would 650W be enough if I went with your suggestion of the 6970 and wanted to add a second in the coming months?

I just noticed that if I am willing to use the onboard video until next week I can actually order the rest of the parts today. I realize I wouldn't be able to do much/any gaming until I picked up the card next week, but I would be ok with that as it would give me the time to get everything set up now and then just plug in my GPU of choice next week and be ready to go. Am I right to assume that would work, or will I run into problems?

 

[lunyone]

I think sticking with a 650/750w PSU is probably a good idea, if you going with the 6970 (with the option of adding another one later).

I would also stick with the regular HD for now than. It'll serve you well and they are pretty fast, compared to a 2004 HD!!

If you order your parts today (minus the GPU) you can install everything and be up and running, just won't be able to play any recent games on it. Than you just add your GPU when you get it and your off and running!

 

[Trilleong]

Thanks for all the help, lunyone, I went ahead and ordered the parts minus the GPU and will look to pick that up next week. Who cares if I can't play anything until then, I just don't want to suffer with this old computer anymore.

Now to cross my fingers and hope everything works.

 

[lunyone]

Nice! Glad I could help. Lemme know how it all works out!