[Final-Check] $1500 Gaming/Work PC! Will be Ordered TONIGHT!

[WeeFreeMen]

Hey all, as the Thread Title suggests this is a Final-Check for all the Components on this new Build.
Please keep all input/comments constructive.

Things Im looking for
-Compatability Issues
-Known MAJOR Errors with Components or Mixed Components
-If there is a Better Option than a certain Component and if so Why (Most of these are set in Stone, however, MOBO is something im iffy' on.)

Most Importantly: I WILL BE OVERCLOCKING! CPU, GPU, and RAM.
That being said, could anyone list some helpful programs to help with such tests and stability? This is my first OC attempt. I know Prime95 is one.

The List:
Case: NZXT Phantom Black Full ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068
MOBO:ASUS P8P67 PRO (REV 3.1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131771
CPU: Intel i5-2500k SB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
-CPU Cooler: ZALMAN 135mm Long Life Bearing Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118074
RAM: Corsair Vengence 8GB Low Voltage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144
GPU: EVGA 570 (Fermi)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7040151&CatId=3669
R/WD:ASUS 24x DvD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
HHD: Samsung F3 Spinpoint
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
-SSD: Crucial M4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
PSU: C.M. Silent Pro Gold Series 1000W ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171056

 

[Outlander_04]

what kind of work will you be doing with this computer?

 

[WeeFreeMen]

School work mostly.
MS Office, mainly.

 

[WeeFreeMen]

Anyone have thoughts on

ASUS P67 Pro (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131771)

vs.

ASRock Z68 Extreme4 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264)

 

[Outlander_04]

Two things I would change .

The Zalman cpu cooler is an older design . Looks great but is actually only OK at cooling . Even zalman dropped that design and make tower coolers now
You can save a lot of money here by using a $30 Coolermaster Hyper 212 which is plenty for the 2500k and will let you get an insane OC .
If you want an even better cooler then the Scythe Yasya , or Mugen 3 . Both are $50

The powersupply is serious over kill
750 watt will do nicely
If you plan to ever SLI then 850 watts

 

[WeeFreeMen]

Ah, I forgot to mention that, that is my bad.
I plan to SLI, tri-SLI at that.
1 570 now, another in Dec and another in Feb. So while I know 1k is a bit overkill Id rather be safe than Sorry.

As for the Cooler I love the C.M. Hyper 212+, I had just read that this model was equally good at cooling. In truth, I picked the ZALMAN for aesthetics more than anything else.

 

[Why_Me]

Ah, I forgot to mention that, that is my bad.
I plan to SLI, tri-SLI at that.
1 570 now, another in Dec and another in Feb. So while I know 1k is a bit overkill Id rather be safe than Sorry.

As for the Cooler I love the C.M. Hyper 212+, I had just read that this model was equally good at cooling. In truth, I picked the ZALMAN for aesthetics more than anything else.

If you plan on going with tri SLI than that board won't work. You need a board with a NF200 bridge and your looking at close to $250 for the cheapest board ...Asus Revolution. Tri SLI is a total hose job anyways. Also I wouldn't put too much faith in any CM psu.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <---- You can copy and paste this on here and we can all cut right to the chase.

 

[WeeFreeMen]

Yes, normally I do, however I was in a bit of a rush. I typed this up on my Mobile so I could get responses by the time I got home. Apologies.


So assuming I wont Tri-Sli, and stick to just 2 570s, which board do you recommend?

 

[AlExAlExAlEx]

Two things I would change .

The Zalman cpu cooler is an older design . Looks great but is actually only OK at cooling . Even zalman dropped that design and make tower coolers now
You can save a lot of money here by using a $30 Coolermaster Hyper 212 which is plenty for the 2500k and will let you get an insane OC .
If you want an even better cooler then the Scythe Yasya , or Mugen 3 . Both are $50

The powersupply is serious over kill
750 watt will do nicely
If you plan to ever SLI then 850 watts

Insane OC? Some members reached 5.5 Ghz with water cooling, I don't think the Hyper 212 can reach that.So its not insane cooling.Its cheap cooling.

 

[Outlander_04]

Worse still, when Toms did an article on SLI scaling they got NO advantage by adding the third card .

Plus by february there will be another generation of graphics cards so its likely to be cheaper to just replace the 570

 

[WeeFreeMen]

Ok well, for what is being Ordered tonight, lets say Ill stick with a single 570 until I see what comes out in Feb I wont make a decision on the 2nd.

That being said.

MOBO and PSU
You said there were better options?
Id like to keep the PSU at Gold Cert, I value efficency rating, I dont want to go below 900W

 

[Why_Me]

Ok well, for what is being Ordered tonight, lets say Ill stick with a single 570 until I see what comes out in Feb I wont make a decision on the 2nd.

That being said.

MOBO and PSU
You said there were better options?
Id like to keep the PSU at Gold Cert, I value efficency rating, I dont want to go below 900W

The difference between Gold, Silver, and Bronze cert. is a fine line at best. You can google it.

For a board I would look at one with the new PCI-E 3.0 slots for the new generation cards due out whenever.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/index.asp?s=1155 <---- the boards that say Gen3 have the PCI-E 3.0 slots

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001944%20600093976%20600158412&IsNodeId=1&name=ASRock <---- The Z68 board on there that say Gen3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265 <----- and that P67 board

This psu down below is manufactured by Enermax for LEPA, and it's top of the line. It will easily push dual 580's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194083 $179.99 - $129.99 after mail-in rebate card
LEPA G900-MA 900W SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

 

[WeeFreeMen]

Believe it or not, I used that PSU on my next-door neighbors PC that I fixed up for him 3 weeks ago. It works very well.
I had completely forgotten about it. Thank you.

Now, for the MOBO, what would you recommend out of the P67 and Z68?

P67: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265

Z68: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264

Would a Z68 even be worth it? If Im not going to use SSD Caching?

 

[Why_Me]

Believe it or not, I used that PSU on my next-door neighbors PC that I fixed up for him 3 weeks ago. It works very well.
I had completely forgotten about it. Thank you.

Now, for the MOBO, what would you recommend out of the P67 and Z68?

P67: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265

Z68: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264

Would a Z68 even be worth it? If Im not going to use SSD Caching?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 $129.99 + $7.87 Shipping
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme3%20Gen3 <----- A better look at that Asrock board

 

[WeeFreeMen]

Best answer selected by WeeFreeMen.

 

[WeeFreeMen]

Ok, so, the New and FINAL Build comes down to...

Case: NXZT Phantom Black
MOBO: ASRock z68 Extreme4
CPU: i5-2500k (OC At 4.6Ghz)
-CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
RAM: Corsair Vengence 8GB Low Voltage
GPU: EVGA 570 GTX Fermi
DvD R/W: ASUS 24x DVD Burner
HHD: Samsung F3 Spinpoint
-SSD: Crucial M4
PSU: LEPA G900W

Thank you for the Input and Help!
It is very much appreciated.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Save $20 w/ MoBo CPU combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660725

And, be aware that Asrock does not offer industry standard 3 year warrantees .....

$310 for case PSU seems too much for too little, mostly on the PSU side
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=193
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=134

Save $75 for better products
Case - $ 140 - Antec DF-85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
PSU - $ 95 - Antec CP-850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024

Lotta money to pay for a so-so cooler. Here's some of the best .... 212's been replaced by the Hyper 612 which does wya better....Megahalems beats the 212 by 7C....612 beat the Mega by 5C
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=797&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=4

GTX 570 doesn't have much OC room.....factory OC'd 560's are a much better deal......with money saved above you could get two.

Guru3D uses the following games in their test suite, COD-MW, Bad Company 2, Dirt 2, Far Cry 2, Metro 2033, Dawn of Discovery, Crysis Warhead. Total fps (summing fps in each game @ 1920 x 1200) for the various options in parenthesis (single card / SL or CF) are tabulated below along with their cost in dollars per frame single card - CF or SLI:

$ 220.00 560 Ti - 900 Mhz (495/862) $ 0.44 - $ 0.51
$ 335.00 570 (524/873) $ 0.64 - $ 0.77

whaddya like 862 fps or 525.....adding a 2nd 570 gets you just 11 fps for an extra $230.