First build! Full list of components AND peripherals. Opinions/Advice?

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subtleendowment

subtleendowment

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Jan 20, 2013
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All in all I've spent probably at least a few hours if not five or six each day since December doing research on parts and kind of just learning essentials about PC building and related topics. I've come to conclusions on most if not all of the parts and would definitely love some opinions. I'll post the title of each component as well as a link to newegg for pricing, reviews etc. I'm going to be using this computer for mainly gaming and maybe some video editing but I doubt any overclocking. Aesthetics are relatively important in this build despite it being a mid-range entry level PC. Any opinions on my components or advice for a first time builder would be much appreciated. Maybe how manually setting your RAM works? I've heard that it might be necessary with the Sabertooth z77. Thank you for your time. :)

My future PC!

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

Have been looking at Nzxt cases as well, side window needed.

Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821

I've liked this one from day one but gone back and forth about it for a few months. Nothing else really carries the weight this one does, mobo can't be blue.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Pretty much set on this one.

GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418

Really liking the benchmarks of this one. Also said to be quieter than many, and price drop recently. I am willing to move up to $300 if absolutely necessary.

Heatsink/Fan: COOLER MASTER V8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055

Absolutely love the look of this one, really catches my eye and the cooling seems more than sufficient. Almost went with the new Corsair h100i but then saw reviews and didn't like the sound of it, too hit or miss. Saved me some money in the long run though, $60 cheaper plus still looks badass. Btw I know the V6 cooler master heatsink won't fit with the thermal armor but from what I understand someone has successfully used the V6 with the Sabertooth, I think the pipes are angled higher.

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233240

Went with low profile because of the Sabertooth mobo as well as the big heatsink. I made sure the timing and version of this ram worked with the motherboard, whatever that means.

PSU/Power Supply: CORSAIR HX Series HX850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

The HX is modular so I can save myself a whole lot of cable management headache and I want this to last with future upgrades so I went with 850, only ten dollars more after all.

SSD: Samsung 840 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192

I actually already purchased this piece because of a deal they had when it first came out so I'm set here. I know the Vector is supposed to be overall better but I'm a Samsung kind of guy and it looks sleeker to me. Not to mention the read benchmark is higher.

HDD: ?

I guess a Western Digital? Though there is the Seagate Barracuda, does WD have something compareable? 1-1.5 tb is enough.


PERIPHERALS!

Monitor: ASUS VH236H Black 23"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

I actually recently purchased the VH232H but it gave me some trouble with pixels after a few days so I'm returning it. I almost went with the VH242H for the extra .6" but then I saw this one has the Tracefree 2ms technology the other does not so I figured for the same price that was better. Also I didn't want to go with the VS series because of the complaints I've heard about the stand. Thoughts?

Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K95
http://www.corsair.com/us/k95/?utm_source=Corsair&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=K95&utm_campaign=FrontPage

This keyboard is pretty much screaming my name. The white LED backlit Cherry MX switches are amazing. I don't mind the 18 G-keys or the sleek design either. The only thing that bothers me is the fact it's "K95" that means next year there's going to be a 100 that's a thousand times more amazing somehow doesn't it? LED color control would be nice. But I think so far this is still my pick.

Mouse: Vengeance® M95 Performance MMO and RTS Laser Gaming Mouse
http://www.corsair.com/us/gaming-peripherals/gaming-mice/vengeancer-m95-performance-mmo-and-rts-laser-gaming-mouse-gunmetal-black.html

So this one just came out too, it's solid has intuitive button placement vs the keypad design of some other mice.. I'm looking at you Razer. The only thing is again this isn't much different from the m90 other than the amazing 8200 dpi. So should I wait and see if I'm right about next year? My alternative to tide me over in the mean time would be to get a nice wireless mouse so come next year I could have both. Any suggestions on wireless mice? I've looked at the Naga and Logitech g700, but what about the performance MX?

Headset: Steelseries Siberia V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826249083

From 2-3 hours of researching headsets I think this is my winner. Stylish, good bass, retractable mic, what else could I ask for?


COMPONENTS: Including the SSD I already have minus the HDD I haven't picked is $1348.

PERIPHERALS: Including the headset, mouse, keyboard (guessing $150), and monitor I already have is $500

GRAND TOTAL: $1848 :ouch:

Let me know what you think in this discussion. Are there new components/peripherals coming out I should know? Is something a definite NO in your opinion? Maybe you think these picks are great. Thank you for contributing your knowledge to a Tom's Hardware first timer. :hello:
 

Woah, something I totally didn't know. But that takes the HX out of the running. /: Unless I get 650 which I'm not even sure exists. I would have to get the AX which has digital controllers I'm not sure I'm comfortable with. The website only says that seasonic is quieter. Hmmmm.
 
Ive seen pretty decent reviews on the Corsair cx series PSU's. I don't know how credible linus from linustechtips is but he says its made with quality components.
 
Woah didn't see the replies, hmm I just don't know what psu to go with now. I like the hx series and I've heard the 650 has a chirping issue. I wouldn't get the cx or tx because of it being non-modular.
 
I think that they are just too much. I mean, that keyboard, will probably cost you over $100. The mouse is too much to. I would spend less in these areas and work towards the GPU and your wallet. You could build an equally impressive rig without all of the bells and whistles. The sabertooth motherboard is way overkill, you will probably never utilize much of it at all. The HAF X case is nice but you can save there too. If you really like that CPU cooler, go with it but the 212 EVO will give you more than enough cooling.

Here is my recommendation but it is totally up to you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Samsung S23B300B 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1339.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-21 20:26 EST-0500)
 
That didn't actually make my build any less expensive, maybe $150 dollars or so because you included the monitor. But I don't think I need to spend that much more on a graphics card that is going to be outclassed in a matter of months. Oh I guess you did include an optical drive and operating system. Still, I feel I get much more quality and reliability from my build. Not to mention the ability to upgrade easily. As I said aesthetics are important that's why I went with the v8 instead of the 212 EVO that I almost did. I appreciate your input and list though you didn't say anything about what keyboard or mouse I should go with instead, and my comments definitely wonder about getting a wireless mouse, so thoughts?
 

Then why ask for help if you feel your build is better quality and reliability? Yes the GPU will be outclassed in a few months. But in 3 years the 7970 will probably still be a beast. Getting all the raw power now, is better than cheaping out and uprading alot sooner for something that probably will be similar to the 7970 is terms for FPS.
 


:pfff:
 

Exactly, that's why I think a 7870 would be fine especially for the price.
 
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