First build, please review

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Decided to build my first computer, please review and give advice/opinions. Any input is appreciated.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within 3 weeks.

Budget Range: 1500, before rebates.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: General use that won't be outdated extremely fast, gaming, recording, editing, media.

Parts Not Required: mouse, keyboard

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com, other trusted websites

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Radeon GPU

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache
+
CPU cooling combo: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

GPU: XFX HD-695A-CNFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

MOBO: ASRock P67 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

DVD: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)

Monitor: ASUS VE247H Black 23.6" 2ms Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 300 cd/m2 10,000,000:1


I'm mainly worried about compatibility and I'm not entirely committed to everything, these are just parts I've read about and felt they were pretty solid choices. Any changes or suggestions are welcome. I've never over clocked but I'm interested in taking the 2500k over 4Ghz.


Thanks

*edit: updated RAM, PSU, case and monitor based on suggestions, decided to keep the 6950 because I'd like to unlock it to a 6970.

 

[Why_Me]

Do you need an o/s (Windows) ? This is basically the same build as you have up above other than the case, vid card, psu, memory, monitor and I added Windows to this build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197 $99.98 FREE SHIPPING
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.591056 Combo Price: $174.98
Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC ...
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157217 $152.99
ASRock P67 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.584425 Combo Price: $238.98
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $6.99 FREE SHIPPING
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426 $84.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U3S5S0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0WTZP6BVYETKEAAD5S00&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846 $59.99 this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive HD103SJ

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $16.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593 $349.99 FREE SHIPPING
EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236112 $189.99 - $179.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
ASUS VE247H Black 23.6" 2ms Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 300 cd/m2 10,000,000:1 (ASCR)

Total: $1,375.87 *not including shipping, rebates, etc...

 

[aznshinobi]

You could check out this http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

But anyway, that looks like a solid build. The 2500K doesn't really need anymore than a stock HSF as the stock can take the 2500K over 4ghz to 4.6ghz. But if you want to get a Hyper 212+ don't get it from the egg, get it from Amazon in my link or my siggy.

Or here,
http://astore.amazon.com/howtobuildy01-20

1st cooler, comes with 2 fans, cheaper than the egg, free shipping. And its the hyper 212+

 

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Thanks for the suggestions, the PSU+Win7 combo seems good (if I cant get a free one from my brother-in-law in college) the monitor is a good deal as well.

I have a few questions about the case, GPU and RAM.

Would the 570 be better than a 6950 unlocked to a 6970?

Does the cas latency difference (CL9 9-9-9-24 vs CL7 7-7-7-21) matter when over clocking? I'd like to over clock the 2500k to over 4Ghz but not too high as I don't want unnecessary heat while it's running multiple programs.

Also, the only noticeable difference I found between the cases is the 932 has the USB 3.0 ports on the front whereas the 922 only has 2.0, I'm not sure what gets the best use of 3.0 so I'm unsure if it matters or not having it in the front.

Thanks

 

[aznshinobi]

6950<570<6970 (by a bit)

I would suggest getting a 6950 and unlocking it (personally since I'm an AMD fan) but also because the 2gb of VRAM will help in hi-res gameplay/gaming.

As for CL, it doesn't really matter anymore as the SB series made overclocking so easy, the memory hardly matters anymore. 80$ memory could perform what 150$ memory needed to do.

As for cases, I think your talking about the 942 right? The HAF X, that has USB 3 the HAF 932 doesn't. USB 3 isn't really something needed now as things with USB 3 will need some time to get into mainstream. It's a slow process but eventually USB 3 will be mainstream, the 922 would be a budget choice though.

 

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Updated new build based on suggestions, looks like it will be my final decision pending any further suggestions.

Another question: I can get a Win 7 Pro upgrade for 64.99$, my only concern is whether or not an upgrade like this will work on a new build. How exactly would I get it on the new computer?


Thanks for the input and advice, much appreciated.

 

[aznshinobi]

the Upgrade is for people that have XP or Vista and want to go to Win7. As for installing lots of guides on Youtube. But basically just put the CD in the drive bay, go into bios prior though and set the launch from HDD to CD/DVD rom (then select the drive Win7 is in). From there it should be like installing a game. Cept longer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQGcjnnT2Dk&feature=fvst

 

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Right, it's an online upgrade though, so without XP or Vista it won't do me much good, right?

 

[aznshinobi]

Pretty much. Or least I think so.

 

[images]

Need a second look over my updated build for any final suggestions/changes before i commit to it, appreciate it guys!

 

[SamiSC]

here is a good case from another site that iam planning on getting, check it out, its on sale now. at the same price of the case u have.

Aerocool BX-500 Extreme Gaming MidTower Chassis - Black $100
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=103_248&products_id=26990


also if u have extra on your budget, o think adding a SSD would be a great idea, think you might also want an OS too.

 

[aznshinobi]

* 1. Front - 1 x 12cm Orange LED fan (included)
* 2. Back - 1 x 12cm Orange LED fan (included)
* 3. Top – 2 x 14cm fan Orange LED fans (included)

Just note that, that it doesn't come with all the fans in the picture