First Computer Build (Gaming)

[HeadshotSK]

I would like everyones opinions on the build i will be ordering this Monday. My Budget is 550$ and I already have a Graphics card (Sapphire Radeon HD5670 1GB).

CPU - Intel i5 2500k
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD1527

Memory(RAM) - G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15380BD5211

Case - Cooler Master HAF 912
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC0700

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1TB 6.0gb
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=25350AC0126&vpn=WD5002AALX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD

DVD Drive - Asus DVD Burner
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530DR5213

Motherboard - MSI P67A-C43
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD9423

PSU - OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220AC1267

The only part im kinda iffy about is the motherboard, my price limit for that is 120$ so any other recommendations would be awesome. Thanks

 

[jeremy1183]

What kind of gaming are you doing? You plan on upgrading graphics card?

 

[HeadshotSK]

Only game i play is counter strike 1.6 which isn't very graphics intense.

 

[jeremy1183]

Well 700watts is overkill for what you got IMO but will be good for upgrade in the future. I might be wrong but 700 should be good up to gtx 560 ti's in sli and maybe a pair of 6870's. Prob any bigger than that you might want something a little bit bigger especially if you overclock. For what you have right now you are good and can still O.C. P67 is a good chipset to OC with but the new z68's are even better for it. The PSU you have now is just 80 Plus. I would look in to something that is at least 80 Plus Bronze certified. I looked at the Specs and it only shows that it has 1x6pin PCIE and 1x8 pin PCIE but it advertises as being SLI capable. You will need atleast 4x 6 or 8 pins to SLI or Crossfire new graphics cards. So I would swap that out to something that you know will come 100% with all the equipment you need for future upgrades.

 

[HeadshotSK]

I currently have a 500W corsair CPU in my pc now would that be capable of powering this system? Or should I play it safe and jump for a 600W at least.

 

[jeremy1183]

You could get 1200 watts if you wanted to. Your system will only use what it needs. I just took a closer look at the card and it doesnt even require a PSU connection. Guessing it gets all it needs from the mother board. Yes 500 would be good to run the system since I know people that run 560ti's in sli with 600-650watts.

 

[jeremy1183]

Also if you ever wanted to upgrade in future with SLI your mobo cant do it. You need 2 PCIEx16 slots...either 16x16 or 16x8

 

[HeadshotSK]

The reason I picked that mobo was because it was under 120$ and it seems good but my original choice was the MSI P67A-GD53 or ASRock P67 extreme4. If I don't need a psu then they should both be in my price range. Are there any other mobos that you'd recommend with 140-150$?

 

[jeremy1183]

Here is a board that is only $130( 10$ more than your budget) but can help you stay future proof.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583

The canada direct site isnt working to good for me at the moment so see if they have the same one there.

 

[jeremy1183]

I have used the p67 Asrock extreme 4 and liked it very much.

You can jump on a good mobo now (which there are good ones that are cheap prices) and upgrade power supply and graphics card later on.....

Or just spend an extra 10$ and get the 700 PSU and good mobo now and upgrade graphics card later if you get in to more gpu extensive gaming.

I would always get a board with more than one PCIEx16 slot just in case I ever needed it....(make sure its atleast x16/x8...if you get x16/x4 you wont see any difference

 

[HeadshotSK]

Thanks for all your input man, I think im just going to go for the MSI P67A-GD53 cause its cheaper.

 

[jeremy1183]

OK...couple more dollars here though would save even more for later. Good luck with the build