First time build

[ohshift]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the week.

Budget Range: ~1200 (not set in stone, however I do not feel spending extra is necessary for my needs)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, TV DVR

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, OS, Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon, ncix

Country: US

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Most likely 7850 when it hits the market.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 42" Plasma 1080p

Additional Comments: Intentions for this computer:

1) TV Tuner (see parts)
2) Emulation of my PS2, Wii, etc.
3) Gaming (Skyrim, etc)

Part list permalink: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/5Brb
Part price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/5Brb/by_merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.98 @ PC Mall)

Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($137.86 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ NCIX US)

Hard Drive: Crucial M4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Microcenter)

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
or COOLER MASTER Storm Scout ($60 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($25.98 @ Newegg)

PCI Slot: Ceton InfiniTV 4 Digital Cable Quad-tuner Card PCIe ($199.00 @ Newegg)

Total: $982.76

This does not include the 7850 (~$250), which I intend to buy afterwords.

** This is my first build, however if I understand correctly, the Z68 board is capable of operating with the integrated graphics until the dedicated card is put in?

*** I have tried to calculate the power consumption of this system for idle/full load, and I am calculating ~400 FL ~180 Idle, does this seem reasonable?

 

[azeem40]

The Hyper 212 EVO is cheaper on Amazon. Z68 is worth it IMO - the troubleshooting benefits of the integrated graphics is very helpful. 400W sounds about right, yes.

 

[jonathanrhunter]

It's probably less, like 300W FL. But don't buy a crappy PSU now and expect to put a nice GPU in it later. Yes 650W is probably enough. Also keep in mind that some of the better video cards out there need about 400W FL, and double that if your doing an SLI configuration. If your even thinking about doing an SLI setup with nice GPU's, at least 900w or more may be required (depends on the GPU's.) Take a look at this PSU calculator (http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/) and PLAN for the future.

 

[ohshift]

Are there going to be any compatibility issues with the InfiniTV tuner and the mobo?

 

[ohshift]

Best answer selected by ohshift.