[Help] Building Intel PC for Gaming Rig~

[purepenny]

Hi, I need help getting part together to build myself a new gaming rig. Here is what I am aiming for.

Budget: No more than $3000

Use: Mainly gaming, with a little of web surfing and some Microsoft Office work.

Gaming: I am mainly aiming to build this for Battlefield 3, Starcraft 2, and Diablo 3. I want this to be able to run those game at max setting or at least close to.

Special Need: I want to run SLI in the future.
Going to be OC in the future.
I want to stay with the case that i use.
My monitor native resolution will be 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?cs=19&c=us&l=en&sku=320-9270



My Build so far.

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

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506

Video Card: 2X EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

PSU:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Hard Drive 1: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448

Hard Drive 2: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

Cooling: Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018


OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116714


Now, i got several questions that need be answer.
1) what is the different between I5 2500k and I7 2600k? Please explain in detail
2) With the GPU i pick, is there a better set up for cheaper price? Or Better single card that will be able to run SLI for cheaper price in the future?
3) Will the cooling i have be enough if i want to OC the system in the future?
4) Will i be needing addon card for internet?
Thank you for your help.

 

[IH8U]

1. More onboard cache with the i7, and slightly higher speed (however the i5 can match that easily). Greatly increased price. (guys on here may have more answers, I normally run AMD)

2. The GPU should be fine, for the future no-one knows.

3. The HSF should be fine, drop the LED fans, and grab some higher CFM fans if you want to OC a bit higher.

4. You should have a NIC built onto the MB, so no worries.

 

[ahnilated]

I5:
Specifications
Essentials
Status
Launched
Launch Date
Q1'11
Processor Number
i5-2500K
# of Cores
4
# of Threads
4
Clock Speed
3.3 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
3.7 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache
6 MB
Bus/Core Ratio
33
DMI
5 GT/s
Instruction Set
64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions
SSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options Available
No
Lithography
32 nm
Max TDP
95 W
Recommended Channel Price
$216.00
Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
32 GB
Memory Types
DDR3-1066/1333
# of Memory Channels
2
Max Memory Bandwidth
21 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported
No
Graphics Specifications
Processor Graphics
Intel® HD Graphics 3000
Graphics Base Frequency
850 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency
1.1 GHz
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology,
Yes
Intel® Insider™
Yes
Intel® Wireless Display
No
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology
Yes
Dual Display Capable
Yes
Expansion Options
PCI Express Revision
2.0
# of PCI Express Ports
1
Package Specifications
Max CPU Configuration
1
TCASE
72.6°C
Package Size
37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets Supported
LGA1155
Low Halogen Options Available
Yes
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
2.0
Intel® vPro Technology
No
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
No
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
No
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology
No
AES New Instructions
Yes
Intel® 64
Yes
Idle States
Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies
Yes
Intel® Fast Memory Access
Yes
Intel® Flex Memory Access
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
Yes

I7:

Specifications
Essentials
Status
Launched
Launch Date
Q1'11
Processor Number
i7-2600K
# of Cores
4
# of Threads
8
Clock Speed
3.4 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
3.8 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache
8 MB
Bus/Core Ratio
34
DMI
5 GT/s
Instruction Set
64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions
SSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options Available
No
Lithography
32 nm
Max TDP
95 W
Recommended Channel Price
$317.00
Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
32 GB
Memory Types
DDR3-1066/1333
# of Memory Channels
2
Max Memory Bandwidth
21 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported
No
Graphics Specifications
Processor Graphics
Intel® HD Graphics 3000
Graphics Base Frequency
850 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency
1.35 GHz
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology,
Yes
Intel® Insider™
Yes
Intel® Wireless Display
No
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology
Yes
Dual Display Capable
Yes
Expansion Options
PCI Express Revision
2.0
# of PCI Express Ports
1
Package Specifications
Max CPU Configuration
1
TCASE
72.6°C
Package Size
37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets Supported
LGA1155
Low Halogen Options Available
Yes
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
2.0
Intel® vPro Technology
No
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
No
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology
No
AES New Instructions
Yes
Intel® 64
Yes
Idle States
Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies
Yes
Intel® Fast Memory Access
Yes
Intel® Flex Memory Access
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
Yes

Learn more about the GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P
Model

Brand
GIGABYTE

Model
GA-Z68XP-UD3P

Supported CPU

CPU Socket Type
LGA 1155

CPU Type
Core i7 / i5 / i3 / Pentium (LGA1155)

Chipsets

North Bridge
Intel Z68

Memory

Number of Memory Slots
4×240pin

Memory Standard
DDR3 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066

Maximum Memory Supported
32GB

Channel Supported
Dual Channel

Expansion Slots

PCI Express 2.0 x16
2 (x16, x8)

PCI Express x1
3

PCI Slots
2

Storage Devices

SATA 3Gb/s
4

SATA 6Gb/s
4 x SATA 6Gb/s

SATA RAID
2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (SATA3_0~SATA3_1) and 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors(SATA2_2~SATA2_5) support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (GSATA3_6, GSATA3_7) support RAID 0, 1

Onboard Video

Onboard Video Chipset
None

Onboard Audio

Audio Chipset
Realtek ALC889

Audio Channels
8 Channels

Onboard LAN

LAN Chipset
Realtek 8111E

Max LAN Speed
10/100/1000Mbps

Rear Panel Ports

PS/2
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port

HDMI
1 x HDMI

USB 1.1/2.0
8 x USB 2.0

USB 3.0
2 x USB 3.0

IEEE 1394
1 x IEEE 1394

S/PDIF Out
1 x Optical

Audio Ports
6 Ports

Internal I/O Connectors

Onboard USB
2 x USB 3.0 + 6 x USB 2.0

Onboard 1394
1 x 1394a

Physical Spec

Form Factor
ATX

Dimensions
12.0" x 9.6"

Power Pin
24 Pin

 

[ahnilated]

Also remember if you are going to overclock and run SLI your power supply might not be big enough. I run Dual SLI with 2X GTX 480's and have seen them hit 950 watts with the setup I have.

 

[otinen]

1. The i7 2600k has higher clock, and 2mb more L3 cache, also Hyper threading. The i5 2500k does not have hyper threading. in games this does not matter much. but the cache is always welcome, I would get the 2500k and whatever cash you saved invest in a better gpu.

2. gpu is perfectly fine, especially at that resolution. and it should be good for another 2 years of high performance.

3. I would go with the Corsair Obsidian case, much more roomy. Although heavy.

IMO OCZ has the best SSD and their forums are great. I have had Vertex 2's for about a year and a half and they are just fantastic, after setting everything up.

few points, IMO get the 2500k, and invest in a sli setup of the GTX 560 ti

 

[Archean]

Along with what IH said, 2600K comes with hyper-threading enabled which makes it a 4 core 8 thread CPU, instead of 4/4 configuration of 2500K. Generally in gaming both will be very close. So depending upon your preference you can buy either one, but 2600K serve you for slightly longer period IMO.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_corei7_2600k_and_corei5_2500k/4.htm

GTX 570 you linked costs roughly 340$. Whereas if you stick with i5 2500K, that 100$ or so saved can be spent to purchase GTX 580, or better yet GTX 560 Ti SLI.

 

[otinen]

Along with what IH said, 2600K comes with hyper-threading enabled which makes it a 4 core 8 thread CPU, instead of 4/4 configuration of 2500K. Generally in gaming both will be very close. So depending upon your preference you can buy either one, but 2600K serve you for slightly longer period IMO.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_corei7_2600k_and_corei5_2500k/4.htm

GTX 570 you linked costs roughly 340$. Whereas if you stick with i5 2500K, that 100$ or so saved can be spent to purchase GTX 580, or better yet GTX 560 Ti SLI.[/quotemsg

definately I 2nd Archean.

 

[purepenny]

More questions.
1) Seems like AMD processor is cheaper but from what i read is that Intel still better for gaming. Is this true or fault?

2) Window 7 OS. Home premium, Professional, Ultimate. What is the different on those? and which will be best for gaming? I heard Professional/Ultimate unlock more RAM is that true?


3) From what i read on the forum GTX 560 Ti SLI out perform 580. Question is, how soon will i be needing to upgrade these? And which brand or card is more reliable? And how much bigger my PSU will i need to get?

4) Buying Video card. Which do i look for in the spec?
This is the cards i am looking at.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600094002%20600107147&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=48|14-130-604^14-130-604-TS%2C14-127-565^14-127-565-TS%2C14-130-610^14-130-610-TS%2C14-125-363^14-125-363-TS%2C14-125-369^14-125-369-TS

Thank you very much for everyone help. I am not use to build Intel PC. Always been AMD user 😛

 

[lp231]

That comparison is a bloody mess!
Here's one that's more organized
http://ark.intel.com/compare/52214,52213,52209,52210

 

[otinen]

More questions.
1) Seems like AMD processor is cheaper but from what i read is that Intel still better for gaming. Is this true or fault?

2) Window 7 OS. Home premium, Professional, Ultimate. What is the different on those? and which will be best for gaming? I heard Professional/Ultimate unlock more RAM is that true?


3) From what i read on the forum GTX 560 Ti SLI out perform 580. Question is, how soon will i be needing to upgrade these? And which brand or card is more reliable? And how much bigger my PSU will i need to get?

4) Buying Video card. Which do i look for in the spec?
This is the cards i am looking at.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600094002%20600107147&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=48|14-130-604^14-130-604-TS%2C14-127-565^14-127-565-TS%2C14-130-610^14-130-610-TS%2C14-125-363^14-125-363-TS%2C14-125-369^14-125-369-TS

Thank you very much for everyone help. I am not use to build Intel PC. Always been AMD user 😛

Honestly, in terms of gaming, the cpu will only help you get so far on a 1920x1080 screen. The i7's and Phenom II x4's are pretty much par, on that resolution, only in lower resolutions will they actually perform diferently, in which case the i7 wins.

The sli 560ti will last a long time, but once the new consoles come out, we will start seeing a big increase in graphics on pc games, that's the tendency. the 560 ti in sli will give you amazingly high performance for at the very least 2-3 years.

Gaming will be the same on any Windows 7, so long as it is 64 bit version.

Pick the reference 560 ti's not overclocked, sometimes when you use overclocked cards in sli you can get issues with certain games.

 

[purepenny]

Main Post updated!


What kind of case fan should i be looking at?

This seem to be a bit over kill with the sounds and the cooling i think?
1ST PC CORP. PFB1212UHE-F00 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835706015&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

PSU: which of these should i go with since i am going with SLI GTX 560 Ti?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%20600014025&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=58|17-182-188^17-182-188-TS%2C17-171-049^17-171-049-15%23%2C17-182-239^17-182-239-TS%2C17-139-013^17-139-013-TS

Any other suggestion is very welcome.
Thank you.

 

[IH8U]

For the fans, something at 66Db will sound like a jet engine, The case shouldn't need any help with airflow (my 932 advance is fine).
Although I thought you were going to replace the fans on the HS with LED's.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11251/fan-718/Cooler_Master_Excalibur_120mm_x_25mm_High_Performance_Fan_R4-EXBB-20PK-R0.html?tl=g36c15s60
$24 Cooler Master Excalibur 120mm x 25mm High Performance Fan

For the PSU's I'd have to say neither. CM, and Rosewill are not high quality.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256057
$185 SILVERSTONE ST1000-P 1000W ATX 12V v2.3 & EPS 12V 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341045
$200 OCZ ZX Series 1000W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Gold High Performance Power Supply (I have this one, and have no problems)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371012
$180 Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000 1000W Continuous Power ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE (out of stock on the egg, try tigerdirect, or amazon)

 

[purepenny]

Any product suggest for helping with wiring like wiring sleeve, etc?
I want to make my case look half way decent.

 

[008Rohit]

Get an i7 2600K.

Who knows Battlefield 4 won't utilise 6-8 cpu threads? 😉

 

[IH8U]

http://www.frozencpu.com/
and
http://www.xoxide.com/
either site should have you covered with all the sleeving, and cable management you could need. However all the PSU's I listed are already sleeved in black. Both sites are also great for case mod parts.

 

[purepenny]

Sleeve out of the way. Will acoustic foam help with the sounds with my tower? and how much heat will it absorb if i put it in?

 

[IH8U]

Honestly the loudest thing in the case will be the video card when it starts getting warm. The acoustic foam wouldnt do much of anything, so it's un-needed.

 

[purepenny]

Awesome, Thank you very much for all your help. I will update the list Asap and throw in what i want to make it look a bit better. Any suggestion is welcome. But now I must go to work haha 😀

 

[IH8U]

Good luck, and remember you can check out the System Builder stickies on this site too.

 

[purepenny]

Best answer selected by purepenny.