How's my new build?

[cbk12]

So I am building a new computer and wanted you all to tell me your opinions about it. The computer is for gaming but I want to be able to take the computer anywhere (woohoo LAN parties). Let me know if you find it okay:

- i7 2500k (O.C.'ed to 3.8-4.0?)
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
- Asus Maximus IV Gene Z
- 2x 4gb 1600mhz Kingston Hyper X
- Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6870
- Antec Earthwatts EA650
- 1 500gb WD 7,200rpm

My only doubt about the system is whether the PSU would be enough if I'd like to throw another 6870 in.

 

[morgoth780]

i'd say you would probably want to go 750 watt, but do you mean i7 2600k or i5 2500k?

 

[boiler1990]

So I am building a new computer and wanted you all to tell me your opinions about it. The computer is for gaming but I want to be able to take the computer anywhere (woohoo LAN parties). Let me know if you find it okay:

- i7 2500k (O.C.'ed to 3.8-4.0?)
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
- Asus Maximus IV Gene Z
- 2x 4gb 1600mhz Kingston Hyper X
- Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6870
- Antec Earthwatts EA650
- 1 500gb WD 7,200rpm

My only doubt about the system is whether the PSU would be enough if I'd like to throw another 6870 in.

1. Go with the i5-2500K for gaming. The i7's hyperthreading is a waste of $$ for games.
2. Unless you're doing some huge OCs, the Asus Maximus boards are a big waste of $$. Go with the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 for a better price vs. performance board.
3. Make sure your RAM is 1.5V. Kingston makes a lot of 1.65V RAM that won't work on Z68/P67 boards.
4. I think the EA650W might be enough, but the Antec HCG is also cheap enough at the 700-750W model.
5. The Samsung F3 is a faster drive than the WD Blacks, and much cheaper. I'd recommend that over the WD.

 

[cbk12]

I meant an i5 2500k. Sorry about the confusion.

I do not live at the U.S. and taxes for buying stuff from the U.S. and shipping them here are quite high. The reason I picked Asus Maximus IV Gene Z is because 1) it is micro atx with two pcie x16 (besides the other cool features and good reviews) and 2) because the local shop is making me a good deal for it.

Thanks a lot for the advice on the RAM! I didn't know that. What RAM brand do people around here recommend most? (I've always been a fan of Kingstons products even though they aren't as cheap as other brands).

I tried a PSU calculator but seemed close that's why I wanted to ask.

For HDD I have two options. A blue caviar 500gb to 7,200rpm or an equivalent Seagate. Both are going for the same price. Which one is the better option?

 

[boiler1990]

I do not live at the U.S. and taxes for buying stuff from the U.S. and shipping them here are quite high.

Ah yes, that makes things a tad more difficult for us here

The reason I picked Asus Maximus IV Gene Z is because 1) it is micro atx with two pcie x16 (besides the other cool features and good reviews) and 2) because the local shop is making me a good deal for it.

What other options do you have at that price range? At least here in the US it's not the *best* value for money unless you're really looking for a mATX board for a small tower.

Thanks a lot for the advice on the RAM! I didn't know that. What RAM brand do people around here recommend most? (I've always been a fan of Kingstons products even though they aren't as cheap as other brands).

G.Skill, Patriot, Kingston, Crucial all make good stuff. I've just noticed that Kingston's RAM usually runs at 1.65V instead of 1.5V, which causes a lot of problems. TBH I have no idea why they keep doing it.

For HDD I have two options. A blue caviar 500gb to 7,200rpm or an equivalent Seagate. Both are going for the same price. Which one is the better option?

In that case the WD is the better choice. Seagate's drives have gotten very bad in the last few years; 3-5 years ago, they were the best drives out there (I grew up with Seagate drives in my PCs ~8-10 years ago and never had a hard drive failure).

 

[cbk12]

Best answer selected by cbk12.