My first build

[Thornz]

Hi all,

I've got my first build in the works and wanted to check back with you if you have suggestions or remarks to optimise it.
Good to know is that I'm not planning on overclocking and also that the Intel HD 3000 will fulfill my graphical needs (I picked the i5-2500K CPU to avoid the inferior HD 2000 of the regular i5-2500).
My goal is to come up with a budget machine but without involving too many performance trade-offs.

ASUS P8H67-M EVO (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131710

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 (BX80623I52500K)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory (KVR1333D3N9K2/8G)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139075

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

Bitfenix Shinobi Window case
http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/chassis/shinobi-window

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

* OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726

Thanks already for your input!

 

[divz]

Hello!
What do you plan on doing with the PC? (ex: gaming, video editing, etc.)
I like the CPU cooler! Great fan for the price! I'm guessing you already have the dvd drive, hard drive, etc. figured out? Just making sure. I know that when I made my first build, I didn't even think of those at first and needed someone to remind me haha.

I also don't see a video card listed... I would recommend going with a decent one though, especially with that beat of a cpu that you have! It would be a shame to let it's processing power go to waste! xD I'd say at least an HD 6950 video card or maybe a gtx580... but, it depends on what you plan on doing with the pc.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

PSU is weak ....this one is garnered a 9.5 rating on jonnyguru.com

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story9&reid=216
$60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014

AS5 takes 200 hours to cure .... Shin Etsu has exact same thermal properties and no curing issues
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080

 

[Thornz]

Some great pointers already, thx guys!

Hello!
What do you plan on doing with the PC? (ex: gaming, video editing, etc.)
I like the CPU cooler! Great fan for the price! I'm guessing you already have the dvd drive, hard drive, etc. figured out? Just making sure. I know that when I made my first build, I didn't even think of those at first and needed someone to remind me haha.

Well, apparently I did forget to mention my hard disk so this is my choice (I've also added it to the original post):
OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726

I wasn't planning on installing a DVD drive; saving a few quid for now and I can always install one later (although I don't think I really need it). I would probably choose a Sony Optiarc AD-7200.

I also don't see a video card listed... I would recommend going with a decent one though, especially with that beat of a cpu that you have! It would be a shame to let it's processing power go to waste! xD I'd say at least an HD 6950 video card or maybe a gtx580... but, it depends on what you plan on doing with the pc.

I'm not planning on doing heavy gaming (or else I would indeed've gotten a dedicated GPU) and will use this machine for Ubuntu, so mostly surfing. I will use Windows in a virtual machine to do some Photoshopping.

PSU is weak ....this one is garnered a 9.5 rating on jonnyguru.com

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story9&reid=216
$60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014

Does the "weak" refer to its 500W (should be enough, no?) or to the quality of the PSU?
None of my suppliers seem to stock XFX, perhaps you can recommend a PSU of a more common brand?

AS5 takes 200 hours to cure .... Shin Etsu has exact same thermal properties and no curing issues
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080

Oops, didn't know that - sounds like a good alternative to waiting over a week 😉