One last look - Sign-off on $2300 machine

[draynoe]

Okay - This is the final build I came up with based on the results from my questions here before ... I would like you guys to take one last look at what all of the modifications to the plan have led to and let me know if anything stands out as a terrible idea in this build ... (I know the RAM is a bit much but I've always wanted 16GB! lol)

Also I'm kinda leaning toward overclocking the i5-2500k but I am a complete noob when it comes to OC ... Any good tips on how to do it with this motherboard? ... Thanks!

Here's what I have:

Processor: Intel Core i5-2500k - $220 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 LGA 1155 - $290 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=ck89nbay94vn

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) - $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=5lydlv6wjzm7

Graphics Card: 2x EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 - $490 x2/$470 x2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

Boot Drive: Crucial M4 2.5 inch 128GB SATA3 - $190 - http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=CT128M4SSD

Storage Disk: 1.5 TB - $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136793

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP - $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1oa0lpm607nm0

Case Fan: COOLER MASTER Megaflow 200 - $20 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103072&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=qs059ilvlwj

Power Supply: LEPA G900-MA 900W SLI - $180/$130 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194083

DVD Burner: LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer 24X - $20 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1l281i05uhzf0

CPU Cooler: $65 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181015&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=ev2dpf9v5fhq

Thanks again everyone - you've all be super helpful!

 

[Formata]

Epic Build

Check this Memory:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429

It's $10 cheaper and the is newer Ripjaw X model?

 

[draynoe]

Thanks Formata, had a lot of help from you guys here at TH!

I will go with that memory too, says that it's designed for the Sandy Bridge platforms and cheaper!

If anyone has any good overclocking information for that board I would definitely appreciate it

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Ubrales]

I suggest this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011
Rest look great!

 

[draynoe]

Thanks UBrales - Is there any benefit over the LEPA PSU?

I like that the LEPA is 900w and has a $50 mail-in rebate at this moment

 

[Ubrales]

Thanks UBrales - Is there any benefit over the LEPA PSU?

I like that the LEPA is 900w and has a $50 mail-in rebate at this moment

I don't know about LEPA PSUs. But I do know that Corsair PSUs are very good quality PSUs. (So are Antec and Seasonic).

In addition, the Corsair HX-850 is modular. I have this and love the performance and the modular feature!

 

[draynoe]

Cool - Thanks again for the help

Probably gonna order this stuff today - finally 😀

 

[phenom90]

for $5 cheaper after MIR... you can get this instead....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152044

this gives you more headroom for overclocking your cpu and graphics card in sli or crossfire.... you can get same good quality psu but a higher output one at 5 dollars less... so why not??

if you looking for cheaper psu... this 850watts may just be the one for you...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152043

at just 100 bucks after MIR....

 

[phenom90]

looking at your case.... its good but when you add another fan... it cost around $120...
add another $10 you can get something bigger... probably better...
have a look into it...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053

this case has 10 expansion slots.... not to mention it supports e-atx mobo... all fans included... more room for your build...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517010

this case has come preinstalled 8 fans... what?? 8 FANS!!! that's alot for a case you know...

 

[draynoe]

lol ... Thanks Phenom, good information!

As a secondary question - Where does the extra 200mm fan go in the HAF case? ... (I'm totally new at this) ... I'm guessing it's meant to replace the top fan? ... Is that necessary?

Also - Will the 2.5" SSD fit in that HAF 922 case? ... It says it has the following bays:

Expansion

External 5.25" Drive Bays
5
External 3.5" Drive Bays
1
Internal 3.5" Drive Bays
5
Expansion Slots
7 + 1

 

[Ubrales]

Before you buy, take a look at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

And, the Corsair HX-850 is superior and modular!

 

[phenom90]

the extra 200mm fans go to the side panel(it doesn't include out-of-the-box)... the ssd can fit into haf 922 only if... you mount the ssd into a 3.5" adapter first... most of the ssd you buy does come with a 3.5" adapter... but i'm not sure with the crucial m4 coz picture doesn't show... but i think you can buy the 3.5" adapter for ssd separately... try to ask the shop you buy from... also both cases that i've mentioned above you can install ssd even without the 3.5" adapter....

 

[draynoe]

Nice,

Thanks guys for the excellent answers ... awesome help!

I'll let you know what I end up going with here when I buy ... probably later today

 

[phenom90]

you're welcome... just make sure you're satisfied with what you take.... because you're gonna pay with your own money for it...

 

[draynoe]

True

I'm really liking the HAF 922 still as I like the size of it quite a bit... watching the video those Full towers look big! lol

I'll let you guys know what I do when I finally buy everything.

You've all been super helpful

 

[Ubrales]

The full towers are big! No question about this. I have the HAF 932!

 

[draynoe]

Alright - I ended up pretty much going with my original post here except for the memory that Formata suggested. Also got a 2.5" to 3.5" converter for SSD, a switch and Call of Duty: BO

Total was just over $2400 which is right where I wanted to be.

I could still use some overclocking help if anyone knows how with that motherboard/cpu combo ...

Thanks everyone again for your awesome help, you've been great!

 

[Formata]

Nice work. You should post up some pics

Corsair, Antec, Seasonic are the classic reliable PSU manufacturers, but I have been hearing recommendations for LEPA from a few reliable sources now. (Definitely worth looking into)

In response to you OCing questions... have a look at this guide:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265056-29-2600k-2500k-overclocking-guide

Obviously a different Mobo to yours, but the same principles apply. Essentially it's a process of incrementally moving up the multiplier in you bios and testing at each stage to ensure stability, possible voltage adjustments as required depending on what your aiming for. Can I emphasis the importance of the 'testing' part using Prime95 (or equivalent) and a CPU core temp app (links are all in that link above), and running your testing software for a decent amount of time. I have had CPUs run smooth, good temps suddenly fail at 5/6 hours + into Prime95. Exercise caution, be patient and have fun!

 

[draynoe]

Awesome thank you Formata for the link and the help!

I will try to get some pics up when I get the computer built ... I'm sure I'll be on here asking about where to connect some power up on the motherboard when I get everything in LOL

Thanks again

 

[Ubrales]

Awesome thank you Formata for the link and the help!

I will try to get some pics up when I get the computer built ... I'm sure I'll be on here asking about where to connect some power up on the motherboard when I get everything in LOL

Thanks again

If you get a Modular PSU, that I highly recommend, be careful about the 8-pins cables. Do not switch the motherboard cable with the GPU cable. They look similar but are wired differently. The 8-pin (actually 6+2) PCIe cables are clearly marked at the connector end.

 

[Formata]

If your being totally organised, you could download the manuals for the parts ordered (especially the Mobo) and start getting your head around it all. Man... 2 x 580s at x16/x16 on the Z68 platform with the 2500K... epic build

 

[draynoe]

Ubrales - I believe the one I ordered is Modular. I will be cautious when hooking up the cables - Thanks

Formata - I will see if I can find all of the manuals and go through them before the stuff arrives ... I think it will all be here Friday ... I'm hoping those 580's at x16/x16 etc goes a long way LOL



Edit:

Good call on those user guides ... I've already found the motherboard's quick install guide to be insanely helpful LOL ... I was wondering how I would figure out all those connectors! 😛

Also - Ubrales ... It looks like the 8 pin CPU connector on the LEPA PSU is all one connector that's solid black while the PCIe power cable is split into two 6+2 cables and are red ... Woot!