Questions and Suggestions for my Project Build

[justinny]

Hello, just looking for suggestions, comments on my build


1. Intel I5 3570k

2. EVGA GTX 680 ( wondering whether superclocked, windforce, or standard) going to buy a cooler masterhyper 212 EVO though so would windforce even be viable?

3. 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 ( Also wondering if the MHz value like the 1600 MHz or the higher end platinum increase speed drastically and if its worth the money)

4. Samsung 840 pro series sata III SSD and a caviar black 1T hard drive

5. my motherboard a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H

CASE: Cooler Master RC-932-KKN5-GP HAF 932 Advance Full Tower Case (i think it's amazing and sexy try and convince me otherwise)



For my SSD i want to run windows, chrome, wow, either Dota 2 or LoL and BF3 i also love 3D remdering and design but lack experience and knowledge to put software on ssd.. my question is will this support 128g or should i get the 254g
(keep in mind i might always add a game or two in future)

ill be running all my media and files and such on my hard drive

in my knowledg

 

[sam_p_lay]

This looks fine, except that the RAM is overkill as you suspect, 1600MHz is all you need, and you'll be fine with 8GB for gaming (even 4GB to be honest). For your rendering, there may be some benefit to large RAM.

GTX680 is barely any faster than GTX670 (~6% on average) - you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But the GTX670 is a lot cheaper.

That SSD is a thing of beauty. Jealous. Check out the review on the new OCZ Vector though - beats the Vertex 4 and gives the 840 Pro a run for its money. If you want the fastest, it'll be between these two.

 

[sam_p_lay]

120GB should be ample for your SSD by the way. And if you really want the fastest RAM (even if just by a fraction) then look at CAS latency (aka CL, CAS, timings or just 'latency'). CAS9 is standard, CAS8 is better. CAS7 if you can find a good deal on it!

 

[justinny]

thanks so much, think i can save a couple hundred with these suggestions while keeping performance for my gaming needs.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Glad to help 🙂 It's gonna be a quality setup, and I am jealous of that SSD! Graphics (if GTX670) and that CPU are exactly what I'd buy if I was buying now. I've read a few more reviews on the new OCZ drive and it looks like the 840 Pro is still the best thing out. The Vector (not sure about the name - people are gonna keep confusing it with Vertex) is selling at the same price despite being slightly slower overall (generally better writes but slower reads than the Samsung).

 

[justinny]

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard rethinking my mobo after some research. its around the same price as the gygabite

 

[steddora]

Just to give you an idea, I have a vertex 4 128gb and Windows 7, Diablo 3, BF3, and a few other things installed and still have about 35GB free on it. And if you haven't been on SSD yet.. omg! I'll never go back to just HDD.

 

[sam_p_lay]

^ what he said 🙂 Be aware though that you'll want to keep 15-20% of your capacity empty for background TRIM operations (it's like an ongoing defrag that SSDs perform when idle to stay fast). Even with that accounted for though, 120GB should give you ample space.

That being said, a Max Payne 3 install is over 30GB! Obviously most current games are 1/3 that size, but if this is the way games are going, 250GB drives could be better in the long run. Honestly though I think we're a long way off 30GB being a standard install size.

As for that motherboard, it's a really popular option - they're being recommended constantly in these forums. I've never used one and not entirely sure I trust ASRock for quality (they only appeared a few years ago, while Asus, Gigabyte and MSI are almost as old as I am) but like I say, popular choice... so you're probably fine with it (though Gigabyte would always be my first choice 🙂).

 

[steddora]

Hey now sam! lol I actually have an ASRock P67 Extreme6. I haven't had a single issue with it at all. I was kind of iffy about ASRock as well; but I figured I'd grab one for myself. I've built a couple machines sporting ASRock boards for people, but this is officially my first ASRock board and I have to say, I love it.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Like I say, popular option 🙂 My best friend bought as ASRock board a few years ago when they first appeared. I can't remember if it died or not, but if it did, it certainly wasn't until a while after he bought it (I'm sure it was fine for at least a year, may still be running). They are probably absolutely fine. How long has your's been running? That's a Sandy Bridge setup you have there?

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey