i5 3570K + GTX 670 First Time Build, Advice?

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yanaqwi

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Hi all,
So I've decided for my first build I'm going for these parts:

- Intel Core i5 3570K Unlocked CPU & Asus P8Z77-V-LK Desktop Motherboard (http://www.pcvonline.com/productDetails.aspx?prodID=12334)
-ASUS GTX670 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121707)
-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO (http://www.pcvonline.com/productDetails.aspx?prodID=11803)
-CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233299)
-SAMSUNG 840 Series 2.5" 250GB SATA III Internal SSD (http://www.pcvonline.com/productDetails.aspx?prodID=12616)
-ASUS 24X DVD Burner (http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_61&item_id=029356)
-CORSAIR HX Series HX750 (http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_443&item_id=053094)
-Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053)

I'm more or less designing this build around the i5 and the GTX, I might be SLIing in the future when the GTX won't be performing up to par with future game requirements, and also might be overclocking a little (nothing too crazy).

I was considering getting the Asus P8Z77-V PRO due to the integrated 802.11 b/g/n wireless card (as my main internet connectivity will be through WiFi), but I didn't need the rest of the extras the pro was coming with, so I'm getting the more basic one (on a combo-deal with the i5, good deal you think?) and will be buying a separate WiFi card.

My main usages will be - gaming, audio recording/mixing (Cubase, with heavy use of VSTs), other normal stuff (internet, microsoft office what have you).

The reason I'm not getting anything more than a 250 GB SSD is because I have 3 external 1TB HDDs, so I feel I don't need anything else on top of that. I've been living off a 256 GB HDD on my laptop for a couple of years now, and I've been fine with the external drives.

The reason why I'm getting a full tower case is because...well I like the look of that one :) Also more airflow etc.

So based on what I do and what I might upgrade GPU to etc, do I need 750W PSU or is 650W good enough (there is a deal for a Corsair HX650W for $85 at a local store (http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_443&item_id=053170))?
I've checked online calculators but I'd like a more 'personal' and practical response from the community, who know what they're talking about, and from whom I could learn :D

Any other tips/suggestions/comments?
Any way to cut down costs while keeping performance?
Any recommendation on external WiFi network cards?
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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If you really need, you can get a 550w for now - it'll be plenty for what you have there, and you can upgrade to a 750w in the future when you go for SLI. Otherwise just grab the 750w. (Make sure it's a reliable brand.)


Only other thing is that you really, really don't want wifi to game with. I have a small form factor rig that uses wifi at LAN parties and ethernet at home... it's night and day. Wifi is slow, it's laggy, and it's unreliable - I bring an ethernet cable with me when I bring my computer now, just in case I get lucky and we set up within 50 feet of the router.
 
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boulbox

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek AEGIR SD128264 89.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($93.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($350.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case ($129.00 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1303.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 00:59 EDT-0400)

I would prefer the 7970 because of its sheer power that can beat the 670 at the same price or lower.(670 is actually more in the group of the 7950s group)

If you want a full tower i went with this one because its pretty nice, nothing wrong with Rosewell Thor but it's not my sort of case.

I myself prefer a mid tower
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4bl
This one is for silence and air flow, a great metal case.

For a burner, just get the cheapest one you can get, reuse an old one, or use USB for drivers. Unless you really use a burner a lot....

In some cases, the wireless can be the bottleneck of your system(also internet speed) but if your only choice is wireless then i would grab one of these
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-wireless-network-card-pcen15

or if you want it in USB
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-wireless-network-card-usbn53
 
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yanaqwi

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Thanks for the replies.
That Fractal Design case looks really nice, I think I'm reconsidering...
However, the only thing I'm not liking about it is the lack of fans...would I need more fans or liquid cooling for a smaller case like that, running the specs you mentioned?

I was considering the 7970 GPU, but I saw some benchmarks (http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/40613-evga-geforce-gtx-670-ftw/), which included this GPU, and it only outperformed the GTXs in a couple of categories, and the Batman game (which I'm not that interested in anyway compared to Crysis 2 and BF3). That's the main reason I was looking more at the GTXs, as they are in a similarish price range, but according to the benchmarks the GTXs seemed like a better choice...I think I'm going to do more research on the 7970s now and see what's up, thanks for that suggestion.


 
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boulbox

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Ahhh, so this rig is going to be used for crysis 3. Crysis 3 favors Nvidia cards so it is reasonable to use the 670 instead of the 7970 but, at the price of your 670; i do not think it is worth it.

The airflow in the fractal design is great, you can add more just make sure it is optimized for silence as that is the reason you would choose such a case. As for watercooling, it is not worth it getting one in the fractal, if you want to do watercooling(not the all in ones) get a NZXT switch 810 or something along the lines of a bigger case with good fan mounts(Fractal XL is also an option)

will revise on the build in a sec
 
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yanaqwi

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Thanks again,
Is there a reason you chose the XFX PSU over the Corsair other than price? And the CPU cooler as well?
I'm gonna go with the mobo you suggested thanks :)

Crysis 3 is one of the games. A bit of Skyrim, Dishonored, Metro 2033, Mass Effect, Fallout as well.

OH I found the 670 for $399 with a $20 mail in rebate with free shipping btw.
 
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SHORYUKEN

SHORYUKEN

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Jan 3, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($348.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($348.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($100.17 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1545.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 15:47 EDT-0400)

Dual GPUs.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 690 4GB Video Card ($984.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($100.17 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1833.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 15:47 EDT-0400)

^ That one is more expensive, but if you are looking for the best of the best, GPU wise, then this is great. If you are not planning on more than 3 monitors, the first build if great. It's up to you.
 
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boulbox

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($226.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek AEGIR SD128264 89.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($93.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Memory Express)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.45 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($94.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1292.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 15:57 EDT-0400)

The PSU is fairly cheap and great for the price, there are some cons like the fan can be a bit loud at times. If you want it quiet then i recommend this PSU
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750bbefx
a bit more than you need but nothing to worry about. The XFX PSUs are OEMs of Seasonic and one of the main reasons why i love this PSU so much is because it is one of the cheaper ones of the Seasonic OEMs and the fan spins when it really needs to(at gaming pretty much)
 
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boulbox

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a titan has been getting results similar to the 690(after the beta drivers) and it will use less energy and i actually feel like dual GPU on a single card is just crude.

Also forgot to mention that your build is in US instead of the CA so prices may change
 
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yanaqwi

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Thanks for replying.
I'm not planning on even 2 monitors (for now). But if in a year or two I would upgrade my monitors, the max I think I'd go for is 2. You think a single 670 could handle that?
 
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SHORYUKEN

SHORYUKEN

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A single 670 will handle this. If I were you, I would take away one of the cards and buy a monitor now. Tell me if you need a build like this. I may be able to get you 2 good monitors instead of 2 cards now. But if you are content with your current monitor, and are just looking for another one to match it, tell me. I would also like to know what kind of monitor you have.
 
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SHORYUKEN

SHORYUKEN

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Haha I just realized that it's in USD. Thanks for pointing that out.

Anyways, there is an article on Toms Hardware, it's a recent article too, stating that the 690 beats the TITAN.
 
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yanaqwi

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I actually still haven't bought a monitor yet :/ I was looking at a 24" one from my local best buy (http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/insignia-insignia-24-1080p-60hz-led-hdtv-ns-24e340a13-ns-24e340a13/10189288.aspx?path=2e099ba1dffe6066da6ca9beff4df5aben02).
BTW is there a difference between connecting to a TV (such as the one linked) vs a PC monitor?
To keep the costs down for now I'll just get 1 GTX670, when I get more disposable income I'll get another :)

 
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boulbox

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That post was in February and the new beta drivers updated on March. Many other places have been getting even to higher numbers on the titan. Just goes to show that drivers does its work and needs to be optimized.
 
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