Last and Final Review for my Build.

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

After 3+ months of research, I have finally come up with my build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($55.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer G215HVBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $895.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 16:12 EDT-0400)

Couple of things, is the motherboard a reliable one? I won't be doing OC'ing right now, maybe in 2-3 years, so I that's why I don't have a cooler. Nonetheless, is it good enough for maybe 4 Ghz? Not heavy stuff. The RAM, I just chose randomly, so please double check that for me. I live next to a Microcenter, if that will help. Last thing, I'm not getting that monitor, I'm getting this, unless you can find me a better one.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+23.6%26%2334%3B+Widescreen+LCD+HD+Monitor+-+Matte+Black/6640297.p?id=1218769026453&skuId=6640297

Just want to thank the TomsHardware community for helping me so far, and hopefully this will be my last post concerning my build.

ksham · May 6, 2013

Are you hoping that this build will last at least 3 years so that overclocking at that point will actually yield some benefit over a few new parts?

The motherboard is good. I've tried it before and I personally find that it's pretty good. The RAM, I'm not sure about. I have no experience with the NS series.

Everything else looks good.

bigshootr8 · May 6, 2013

For aesthetic reasons I'm not super hot on the memory. I typically like some sort of spreader on it if nothing less to not have my build look cheap

So I would perhaps change that to low profile memory like this.

http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=63407&vpn=PGD38G1600ELK&manufacture=Patriot

Also, I would go with the ASUS monitors instead Acer does a decent job but with ASUS you get ARR. In laymen terms it means that something goes wrong you RMA the device they pay for that as you ship it they send you one back that customer service is hard to find.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236200

Also the motherboard is fine. Yea your build is fine in terms of perhaps in the future adding a cooler you will want one certainly. Everything else is fine you did quite well for a budget build.

Jack Revenant · May 6, 2013

I've never heard of the NS series, and so can't really comment on their quality. That said, in your shoes I would use low profile Corsair RAM: http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=61961&vpn=CML8GX3M2A1600C9&manufacture=Corsair

DarkSable · May 6, 2013

I'd go with an Extreme 4 if you want to overclock in the future; it'll make a big difference in stability. The Pro 3 could probably get you to 4 GHz, but it would be much easier on the extreme series.

As for the ram, that's pretty good stuff; brand doesn't really make that much of a difference as long as you get the right specs.

That monitor looks great, and for the price, it's a very good deal.

JackNaylorPE · May 6, 2013

Consider investing an extra $20 in a better case .... Corsair 500R.
$120 - $20 off w/ promo code EMCXRXT52, ends 5/9 - $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

I am not a fan of that MoBo, I'd consider investing another $20 in a better board, the ASUS P8Z77-V LK also allows for CF / SLI upgrades
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837

Two 7870 Ghz, 660, 660 Ti all require only 600 watts in CF / SLI, I'd consider 650 watter which would be $20 more.

I have had issues with Gskill RAM when adding additional 2 modules at a later date. You might want to invest $10 for these which are lower voltage and therefore will lighten the load on ya CPU's memory controller.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233199

I would not overclock the CPU at all using a stock cooler, especially Ivy Bridge.

Be aware of the 2 year warranty on the Seagate Drive

If you are absolutely sure that you will never add a second video card to this box, I'd stick with the 7870 XT. If you think that at some time down the road, you might get a 2nd card, Id consider a nVidia alternative as, if ya been reading the trade press, CF is off the table for the present.

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

Ok, thanks for the answers. Looks like I'll have to go for a Corsair Vengeance RAM. As for CF, Ill never be adding a second card, but thanks anyway for the suggestion. The Extreme4 is much too expensive, else I would have gotten it. The 500r is also too expensive, my case is $50 at microcenter before rebates, and yours is $100 after rebates.

I found this monitor, which is one is better, the Samsung or this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160166

Or this?

http://www.amazon.com/VS228H-P-22-Inch-Full-HD-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B005BZNDOO/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1367873654&sr=1-1

Just found this RAM at Microcenter:

http://microcenter.com/product/382101/Ballistix_Sport_8GB_DDR3-1600_(PC3-12800)_CL9_Dual_Channel_Desktop_Memory_Kit_(Two_4GB_Memory_Modules)

Does that look good to you? It has 9 CAS latency, plus it has a low profile heat spreader.

bigshootr8 · May 6, 2013

Get the ASUS monitor. They are solid built plus they come with ARR.

When your monitor goes bad within the warranty period they pay for shipping back to them and at the same time they send you a monitor back. no contest there. Unless you go with a 120hz monitor stick with ASUS great value, great warranty, great monitors.

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

Yea, I was leaning towards the Asus already, it has great specs and reviews. Plus Asus makes some quality monitors. Last question to be addressed it whether or not the RAM I listed is good enough.

bigshootr8 · May 6, 2013

The crucial ram? Absolutely its just fine man if it fits the bill I don't see anything to deter me. Also good latency for a low profile dimm.

ksham · May 6, 2013

Yes; the Crucial Ballistix are good.

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

Very last thing, I was looking at this Hard Drive from microcenter that is $60, and is 1TB

http://microcenter.com/product/400847/1TB_7,200_RPM_SATA_60Gb-s_35_Internal_Hard_Drive_DT01ACA100_-_Bare_Drive

Same specs as the Seagate, but is 32 MB Cache vs 64MB Cache on the Seagate. I read that this doesn't really make a difference in performance. Just want to clarify it with you guys. It's cheaper, plus I prefer in-store pickup than ordering online.

bigshootr8 · May 6, 2013

It may be the same specs but I would stay with either Western Digital or Seagate. You pay for the reliability of the brand and I just feel more secure with them on the mechanical side of things. Spend the little extra imo.

ksham · May 6, 2013

Toshiba is fine. With any storage, always back up your important files.

bigshootr8 · May 6, 2013

They are fine but I don't know I don't feel comfortable going for the cheaper drive really all that often. And you are right I think most say always have 3 methods of backup onsite, offsite, and physical.

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

Final Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.24 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($55.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($132.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $918.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 20:57 EDT-0400)

-I've decided to go with shooters advice and went with Seagate, they are $65 at Microcenter.
-Went with the Crucial RAM
-Also got the Asus monitor.

Any more creases to flat out?

EDIT: Found a WD 1TB Blue for $68, which is what I'm going to get. From what I heard, WD is much more reliable and has great customer service.

ksham · May 6, 2013

Looks good, but what's the budget on this?

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

bigshootr8 · May 6, 2013

Western Digital does have really good customer service as I've heard as well. And really though all the hard drives you were after were within the same amount of money none really all that more expensive then the other. One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that I've had a good history with WD and Seagate drives being quiet as well I had a Hitachi drive a while ago and that thing was a loud mess I know its not toshiba but meh.

Your budget was 850 but you spent. $918 I take it there are mail in rebates there but you are okay spending over to get that?

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

The motherboard will cost $50, so in reality, the whole build costs $878, which is great.

ballerslife · May 6, 2013

Both Ksham and shooter gave great advice, so I'll just choose best answer randomly with random.org.

Aaaaaaand the winner is!

bigshoot8er!

Thanks again to all for helping me out on this build!

ksham · May 6, 2013

Best of luck with the build ballerslife. No worries about the BA. I'm just glad that I could be of help.

bigshootr8 · May 7, 2013

Likewise Ksham gave good advice as well. I hope in the end your system is everything you hope for it to be take care man.

Last and Final Review for my Build.

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