Advice On New Build

[noctolater]

I am trying to get a new system together, and it has been about 5 years since I have done this. After about a month of research, I have come up with a system that I think is pretty well balanced and will work nicely. I ask for any and all advice and opinions on the build, and welcome wise changes that I can make. Thanks for your help, and here's my current build:

SilverStone Fortress Case
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro Motherboard
Intel Core i7-860 Processor
GeForce GTX 460 Graphics Card
CORSAIR 2 x 2GB RAM
Western Digital Caviar Blue 640 GB Hard Drive
Asus 23.6" Monitor
Antec 750W PSU

 

[calguyhunk]

Faster RAM : CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) - $10 extra.

Better HDD : SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3. $5 extra - 250 GB extra.

 

[Proximon]

The EA750 is not a great choice actually. You would think so, but it's too much for that older Delta platform. Got a fairly poor review:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article/2009/09/18/antec_earthwatts_750w_psu_review/

If you can swing it, this is a really GREAT but ugly PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003

If not, I think you can find a reasonable PSU....

750TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
Just a bit better than the EA750 perhaps. Older design.

TP-750 Blue
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022
Pretty good after rebate, very good PSU, second choice to the XFX.

Caviar Blue is a bit slow but certainly a good choice if you value longevity over speed.

 

[sp12]

Agreed on that really great but ugly PSU listed above.

I'd get the GTX 470 now that it's down at like 270$.

 

[noctolater]

I switched to the HD and RAM calhunkguy recommended, and the 'great but ugly' PSU both Proximon and sp12 recommended. My next question is what is the real difference between these two cards?

EVGA 01G-P3-1370-TR GeForce GTX 460
EVGA 01G-P3-1371-AR GeForce GTX 460

I see they have small differences in model numbers, but why would you have more than one card of the same type? The only difference I can find is a small one in the clock speeds, with the cheaper of the two having the faster clocks! I am genuinely confounded by this and want to know if anyone can help clear it up.

 

[Proximon]

The faster clocked card has a different cooling solution, probably more efficient and quieter.

Also, the actual PCB could be different. Important for people using their own cooling solutions such as water cooling. The slower one is more likely to be stock design... and they make them and then sell them. Often you can see an older design still for sale while the newer is listed along side.

 

[noctolater]

Thanks for everyone's help in making this computer better. Any advice on CPU cooling? I don't really plan on any overclocking, but I do run pretty CPU intense computing tasks as part of my personal research.

 

[Proximon]

The stock cooler works fine, but yes if you want to upgrade you certainly can.

newegg wants too much for the CM Hyper 212 and Amazon won't ship for 1 to two months...

Before someone recommends the S-1283 from Xigmatek, let me point out that Compatible does not mean READY for I5, requires a bracket.

So, get one of these:

Xig Balder
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233040

Hyper 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=Hyper_212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

Zalman Performa
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118059

 

[sp12]

Do not spend more than 230$ on a 460. A 470 can be had for 270$ and offers comparable/better price performance. Increasingly so as you move past 230$ for the 460.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162049

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127501

 

[calguyhunk]

1. SP12 is right. Spending 30 - 40 bucks extra on a 470 makes more sense. But then again, you wont really be needing anything more than a 5770 to play SC 2 or WOW on high.

2. You don't really need an aftermarket HSF, even if you were running Prime95 for hours on end. Dunno 'bout the 860, but the 920 cooler is good enough for me to run it @ 3 Ghz on stock with just the one case fan. (My case came with 3. I had to take 2 off because of noise issues)