New Core i5 Build - Midrange

[zekex27]

Approximate Purchase Date: December 2010
Budget Range: 900 - 1000$ - No Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required:
Monitor
LG L226WTQ-BF Black 22" 2ms
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech MX 518 Optical Gaming Mouse
Case
Antec Nine Hundred two
Power Supply
Corsair HX 620W – Modular
Backup Drive
WD Blue 640GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache SATA II
UPS
APC UPS BR1500 LCD
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 to 1920x1200
Additional Comments: Gaming PC – SSD for OS (64 bit obvious and games)

CPU
Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core
BX80605I5760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

CPU Fan
ZALMAN 120mm 2 Ball Low-noise Blue LED
CNPS9900ALED
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118046

Memory
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
CMP4GX3M2C1600C7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145290

Motherboard
ASUS LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
P7P55D-E LX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131634

Video Card
EVGA GeForce GTX460 1024 MB DDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card Lifetime Warranty
01G-P3-1371-AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130565

SSD
OCZ Vertex 2 3.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
OCZSSD3-2VTX120G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227590

 

[MadAdmiral]

You didn't list what you're doing with this build, which makes it harder to give specific advice. I'm going to assume you're gaming though.

First, drop the Dominator sticks. You're paying a lot for a name. Instead, grab these G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 sticks for $40 less. They'll be just as fast, if not faster.

Second, drop the Zalman cooler. Instead, pick up the Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B (currently sold out on Newegg, but usually around $40) or the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus ($30ish). They're cheaper and generally considered to be better options.

Third, drop the SSD. It's expensive and won't really help you that much. Instead, pick up the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB (also currently sold out, usually bewteen $55 and $70) or Spinpoint F4 320 GB ($50 with shipping) as your HDD (assuming you were only going to use the SSD).

Fourth, take all that money I've saved you ($40 on the RAM, $15-25, $120+ on the SSD/HDD) and throw it into the GPU. That's enough for either a second 460 (you'll need a different board, like the Asus P7P55D-E Pro) or the HD 6950 or 6970. That'll give you a lot more power in a build that costs basically the same.

 

[calguyhunk]

Is this gonna be only for gaming?

And what's your budget? Are you gonna be OC'ing? If so which components? What resolution are on?

If you're looking to use stock settings, drop the RAM down to the CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB).

You've got your Corsair, your 1600 Mhz and your Cas7. You'll never need those heat spreaders

Everything looks almost perfect apart from the board. While it's a damn good series, you're not getting an SLI ready board should you ever need to add a 2nd GPU. If you need one, you can get the 'pro' version for 'bout 50 bucks extra.

I don't see a PSU. Do you already have one? If not, you can get the OCZ Fatal1ty 550W Power Supply for your single 460, dual hard drive system.

Strictly on a more fps per dollar basis, you can get a GTX 480 instead of the SSD. Will prolly give you a much better gaming experience overall on a full HD monitor.

 

[jedi940]

No case or power supply or optical drive?

How to ask for new build advice

 

[zekex27]

Got it, let me re-edit this.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'm going to steer you clear of the OCZ PSUs. They aren't the highest quality. Instead, check out similar models from Corsair, SeaSonic, Silverstone, XFX or Antec. They're the highest quality brands out there.

I'll also caution you that if you decide to get the GTX 470, 480, dual 460s or the HD 69xx, you'll want a larger unit than 550W. For dual 460s or single 470, you'll need at least a 650W unit (Corsair's the cheapest at $60 with promo code and rebate). For a single 480, you'll want a 750W unit to be safe (again, Corsair's is the cheapest). For the HD 69xx, the 550W might be enough, but I'd recommend a 650W to be safe.

If you decide you want the option for Crossfire/SLI (dual cards) for the above, add 200W to the PSU size.