[NewBuild] First time builder. Advice, comments, criticism appreciated

[slovelett]

So, I’m going to be building for the first time. I'm looking for something fairly inexpensive now that can be upgraded in the future.

Approximate Purchase Date: probably within 2 weeks

Budget Range: ~$600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC (XBMC, Netflix, Hulu, DVDs, BluRay eventually, Music, etc), Web/leisure, Basic Photoshop/graphics tasks.

Parts Not Required: peripherals, HDD (possibly, see below)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no preference

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: OS, Intel CPU, Gigabyte MB (want to attempt hackintosh at some point)

Overclocking: Probably

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: -

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

CASE: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

PSU: RAIDMAX Blackstone series RX-700AC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152042

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128460

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Graphics: XFX HD-545X-YNH2 Radeon HD 5450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150469

ODD
LG Black 20X ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136200

HDD: I have an old drive I plan to use for the time being, however, it’s IDE. Is it possible to use it if I buy something like this?

Feedback is very much appreciated on anything but specifically:
1. Will everything fit/work together?
2. Is a 700W PSU good enough? (At some point I'll probably add an SSD and another HDD, and possibly Xfire.
3. Do you think the motherboard, specifically LGA1155 / P67, is reasonably future-proof? At least to the extent that its possible to know.

Thanks.

 

[archer7282]

I'm no expert on that psu you have picked, and im sure someone else will chime in. But i think you may just be better off with something like this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094&cm_re=seasonic_520-_-17-151-094-_-Product


Also in regards to your ide hard drive, it may certainly be possible to get it working with an extra doo-dad. but do your really wanna hamstring your new ferrari with a geo metro engine? it really would be in your best interest to drop another 40-50 on a good sata hard drive. samsung f3 or something. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

you say that you may possibly crossfire in the future... from what im reading in your post it seems like you will not be using this pc for gaming.. if thats the case then you don't need to crossfire in the future that 5450 will handle all of your HDMI video needs.

If however you do intend to game with the PC, then that 5450 is pretty light for trying to game at that resolution, you really would at least want a 5770 or 460 for that application.

 

[archer7282]

also you really don't need 8GB of Ram drop down to a nice 4GB package.

 

[slovelett]

I did the 8GB because the RAM and the PSU are a combo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.578374) which I think is a pretty good deal. So if anyone says the PSU is garbage I'll rethink it.

The only reason I'm thinking crossfire in the future is "Basic Photoshop/graphics tasks" may eventually turn into "advanced graphics/3D rendering/video." I don't really game at all.

 

[archer7282]

I cant find reviews of that psu or other similar raidmax models at johnny guru or anywhere else for that matter. The only proper reviews i could find are anything but kind towards the raidmax brand. Could this PSU possibly be a diamond in the rough???? yeah i guess so..... would i bet the rest of my system on it so that i could save a couple bucks on a combo deal..... no sir....

Seriously pick up a seasonic, corsair, or antec in the 500-600w range and then pick up a 4gb pack of ram for 40$ that will save you money and worries.

 

[slovelett]

Yes, I was think that as I've been researching PSU's a bit. I think I found an OCZ one that's a decent price and got a "2" from the PSU ranked list. (Sorry, no links now as I'm at work and don't have time to find them, I'll update later)

UPDATE:

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341039

PSU RANKED LIST: http://rankedpsulist.dabbledb.com/publish/rankedpsulist/9e1a7c0e-d5bf-43f9-bef5-1e519fca2605/43-54amps.html

(via: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/278567-28-ranked-list-guide#t2081246)

Also I was planning using this RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260

 

[archer7282]

that's a good solid psu there, much much better than the other one. I would still probably pick the seasonic SI2II (even though its a couple bucks more expensive at the end of the day) (but thats just because i have a strong preference for seasonic.)

You should be good with that ram.

newegg has a blockbuster deal on the antec illussion 300 right now.. you should see if you can take advantage of that.

and lastly you may want to go to a microcenter to pick up the processor and motherboard, they have an insanely good deal going on a combo deal for them. (something like 120$ less than the egg)

and for goodness sakes pick up a sata hard drive.

G'luck and enjoy your new rig!