First Build; any suggestions?

[kloopy007]

Hey guys I have about 1200 to spend on a custom built and this is what I have so far. I plan on using it mostly for gaming and such but I also like to edit movies and whatnot once in a while so rendering power is also a nice thing to have.

Optical Drive: Asus 24x DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

HDD: 1tb Seagate Barracuda
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

GPU: Radeon HD 6870 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102909

RAM: G.Skill 4gb (2x2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

PSU: 800w (1080max)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339035

CPU Cooler: Corsair high performance cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010

CPU: Sandy Bridge 2500k i5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Mobo: Asus Pro Lga 1155 intel P67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131682

Full Tower Case: Sunbeam Transformer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004

Monitor: Asus 23'' 2ms HMDI LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059


I already have a keyboard and mouse but that's about it. Any comments/suggestions/questions? Oh and I am fairly new to all this so if two components aren't compatible with each other or something to that effect please let me know so I don't end up with a 200 dollar mistake thanks

 

[bsnowman17]

The only thing that stands out to me is the 1080w psu, are you planning on getting a second card for crossfire? if not, thats huge overkill. I'd spend the same amount on a better brand like corsair with less watts, like 750w. I have the same ram and dvd drive, both are fine. the h50 water cooler gets good reviews, you prob could get better cooling off a nice air cooler for the same price (make sure your case is big enough) I have an asus mobo for amd, but i do love the mobo, very solid brand.
All in all though this should be a beast of a computer!

 

[kloopy007]

Well the PSU is actually 800w but when maxed out it's cap is <1080w or so said everyone in multiple reviews. And I intend to get a second card when I get some more cash or more so when 'necessity' calls for it (when current one gets a little less punch for it's age). I was thinking about a different cpu cooler but I like the fact the water one was very high rated and closed system (low maintenance). Any suggestions for a diff CPU cooler? I'd be willing to take a look at whatever else for sure.

 

[aznshinobi]

Yes but the efficiency of PSU isn't always going to keep those wattages. Notice that it's not even 80+ certified. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003&Tpk=750%20XFX

A much better option and 80+ certified. Plus it's modular. And don't think that the H50 is a water cooler, that's not even close to real water cooling. The thing has an internal pump, if you did an actual WCing loop it'd run 200$ at least for just the CPU or JUST the GPU.

I honestly would get a Prolimatech Megahalems or get a Hyper 212+. The Hyper 212+ is cheap and effective. Compared to most coolers it holds up. And the h50 isn't quiet either, same DBA as the 212+ so.... Yeah. Amazon is cheaper so.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d3_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1NF4TDNM7W3QKY1H4TA4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Also for the mobo to save some money, I think this is good enough. I'm prob going to use this build in my future SB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157217&cm_re=p67_asrock-_-13-157-217-_-Product

With the money saved get the Phantom, this has free shippping opposed to the other's 20$ shipping. Plus the phantom has a fan controller so that'll save the fan controller hassle.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068

 

[jsc]

Do not buy any PSU that advertises a continuous power rating and a "peak" power rating. "Peak" is in sneer quotes because there are no tech specs for peak power ratings. It is just a way of making a mediocre power supply sound better. The good PSU makers (Seasonic, Corsair, Antec, etc.) do not use peak ratings.

Because this is your first build, look at the following threads while you are waiting for your parts.
Build it yourself:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

And although this primarily a troubleshooting thread, the first part contains a checklist that will catch most noob mistakes:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems

 

[kloopy007]

Hey how does this bundle look? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.584330

I mean the only bad thing about it is that it comes with a mid-tower instead of a full-tower but it saves me 70 bucks. Worst comes to worst I could craigslist that case and use the money to pay for "NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068

 

[kloopy007]

Do not buy any PSU that advertises a continuous power rating and a "peak" power rating. "Peak" is in sneer quotes because there are no tech specs for peak power ratings. It is just a way of making a mediocre power supply sound better. The good PSU makers (Seasonic, Corsair, Antec, etc.) do not use peak ratings.

Because this is your first build, look at the following threads while you are waiting for your parts.
Build it yourself:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

And although this primarily a troubleshooting thread, the first part contains a checklist that will catch most noob mistakes:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems

Much appreciated jsc, I'll be sure to favorite those pages for later reference.

 

[aznshinobi]

That buncle isn't bad, nice find BTW. The Sniper is a pretty decent case the only thing I didn't like was when you compare it to the HAF X or Phantom I'd rather have those, but yeah get the sniper see how much you can sell it for and use that money to buy the Phantom.

 

[niloklives]

If you're close to a microcenter, you may want to check their stock on the CPU and see about other smaller bundles. see if you can save some money that way. The reason I suggest this is MC often has CPUs for $40-60 less than newegg. last month they were selling i7 950s for $199 new in the box. They're now asking for $229 for that same CPU. I think in the case of the 2500k, they want $179, $50 less than newegg.

Plus, iirc that HDD has a combo at newegg with the P8P67 Pro - $20 off for the combo. that's $70 already if you have a Microcenter nearby. I bet if you look around newegg a bit more you can easily get a better deal than that "super combo"

 

[kloopy007]

If you're close to a microcenter, you may want to check their stock on the CPU and see about other smaller bundles. see if you can save some money that way. The reason I suggest this is MC often has CPUs for $40-60 less than newegg. last month they were selling i7 950s for $199 new in the box. They're now asking for $229 for that same CPU. I think in the case of the 2500k, they want $179, $50 less than newegg.

Plus, iirc that HDD has a combo at newegg with the P8P67 Pro - $20 off for the combo. that's $70 already if you have a Microcenter nearby. I bet if you look around newegg a bit more you can easily get a better deal than that "super combo"

The microcenter place has discounts on CPUs but everything else was nearly the same when I checked. But still, thanks a bunch! Now I know of a place nearby that I can browse for any discount is a good discount to me. hah

 

[niloklives]

well I meant that you can get the CPU from microcenter and get the rest off of newegg. but microcenter is also usually pretty good about matching newegg even on combos sometimes. The caveat to that is that microcenter's selection is abysmal by comparison. In any case, check around and go with whatever ends up being the best deal. I think newegg may still be selling a corsair TX650w PSU for 80 or 90 dollars with a 20 dollar MIR...they may have a bundle with that an a decent case. or see if a case you like is bundled with a solid PSU. Corsair's AX and TX lines are both good as well as Antec's TP (true power) models.

for your rig, as long as you don't plan on running x-fire, you can easily use a 650w with room to spare for overclocking and capacitor aging. if you plan on running xfire, you might want more than that, though.

 

[kloopy007]

Best answer selected by kloopy007.