$1200-1400 i5 2500k Build

[a2love]

Hi all. Thanks to all the helpful info here I am getting close to finalizing my build. I have some holes below, however, so any help would be appreciated.


Approximate Purchase Date: Next 7 Days

Budget Range: $1200-1400 CAD After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Mathematical modeling using SAS, Internet, Videos

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NCIX.com, NewEgg.ca

Country of Origin: Canada… eh

Parts Preferences: Intel i5 2500k CPU (possibly the 2600k)

Overclocking: Yes (moderate… nothing too extreme)

SLI or Crossfire: Yes (likely pick up another GPU down the road)

Monitor Resolution: BENQ G2420HD - 1920x1080 native

Additional Comments: None.


Proposed Build:

My links below vary between NCIX.com and NewEgg.ca. I may have NCIX build my complete system, but I am not set on that path.

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB - $238.99
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=57962
I am open to the i7 2600k, however at this point I am not sure about the benefit. If the Ivy bridge can mount on the mobo below that may be an upgrade step down the road from the i5.

MOBO: ASUS P8P67 Pro ATX P67 LGA1155 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 USB3.0 Sound GBLAN Motherboard - $188.90
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=58016

Monitor: I already have BENQ G2420hd (1920x1080 native) 24"

HSF: I will be doing moderate overclocking… not sure on anything to do with this though. Possible deal here?:
http://www.ncix.com/promo/promosale.php?webid=custapp-jan11

PSU: 850w was what I was wanting. Past that, I’m clueless. Maybe a good deal is possible here:
http://www.ncix.com/promo/promosale.php?webid=custapp-jan11

GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDMI 2x Mini DisplayPort Video Card -$319.99
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=57630&promoid=1276
OR
HIS Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDMI 2x Mini DisplayPort Video Card- $279.99
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=57691&vpn=H695F2G2M&manufacture=HIS&promoid=1277


RAM: No preference… something to handle the moderate overclocking

HDD: No preference. 1 TB minimum.

Optical: No preference.

Case: I was eyeballing the Antec 900:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
BUT I am open to any other good cases that are on sale… I am not picky about looks but I am interested in good ventilation.

SSD – Anyone recommend this? It could be an after build purchase… are the benefits really that great when installing games/software from a SSD vs HDD?

So, I have some big question marks… mostly around the RAM and PSU. Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

[sadams04]

You are in good shape overall. My thoughts are...

PSU - Can't pull up your link, but 750W+ with 80%+ efficiency. Stick with Antec or Corsair IMHO.

MEM - G.SKILL is recommended for overclocking and is good memory overall. DDR3 1600 CL7 would be nice, but CL8 or CL9 is fine too. Dual channel so install in pairs.

SSD - No real benefit to gaming other than load times. Windows will perform well on the SSD. I would recommend a 60GB SSD with SandForce controller for your OS / boot drive, then supplement that with a 1TB or 2TB drive for installing your apps and for storage. OCZ Vertex 2 is a popular choice.

HDD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 for 1TB, F4 for 2TB.

 

[a2love]

Thanks for the response Sadams.

I am now thinking of adding the following SSD (has a mail in rebate which is nice):
OCZ Vertex 2 Extended Sandforce 60GB 2.5IN SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=53308&vpn=OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology

I can't seem to find the spinpoint on NCIX, but here is an option on newegg:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

Any suggestions on cooling?

 

[a2love]

Also, how is this for RAM:

G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=57953&vpn=F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL&manufacture=G.Skill&promoid=1277

 

[sadams04]

That is good memory. Or G.SKILL CL7 memory => http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=55620&vpn=F3%2D12800CL7D%2D8GBRH&manufacture=G%2ESkill


Cooling => Hyper 212+

 

[a2love]

Is it worth the extra $80 for the CL7 timing? What are the benefits?

 

[a2love]

And for cooling... I like that selection. Cheap and effective. Will this fit in an Antec 900 case?

Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 AM3 LGA1366 LGA775 LGA1156 120MM
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=41337&vpn=RR-B10-212P-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER#CustomerReviews

 

[sadams04]

The lower the latency the faster the memory will be. Honestly at that speed (1600) I doubt you will notice much difference between CL7 and CL9. However, if it were me spending $1200+ I would opt up...

The Hyper 212 should fit fine in that case.

 

[jive]

Hi,
All the parts look nice, for the SSD , I really think it's a plus may be it's just for load time but, It's work like a charm. For the case the antec 900 it's a good case but you will have to clean it quite often if you have pet at home. The fans really move a lot of dust.
For my build I choose the corsair 800D it's almost the double of the price but It's nice big and a lot of room, the cooler master storm sniper is also nice a little bit expensive.

At last, also check on direct canada they have nice prize too.

Good luck with your build

 

[a2love]

Great suggestions all. I will update my build shortly.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[a2love]

Just noticed this deal on newegg.ca...

i5 2500k combo... The HD isn't exactly what I wanted... but it looks like the bundle provides a decent discount... any thoughts on that?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.584331

 

[a2love]

Updated build, feedback appreciated:

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=57962

MOBO: ASUS P8P67 Pro ATX P67 LGA1155 DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 USB3.0 Sound GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=58016

HSF: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
OR
XFX Black Edition XPS-850W-BES 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207001

GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDMI 2x Mini DisplayPort Video Card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=57630&promoid=1276

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Optical: No real preference… I saw this one for cheap:
ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk – OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

SSD – OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820227550

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

 

[a2love]

Ya I'm not too happy about that in most cases

Doesn't even matter what the exchange rate is usually... we have very sticky pricing, even when our dollar overvalues the US.

 

[a2love]

Canadian prices are higher than US.?!

Also Malmental, I know in a previous thread you mentioned I should have a look at the GeForce cards. What card would you suggest with my setup? knowing that I don't want to go too much more expensive?

 

[a2love]

hahahah you read my mind man

 

[a2love]

Interesting... ok I will have a deeper look at the GTX line before I pull the trigger on this build.

Also, I am thinking of dropping the SSD to save my wallet. Any comments on just using the HDD for operating system and gaming?

 

[a2love]

Best answer selected by a2love.