[SOLVED] First-time builder needs advice with sandy bridge build

arfy

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Mar 9, 2011
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Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime within the next two weeks


Budget Range: $800 -$1000 After Rebates (I don't want to go past $1000)


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming and Surfing The Internet

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com (I can be flexible with this as long as it's a website that ships in the US)


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: Intel Sandy Bridge CPU


Overclocking: Yes (In the Distant Future)


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Monitor Resolution: 1024x800

Additional Comments:
After reading numerous threads on this site I decided to go with this build for now. Overall it comes to about $940. I'm just not sure whether it works or if it's the best for the price. I'm willing to change anything in this build if anyone can convince me to do so except for the cpu.

cpu:

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

mobo:
ASUS P8P67 Pro B3 Intel P67 Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA 1155), Intel P67 Express, 2200MHz DDR3 (O.C.), Gigabit LAN, 8-Channel Audio, SATA 6.0 Gb/s, SuperSpeed USB 3.0, SLI/CrossFireX, Bluetooth

Graphics Card:
MSI N460GTX Twin Frozr II SOC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
ram:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBXM

case and os combo:
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case and Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PSU:
XFX P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

DVD Drive:
LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support

Are these compatible and will this all fit in the case? Do I need a cooler? Is the PSU enough? Are there any better/cheaper parts available?

Thanks for your help!
 
Solution
Your list will work, as is, but I have some suggestions:

1) The engine of a gaming pc is the graphics card. A gtx460 768 is weak, compared to the cpu. At your low resolution, you might be OK. Still, I would save elsewhere and spendmore on a more modern card like the GTX560ti. Particularly of you will ever use a 1080P monitor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610

2) If you love the case, get it, they are a personal thing. But, you can get an equally performing basic case for much less. How about the Antec 2000 S for $30 after rebate with free shipping. Cases are heavy, watch those costs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129074
If you want more "bling", the Antec 300...

CopaMundial

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Feb 10, 2011
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How strict is your budget, because that comes to more than $1000 when you count shipping.

LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
MSI N460GTX Twin Frozr II SOC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...
NVIDIA Free Just Cause 2 + Mafia II Coupon
XFX P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power ...
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBXM
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
TOTAL: $818.91... from NewEgg shipped add ~$200 for motherboard.

So you're over $1000 to get it to your house... then about $60 in mail in rebates will get you back under. Just wasn't sure if you would be able to cover the initial shipping.
Assuming that's ok, then it looks like you've done a terrific job.

Quality components and left room for expansion.

Only minor things I could find is that you could save $10 on hard drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

and like $5 on DVD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204


 
I would ditch the SLI/CF and get a better video card, that one is quite weak.

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128476
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 + SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.617069
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231443
ASUS Black 24X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
SAPPHIRE 100312-1GSR Radeon HD 6950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102921

With your case/OS combo gives $1,013.90 but you have $40 rebates.

This factory OCed 6950 is $240 after rebate, with it the total is $1,038.90 and $50 rebates.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150527&cm_re=hd_6950-_-14-150-527-_-Product
 
Yep but I wouldn't bother with that, the XFX is factory overclocked and faster than a regular 6950 and can be pushed even further. Or he can OC himself almost any 6950 to the 6970 level. Anyway in his budget, at least a HD 6870 or a 560.
 
Your list will work, as is, but I have some suggestions:

1) The engine of a gaming pc is the graphics card. A gtx460 768 is weak, compared to the cpu. At your low resolution, you might be OK. Still, I would save elsewhere and spendmore on a more modern card like the GTX560ti. Particularly of you will ever use a 1080P monitor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610

2) If you love the case, get it, they are a personal thing. But, you can get an equally performing basic case for much less. How about the Antec 2000 S for $30 after rebate with free shipping. Cases are heavy, watch those costs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129074
If you want more "bling", the Antec 300 illusion model is a great case which includes some extra lighted fans $70:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

3) If you want to OC, get an aftermarket cooler up front, when it is easiest to install. The CM hyper 121 is good for $30; there are others:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

4) Ram is cheap these days. I would get a 8gb kit of 2 x 4gb. Speed does not matter much to sandy bridge cpu's. 1333 is fine, but there is not much of a premium for 1600.
Expect to pay $80-$100:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
Here are some reasons why:
http://blog.corsair.com/?p=65

5) Do you really need a full ATX motherboard? You can get an equally good micro-ATX version for less. How about the P8P67-M Pro for $150? It is sli capable, but you won't need that capability. Be certain to get the B3 version. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131707

6) You are saving only $5 on the Windows-7 combo. If you are a student, look into an academic license, about $30.

7) Can you increase your budget by $150 or so? A small SSD for the os and a few games will make all the difference in the world. If not now, start planning for it.

8) As a first time builder, I suggest that you download and read, cover to cover, the manuals for your case and motherboard.

-----------------------------good luck-------------------
 
Solution

arfy

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Mar 9, 2011
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Thanks for the suggestions. After listening to you guys I decided to change the build a little. I added a Radeon 6950 card and downgraded the mobo. My budget is flexible but I just don't feel comfortable going over a thousand. Give or take $100 isn't really an issue.

@geofelt Thanks for the advice. I am a student but I'm not in college so it's not my money that I'm using and I don't think that an academic license applies to me.

Will I need more power with the new graphics? I heard that there were issues with fitting the Radeon 6950 into certain cases. Will it fit into the Antec 300?

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
ASUS P8H67-M EVO (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
SAPPHIRE 100312SR Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
Newegg Promotional Gift Card - $10.00
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
XFX P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power ...
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
TOTAL: $1,057.90
 
The 6950 needs only a 500w psu with two 6 pin pci-e connectors, you are good:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6950/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6950-overview.aspx#3

I think you are good on the 6950, unless you get one with an extra long cooler. Do some googling to be certain, but here is a user which fitted one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=11-129-066&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=6950&Page=1

At most, you might not be able to use a conflicting hard drive bay.

But..... I see that you have a H67 motherboard, not a P67. That means that you will not be able to OC the 2500K.
Better to get the P8P67-M or the P8P67-M pro.

I think the academic criteria means that you are a student and have a .edu e-mail.
 

arfy

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Mar 9, 2011
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Thanks. I didn't notice that it was a H67 motherboard. Unfortunately, the p8p67-m and p8p67-m pro are both sold out at Newegg so I have to go to TigerDirect to get it. I'll just go with the p8p67-m pro and stick with the rest of the build from Newegg.