2nd Build & Need Advice

[Bozzo06]

Hey all,

This will be my second build, my first was three years ago. I'm looking for any kind of advice/input/recommendation etc.

Approximate Purchase Date: The 1st of April

Budget Range: $800, but willing to go high if necessary.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Surfing the Net, School.

Parts Not Required: Monitors, Speakers, Mouse, Keyboard, Optical Drive.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, but TigerDirect if Parts are Out of Stock.

Country of Origin: United States, California

Parts Preferences: I decided to list out what I found so far, but am totally open to suggestions.

CASE - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

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

HD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

MOBO - ASUS P8P67 LE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

P.S. - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

GPU - MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680 x 1050

Additional Comments: None at the time, but please mention any thing you can think of.

Thank you in advance guys!

 

[aznshinobi]

Drop the WD Black for a Samsung F3 1TB. Save the 20-30$.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-Cache-Desktop-HD103SJ/dp/B001U3S5S0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300856309&sr=8-1

If you plan on getting that case, at least get the 2nd version. (Antec 902) The first one has terrible cable management and the features don't even come close to comparing with the updated V3 Antec 902.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097&cm_re=902-_-11-129-097-_-Product

Even though it's 130$ after shipping, I'd recommend it over the 110$ 900 after shipping.

If you really want to save on a good case. The Cooler Master Scout is a good choice, or the Cooler Master HAF 922.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&cm_re=cooler_master_storm_scout-_-11-119-196-_-Product

Better PSU option:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002&cm_re=xfx_650-_-17-207-002-_-Product

Better motherboard option when they return in stock.
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-P67-EX4&title=ASRock-P67-Extreme4-LGA1155-Intel-P67-DDR3-Quad-SLI-Quad-CrossFireX-SATA3-USB3-0-A-GbE-ATX-Motherboard

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg2/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-asrock-p67-extreme4.html

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4080/welcome-to-sandy-bridge-with-the-asrock-p67-extreme4/7

 

[Bozzo06]

Drop the WD Black for a Samsung F3 1TB. Save the 20-30$.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-Cache-Desktop-HD103SJ/dp/B001U3S5S0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300856309&sr=8-1

If you plan on getting that case, at least get the 2nd version. (Antec 902) The first one has terrible cable management and the features don't even come close to comparing with the updated V3 Antec 902.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097&cm_re=902-_-11-129-097-_-Product

Even though it's 130$ after shipping, I'd recommend it over the 110$ 900 after shipping.

If you really want to save on a good case. The Cooler Master Scout is a good choice, or the Cooler Master HAF 922.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&cm_re=cooler_master_storm_scout-_-11-119-196-_-Product

Better PSU option:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002&cm_re=xfx_650-_-17-207-002-_-Product

Better motherboard option when they return in stock.
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-P67-EX4&title=ASRock-P67-Extreme4-LGA1155-Intel-P67-DDR3-Quad-SLI-Quad-CrossFireX-SATA3-USB3-0-A-GbE-ATX-Motherboard

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg2/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-asrock-p67-extreme4.html

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4080/welcome-to-sandy-bridge-with-the-asrock-p67-extreme4/7

Thanks alot for the quick reply. As far as the Mobo, I've never heard of the brand. I'm not saying that's a good or bad thing, but just curious. I'll def look into the two cases listed, they seem pretty nice compared to the Antec. I'll also look into that PSU. Any other advice you guys can think of. Does all of this look compatible.

 

[Why_Me]

I looked at your first post and if you don't plan on over clocking then there is absolutly no need for a 2500K. And seeing how you don't plan on running dual vid cards, an H67 board with a single PCI-E slot is the way to go for your needs. Also seeing how you live in Cali you won't get charged taxes from amazon. So unless you like getting hosed for taxes ($$) then try and stick with amazon as much as possible. Also seeing how this is a gaming build, and not a photo shop/CAD/video rendering build, 4 gigs of RAM is just fine.

http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hundred-External-Internal/dp/B000GQMHBI/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b $59.82 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case External 3 X 5.25; Internal 6 X 3.5 2*Usb2.0

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017KE3DM/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $64.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Antec BP550 Plus 550W ATX12V V2.2 Modular Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.619747 Combo Discount: -$14.99 Combo Price: $294.99
Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500
ASRock H67M-ITX LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226092 $41.99 FREE SHIPPING
Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996768

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-Cache-Desktop-HD103SJ/dp/B001U3S5S0/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1300911356&sr=1-1 $60.91 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive HD103SJ

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-PCI-Express-N560GTX-TWIN-FROZR/dp/B004JLNZXU $249.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
MSI GeForce GTX560 1 GB DDR5 2DVI/Mini HDMI PCI-Express Video Card N560GTX TI TWIN FROZR II OC

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Home-Premium-System-Builder/dp/B002NGJO4M/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300911480&sr=1-1-catcorr $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit System Builder 1pk

Total: $872.68

 

[aznshinobi]

^ True

The build I list or just the parts I would suggest would future proof you if you ever did want to overclock or crossfire/sli.

 

[Why_Me]

^ True

The build I list or just the parts I would suggest would future proof you if you ever did want to overclock or crossfire/sli.

Yo shinobi...I'm heading your way next month. I'm going to be driving for the Kenworth/Peterbuilt plant this summer in Renton.

 

[aznshinobi]

Oh snap. Hah, that's pretty far from me to be honest. Yeah the sun and season is just right to be traveling to seattle area. It's real nice today.

 

[Bozzo06]

Ok guys, I bumped up my purchase date to tomorrow . So, here's the updated list w/ the advice from above.

Case: Cooler Master Scout Storm

CPU : Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500

PSU: Ultra LSP750 750-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, SLI-Ready, 135mm Fan

GPU: MSI GeForce GTX560 1 GB DDR5 2DVI/Mini HDMI PCI-Express Video Card N560GTX TI TWIN FROZR II OC

MOBO: ASRock H67M-ITX LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

(I know it may seem like overkill, but seeing as I have some money to spend, I want to invest it in the RAM. I've seen the performance value it can have on a system, and don't want to skimp.

HD: WD Black for a Samsung F3 1TB

Already have the Optical, Mouse, Keyboard, Screen, OS and Soundcard. Can you guys give it a final look over for compatibility? Thanks in advance!

 

[Why_Me]

Ok guys, I bumped up my purchase date to tomorrow . So, here's the updated list w/ the advice from above.

Case: Cooler Master Scout Storm

CPU : Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500

PSU: Ultra LSP750 750-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, SLI-Ready, 135mm Fan

GPU: MSI GeForce GTX560 1 GB DDR5 2DVI/Mini HDMI PCI-Express Video Card N560GTX TI TWIN FROZR II OC

MOBO: ASRock H67M-ITX LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

(I know it may seem like overkill, but seeing as I have some money to spend, I want to invest it in the RAM. I've seen the performance value it can have on a system, and don't want to skimp.

HD: WD Black for a Samsung F3 1TB

Already have the Optical, Mouse, Keyboard, Screen, OS and Soundcard. Can you guys give it a final look over for compatibility? Thanks in advance!

That Ultra psu is junk. You can save some $ on the h/d by going with the Samsung...quicker and quieter. With the RAM that board as most all H67 boards maxes out at 1333 in regards to the RAM speed.

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Why me I believe he means he is switching the Black out for the F3.

Here's a PSU that'd power your system for a low price.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036&Tpk=silent%20pro%20600

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

 

[Bozzo06]

Yeah, I'm going to go w/ the F3, my apologies. As far as the PSU, I was told that I need around 650-700W for the current system. Do you guys think that 600W is enough? I'm not sure how to calculate how much power i'll need, I usually just ask. The reason I picked the Ultra was because of the reviews, but if you guys say it's junk, i'll go with something else.

 

[aznshinobi]

Yeah it is junk. Go with on of the two psu's i mention, it'll save you some cash.

 

[Why_Me]

Yeah, I'm going to go w/ the F3, my apologies. As far as the PSU, I was told that I need around 650-700W for the current system. Do you guys think that 600W is enough? I'm not sure how to calculate how much power i'll need, I usually just ask. The reason I picked the Ultra was because of the reviews, but if you guys say it's junk, i'll go with something else.

Someone is giving you wrong advice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604 <---- gtx 560

System Requirements: 500 Watt or greater power supply (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 30 Amps.)

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=NzA= <---- That's the psu I put in my build up above...the psu that links to amazon. It has more then enough juice (amps/watts) to push that card and then some.

 

[Bozzo06]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll adjust the PSU tomorrow before ordering. Does everything else look compatible and good to go? Also, what do you guys think about adding a CPU Cooler and some Thermal Paste.

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll adjust the PSU tomorrow before ordering. Does everything else look compatible and good to go? Also, what do you guys think about adding a CPU Cooler and some Thermal Paste.

The stock Intel cooler comes with pre applied thermal paste and it should do ya just fine.

 

[Bozzo06]

Awesome, thanks guys. I'll check in once more before ordering.