VERY Novice (1st Time Builder) Please help! - i5 Gaming Build

Thank you mortonww. As I mentioned, this would be my first build... so just want to make sure I cover all my basis and won't need anything additional or have any compatibility issues.

Thanks so much for your prompt response

If I updated that spec, to replace the Antec 300 with the HAF 192
If I updated that spec, to replace (2) 5770 with a 6950

it would look as follows:

1
XFX Radeon HD 6950 HD-695X-CNFC Video Card with Eyefinity
Item #:N82E16814150530
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
$274.99

1
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136533
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$89.99

1
LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
Item #:N82E16827106335
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$24.99

1
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Item #:N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$224.99

1
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231311
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$84.99

1
MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813130574
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$179.99

1
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811119233
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$59.99

1
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817341022
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit 1-Pack
Item #: N82E16832116989
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
-$13.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$224.98
$196.98


Grand Total: $1,136.91

Oh, I didn't see this before. You'll want to get a 64 bit version of windows. Also, you can get the OEM Home Premium 64 bit for $99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

The OEM Professional 64 bit is $139. Home Premium usually suits the needs of a gamer, but if you have some specific use for Professional, stick with it.

If you were to install a 32 bit operating system, you'd only be able to use about 3.5 GBs of that 8 GBs of RAM you have.

Robbie,

Also, is this the correct version of Windows 7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116992

or can I use this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Thats a great psu. It is also modular which means less cable clutter in your case.
Make sure to get a 2gb reference model 6950 if you plan on unlocking to a 6950.
Other than that you'll be very happy with your build

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151087
PSU I was referred to

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231444
I personally like the reviews of this ram.. its able to be overclocked decently, seems like RAM overclocking isnt much of a sandybridge strong point. I wouldn't go with 1333mhz ram

Before we go further, I just want to say how IMPRESSED I am with the forums. You guys are so great with your responses.... so TY TY so much.

Let me give you this build now, see if there's anything else you recommend.



LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
Item #: N82E16827106335
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$24.99


COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119233
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$59.99


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136533
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$89.99


HIS H695FT2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Item #: N82E16814161359
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$279.99


CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$35.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$139.99
$104.99


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231311
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$84.99


MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813130574
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$179.99


Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Item #: N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$224.99


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$99.99


Subtotal: $1,149.91

Also you should get the coolermaster hyper 212 plus if you plan to overclock.

OK Robbie, I got the PSU replaced with the modular one + I added the coolmaster 212 in the event I plan on overclocking (that's a completely different conversation all together I am sure)

So finally, this is my spec... what do you think?



LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
Item #: N82E16827106335
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$24.99


COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119233
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$59.99


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136533
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$89.99


HIS H695FT2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Item #: N82E16814161359
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$279.99


CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active ...
Item #: N82E16817139010
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$169.99
$139.99


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231311
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$84.99


MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813130574
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$179.99


Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Item #: N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$224.99


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$99.99


COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
Item #: N82E16835103065
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$34.99


Subtotal: $1,219.90

Thanks cmadrid. I'll make those revisions no problem. Is there a particular ram that you do recommend? I was getting G Skill since it was usually pretty inexpensive RAM, but am totally open to suggestions.

It looks pretty good

Overclocking seems to be pretty easy with sandy bridge, I don't think you'll have any problems with at least a moderate overclock when you decide to do it

There are some cheaper 1600 g skill ram on newegg as well.. that particular set of RAM is CAS 6 and people have reported pushing the speed up over 1600 with no problems

You will want a 64 bit OS so it will support more than 3GB of ram. Only get the sata 6.0 GB/s on the hard drive if it is cheaper than the 3.0 GB/s, it makes no difference on a 7200rpm drive.

Guess I should've refreshed the page I didn't see all the new posts sorry for being repeatitive.

looks pretty sweet

If I added another 4GB RAM it's not going to make a lick of difference will it?

Let's talk about the Motherboard for a moment. Am I going to be okay with using this one? I picked this one simply based on other other specs around here, but honestly that was about the only reason why.

MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130574

IF I spent another $20.00 or so, I could get this one:

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

x58 motherboards won't work with sandy bridge.
you could get the p67 sabretooth, aguable the best p67 board around
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131702

Another great p67 MB is the p8p67 pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131703

Yes, that seems like a very nice board also, but what exactly would be the difference in the AsRock Etreme and the MSI one

AsRock: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131703
MSI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130574

In a perfect world, I do absolutely want to do that, but I'd hate to sacrifice performance and quality if I could help it. But you are correct, $800 would be ideal. However, as you can see, I'll almost $400 over that. But I can see the quality difference that I'm paying for.

I'll definitely update that spec to include that AsRock board and thank you for the recommendation.

Thank you for that note. That scares me a little:

1.) Are you saying the MSI 6950 will run loud?
2.) I understand what you are saying about heat... burning something up is the last thing I want to do, so I will add the 200m megaflow fans.

I would prefer not to have a LED based fan to be honest. I see there are MANY MANY options. Do you recommend one over the other? Or will this one just work fine. Again, complete novice here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Oh, about that NZXT fan, I'm not sure if the holes will align.

Help me find some 200mm case fans that would be compatible I can't seem to google any info on them and that's throwing me for a loop

I own a HAF 912 and I haven't had any issues with mounting anything from the Graphics card (GTX 570) to my fairly big heatsink, the thermaltake frio. It's a pretty spacy case for a mid tower.