1st Build ever! I5-2500K P67 $1000 under PC

[SCSandyBoc]

1st Build ever! I5-2500K P67 $1000 under PC

This is my first build and I am looking to spend under $1000. I have always wanted to build my own computer and now I am, so I am really excited. Please provide guidance for my build from your great pool of knowledge and experience. Thank you in advance.

Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 week
Budget Range: below $1000
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Multitasking multiple applications like MS Office and proprietary software, open multiple browsers, gaming, web surfing, movies, etc.
Parts Not Required: Monitor, OS, keyboard, mouse
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: by brand or type :Intel build
Overclocking: Most likely – reading up on it still. Will do when ready.
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe Later
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080, 1920x1200
Additional Comments: I want all the components to be compatibly and stable.


CPU: $225
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&cm_re=i5_2500k-_-19-115-072-_-Product

CPU Cooler: $40 (amazon might be cheaper I think I saw it for around $30)
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=COOLER%20MASTER%20Hyper%20212%20Plus%20RR-B10-212P-G1

MOBO: $160
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229&cm_re=ASRock_P67_EXTREME4-_-13-157-229-_-Product
- I heard a lot of great reviews about this mobo; seems very stable compared to all the problems with other mobo’s.

GPU: $170
EVGA 01G-P3-1372-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130571

RAM: $95 (Memorial Sale for $75) – Just got this!
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
- Was going for 4GB RAM, but for an additional $25 I get double the RAM
- Do you think that is too much?

HDD: $59.99 (Got it w. promotion for 49.99) – Bought this already! – Storage Drive
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697
- is SATA 6GB a lot more impressive then SATA 3GB?

Primary Drive: ??
- I have read about SSD (60-120GB) and how it is use for installing the OS for running applications, programs, games and overall faster. Saving small files to the SSD and the rest to the HDD. I am thinking about going SSD or maybe getting another HDD. I would appreciate any advice and guidance in this area. Thanks.

Some options:

SSD ($120)
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State
Drive (SSD) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550

SSD ($160)
Kingston SSDNow V+100 SVP100S2B/96GR 2.5" 96GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139412
- Pretty good reviews and a nice rebate.

Should I pick one of these SSD or is there a HDD that I should go for?

CASE: $50
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

PSU: $85
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
- Is this adequate power for my build?

Optical Drive: $20
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X 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 CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289


Thank you for your help!

 

[cmadrid]

Looks good! For $40 go with the scythe mungen 2 rev B heatsink.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142&cm_re=scythe-_-35-185-142-_-Product

 

[crewton]

this is the vertex 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227704&cm_re=vertex_2-_-20-227-704-_-Product you want. VTXE uses the 22nm instead of the 34nm.

 

[Silvune]

Yes the Corsair 650TX is 'adequate' for your build, but it doesn't have enough PCIe connectors to SLI GTX 460s, it has also been replaced by an 'updated', newer version which is superior in most ways, but still only has two PCIe connectors; if you have to get a Corsair 650TX get the 650TXV2.

However I would recommend this:
XFX 650W XXX Edition (grey fan) 80Plus Bronze Modular $89 ($20 rebate, $4 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007
As it is just as good, but is modular and cheaper after the rebate, both of which make it better.

Mechanical harddrives that use a SATA6G interface do not perform significantly, if at all, better than drives that use SATA3G.

Gaming builds don't really benefit from having more than 4GB of RAM, unless maybe there is multi-tasking going on whilst gaming. If you have the budget and can get 8GB for a good price then it doesn't really hurt and I seriously doubt you would need to upgrade in the near/medium future unless you really start using programs that eat lots of RAM.

 

[genghiskron]

ditch the SSD for now and get a better graphics card, like a 560ti or a 6950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.648371

 

[SCSandyBoc]

Looks good! For $40 go with the scythe mungen 2 rev B heatsink.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142&cm_re=scythe-_-35-185-142-_-Product

Thank you, will look further into the scythe mungen heatsink. Both right now seems like good Heatsink options.

 

[SCSandyBoc]

this is the vertex 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227704&cm_re=vertex_2-_-20-227-704-_-Product you want. VTXE uses the 22nm instead of the 34nm.

SSD seems too expensive for me now. I saw the Kingston SSD I mention on top earlier with rebate comes to about $99, but now it’s like $150 after rebate. I think I should wait for it to come down more before going SSD. SSD is the way to go eventually.
What do you think about HDD alternative for my Primary Drive?:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795

 

[SCSandyBoc]

Yes the Corsair 650TX is 'adequate' for your build, but it doesn't have enough PCIe connectors to SLI GTX 460s, it has also been replaced by an 'updated', newer version which is superior in most ways, but still only has two PCIe connectors; if you have to get a Corsair 650TX get the 650TXV2.

However I would recommend this:
XFX 650W XXX Edition (grey fan) 80Plus Bronze Modular $89 ($20 rebate, $4 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007
As it is just as good, but is modular and cheaper after the rebate, both of which make it better.

Mechanical harddrives that use a SATA6G interface do not perform significantly, if at all, better than drives that use SATA3G.

Gaming builds don't really benefit from having more than 4GB of RAM, unless maybe there is multi-tasking going on whilst gaming. If you have the budget and can get 8GB for a good price then it doesn't really hurt and I seriously doubt you would need to upgrade in the near/medium future unless you really start using programs that eat lots of RAM.

Thanks for the upgrade information about the PSU. As for the PSU SLI compatibility issue is a little confusing as to why Corsair 650TX cannot SLI two GTX 460’s? The PSU states that it is SLI and Crossfire ready. Is that a misprint… could someone enlighten me a little. Sorry if this may be basics but I really do not understand why this PSU won’t work.

 

[cmadrid]

I'd get a Samsung Spinpoint f3 1tb HDD

 

[genghiskron]

I believe you need 4x Pci-e connectors (2 each) for GTX 460's in SLI. The 650tx has only 2 pci-e connectors. However, many graphics cards will come with a molex to pci-e adapter, which will allow you to use spare molex connectors to power your graphics card.

Again, I think you are selling yourself short with a gtx 460, especially one priced high at $175.

 

[SCSandyBoc]

Ok, thank you for elaborating a bit there about the PSU and the PCIe connectors. So I would need 4 PCIe connectors to SLI the GTX 460. Is it the same if I upgrade to 560ti and later SLI two 560ti? If so, is the XFX P1-650X-CAH9 650W ATX12V PCI-Express Connector 1 x 6-Pin, 3 x 6+2-Pin sufficient? For this build and for future OC, SLI, maybe OC GPU is 650watts sufficient? Thanks.

 

[SCSandyBoc]

I also purchase Kingston SSDNow V+100 SVP100S2/96G 2.5" 96GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) from newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139408
Thought it was a great deal after rebate its like $99 (almost $1 per 1GB!). Not sure how good it is but I thought it was too good of a deal to last so I jumped on it. This drive will have my OS and main applications on it. Does anyone have any opinion on this?

 

[subasteve5800]

You can pick up a 6850 for the same price ($170 with free shipping, it also has a $20 mail in rebate but I never count on those) as the 460. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150516

The 6850 has similar performance and lower power consumption/temperatures. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/291?vs=313

Or go up to $200 ($180 after rebate) and go for this sweet ASUS 6870. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121418

Also, if you live near a microcenter ( http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html ) you can pick up an i5-2500K for ~$180+tax

 

[Silvune]

As for the PSU SLI compatibility issue is a little confusing as to why Corsair 650TX cannot SLI two GTX 460’s? The PSU states that it is SLI and Crossfire ready. Is that a misprint… could someone enlighten me a little.

It must mean that it is certified for graphics cards that only need one PCIe connector each. Altho I haven't checked what cards it is certified for. I haven't checked because I don't think those badges are that useful, as far as I'm concerned they are just marketing/selling points which (some) other people think are important.
It has enough wattage to SLI GTX 460s, but I would prefer not to use adapters because they create extra cable clutter inside your case. Molex cables used to be used to power graphics cards (5+ years ago) but they were replaced by the 6pin PCIe cable, probably for a number of other goods reasons.

Ok, thank you for elaborating a bit there about the PSU and the PCIe connectors. So I would need 4 PCIe connectors to SLI the GTX 460. Is it the same if I upgrade to 560ti and later SLI two 560ti? If so, is the XFX P1-650X-CAH9 650W ATX12V PCI-Express Connector 1 x 6-Pin, 3 x 6+2-Pin sufficient? For this build and for future OC, SLI, maybe OC GPU is 650watts sufficient? Thanks.

Yes, to SLI GTX 560 Tis you would need a power supply that has 4 PCIe connectors (if you don't want to use adapters) and enough wattage. Personally I think that 650W is enough, because tests/reviews have told me that under full load a system with two GTX 560 Tis use close to/under 500 watts, which won't be a problem for a good 650W PSU. Full load conditions on systems aren't that common in my view.

[strike]If you think that you will be using your system under sustained, heavy loads for extended periods of time and/or you are overclocking a lot and/or you want a lot of upgrade options, and/or think that 500W is too much for a 650W PSU then it would probably make sense to get a 750W PSU. [/strike]

Seeing as you are entertaining the idea of OCing your GPU then I would lean more towards getting a 750W PSU, but the 650W would still be able to handle it, it just might be more comfortable with a 750W unit.

The Corsair 750TXV2 is one of the better/cheaper options for a 750W unit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021
80Plus Bronze, $110 ($100 after rebate). It has enough connectors for your build.

 

[stephano320]

I just built myself an i52500k system, maybe my choices will give you some help....
I needed a small board for my small case so I used an
MSI Z68ma-ED55 motherboard
8 GB Kingston HyperX 1600 memory
A Corsair 450 watt power supply from my old quad core
2 TB hitachi drive from my old quad core
a Kingston 128 Gb SSD dvive
An Arctic cooler 7 pro
and a dirt cheap LG DVD burner

No video card because I'm more into Video editing and photoshop and Word than gaming and the Z68 chipset is designed to do "quick Sync" fast transcoding. IT SURE DOES it fast too

Oh and I let the board overclock itself...... it runs at 4.6 Ghz and is cool. So is the 450 watt power supply. Even after 6 hours of Prime 95
Maybe the 450 Watt supply would be strained with a monster graphics card like a 260 but for me its great.

 

[SCSandyBoc]

As for the PSU SLI compatibility issue is a little confusing as to why Corsair 650TX cannot SLI two GTX 460’s? The PSU states that it is SLI and Crossfire ready. Is that a misprint… could someone enlighten me a little.

It must mean that it is certified for graphics cards that only need one PCIe connector each. Altho I haven't checked what cards it is certified for. I haven't checked because I don't think those badges are that useful, as far as I'm concerned they are just marketing/selling points which (some) other people think are important.
It has enough wattage to SLI GTX 460s, but I would prefer not to use adapters because they create extra cable clutter inside your case. Molex cables used to be used to power graphics cards (5+ years ago) but they were replaced by the 6pin PCIe cable, probably for a number of other goods reasons.


Yes, to SLI GTX 560 Tis you would need a power supply that has 4 PCIe connectors (if you don't want to use adapters) and enough wattage. Personally I think that 650W is enough, because tests/reviews have told me that under full load a system with two GTX 560 Tis use close to/under 500 watts, which won't be a problem for a good 650W PSU. Full load conditions on systems aren't that common in my view.

[strike]If you think that you will be using your system under sustained, heavy loads for extended periods of time and/or you are overclocking a lot and/or you want a lot of upgrade options, and/or think that 500W is too much for a 650W PSU then it would probably make sense to get a 750W PSU. [/strike]

Seeing as you are entertaining the idea of OCing your GPU then I would lean more towards getting a 750W PSU, but the 650W would still be able to handle it, it just might be more comfortable with a 750W unit.

The Corsair 750TXV2 is one of the better/cheaper options for a 750W unit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021
80Plus Bronze, $110 ($100 after rebate). It has enough connectors for your build.

Thanks a lot! I see that the 750TX v2 is a good choice since I will be OCing the GPU eventually. I saw another PSU that is also Corsair and with the same watts and same price and rebate. Which one is better? I would like to buy one of them. Anyone has personal experience with any of these PSU’s?

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
The Corsair 750TXV2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

 

[SCSandyBoc]

Thanks stephano320 for showing me your setup. Looks nice!


I just realize the SSD I purchase is 2.5 meant for laptop. My Tower Case Roswill Challenger has 2.5" SSD/HDD adapter allows to install 2x 2.5" SSD/HDD into a 3.5" HDD slot; I know my case takes SSD 2.5. It is my first time buying SSD, so does that mean desktop motherboards accept MLC architecture SSD? The SSD interface type is SATA II, so how do I connect that to my MOBO? And PSU?


Roswill Challenger
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153&Tpk=roswill%20challanger

Kingston SSDNow V+100 SVP100S2/96G 2.5" 96GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) from newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139408

ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229&cm_re=ASRock_P67_EXTREME4-_-13-157-229-_-Product

 

[Silvune]

The 750TXV2 is better because it is newer, more efficient, probably has better voltage regulation and ripple and noise suppression as well.

Laptops and desktops can both SSDs of the same form factor, so no you won't have any problems installing/using that SSD in your build.

To connect your SSD to your motherboard you just use the normal SATA cables which come with your motherboard. To connect them to your PSU you just use the normal SATA connectors that they have.

 

[SCSandyBoc]

Best answer selected by SCSandyBOC.