Rookie Build - Compatibility Check and Suggestions (Ordering Soon)

[Pecota]

I'm building a custom system for the first time and wanted to get some feedback on where I'm at. The info on the site and forum have been a great help so far (I'm definitely a novice when it comes to builds), but I still wanted to double-check some things before finalizing any orders.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions or advice you may have.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a few days.

Budget Range: $650 - $700, but I could push to $750ish if an upgrade is worth it.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Casual Gaming (SC2, sandbox/RPG-style games like Fallout etc., FPS's) media streaming/internet surfing, day-to-day application use.

Parts Not Required: Mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor (will purchase separately).

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country of Origin: If this means for parts, no preference. I live in the US.

Parts Preferences: Intel Sandy Bridge CPU, Radeon GPU.

Overclocking: Maybe, but not a high priority.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future, but doubtful.

Monitor Resolution: Up to 1920x1080, I think. I'm shopping for a typical widescreen 21"+ LED monitor.

Additional Comments: I have a few specific concerns:

1.) Does it look like there may be any compatibility issues, either with things not working at all or certain parts being a bad match with regard to optimal performance? I've checked, but am paranoid about these things.

2.) Based on what's listed below, should I spend an extra $35-$90 to upgrade the CPU and/or MOBO? As I said, overclocking isn't a big deal to me (should it be?), so this was reflected in the choice of CPU. I'm kind of wary of going too far over budget, but place a high priority on the performance of the CPU.

3.) I was originally going to get a Z68 MOBO, but newegg sold out of the AsRock one I was looking at. Should I just stick with the P67 model instead (the AsRock's happen to be the same price)? Both types can be had for comparable prices, depending on brand.

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Parts List

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

or for $35 more

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

MOBO: ASRock P67 PRO3 SE LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157249

or for $40 more

ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229

RAM: Edit: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (8-8-8-24)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275

GPU: ASUS Radeon HD 6850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121419

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

CD/DVD RW: LG DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136216

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

Case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Total cost for the above build is about $700.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Why_Me]

Not bad Combo that 2500K with the G.Skill RAM to save $23 and then tack on the promo code. If you ever plan on running dual vid cards then look at that same Asrock extreme4 @ amazon for better price + free shipping or look at the MSI P67 G43 to save even more money.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.654197 $209.98
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

 

[Pecota]

I took another look at the AsRock extreme4 (it's actually the same price on amazon and newegg - I'd pay the $8 shipping to not have to wait 2-4 weeks from amazon though). If I were to combine that MOBO ($160) with the i5-2500K ($225) and a pair of 2 GB G-Skill Ripjaws ($40 with rebate), that would leave my tab at about $770.

Given the boost to the mobo and cpu (plus legit overclocking and crossfire 2x8 as an option now), does that sound like a good buy? I'm currently leaning towards that setup.

 

[mlcaouette]

Here is a cheap ram kit 8GB 1866 $79.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460&cm_re=g_skill_8gb_1866-_-20-231-460-_-Product

I'd do this M/B and cpu combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.652042

The samsung f3 is the same price but a better drive from amazon.

The hyper 212+ is only 29.99 from walmart.com:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coolermaster-Hyper-212-Plus-Universal-Cooler/15268213

 

[Pecota]

Bump.

Anyone have any additional thoughts? Is the 2500k cpu the way to go here so I can overclock down the road? I figure if I spend the extra $75 now to beef up the cpu and mobo, it would go a long way in future-proofing my computer (I plan on having it for a while).

I'm probably going to order stuff tonight, I don't want them to sell out of anymore parts.

 

[mlcaouette]

Looks like the hyper 212+ went down in price on amazon, it was $35.00 now it is $28.xx.

If you want to save a little bit one the PSU this one is ten cheaper with a promo code, is semi modular, and has sleeved cables (and a 20 dollar MIR):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL053111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL053111-_-EMC-053111-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17341016-L03C
Since 650 watts isn't really enough for two cards you might as well get a 500 watt for now or go ahead and get a 750 watt.

 

[genghiskron]

My current picks would be
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.651987
+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL053111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL053111-_-EMC-053111-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20233144-L02A
+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL053111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL053111-_-EMC-053111-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17139006-L03B
with promo code EMCKEGJ36
+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL053111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL053111-_-EMC-053111-Index-_-InternalHardDrives-_-22148697-L0E
with promo code EMCKEGJ28