Questions On My First Build (~$1000)

[trevlevs]

CPU:Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor

Motherboard:MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Video Card:SAPPHIRE FleX 100314FLEX Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

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

HDD:SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PSU:CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

Optics Drive:ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

Case:ZALMAN Z9 Plus Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Heatsink:COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

I posted this build about a week ago, and made many changes to the parts list. I have a few questions before I go ahead and purchase all of these items.

1) Will all of these parts fit together and fit inside the case?
2) I did some research on the Sapphire FLEX Radeon 6870 GPU and cannot find dimensions. Will the full-size graphics card fit inside my mid-size tower?
3) Is there a better motherboard to get? I basically chose this one from reading a few topics and noticing that it was decent. I'd just like one with Crossfire ability for a possible upgrade to dual GPUs in the future.
4) The Zalman Z9 Plus comes with 4 120mm fans installed, and has 3 more spots for 2 140mm fans and a 120mm fan. Will I have room to fill all of those in, and if so, should I? Is it worth the extra money? There is a 140mm spot on the top and bottom, and a 120mm on the mesh side of the case, which would be another blue LED 120mm.
5) Is investing in liquid cooling worth it?

I appreciate any and all advice/comments/responses! Thanks!

 

[trevlevs]

So I've been researching and decided to upgrade to a Z68 Mobo and found this deal on Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.674836

If I do go through with this, can I run a SSD with the Samsung Spinpoint HDD, and if it's possible, is that difficult to do?

Is it worth getting a SSD?

 

[BohleyK]

SSD's are great. If you can afford one, get one. You won't see much of a difference in smaller file loads such as games and applications but when it comes to large file transfers, reboots, and installs you will see the benefit. Grab the Z68 Mobo combo.

The 6870 isn't a beast card. It should fit in your case fine. You may want to compare the 6870 with the GTX460 since they are priced the same and rival in performance. Just a suggestion.

 

[trevlevs]

I've actually looked into the GTX460, but apparently there have been issues with 3dsMax and Autodesk with the rendering and whatnot, and I will need to use those programs so I thought I'd go with Radeon and be safe.

Thanks for the input!

 

[BohleyK]

Well grab the 6870 then.

I updated my old post but you already replied so...

Liquid cooling is for people with too much money. Air coolers are just as good in most cases unless your talking GPU cooling. It sounds like this is your first build or that you are not experienced enough to get into real liquid cooling anyways. Best to stick with air coolers.

If you are concerned with air flow in your case Antec and Corsair are making great cases. Coolermaster has great airflow cases as well but they usually not much too look at.

 

[trevlevs]

I'll most likely be keeping the Zalman case, but I'm going to continue reviewing other cases.

 

[Why_Me]

Here's a copy & paste from a build I posted on another thread that's similar to yours and in your price range.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Enforcer-Interior-SGC-1000-KWN1/dp/B004WK3KKQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1309650281&sr=1-6 $79.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00518M77U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $128.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Gigabyte Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 2133 LGA 1155 Motherboard GA-Z68A-D3H-B3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662487 $454.98 $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $434.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
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

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $29.51 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416 $67.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 $54.99 FREE SHIPPING $5 off w/ promo code EMCKCKB22, ends 7/14
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $19.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

Total: $936.43 *not including mail in rebates and promo codes

Here's an additional case fan for the top of that case.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Computer-Cooling-R4-LUS-07AR-GP/dp/B002LE8BJA/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b $14.31 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master Computer Case Cooling R4-LUS-07AR-GP 200mm Red LED Case Fan

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=3038 <----- CM Storm Enforcer w/pics, specs, and professional reviews

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/1 <------ MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC Review / Benchmarks

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3856#ov <----- GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3

 

[genghiskron]

the spinpoint is $10 cheaper on newegg fyi

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I've actually looked into the GTX460, but apparently there have been issues with 3dsMax and Autodesk with the rendering and whatnot, and I will need to use those programs so I thought I'd go with Radeon and be safe.

Thanks for the input!

ATI cards have the issue with AutoCAD 2D drafting and 3D Rendering (no CUDA). With the extra $70, I'd spend some of it on the 560 Ti (900 MHz).

$170.00 6870 (434/701) $0.39 - $0.49
$210.00 560 Ti - 900 Mhz (495/862) $0.42 - $0.49

The 460 is CUDA enabled across the board, the 560 needs to be unlocked for some programs.

http://www.studio1productions.com/Articles/PremiereCS5.htm

Save $15 on the RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145324