Please help finish this build, Thank you

[drew7]

I am building a new home computer for recreational use, not for gaming. So the main components I have picked out are:

Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087

Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

ZOTAC ZT-50401-10L GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500193&Tpk=ZT-50401-10L

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&cm_re=windows_7_oem-_-32-116-986-_-Product

HITACHI Deskstar 7K3000 HDS723015BLA642 (0F12114) 1.5TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145520

Asus 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204


NEEDS
1. Memory. Suggestions on what to look for?

2. Case? So many options now, compared to my last build 6 years ago.

3. Power Supply. Is 500 watts, what I need? Brand? Specs? SLI Ready?

 

[shadow1942]

unless you are planning on overclocking drop down to i2500 non k model.

replace HDD with samsung spinpoint 3 (faster and cheaper but only 1tb)

For memory you need to ensure that its rated as 1.5volts as this is recommended for sandy bridge, its also recommended to get dual channel ram. something like this
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/40622-f3-12800cl8d-8gbxm
(you could drop down to 1333 speed if you wanted to save a few bucks and reduce from 8 gig to 4)

cases:
cheap case
coolermaster advanced II (great reviews)
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/37660-rc-692-kwn2

or more pricey
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/39278-b8nl2-ugw

http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/40528-cc650dw

I think the GTX550 Ti draws around 250watts at load so 500-600 would be fine unless you plan to SLI them

 

[gkay09]

Some suggestions and alternatives with combos,...
Mobo + RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689150

GPU - HD 6770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102940

Antec HCG
10% off with promo code Julsv10, ends 7/31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047

CASE - Get the one you like,...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112323
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121096
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146058
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098

 

[drew7]

Thanks for taking the time to post the links, I appreciate....

Any difference between these power supplies?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047


The trouble with buying cases online is its hard to tell the quality.... Is the power button flimsy, is the case solid?.....

Is there a brand to stay away from a brand you can't go wrong with?

I was also thinking a top mount power supply is better for a case (again, reading reviews)....

 

[shadow1942]

The OCZ has two 12v rails where as the antec one has a single rail. Both are bronze certified. Other than that theres not much difference between the two.

Coolermaster and corsair are generally good brands though its best to find one you like and look up reviews on it to be sure.

The coolermaster CM690 advance II is a good choice (got rave reviews and is cheap)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

 

[gkay09]

^^ For cases, generally Antec/ CoolerMaster/ Silverstone/ NZXT/ Corsair/ Lian-Li/ Thermaltake is preferred over other brands,...

PSU - Both are very good PSUs,... the OCZ had an advantage that it is modular, but performance wise, I would rate the Antec higher,... Anyways I doubt for a 500W PSU, being modular matters if you will be using up all the cables,...

 

[drew7]

So which is faster?

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

HITACHI Deskstar 7K3000 1.5TB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000014%20600003269%20600003340%20600003334&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=14|22-152-185^22-152-185-TS%2C22-145-520^22-145-520-TS

 

[skibicki]

unless you are planning on overclocking drop down to i2500 non k model.

A 2500k could have higher resale value.

 

[drew7]

Going with the 2500K this bundle would cost with rebate.....$261.98....dont think you can beat that....

Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0364087

Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0354589

 

[drew7]

The OCZ has two 12v rails where as the antec one has a single rail. Both are bronze certified. Other than that theres not much difference between the two.

Coolermaster and corsair are generally good brands though its best to find one you like and look up reviews on it to be sure.

The coolermaster CM690 advance II is a good choice (got rave reviews and is cheap)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

Talked to the guy at microcenter and he said for the GX 550Ti and for i2500k and gigabyte z68 MB that 600w would work....

Ok so I am reading up on Mulitple rails.... does this mean that only certain motherboards support or is it still 1 plug into the motherboard....???