Gaming PC Review Please!!

[Mitsukaixx]

After a few posts of asking for advice, and suggestions, id like to post all the info, plus what i have, and what im looking to get, as a final review to see if its good or not(also unsure about which mobo i should be getting still)

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully within the next month or so.

Budget Range: 600-1000 (After taxes, not looking for any rebates)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Chatting with friends(msn, skype, ventrilo), watching movies, internet browsing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, headset, Case(using a Antec DF-85), PSU(using CoolerMaster GX650W), HDD, CD drive.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.ca, amazon.ca, bestdirect.ca, directcanada.ca (basically w/e is least expensive), and has free shipping!

Country of Origin: Canada, BC

Parts Preferences: Intel, Nvidia(EVGA preffered but open to other idea's)

Overclocking: Probably not

SLI or Crossfire: Possibly in the future when I buy a new psu

Monitor Resolution: 1680x 1050, will boost to 1920x1080 or w/e its is 1900x1200 one of those when i buy a new monitor.

Additional Comments: looking for best bang for my buck, looking to spend closer to the $600 range, for Mobo, CPU, GPU, and the RAM I only need those 4 things. Willing to spend maximum of $1000, but as i said prefere to be closer to the $600-700 mark.

This is what I currently have:
Case: Antec DF-85
Mobo: Asus P5QL PRO
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz
RAM: 2.0GB Single-Channel DDR2 @ 333MHz (5-5-5-15)
GPU: 512MB GeForce 9800 GT (EVGA)
PSU: CoolerMaster GX 650W

Here is a List of the items im looking at getting, any advice on whether or not these are good picks or not is very welcome, and any suggestions are also very welcome.

Mobo: unsure of at the moment, theres been a few iv bene hearing about, but otherwise im completly unsure what is best.

Cpu: Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232639/BX80623I52500K/Intel/

RAM: G.SKILL SNIPER 8GB 2x4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 1.5V Memory Kit
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/233999/F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR/G.SKILL/

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

Current Total: $542.70 Canadian after taxes, for those three items. Main thing im looking for is the mobo, cpu is pretty solid, and gpu is as well i think?, ram im not 100% sure about, and mobo iv got no idea.

 

[Mitsukaixx]

bump?

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

If I were you, I'd go with these

Processor: Core i5 2500k 3.3GHz
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB DDR3 1600 (You could save $5 if you got 1333mhz RAM, 1600mhz barely makes a difference)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 560
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

So far the same you have except RAM, you could go with the Sniper Series, but the Ripjaws series is another option with great reviews.

For MoBo, try this:

MoBo: ASUS P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - $129.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131781

I does only have one review, (5 eggs), but ASUS is a pretty reputable brand, and I would suggest getting this. You could get the price lower, but that would mean possibly getting a Micro ATX board, so you'd have less features, or get it from a less reputable brand, which would not be a smart move.

 

[Mitsukaixx]

If I were you, I'd go with these

Processor: Core i5 2500k 3.3GHz
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB DDR3 1600 (You could save $5 if you got 1333mhz RAM, 1600mhz barely makes a difference)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 560
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

So far the same you have except RAM, you could go with the Sniper Series, but the Ripjaws series is another option with great reviews.

For MoBo, try this:

MoBo: ASUS P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - $129.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131781

I does only have one review, (5 eggs), but ASUS is a pretty reputable brand, and I would suggest getting this. You could get the price lower, but that would mean possibly getting a Micro ATX board, so you'd have less features, or get it from a less reputable brand, which would not be a smart move.

which ram is the better ram though? the ripjaws or the sniper? and ill take a look at that board.

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

If you look at the link under this for a bit than it looks like the Ripjaws are slightly better, for two reasons. (The first few posts)
1. The ridges on the top of it help cool the RAM better,
and 2. They are compatible with more chipsets.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/284736-30-skill-sniper-ripjaws-ddr3

So I would say Ripjaws. Hope that helped.

 

[Mitsukaixx]

If you look at the link under this for a bit than it looks like the Ripjaws are slightly better, for two reasons. (The first few posts)
1. The ridges on the top of it help cool the RAM better,
and 2. They are compatible with more chipsets.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/284736-30-skill-sniper-ripjaws-ddr3

So I would say Ripjaws. Hope that helped.

Alright definetly sounds like ripjaws are the better deal, one more question though, would the ripjaws x series be better or more worth the money then the ripjaw series? and also how much RAM would be good enough, i figured 8GB should be more then plenty, but id like to make sure.

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

Hmm, I had forgotten about the Ripjaws X series. I would say that for an Intel Sandy Bridge system, the Ripjaws X would be better. The Ripjaws X were specifically designed for Sandy Bridge systems because of the occasional problem running RAM higher than 1.6V, so the Riipjaws X series runs at 1.5V instead. Same price as non-X series of Ripjaws, and with free shipping, I would definitely go with the Ripjaws X series. Here is 8GB of it, DDR3, 1600mhz.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

And yes, 8GB is more than enough, most games nowadays are using 2GB-4GB of RAM, so 8GB of RAM will be pretty future proof for years to come. I'd say stick with 8GB for a few years, then eventually upgrade to 16GB, but again, not for a few years as it is most definitely not necessary yet.

Hope I helped.

 

[Mitsukaixx]

ah yay sounds good, yes you have helped alot Thank you. ^^, are there any other mobo's you suggest? or is the one you suggested already soemthing you would go with yourself and such?

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

Personally, I would go with that board, as I would be trying to save some money.

If you willing to spend more for more features, you could get this Gigabyte board:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506
It has 2 USB 3.0's, 8 USB 2.0's, 4 Sata 6Gb/s connectors, HDMI, RAM support for 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866, and 2133, not even requiring you to overclock for them, up to 32GB of RAM supported for $189.99

Or, this Biostar board, for $134.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138320
It has support for 1600mhz RAM, (1866, 2000, and 2200 if you overclock), no support for 1333mhz RAM though.
Also up to 32GB of RAM supported. However, only 2 Sata 6Gb/s ports, 6 USB 2.0 ports, and no USB 3.0 ports. It comes with A LOT of extras though.
The extras are: 1 HDMI cable, 3 Sata cables, 2 low profile brackets (not sure what these are for), 1 Sata power cable, and a Remote control and 2 batteries for it. I have no idea what the remote is for though. I think all three of these are good options, ASUS, Biostar, and Gigabyte.
To save money, go with ASUS. $129.99
For lots of extras but at a loss of some features, go with Biostar. $134.99
For the best overall value, but pricey, go with Gigabyte. $189.99

It's really up to you as to what you want the most, I know you could fit the gigabyte in your budget, but it does cost a lot.

If I had the money, I would go for the Gigabyte board, otherwise I'd get the ASUS or Biostar, probably the Biostar because of so many extras that come with it, and USB 3.0's aren't a huge deal to me.

 

[Mitsukaixx]

Okay so this is what if deceided on so far then:

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506
-OR-
ASUS P8Z68-V LX Z68
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/236955/P8Z68-V%20LX/ASUS/

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232639/BX80623I52500K/Intel/

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232566/F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL/G.SKILL/

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604
-OR-
EVGA GeForce GTX 570 HD Fermi 732MHZ 1280MB GDDR5 2XDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Video Card
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232990/012-P3-1571-KR/eVGA/

SO questions are, is the asus sli ready/compatible, if not then it would probably be better to get the gigabyte board for a bit more, and stick with the 560 ti, if yes, then ill stick with the asus and stay with the 560 ti or perhaps consider going to the 570, provided that the 570 is worth the extra money over the 560 ti in performance.

suggestions? inputs?

 

[Mitsukaixx]

BUMPED

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

It looks like it should be SLI/Crossfire ready, if you zoom in on the board you can see it says CrossfireX Ready. The Gigabyte board, however, is a x16 and a x8 and comes with an SLI bridge, whereas the ASUS board is x16 and x4 and doesn't come with an SLI bridge. Personally, I think it would be better to go with the Gigabyte board if you're willing to spend the extra money, it will be better in the long run. If you want to save money, then go with the ASUS.

The link under this shows the differences between the 560 ti and 570. The 570 can get between 4-12 more frames per second it looks like, but consumes a lot more power, 49 watts. Personally, I wouldn't pay the extra $100+ for the 570, stick with the 560 ti. Especially since if you don't need the graphics to be on highest, then on medium it should get a lot more frames per second.
http://www.hwcompare.com/8999/geforce-gtx-560-ti-vs-geforce-gtx-570/

So, in short, I would say Gigabyte MoBo and the 560 ti.

 

[Mitsukaixx]

So this is my current build now.

Mobo: Gigabyte P67X-UD3-B3 ATX LGA1155 P67
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/234671/GA-P67X-UD3-B3/Gigabyte/

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232639/BX80623I52500K/Intel/

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232566/F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL/G.SKILL/

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti Superclocked Fermi 900MHZ 1024MB
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232919/01G-P3-1563-AR/eVGA/

Im pretty set on that and I think it will be a good build, the board supports crossfire, and does x16 on first slot then when crossfired goes to x8 x8 if i remember correctly so that wont be a huge impact on the cards if/when i get a second 560ti to crossfire it. My only worry/wonder, is if i should wait it out till the new sandy bridge/ivy bridge cpus come out, and then of course which one is the better cpu the sandy bridge or the ivy bridge. i think the ivy bridge is supposed to be for the low ends? (i3) and the sandy bridge is meant for the performance end?(i5's) im not sure.

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

The ivy bridge processors will be compatible with that motherboard, as they will be compatible with LGA1155 chipsets. I would go with what you have now, the i5 2500K is already one of the fastest processors out there now, then when the time comes that Ivy Bridge and/or new Sandy Bridge are better than that and worth the extra money, then get it. I say stick with what you have. Hope you enjoy your new computer!

 

[Mitsukaixx]

Best answer selected by Mitsukaixx.

 

[ScottyComputer]

I know Im really late on this but I just started here. Anyway, I believe that ASUS board doesn't support SLI so that is going to be a problem in the future when you decide to upgrade. Just something I saw.

Thanks