$1000-$1500 First Build (Im a noob at this stuff)

[nanospy]

Hey people, I finally decided to build my own pc

Approximate Purchase Date: Next 2 weeks or so.
Budget Range: $1000-$1500
System Usage from Most to Least Important: GAMING, surfing, minor edditing every now and again. Then basic stuff like work(office), occasional movie watching, etc.
Parts Not Required: Mouse, speakers, printer. (need a monitor though.)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Neweggs fine, because there prices are good
Country of Origin: I'm from India but I live in Singapore, don't worry about the newegg shipping tho i got a way of getting it to singapore quite cheaply.
Parts Preferences: Like I said, Im a bit of a noob, but id prefer to stick with an intel cpu.
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Monitor Resolution: 1920/whatever's worth it.
Additional Comments: Please dont get angry with me if I don't get what your telling me, like i said, Im a bit of a noob.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts That I've Seen and Look pretty Cool

CPU: i5 2600k
CPU Heatsink and Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 plus
Case: Corsair Obsidian 650d
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast 750w
Ram: G.Skill (the 2x4gb one)
Mobo: I think I want Z68 cos of the hybernation problem with the p67.


Please feel free to correct me on any of these though.

 

[AdrianPerry]

All components so far look good I think you mean i5-2500k though? Not i5-2600k? The 2600k is the i7 processor which for gaming has no advantage over the i5.

You might be slightly over-spending on the case, but if its one you really like, by all means stick with it

Motherboard: ASRock GEN3 series is recommended currently. Either Extreme3 or Extreme4. (Both Z68 chipsets). (Extreme3 doesn't have front panel USB 3.0 support).

Graphics card options:
6950
GTX 560Ti
6970
GTX 570

PSU:
For a single GTX 560Ti/6950 - 500w
For SLI/CF 560Ti/6950 - 750w
For a single 6970/570 - 650w
For SLI/CF 6950/570 - 850w

Recommended PSU brands include: XFX, Corsair, SeaSonic, Antec.

Id also recommend considering an SSD as a boot drive and place to store your applications. 60GB/120GB depending on budget and the rest of your build.

 

[nanospy]

Great, so whats your advice on SLI, is it worth it? Or should I just get a more expensive single card. Any of the other parts?

 

[AdrianPerry]

Personally id recommend the more expensive single card you can fit into budget. And then you always have the option to add a second card in the future when more performance is required.

I think buying 2 cards in a initial build limits your options for expansion considerably in a financial aspect (because you would need to buy 2 whole new cards, rather than just add 1).

 

[008Rohit]

AdrianPerry said it all. Follow his advice.

 

[nanospy]

Thank guys, I've dcided on this so far, any suggestions?
For parts not listed check first post

Mobo: asrock extreme4 gen3
GPU: Asus Gtx570 directcuii


I really need help on the case though either 690 ii advance or storm enforcer. I like the lancool pc k63 as well. Also for the graphics card, I wanted to get the Msi version but I saw alot of bug posts for it and decided to stay away, thoughts?

 

[008Rohit]

This is a better card : www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

Check this Case : www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147121

 

[AdrianPerry]

This is a better card : www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

Check this Case : www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147121

Have to say that case doesn't even compare to the higher quality of the Storm Enforcer or the CM 690.

GPU is hit an miss I guess really, 570 and 6970 are similar performers and with the build intention to eventually go SLI....The 2 cooling fans on the 570 will keep the cards running cooler and quieter. I have a feeling that ASUS card takes up 2.5 slots though? (they are quite wide) - id recommend looking into Gigabyte or MSI's 570.

http://www.hwcompare.com/9020/geforce-gtx-570-vs-radeon-hd-6970/

 

[nanospy]

Yeah I think Im going to get the MSI 570. Anyway, any advice on the case? I like the tooless feature on the coolmaster cases, but the lancool looks a beast and is very good wuality as well. SOO HARD TOO CHOOSE!!

 

[AdrianPerry]

Yeah I think Im going to get the MSI 570. Anyway, any advice on the case? I like the tooless feature on the coolmaster cases, but the lancool looks a beast and is very good wuality as well. SOO HARD TOO CHOOSE!!

Many many cases have tool-less designs and most have all the same feature's as each other.

Honestly just pick something you like the look of that fits your budget When you find something, Google or YouTube a couple of reviews, and unless the verdict is "OMG this case is TERRIBLE" - just buy it and be happy with it

If your looking for a budget case, i've personally been very impressed with the $40 RAIDMAX case used in this months $1000 system builder ( http://www.raidmax.com/chassis/altas.html ) - It too features tool-less design, comes with 3 LED fans, all black interior. Very good value for money IMO.

EDIT:

Be aware that RAIDMAX case wont be wide enough for the Hyper212+ CPU cooler, and if it is just about wide enough, you certainly wont be able to fit the side fan on the case as well. Look for something around 22cm wide or bigger in order to use 212+ AND a side fan on the case.

 

[nanospy]

Hey people just wanted to let you know the build I've decided on so far, ask if have questions

BUILD
--------------------------------
CPU
Intel i5 2500k - $220

GPU
---------
MSI GTX 580 Lightning Xtreme Edition (XE) 3GB- $600

SSD
Plextor PX-M2 Series PX-128M2S (128gb) - $215

HDD
SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 HD204UI 2TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $90

PSU
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V v2.2 - $160

DVD
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $20

RAM
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz - $50

MOBO
ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $190

FAN/CPU HEATSINK
Hyper 212 pLus

CASE
Corsair Obsidian Series 650D - $190

Comes to a total of US$1775

i know its above the budget but I might be able to pull it off

Thoughts?

 

[AdrianPerry]

As far as I can remember, the HDD you've listed is only 5400rpm. Id recommend a 7200rpm HDD.

Running (x2) 1TB in RAID0 or running them as 2 separate drives would be ideal and either option providing a lot better performance with the faster speed.

900w-1000w PSU would generally be recommended if you plan to SLI that GTX 580 as well.

 

[nanospy]

Yep it was 5400 rpm, how bout this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

 

[nanospy]

K Im probably missing something, but why is this so much cheaper? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304

 

[AdrianPerry]

Caviar Blacks are well established solid performers with excellent reliability.

Samsung SpinPoint F3 and SeaGate Barracuda are other good (cheaper) options. The SpinPoint F3 especially is rated as a very fast HDD. Not sure about Hitachi quality, never really heard them mentioned before.

 

[nanospy]

Yep decided on this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

So, what you guys think, will it all be compatible? Any Improvements? Please Suggest

US$

GPU
---------
MSI GTX 580 Lightning Xtreme Edition (XE) 3GB- $600

SSD
Plextor PX-M2 Series PX-128M2S (128gb) - $215

HDD
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $60

PSU
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V v2.2 - $160

DVD
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $20

RAM
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz/
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL - $50

MOBO
ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $190

FAN/CPU HEATSINK
Hyper 212 pLus

CASE
Corsair Obsidian Series 650D - $190

Monitor
ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) W/Speakers - $180

TOTAL
US$1965

 

[nanospy]

Yep decided on this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

So, what you guys think, will it all be compatible? Any Improvements? Please Suggest

US$

GPU
---------
MSI GTX 580 Lightning Xtreme Edition (XE) 3GB- $600

SSD
Plextor PX-M2 Series PX-128M2S (128gb) - $215

HDD
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $60

PSU
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V v2.2 - $160

DVD
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $20

RAM
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz/
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL - $50

MOBO
ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $190

FAN/CPU HEATSINK
Hyper 212 pLus

CASE
Corsair Obsidian Series 650D - $190

Monitor
ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) W/Speakers - $180

TOTAL
US$1965

 

[AdrianPerry]

$130 (after rebate) and it will EASILY power SLI 580's
Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171049
Review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=166

or

$140 (after rebate) PC Power and Cooling Silencer 910W + 7year Warranty
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703022
Review: http://www.guru3d.com/article/pc-power-cooling-silencer-910-psu-review/8

I dont know too much about the SSD you listed, so check some reviews on that first (which I presume you already have), but other than that it looks a very solid build ..... <3 the 650D!