Final review of new i5 2500k system build, opinions please

[celticdaddio]

After several weeks of research, visits to forums etc. I have a system design and would like opinions. Also, most importantly... Have I forgotten anything? At some point I will overclock this thing, so I am wondering if I need an aftermarket cooler, if so any suggestions? Suggestions on nice to haves I haven't thought of?

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 BX80623I52500K

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

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

EVGA 01G-P3-1372-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi)

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

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


Already have keyboard, monitor etc.

Thanks,
CD

 

[celticdaddio]

Apparently I forgot about a hard drive... Any suggestions?

CD

After several weeks of research, visits to forums etc. I have a system design and would like opinions. Also, most importantly... Have I forgotten anything? At some point I will overclock this thing, so I am wondering if I need an aftermarket cooler, if so any suggestions? Suggestions on nice to haves I haven't thought of?

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 BX80623I52500K

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

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

EVGA 01G-P3-1372-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi)

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

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


Already have keyboard, monitor etc.

Thanks,
CD

 

[Mastervivi10]

Hard drive prices are up since the flood in thailand so you will be paying 3 times the worth of 1 HDD now no matter where you buy it so I'd wait untill hard drive prices go down again.

If you decide to build it now then go with a Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

It's a good looking build all around and should get you some decent performence in gaming.

 

[Emelth]

check amazon the Seagate Barracuda is going for cheap right now

 

[Gothams Finest]

Hard drive prices are up since the flood in thailand so you will be paying 3 times the worth of 1 HDD now no matter where you buy it so I'd wait untill hard drive prices go down again.

If you decide to build it now then go with a Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

+1 for the spinpoint f3, though the prices are through the roof because of the flooding, but if you need a HDD now then your just going to have to buy one as prices arnt set to come back down untill some time next year.

 

[Gothams Finest]

You should really buy an aftermarket cpu cooler too.

If money is no problem then go for this, its a beast

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&Tpk=nhd14

or if you are on a budget then this is the best "bang for ya buck" cpu cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&Tpk=212%20evo

I would also recomend spending a bit more money on a better PSU, something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

 

[celticdaddio]

Adding the budget cooler...
The PSU you recommended was originally on my list, but I reluctantly thought I'd save a few bucks.
Ording the Amazon HD now... Saw it recommended yesterday... cheapest drive of that size I have seen.

Thanks for all the replies so far guys.

 

[Emelth]

No problem need anything else?

 

[cutebeans]

Seagate 1tb HDD on amazon $72. Buy it now! The CX500 is fine.

 

[celticdaddio]

Perhaps some pointers to instructions on how to put all this together without screwing it up?

Thanks,
CD

No problem need anything else?

 

[celticdaddio]

Done.

Seagate 1tb HDD on amazon $72. Buy it now! The CX500 is fine.

 

[Emelth]

Don't know why my link isnt showing up in my sig but here you go

http://www.pcityourself.com/index.php

Its animated and will walk you through step by step cant remember who I grabbed this from it was too good to pass.

 

[vitornob]

Have you ever considered a GTX 560 or it don't fit ur budget?
Like this one:

EVGA 01G-P3-1460-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://204.14.213.185/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130660

It have a better performance/wattage ratio and it's faster than the GTX 460, and if u go for SLI path in the future it will be much easier to find a GTX 560.

Consider too another PSU if u planing to SLI ur system, or u will need to buy another one.

 

[Emelth]

Or he can get 2x460s which will out do a 560 Ti

 

[vitornob]

Or he can get 2x460s which will out do a 560 Ti

If he gonna get 2x460s he will need to change the PSU too.

Ah! Btw, I do have 2x460s (Stock), and by some benchmarks in Tomshardware, Anandtech, Guru3d and others I saw that the performance is much higher than the 560 Ti, if scaling properly with the software it reach levels of GTX 480 to a bit higher GTX 580 depending of the game.

 

[Emelth]

Yes a 650W should do

 

[celticdaddio]

Thanks, that looks cool.
CD

Don't know why my link isnt showing up in my sig but here you go

http://www.pcityourself.com/index.php

Its animated and will walk you through step by step cant remember who I grabbed this from it was too good to pass.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Emelth, couldn't pass this up from your link on PC assembly.

The only essentials you will need the before starting are:
A phillips screwdriver
A grounded metallic object
A large flat non-metallic surface (1.5m x 1m or larger)
An afternoon of uninterupted time
You you may also want:
An anti-static wrist band or mat
Cable ties
A small torch----->flashlight
Some plasters (for little cuts you may get)----->Band Aids.

I can just see some noob unfamiliar with the King's english going to the hardware store
looking for one of those butane torches used for brazing jewelry etc. and some special computer plaster.

 

[celticdaddio]

I hadn't thought about the 580... the 460 fits in my budget much better... and to be honest, I have somewhat tried to keep from thinking along the lines of "this one is better for a few dollars more" because at first I did that on alot of the components and ended up with system that cost almost 2x my budget...

However, my main application is writing OpenGL simluation/CUDA code so maybe I should look at the 580. If I go with the 580, is a 650W PS good enough?

CD

Have you ever considered a GTX 560 or it don't fit ur budget?
Like this one:

EVGA 01G-P3-1460-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://204.14.213.185/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130660

It have a better performance/wattage ratio and it's faster than the GTX 460, and if u go for SLI path in the future it will be much easier to find a GTX 560.

Consider too another PSU if u planing to SLI ur system, or u will need to buy another one.

 

[celticdaddio]

Looks like the 580 is only $20 more than the 460 I chose... So it is a no-brainer... Plus it looks like there is a $15 rebate on the 580.

 

[farsuka]

For the cooler you don't really need an aftermarket one, but if you're deadset get a Hyper 212 evo

 

[Gothams Finest]

For the cooler you don't really need an aftermarket one, but if you're deadset get a Hyper 212 evo

No you don't "need" an aftermarket cooler, but you don't technically need a computer case either, but its a lot better if you have one.

 

[Emelth]

Hyper 212+ is a great cooler that many people even myself swear by its good for its price deffinetly get it if you plan to OC

 

[Gothams Finest]

Make sure you get the 212 EVO and not the 212+, the 212 EVO is the latest version with better cooling performance.

 

[efngn]

I just clicked on your links and soe of it is out of stock...