$1000 build - review please

[NovemberOne]

Hi.
I've been reading a lot here on Tom's Hardware lately as well as the forums, while I've been trying to put together a new computer.
I'm from Denmark, so the prices here are a little difference. This setup is around $1000 and I'd really like your take on this.

Usage
The build will used for primarily for gaming, and secondary for movies and photoshop.

Setup
The parts have been chosen primarily by comparing reviews and feedbacks.
Here it goes

Processor
i5 2500k

Motherboard
MSI Z68A-GD65 (Gen 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130611

GPU
MSI Geforce GTX560 Ti Twinfrozr II 1 gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565

PSU
Corsair GS 600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139023

RAM
Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 8GB CL9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

Case
NZXT Phantom (Full Tower)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068
NZXT Guardian 921RB (Mid Tower)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146070

Monitor
SAMSUNG S24A300B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001486
SAMSUNG S27A550H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001476

Considerations
Quality
I choose MSI even though the Twinfrozr seems to be a hit or miss card in many cases, I really like the reviews saying it's a quite card and good quality.
The motherboard seems to have gotten very good feedback on Newegg, and I like the idea of sticking to as few companies as possible.

Case
I really like both, although I'm leaning toward the mid tower. Whats your take?

Monitor
I'm still trying to decide if I should get a 27" or 24", both would be Syncmaster, with TN panels and LED backlight. My concern is that I'll have to put higher resolutions on the 27" which will stress the gpu, maybe not now, but in a year?

Thanks!

 

[g-unit1111]

For PSUs, Corsair's GS series is decent, I'd recommend the CX or the TX series over it - the TX will run you a bit more.

And go with EVGA over MSI for NVIDIA cards - EVGA is a far better brand.

As for motherboards I personally like Gigabyte or Asus over MSI, but that's just my personal preference.

And the Phantom is an excellent choice for cases - you will not be disappointed.

Go with the low profile vengeance RAM - it will make installing coolers much easier. You should definitely try to get an aftermarket cooler if you're getting the 2500K.

 

[NovemberOne]

CX? Really? I thuoght they were of the same design. I see they have a 500 watt version, you think that would be enough for the 560 Ti?

I've heard a lot of bad things about MSI and good things about EVGA, but they all seem to be related to their customer service. I have a good warranty from the store I'm buying from, so it should not be a problem

The Phatom is also really really large. Never used towers before, and since I'm not thinking about SLi anytime soon, and really worried about the noise from all the extra fans, you don't think it is overkill?

Thanks for the low profile ram tip.

 

[cutebeans]

Get the CX600. It's more or less the same performance and cheaper too.

Your case is pretty big though but it's all good if you really want one.

It's better to get a quality mid tower for less and get an Antec 750w for SLI 560ti.

 

[cutebeans]

Get this CM Storm Scout. It's pretty cool inside and outside. $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

Antec 750w $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051

You might want this. Asrock extreme3 gen3. It's pretty good for CF and OC. Pretty cheap for a good board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

 

[aznshinobi]

Actually I suggest the OCZ ZS 750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049
@ only $70 after the promo code it's a great buy. Defiantly buy it before the deal expires and the PSU sells out. The PSU is solid and any doubt should be gone as this is OEM'd by Sirtec which has made plenty of solid units. Specifically seen in this review:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-ZS-Series-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1361/10

I'd get the suggested Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 to save money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

With the 20% off you get from the NZXT discount get the Phantom, a great case. The Scout is good, but the 20% discount on the Phantom makes it only $100 which is a great deal.

 

[vx53c]

^+1

 

[cutebeans]

Actually I suggest the OCZ ZS 750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049
@ only $70 after the promo code it's a great buy. Defiantly buy it before the deal expires and the PSU sells out. The PSU is solid and any doubt should be gone as this is OEM'd by Sirtec which has made plenty of solid units. Specifically seen in this review:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-ZS-Series-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1361/10

I'd get the suggested Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 to save money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

With the 20% off you get from the NZXT discount get the Phantom, a great case. The Scout is good, but the 20% discount on the Phantom makes it only $100 which is a great deal.

aznshinobi! Why you so good! Actually, I would get the NZXT guardian though. It also has a 20% which I didn't notice.

 

[aznshinobi]

Haha thanks Cutebeans, you are too.

 

[NovemberOne]

Been thinking whether I need a z68 chipset..

I mainly choose it because I'd have a backup gpu.. but I'll be saving about $50 if I go with the P67 version of either the MSI or the ASRock.

So, should I stick with Z68 or save and get the P67 version?

 

[g-unit1111]

CX? Really? I thuoght they were of the same design. I see they have a 500 watt version, you think that would be enough for the 560 Ti?

I've heard a lot of bad things about MSI and good things about EVGA, but they all seem to be related to their customer service. I have a good warranty from the store I'm buying from, so it should not be a problem

The Phatom is also really really large. Never used towers before, and since I'm not thinking about SLi anytime soon, and really worried about the noise from all the extra fans, you don't think it is overkill?

Thanks for the low profile ram tip.

You could probably get away with a 500W power supply for a 560 but if you plan to go SLI or overclock you'll need at least a 650 - 750. The TX 650 is an excellently designed PSU for the money, it will cover all your bases and then some.

As far as the Phantom goes - I love the design of the case but you are right that it is big. However I will say that with my SB build I really regret going with a smaller case. The HAF 912 that I'm using is not made for big video cards - I'm using a Radeon 5800 which barely clips the edge. You could always check out the Corsair Carbide series instead - they're mid towers but they're far roomier than standard mid towers.

As far as the fans go - noise isn't really much of an issue as it used to be. I mean you do have right to worry about the noise but case makers have become really wise to this factor for the most part and tweaked their fans accordingly.

 

[ARchamps]

Don't rely on customer reviews too much. Read expert reviews as well!

 

[aznshinobi]

Go with the Asrock Gen3 Z68 Extreme3 it's not exactly needed to have Z68 but it's one of the cheapest boards out now so why NOT go for it. It's only $125 so with that said, I'd go for that.

The TX650 is defiantly NOT a good PSU for the money. The TX650 is $90 it's $10 away from better 750w power supplies and an even better deal 650w is the Antec EA650 @ $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
That's $20 less than the TX650.

OR if you want more power and modular The Enermax NAXN 82+ 750w is $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194086
OR the OCZ ZT 750w which is $100 after promo code and has another $10 rebate and is also modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052