Building New System

[sgerhardt]

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping to get some opinions about the parts I have chosen so far for a new build.

The PC will primarily be used for Gaming (Skyrim, BF3, Flight Sim) and Programming with Data Mining, AI applications and Geographical Information Systems.

I will be using Windows 7 64 bit

I will be assembling this PC in the US and am looking to overclock modestly/safely, but am not interested in water cooling. Looking for a stable system with solid performance. Newegg is my preferred site, but will consider others with fast and reliable shipping and service.

I plan on possibly going with SLI within the next year.

I would like a semi-future proof system, i.e. decent usb 3.0 and SSD support.

My monitor's resolution is 1680x1050 but am looking to upgrade to a 1920x1080 in the next year(not included in this budget)

I already have a GTX 570, 500 gig 7200RPM hdd, 134 gig 10,000RPM Raptor hdd, x-fi xtreme gamer sound card, mouse, speakers, and keyboard so therefore those prices are not in the budget.

The budget I have for this system is 700-1000 dollars before mail-in-rebates preferably.

The big question in my mind right now is this; should I wait to see more of what Intel releases in the next few months with respect to the new socket type and Sandy Bridge E products, or is it most likely not worth the wait?
------------------------------------------------
Here is what I am thinking so far:

Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz = $300 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115071 ... I've heard numerous times that the 2500k is much more economic at $200 but I was tempted by the hyperthreading. Thoughts?

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 = $26 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper = $150 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194 150


CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W = $150 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009 .... Will this be ample power for 2 superclocked GTX 570s and an overclocked 2600k?


GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 = $150 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...rue&Keywords=(keywords)&Page=1#scrollFullInfo... Picking the right mobo was my hardest choice so any feedback on this would be great. I don't plan on ever doing more than 2x SLI so I think a solid mid-range motherboard would be appropriate.


Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC = $200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442 ... Seems to have great reviews...
or
SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128D/AM 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC = $240 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147134... I've heard Samsung is great with reliability on their SSDs, which is a major concern for me.

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) = $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
or
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) = $52 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180
Also, I have 4 one gig sticks of 1333 Fatality DDR3 at 9-9-9 @1.7 volts I could use as well.

Total = About $800-900

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[vx53c]

The 2600 is not unlockable, the difference in games between the 2600k and the 2500k won't ever be felt. It is pretty much the same between 2400 and 2500k in fact.
Single 16x mobos suffer from few power phases making overclock hard and unstable. The Asrock extreme3 gen3 should be enough for you and it offers you gen3 while gigabyte doesn't. Don't get me wrong z68xp ud3 and ud3p are great mobos, but they have the marvel chip (which you will never use imo) and they are not gen3.
The crucial m4
Any kit that is low profile is good for overclocking due to cooler clearance. If you are not going to OC it doesn't matter. The ones you got run at 1.7v, don't use them. 1.5 or 1.65 the cheapest credible you can find.
I would get the Corsair A70 for a cooler or xigmatek aegir if you can afford it. (Again this if you are going for an unlocked processor)

 

[sgerhardt]

Ooops meant to type 2600k! Yeah I want an unlocked one I will look more into that mobo you mentioned. And your right, I see a lot of mobos toting tons of somewhat gimmicky features I doubt I'll use. Thanks for the input!

 

[Area85Gaming]

Ooops meant to type 2600k! Yeah I want an unlocked one I will look more into that mobo you mentioned. And your right, I see a lot of mobos toting tons of somewhat gimmicky features I doubt I'll use. Thanks for the input!

+1

Which is why I find it hard to believe most people will suggest Z68 chipset MoBos. The P67 and Z68 are almost identical, save from the few needlessly added features on the Z68. Unless you are going to be using QuickSync, TouchBIOS (Overclocking for Dummies) or SSD caching (Which you're not with a 128GB SSD) then the Z68 boards, while they look nice, are unfortunately, over-rated.

The last feature of the Z68 boards is crap as well IMO. It's IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) which is built into the board. It allows you to use the GPU on board with a discrete GPU of your choice. Yet...you're running a 500 series GTX, so you are unlikely to see a difference.

Go with a nice P67 chipset board like the ASRock Fatal1ty PRO or the ASUS P8P67 EVO. Both are SLI compatible with a slew of features on board.

ASRock Fatal1ty P67 PRO (B3) LGA1155 SATA 6GB/s USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157240

ASRock Fatal1ty P67 Performance LGA1155 SATA 6GB/s USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157253

ASUS P8P67 EVO (Rev 3.0) LGA1155 SATA 6GB/s USB 3.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131704&Tpk=P8P67%20EVO

Now, these boards are gonna run you a little bit more, except for the Fatal1ty Performance. And as vx53c said, you can also look at the ASRock Extreme3 and Extreme4 series boards. Make sure they have the Gen3 though.

As far as the cooler goes here are my suggestions:

Zalman CNPS9900MAX 135mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118074

Thermaltake FRIO Overclocking-Ready i5 & i7 Compatible
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106150

Zalman makes a great heat sink that is reliable and quiet. The TT FRIO is also a good choice, especially for OCing.

Other than that, everything looks great.

 

[vx53c]

I have found that the (personally owned) Corsair A70 is a very powerful cooler for an amazing price.
As for motherboards make doubly sure you are getting an at least 8+2 phase one. You don't want to OC on a 4+1 board. Gen3 matters if you are planning on upgrading just the gpu in 2 years.

 

[sgerhardt]

Hmmm... it now seems to me the best choice would be to go with the 2500k and then spend the money I saved from the processor on a decent cooler, FRIO or A70 both looked nice, and mobo.

Got some questions about the mobos. What is the significance of Generation 3 and how do I find the phase/generation information? Only the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 seemed to be branded with the generation. I looked at the details on newegg for the mobos and couldnt seem to find that information.

 

[vx53c]

It is very well analyzed here http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/News/275040,the-great-pci-express-3-fight-and-why-it-doesnt-matter.aspx
It is speculation mainly but if it is for the same price, why not? Marketing trick or facts because these guys know more than we do? I am sold on it, even by the mere benefits that the gen3 boards and their companies offer.

 

[sgerhardt]

I'm eyeballing the ASRock Fatal1ty P67 PROFESSIONAL (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157240&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1hanctwgi47rf

ASRock's website said it totes the following: Digi Power, Advanced V16 + 2 Power Phase Design so I think that will satisfy what you mentioned earlier, vx53c.

Honestly I haven't heard much about ASRock until I started looking at parts a few months ago. Do they have a decent track record for reliability/solid systems and customer support?

If so, I think the fatality board looks like a great choice, although I'm not positive if its a gen3 board. That article had me coming away with mixed feelings about gen3

 

[vx53c]

Look, the 16+2 phases are to be used for intense overclocking, so unless you are planning on using a 5.0ghz or more OC for 24/7 you won't need them. Personally i am happy with my asrock extreme3 gen3 and whatever the 1.35vcore nets me. I wouldn't go over that limit to be so concerned about the 16 phases. If you really intend to go hardcore though look away from the fatal1ty and check out the asus p8z68-v pro/gen3. It is cheaper than the fatality and has all the bells and whistles you need. Frankly? You won't need this much of horsepower unless you really want to have killer dual card setup in which case you grab onto every safety measure you can get.
If money isn't an issue go for the asus. If it is then settle for either the extreme4 or extreme3 z68 gen3 of asrock.
As for AsRock, it was a daughter company of asus producing cheaper but equally sturdy boards for them under a different name. Word has it they are separated but i find that hard to believe. What? One day they came to blows and took over the company and never gave it back? Mutiny yaaar

 

[vx53c]

Also, whichever way you decide to go, you can't go wrong. Just know that funneling money in your rig and having it cooled with a hyper 212 won't cut it. Balance the pieces out. You got a great gfx card, going to a great CPU and amazing motherboards. I usually propose the Corsair A70 which i own and love but since we are talking a little less budget and a little more quality here i would give the extra buck and get the xigmatek aegir. Fantastic all-rounder with all the cooling you would desire and whisper quiet fans.

Have a look here before you start overclocking your system http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/overclocking/39184-p67-sandy-bridge-overclocking-guide-beginners.html
I find this guy to know what he is talking about.

 

[sgerhardt]

Yeah, I'm really not looking for EXTREME overclocking. I would be happy getting the 2500k to the low-mid 4ghz range, which is why I was thinking the Cooler Master 212 would be sufficient. However I can see myself getting another 570 in the next year. I just want to get the most bang for my buck while keeping my system stable. I've had random crashes and other issues over the years with my current system that uses an Intel DX38BT. Suffice to say I don't think I will ever get another intel mobo.

The extreme boards are sporting that z68 chipset that area85gaming mentioned. I really don't need those bells and whistles and would feel silly paying for them. That being said, you pointed out that the fatality board is perhaps a bit overboard.. pun intended.

I've read a little more about ASRock and feel more comfortable with them now.
This extreme got a TH recomendation and is $35 cheaper than the fataility pro: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250
Feeling like I'm just about ready to buy once I zero in on the perfect board.

 

[sgerhardt]

I really wish there was a site with charts that compared all these cpu coolers. I find it frustrating trying to quantify which one is the best value

 

[andrewcarr]

Get the cool master V8 its on sale
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055

 

[sgerhardt]

Alright think I know what I want finally!

Gonna go with the ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 since its only 15 dollars more than its P67 brother http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250, even if its just bells and whistles, i spose i can take the 15 dollar hit over this one..
the ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265

As for the ssd, gonna go with samsung for the reliability.

For cooling, I looked at some of Clunk's posts from that forum you mentioned and decided to go with the Noctua.. which looks to be an outstanding heatsink. One reviewer said it outperformed his H50 watercooling!! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&Tpk=Noctua

Thanks again for all the help! I'm looking to order in the next few days and now got a good idea of what I want!

 

[sgerhardt]

Best answer selected by sgerhardt.

 

[sgerhardt]

Also just noticed this... according to ASRock's site,
http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme4
the supported memory for that board are not the two I had picked out

This one was on there though, and it looks like it will work fine
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231461

 

[vx53c]

Almost any low profile memory rated 1600 from a respectable manufacturer will do. In my years of computing i have found kingston, corsair, supertalent to work great with any setup. Don't consider a ram kit with more than 1.65v and if you can help it go for a 1.5v. I never had any of the said brands cause incompatibilities no matter what the board manual said. Go with the cheapest that offers low profile.
Looking at today's prices http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104262 with their rebate

 

[sgerhardt]

I had a rough experience with Patriot memory failing on me, but haven't had issues with G.Skill. All the memory in this range is cheap and about the same price give or take 5 dollars, which is nice considering it used to be a major cost of the system. I think I'll just go with the highest rated RAM on newegg at that speed. I agree with you and would think most of that RAM would work despite what their site says.