First Gaming Build

sculliondr

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Nov 8, 2011
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I am planning on doing my first gaming build (last time was 2001) and after a lot of research and advice it looks like I have come up with this below. However, I still need help!

Is everything compatible? Do I need more fans than the Cooler Master offers (I may over clock the i5)? Is there anything I can do to improve, the aim is to stay around $1000? but play all the latest games and not upgrade over the next couple years

I appreciate all advice, so if you see something I need to change, thanks! budget around $1000

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO
Processor: Intel i5 core 2500k 3.3GHz
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 560ti 1GB
(EVGA)
Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB
Optical: Asus Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM
Tower Case: Cooler Master HAF X
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified
 
Solution


Yeah, this is always a concern. I've got the Ripjaw X and a relatively low cooler and they don't hit, though. Corsair Vengance *low profile* are pretty low, as are most mushkin kits. (Make sure the Vengance are the low profile model, though, because the regular Vengance are the tallest RAM you can get.) As vx53c says, you want 1.5V along with CAS Latency 9 and 1600mhz.

danraies

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Aug 5, 2011
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Excellent build. You would be very happy with that machine. I've got a couple small suggestions and money-saving options, though.

If you're going to overclock you'll want an aftermarket cpu cooler and it's best to install them when you first put it together because you'll likely have to take the motherboard out to install it later. The coolermaster hyper 212+ is a popular choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

The HAF X is a great case but it's a pretty big chunk of your budget. If you want some cheaper options maybe check out the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
All with great cooling.

The motherboard you picked is a little bit overpriced. ASRock makes great gaming motherboards at your price point. For $185US try the ASRock Extreme4 Gen3.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264
If you want to save a little money, the ASRock Extreme3 Gen3 has similar performance but with a few less features (a smaller port cluster and a usb 3.0 header).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Maybe don't spend the extra money on blu-ray until games start coming on blu-ray disks. Playing blu-ray movies on a computer is a pain right now so you won't get much out of a bd-rom except for frustration. It won't hinder the performance, but replacing it with a $20 cd/dvd drive will save a little money and you can always add blu-ray later.
 

vx53c

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^+1. I'd go for the Corsair A70 instead of the hyper 212
Also there is a chance the ripjaws are a little high and hit your cooler, you can get any other low profile memory from a credible manufacturer. Don't go higher than 1.65, get 1.5v if you can help it.
 

danraies

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Yeah, this is always a concern. I've got the Ripjaw X and a relatively low cooler and they don't hit, though. Corsair Vengance *low profile* are pretty low, as are most mushkin kits. (Make sure the Vengance are the low profile model, though, because the regular Vengance are the tallest RAM you can get.) As vx53c says, you want 1.5V along with CAS Latency 9 and 1600mhz.
 
Solution
Nothing wrong with the build, but here are a few suggestions:

1) The graphics card is the prime determinant of gaming capability. GTX560ti is good, but see if you can't manage a GTX570 or better.

2) If you love the case, get it. Any case with at least two 120mm intake fans will provide adequate cooling.
But for $100 less, you can get the Antec 300 illusion model and use the savings for the graphics card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

3) The stock Intel cooler is ok, up to a point. But, I would get a tower type cooler with a slow turning 120mm fan. It need not be expensive.
Look at the Xigmatek gaia or cm hyper212 which sell for about $30. Either will let you oc that 2500K to any sane level.

4) The ram is fine. But realize that 1.5v ram does not need fancy heat spreaders. The speed and latency are largely irrelevant for the 2500K. DDR3 1600 seems to be the sweet spot.

5) Your GTX560Ti needs 500w with 30a on the 12v rails plus two 6-pin PCI-E power leads.

GTX570 needs 550w with 38a on the 12v rails plus two 6-pin PCI-E power leads.

GTX580 needs 600w with 42a on the 12v rails plus one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCI-E power lead.

Nothing wrong with over provisioning your psu a bit though. Other quality brands are Seasonic, Antec, XFX, and pc p&c.