First Build Help Please!

[olso5629]

Hey Everyone,

This is my first build and I would like some advice about parts for my computer.

I'm trying to keep it under $1000

I plan on using is for some light to moderate gaming (Starcraft II mostly), as well as watching movies and heavy internet usage.

I will be Overclocking.

Case: NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Newegg Exclusive Black Finish w/Orange Trim Steel / Plastic Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Graphics Card: EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
Hard Drive: Western Digital RE4 WD5003ABYX 500GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
(Not sure about this, thinking about SSDs as well because of high HD prices)

Mother Board: This is the item I need the most advice about, I've heard so many good and bad things about tons of MBs and I can't keep it straight or make a good informed decision about it because I am not a MB expert.
Also: any good heatsink/ extra fan ideas would be welcome as well.

Thank you in advance for any and all advice!
It is very much appreciated!

 

[r0aringdrag0n]

One of the best HeatSink and Fans:
Noctua NH-D14 $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

As for motherboards, I would recommend something that is SLI capable, and around $160. Anything over is just a pure ripoff, since motherboards are just a "docking station" for other components. I would recommend boards from companies such as: Gigabyte, MSI, ASUS, or ASRock. You also want a z68 chipset motherboard if you want a SSD in your system.

From Gigabyte:
GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506

From ASUS: ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131759

 

[kajabla]

^The Noctua's nice, but at this level of GPU performance you won't need to OC your processor enough to need it. A $35 Hyper 212 EVO would be fine.
On one 560 Ti, you'd be fine with a 500W PSU, and if you want to be able to run two, get 750W. 650W is awkwardly in the middle.
How much data do you have on your current computer? You'll almost certainly need a data hard drive for your music etc, but if you have an external one or something, that'd work.
An ASRock Z68 Extreme3 would be nice at $125. Fine for SLI, got all the goodies.

You also want a z68 chipset motherboard if you want an SSD in your system.

Not exactly. Z68 lets you use Intel's SSD caching tech, but Tom's found that it really doesn't work very well, and that it's better to just manage your data yourself by putting stuff like media on the HDD and the OS and apps on the SSD. This'll work in P67 as well; the SSD is just another drive. ASRock just happens to not make a P67 Extreme3.

 

[dish_moose]

212 evo will work fine for decent overclock - I would go for the SSD and wait on HDD till prices come back down to earth. I've had great luck with Gigabyte but any of the manufacturers listed ^ are good. Looks like a good build.
-Bruce

 

[r0aringdrag0n]

Like dish said The hyper 212 EVO is a great cooler, gives decent overclocks

 

[olso5629]

Hey everyone, thanks for the quick replies! It was very helpful.

I looked at some more MBs on Newegg and came across the ones below. Are these any good for my build?

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

BIOSTAR TZ68A+RCH LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Again, Thanks!

 

[r0aringdrag0n]

I would not go with BioStar, since they're not as reliable as ASUS or Gigabyte. I would go with the Gigabyte MoBo because it is cheaper and has plenty of functions

 

[olso5629]

ok thanks,

I was just readying some of the reviews on the Gigabyte board and it sounds like a lot of people are having problems with boot loops and other such problems.

Is this something I should be worried about with this board?

 

[r0aringdrag0n]

If you feel that you don't want to deal with that problem, you can go with the ASUS board

 

[olso5629]

Best answer selected by olso5629.