Is this a good build? (Gaming)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
C

Compnoooob

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2011
6
0
18,510
Hi all!

Let me start off by saying I always come to this site for information, and I love hearing what this community has to say. Now as my name states, I am a computer noob. My only experience is the fiddling I've had when i was younger, along with my laptop gaming (yes, i know, blehhhh :kaola: )

So, onto the thread (please don't flame me! :eek: )

Initially, I had constructed this build on Ibuildpower, and the total had come out to around $2500.

However, being the thrifty person I am, decided to build it with the help of my best friend who had build his rig the previous year.

So my build is teh following: (I also put amazon prices next to it, not necessarily the prices I paid either)

-ASUS ML239H 23-Inch LED Monitor (Black) (it's an E-IPS) ($196)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R5SLJG/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details

-i7 2600K ($319)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EBUXSA/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details

-16gb DDR 3 1600mHz Corsair Vengeance ($78)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058J1QII/ref=oh_o03_s01_i01_details

-Crucial m4 128gb SSD (I plan on buying a HDD once prices cool off considering the flooding in Thailand) ($212)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W2JKZI/ref=oh_o03_s00_i08_details

-NZXT Phantom (full tower) ($140)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MYC6O8/ref=oh_o04_s00_i00_details

-2x 200mm Red LED Case fans (NZXT) ($22)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052XQFB8/ref=oh_o03_s00_i02_details

-1 x 140mm Xion Red LED case fan ($11)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LTR9PY/ref=oh_o03_s00_i03_details

-Corsair H70 ($80)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QUQP8U/ref=oh_o03_s00_i06_details

-Corsair AX850 ($180)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003PJ6QW4/ref=oh_o03_s00_i04_details

-Asus P8Z68 PRO/GEN 3 ($210)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UDITPK/ref=oh_o03_s00_i05_details

-Samsung Blue ray readable drive (DVD writeable) ($70)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XIM3QK/ref=oh_o03_s00_i07_details

-NZXT 2m sleeved LED ($19)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046Y1622/ref=oh_o03_s01_i00_details

-Nvidia 570 Double Shot (has 2 fans, EVGA Version of MSI Twin Frozer) ($362)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057608W2/ref=oh_o03_s02_i00_details


And finally, I planned on upgrading my windows XP (I have an unused one that i'll install and upgrade to windows 7 pro 64 bit) through the student discount. I know in 2009 there was something that said there was no direct upgrade from XP to windows 7, however, this is straight from microsoft's website: ($65)

Decide to buy an Upgrade or Full product
All editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista qualify you to upgrade. So, if you're running either on your PC today, buy a package labeled "Upgrade."
Click to expand...


Check it in the "Before You Buy" section:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/en_US/pd/productID.216644200/parentCategoryID.37826100/categoryID.55981000/list.true?WT.term=windows+7+student&WT.mc_id=pointitsem_Microsoft+US_google_5+-+Windows+7+Academic&WT.medium=cpc&WT.campaign=5+-+Windows+7+Academic&WT.content=Do80jlJb&WT.srch=1&WT.source=google&cshift_ck=2AEA0976-0EE2-41C1-A971-347AF9E25F4CcsDo80jlJb




So, I've built this rig (got all parts besides case, OS and monitor as to date), but now my friend is making me second guess the price. I'm not going to return it, but I'd like the following questions answered:

1.) What would you value this rig at?

2.) Is this a good build for gaming? I plan on getting another 570 later on in the year.

3.) Are there any problems with anything I've stated as to date? Thanks!

This is my first build, so I hope to see how it goes soon! Thank you so much guys!
 
Solution
amk-aka-Phantom
Good build, good case choice (just be aware that the top 200mm fan Phantom comes with is blue and not red like the rest you have), but i7-2600K is pointless for gaming at this point, since games won't make use of its Hyperthreading, which is its only difference from i5-2500K. I would STILL advise a 2600K if your budget allows - future-proof NEVER hurts.

Corsair H70 wouldn't offer you too much benefit over a good air cooler such as Hyper 212+, however, I understand that your CPU heatsink needs to be small if you want to add a side fan to the Phantom, so I'm not sure what to suggest here.

16GB is also wasted on gaming, 8GB is the max you will need, but RAM is dirt cheap nowadays. Get more while you can, if you can :)

I wouldn't go for...
Sort by date Sort by votes
amk-aka-Phantom

amk-aka-Phantom

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
3,004
0
20,860
Good build, good case choice (just be aware that the top 200mm fan Phantom comes with is blue and not red like the rest you have), but i7-2600K is pointless for gaming at this point, since games won't make use of its Hyperthreading, which is its only difference from i5-2500K. I would STILL advise a 2600K if your budget allows - future-proof NEVER hurts.

Corsair H70 wouldn't offer you too much benefit over a good air cooler such as Hyper 212+, however, I understand that your CPU heatsink needs to be small if you want to add a side fan to the Phantom, so I'm not sure what to suggest here.

16GB is also wasted on gaming, 8GB is the max you will need, but RAM is dirt cheap nowadays. Get more while you can, if you can :)

I wouldn't go for upgrade, myself... clean install only...

Now, to the value. Let me say it straight: $2500 is ridiculous. I'm too lazy to go to Newegg.com and add up the prices, you should do it yourself, but $2500 is a joke, I think. Should be $2000 or so... calculate it.

It's a good build, that's for sure. All parts are awesome.

Now, I'm again too lazy to correct what I wrote above: I just read that you already have all the parts, so all my above opinions stand, just disregard my suggestions for downgrades :)

Now, who helped you select the parts? ;) If you did it yourself, don't call yourself a noob :D Laptop gaming isn't that bad either, I'd love to have a gaming laptop, but they're way too costly here.

Last question: "Double shot" GTX 570 means that you've got two of them, i.e. SLI? If yes, I am not sure that a 850W PSU can handle the third...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
C

Compnoooob

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2011
6
0
18,510
Thanks for responding!

Thanks for your compliments, my friend forced me to look into it, so I chose the parts and he approved. As for the graphics card, it's a single 570, with 2 fans.


I have a question for you though: how can I perform a clean install if the upgrade is only for XP and Vista? Also, don't I need to know how to set the bios to read USB drives also, since it is a download? That was my main problem, and the reason why i was doing the XP option. Other than that I have no need for the XP, and it's literally been sitting in my closet collecting dust for the past ~10 years. Thanks!

Oh yeah, I did save money, but not much from your estimation :)

Thanks again!


EDIT: The windows portion is an upgrade and not an OEM or full version, just to be clear! Thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
amk-aka-Phantom

amk-aka-Phantom

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
3,004
0
20,860


By clean install, I meant an OEM or full version, of course :) If you're only willing to go for an upgrade, then continue with what you've planned.

BIOS will read USB drives automatically, no need for any specific settings. USB installs rock compared to CD/DVD ones, so damn fast...

So you actually saved money as compared to purchasing from Newegg? :eek:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
P

phenom90

Distinguished
Jul 27, 2010
623
0
19,010
it is a good build... for gaming... however... to value this build... it depends on what you do with the rig... if you gaming only...

first, you don't need an i7 2600k.... unneccessary $100 extra which brings almost zero advantage in this area... an i5 2500k is the sweet spot for the purpose....

second, i assume that your pc usage won't require 16gb of ram... 8gb is more than enough...

third, while liquid cooling is certainly superior to air counterpart... unless... you're going for high overclock... otherwise air cooling more than enough for cooling your cpu... such as corsair a70... come with 2 fans... if not mistaken only costs you $25 after rebate at newegg...

fourth, while there's no doubt that corsair produces very solid psus... but doesn't mean there is nothing equal to it... ecspecially at lower prices... let's say if you never going to use two graphics cards... even a 650 watts unit is more than enough to handle a gtx 580... but since you do plan to get second card for sli... there is one choice... the xfx pro850w xxx edition for just $125 after rebate at newegg...

fifth, while asus is branded as top quality maker in motherboard... but for your needs it is little steep if you're looking from value perspective... for most of the features... an asrock z68 extreme3 gen3 for just $115 after rebate at newegg already ticks all the boxes for just about any user but extreme ethusiasts...

sixth, a gtx 570 is a very good choice for gaming... but the cooler that you choose... while provide better thermal to the gpu... it will start to create a lot of heat inside your pc once you add second card for sli... so for sli... it is still better to use reference cooler that dumps heat out of the chassis...

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
amk-aka-Phantom

amk-aka-Phantom

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
3,004
0
20,860


Good points, but the system is built already, and it doesn't seem like the OP was too constrained on budget :)

Should have bought an NZXT HALE power supply, by the way - really good quality, looks great, fits perfectly in the Phantom, etc.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
P

phenom90

Distinguished
Jul 27, 2010
623
0
19,010
even though you already own all the parts... but i still want to say.... if you're eventually ended up using two graphics cards... i would rather wait a little longer to grab a hd 7970... while it is priced at $550... it is faster than a gtx 570... it's not that sli is not a good option... but there are some things to point out...

- if you're using multi-gpu config... you end up using more power...
- multi-gpu config is good, but not perfect... micro-stuttering issue still present...
- do not expect when you're adding second card performance will add up double...
multiple cards performance scaling varies with different games...
- multi-gpu config relies heavily on driver profiles to achieve optimized performance... compared to single card...
- if you're using one card only... you don't even need bigger wattage psu... thus saving you money...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Compnoooob

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2011
6
0
18,510
Hey guys I appreciate the Feedback! Im planning on doing a lot with this computer actually, though I know the quadro is for 3d rendering, my engineering roommate is going to be doing some with my gtx. He also wants todo some animating. On top of that, my best friend is a bit of enthusiast so he added his flair to my system: ( this is my birthday and Christmas present from the missed birthdays and Christmases of the past 3 years from my parents) so he and I held back nothing we didnt figure would be required for a computer that'll last for a long time while over locked. I don't anticipate much need for a lot of the stuff I have now, but in the future when my pc is old, I want it to perform at Least at an "average level."

So do you think it'll do that 5 years from now? Thanks! :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Compnoooob

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2011
6
0
18,510

Thanks! I used to think sli was double about 2 months ago, but I learned haha. I agree with your points about waiting, however I hate AMD due to previous experience with a (few) laptop cards. I prefer nvidia and would like to have this still perform as a "normal computer" 5 years from now (one of my friends uses his 8800gt still and plays most games on medium, which is what I hope to accomplish in 5 years :))
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Compnoooob

Distinguished
Dec 26, 2011
6
0
18,510
I actually have a question for you phenom: I'm aware the reference versions have exhausts, ad the DS blows heat into my case. However, with 3 200mm fans (2 exhaust) would I not be able to efficiently expel the heat from the case? And for the second card I wish to SLI it with I was planning on the reference card since having a non ref would burn my case up (according to my friend) thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom