$600-800 Gaming Computer w/ salvage from older build

[Jtwolf22]

Hey guys

I built my first computer with the help of my dad back in '06, and its time for another one! I would like to know your opinons on my build I have selected thus far, and also seek your knowledge of what I can use off my old machine.



Goal of Use - Competitive gaming, recording via fraps, basic college work (Excel, word, etc.)

Would like to be able to run WoW, SWTOR, Diablo 3, and any soon to be released games on ULTRA settings without problems.

Budget - $600-800



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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Motherboard -
GIGABYTE GA-Z68M-D2H LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128523&Tpk=ga-z68m-d2h

Memory -
CORSAIR XMS3 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX16GX3M4A1333C9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233190

Video 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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo



Old Parts: Are any of these still useful for my new build? I thought I'd just build right into my old case. The optical I don't think i can since its IDE and the new mobo doesn't have IDE ports which is fine. My biggest question is the hard drive. Can I still use this one since its SATA 1.5 and new mobo is SATA 3? And if I can, does that mean I do not have to buy a new OS if I am fine with using windows XP? Is my power supply sufficient for all the parts thus far, or does it too have to be up to date for a certain chipset?

Case - Aspire X-navigator

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144091

HDD - WD3200SD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144407

Optical Drive - Plextor 740A

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827131357

Power Supply - Enermax Noisetaker 600W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194005



Thanks so much for your help guys. Any comments welcome

 

[azeem40]

The old PSU you have isn't 80+ Certified, so I would not use it. The HDD and ODD can and should be re-used, especially the HDD due to the Thailand Flood making HDD prices rise.

16 GB of Memory won't be too beneficial in gaming. Drop it down to 8 GB.

 

[phensen]

Your ODD doesn't have a sata connection, so you'd probably be best off just getting a new drive.

Best of luck with your new build!

 

[Jtwolf22]

New Memory Choice - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

Power Supply - COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Bronze Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

How's this PSU look for my setup?

quick edit: Yeah, I saw no IDE connections for that board, so I was thinking of grabbing this one for $20, no biggie

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

 

[aznshinobi]

Well for the PSU, not to say that the Silent Pro 600w is bad, it's great. But for the price spend $10 more and you can get a PSU that's fully modular and 750w which would allow you to SLI in the future. Remember to use the 10% off promo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052

Ram's not a big deal but I'd just put this as an alternate option because it's cheaper for the same performance.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161452
OR this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
The G.Skill is low profile so it'll be easier to fit a large heatsink on the CPU if you ever got one.

Spend a little more on the motherboard and get one that can SLI/CF at 8x/8x as well as prepare you for Ivy Bridge.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Instead of the EVGA one you chose maybe this MSI one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127594
Lower price but better heatsink so cooler when you OC if you choose to do so. This Gigabyte below is cheaper and would be more than enough.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401

As for your questions, you're going to have to get a new DVD drive, IDE isn't supported by the newer Intel sockets. The HDD is fine, SATA is backwards compatible as is PCI. It depends for the OS, if it was an OEM OS, once you change the motherboard you'll have to get the OS, if it was retail then you can call in to Microsoft and ask. Otherwise here's a cheap OS.
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html

 

[Luckster]

New Memory Choice - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

Power Supply - COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Bronze Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

How's this PSU look for my setup?

quick edit: Yeah, I saw no IDE connections for that board, so I was thinking of grabbing this one for $20, no biggie

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

That DVD Drive doesnt come with cables remember that, because it is OEM. I made that mistake my first build.

 

[Jtwolf22]

Alright guys, thanks so much for all of your input. I have carefully looked at all of your suggestions and deeply considered your advice.

Here's the deal: The length my last one I built lasted me until by the time I wanted to upgrade it was so old and obsolete it would be pretty pointless to do so. This is my mentality going into this build is that I want it to last 2-3 years, then will probably just drop another 600 and rebuild salvaging what I can again. With upgrade potential not being important to me, this is what I came up with. (With reasoning)

I went about my selections by browsing newegg, reading hundreds of reviews, picking some of the best reviewed pieces, and then cross referencing them with sites like these. I like consumer confidence in a product, and am very loyal to companies who have good customer service. I also chose from companies which I have had success with in the past.


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 - Best bang for the buck, highly acclaimed, 93% 5 star ratings on newegg with over 1500 reviews

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=kjdcyh36y6v6

Motherboard -
GIGABYTE GA-Z68M-D2H LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Cheap, will only be running 1 video card, has all the features I desire, 5 star newegg ratings, heard good things about gigabyte as a company

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128523&Tpk=ga-z68m-d2h&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=9qzrwzoyufyo

Memory -
CORSAIR XMS3 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX16GX3M4A1333C9 - The last memory I bought was from corsair and had 0 problems. Love the company

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233190&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1iusi67mq2qvw

Video 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 - Same company as my last card. Had 0 problems. 80% 5 star newegg rating

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1fic3psacdisl#scrollFullInfo

Power Supply - COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Bronze Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Cheap, 600w will easily cover me per neweggs calculator puts my necessity at around 503 watts. Will not be upgrading to SLI cards, good rating, 5 year warranty

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1094vrw45flgy#scrollFullInfo

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM - Cheap, 5 star rating with over 2600
reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=ds39gxyjg5pj#scrollFullInfo

Case - Aspire X-navigator

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144091&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1s7hgfm3r0ojc

HDD - WD3200SD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144407&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1e31cshrlv6iw



Few more questions for you guys before I finalize my order.

1) Is there any reason why I should steer away from a Micro ATX board? I did alot of research and the only downsides is that there are not as many extra ports/slots on a regular sized ATX board, and I read that occasionally there are heating issues. Is there any truth to this and should I reconsider my selection? I really like the board because it has what I want, I'm only going to be running one card which is where I had heard of possible heat problems arising from SLI setups, and its cheap.

2) for the DVD burner, what sort of cable should I purchase along with it? It just says 'SATA' in interface, so any SATA cord that is compatible with my MOBO? Could you link an example just to clarify for me?

3)For my HDD, since I'm re-using my old one, I was recommended using a program called UltimateBootCD then installing a new OS with the new hardware. Is this the correct way to go about it? I have windows 7 on the way from a friend that works for microsoft for $30. What else would I need to do to get this to work?



Is there ANYTHING about my build that looks as if it's going to conflict with each other, anything I'm overlooking, or any advice in general that I should know or that would be helpful to me? I will most likely order tomorrow afternoon if everything checks out here.

Thank you guys SO much for all the help.

Jesse

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Were none of my options considered?
1) SLI's "heat-problems" are minimal if you have good heatsinks.
2) Yes Sata as in the sata cable that comes with the mb
3) No don't use that, just format through the BIOS and install the Win7 from your friend.

Again I strongly recommend these things.
Well for the PSU, not to say that the Silent Pro 600w is bad, it's great. But for the price spend $10 more and you can get a PSU that's fully modular and 750w which would allow you to SLI in the future. Remember to use the 10% off promo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052

Ram's not a big deal but I'd just put this as an alternate option because it's cheaper for the same performance.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161452
OR this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
The G.Skill is low profile so it'll be easier to fit a large heatsink on the CPU if you ever got one.

Spend a little more on the motherboard and get one that can SLI/CF at 8x/8x as well as prepare you for Ivy Bridge.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401
Lower price but better heatsink so cooler when you OC if you choose to do so. This Gigabyte below is cheaper and would be more than enough.

 

[Jtwolf22]

I'm sorry, I did not mean it to come off like that. I really appreciate your time and effort.

I did consider your options, but most of your selections seem to gear towards being able to upgrade to dual cards or upgrade other features in the future and I am not interested in doing so. The memory I'll pay an extra $10 for because I really like corsair customer service, same thing with the video card.

Last bump before I purchase this evening. Thanks again guys.