Gaming PC build asking for assistance

[B1GHURT]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking forward to building my first PC. I have been reviewing the site for advise and this is what I plan on piecing together within a month with a budget of around $900. The primary use is for MMOs (SWTOR, LOTRO) and potentially arkham city and so on. Also, should I replace the HDD with an SDD. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
SanDisk Ultra SDSSDH-120G-G25 2.5" 120GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171545
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498
GIGABYTE GV-N560UD-1G GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401
CORSAIR Gaming Series GS800 800W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC High Performance Power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139025
.PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model MD8192KD3-1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178333
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

 

[Guest]

Good build.
But I will suggest getting the evo version rather than the plus version of the hyper 212.
Also I would recommend looking more into a higher quality case. It'll be something you'll be looking at on a regular basis.
And lastly, I would suggest this psu instead. You only need 650w.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

 

[buu11235]

An SSD should help with boot and load times. I don't think it will make a huge difference in gaming, so it would be up to you if you think you'll benefit enough from it.

+1 on the 650W PSU

As for cases, I personally prefer the aesthetics of the Cooler Master HAF series.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119224
But there are other quality cases out there.

 

[lunyone]

Here to help out others with your build:
$220
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500

$46
NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

$150
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

$213
GIGABYTE GV-N560UD-1G GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

$131
CORSAIR Gaming Series GS800 800W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

$39
PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model MD8192KD3-1333

$29
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

I would consider these options:
* 2500k is good, no changes needed there.

* $68 currently shipped, but is usually around $50-60 shipped, has 2 x 120 mm fans and in configurable for different setups. Good cable management and almost screw-less installation.
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

* Mobo looks pretty good.

* $45 shipped and is a bit faster (not that much difference than yours) and runs at stock voltage too:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

* $213 GPU looks good too.

* $68 PSU that is more than enough for any single GPU out there w/48A on the 12v rail and comes w/1 x 6 pin and 1 x 6+2 pin (8 pin) PCI-e power connector for your demanding GPU's:
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

* Add in a $20 DVD Burner, unless you already have one?

 

[Guest]

Personally I would get ssd only. HDD not worth it anymore.... neither are dvd drives >.> we should move on and ditch these two old spinning technologies.

 

[Guest]

I high recommend against the haf 912. I have it and I'm trying to get rid of it asap. The two fans do nil. NIL. NIL! If you are planning to do wc in the future, avoid this case because the only solution is to put hte radiator outside. The filters included in the case do NIL. Once again. NIL. Its basically a plastic sheet with hole punches. All it does is restrict airflow.

 

[B1GHURT]

Good build.
But I will suggest getting the evo version rather than the plus version of the hyper 212.
Also I would recommend looking more into a higher quality case. It'll be something you'll be looking at on a regular basis.
And lastly, I would suggest this psu instead. You only need 650w.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139020

I will definitely change the PSU. I was going for this case based on the price, but also the cooling and roominess. Do you have any specifics in mind?

What do you think about the SDD and HDD. Can I just go with the HDD and the MoBo Smart response tech or would I be okay with the SDD and an external? I included them both in the listing but one needs to go so I stay under the $900 goal.

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Good build.
But I will suggest getting the evo version rather than the plus version of the hyper 212.
Also I would recommend looking more into a higher quality case. It'll be something you'll be looking at on a regular basis.
And lastly, I would suggest this psu instead. You only need 650w.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139020

I will definitely change the PSU. I was going for this case based on the price, but also the cooling and roominess. Do you have any specifics in mind?

What do you think about the SDD and HDD. Can I just go with the HDD and the MoBo Smart response tech or would I be okay with the SDD and an external? I included them both in the listing but one needs to go so I stay under the $900 goal.

Thanks again.

The smart response tech requires an ssd.
Focus more on the ssd. If you have money left over spend it on the hdd.

I don't have much experiences with other cases. But I've built with an antec 300(the multi-fan newegg version) and although it was cramped in some areas it was superior than haf 912 because of airflow, noise(although there are more fans in the antec 300 it is better than the sound of vibrating plastic the haf 912 makes with the front bay covers and the side panels), paint doesn't scratch off as easily(although it may just be me because I built with the haf912 with less care), heavier(in a good way, stronger material), and smaller(haf 912 is unnecessarily big). Although building at first was not as easy as the haf 912 the end product was much better.

 

[lunyone]

Well you might have issues with your CM HAF 912, I've have had nothing but a good experience with it. It has been reliable and has done a good job. I like it's modular style layout and also the ability to change configuration setup, depending on your needs. It comes with a 2.5" SSD frame too, that you can use and you can even rotate the HD tray to fit your needs. You also can remove several pieces out of it and leave plenty of room for whatever you want. It's ultimately up to you to decide if you want the case or not, but I would read all information (good or bad) and make an informed decision. I've built over 20-30 systems in the last 10 years or so, so I do have a little experience in building systems (not like some). I do know when I find something that is designed well and works well that I try and inform people about it, which is why I was recommending the CM HAF 912 case. It meets/exceeds most peoples needs and isn't too spendy.

 

[B1GHURT]

The smart response tech requires an ssd.
Focus more on the ssd. If you have money left over spend it on the hdd.

I will definitely go with the SDD. I have an HDD on the desktop that I'm using now, so I will probably move that one over to the new PC instead of buying a new one.

As far as the case goes, I will research them both and go from there.

Add in a $20 DVD Burner, unless you already have one?

I have an external DVD burner, but I think I will add one to this new PC as well. A great point which I overlooked. Thanks for that.



I'll post the results once I am done with the build.

I really appreciate your quick responses!