My first build (gaming PC)!! 1229 CAD, after tax

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ward43

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Jan 14, 2012
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18,510
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Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month.

Budget Range: 1300 is my max after tax.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (mmo's like SW:ToR, and Diable 3 when it comes out), surfing the internet, watching movies

Parts Not Required: Speakers, Mouse, Keyboard

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: http://www.canadacomputers.com (they have a store in my city, so I have found everything except for the PSU at that location)

Country: Canada, Ontario

Parts Preferences: I am not picky, but prefer reputable brands for quality assurance, and obviously want everything to work together.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No (Don't even know what that is...)

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: This is my first build, I have only ever bought one other computer pre-assembled. I basically just gave myself a crash course on computers, sitting in front of this one for 7 hours straight, and this build is what I came up with. My goal is to use it for playing video games such as SW:ToR, Diablo when it comes out, and perhaps some SC2 and WoW down the road. I also enjoy watching movies (primarily through streams) and surfing the internet (basic tasks).

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[strike]Video Card - 394.99 - Gigabyte (GV-N570SO-13I) nVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 Chipset (845MHz) 1028MB (3800MHz) GDDR5 Dual DVI/Mini-HDMI/Mini Display Port PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card.[/strike]
Video Card - 279.99 - Gigabyte (GV-N560448-13I) nVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores Chipset (732MHz) 1280MB (3800MHz) GDDR5 Dual DVI/HDMI/Display Port PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card with Free Battlefield 3

CPU - 219.99 - Intel Core i5-2500K Quad-Core Socket LGA1155, 3.30Ghz, 6MB L3 Cache, 32nm (Retail Boxed) (BX80623I52500K)

[strike] MoBo - 114.99 - Asus P8H67-M PRO/CSM (Rev. 3.0) Socket 1155 Intel H67 Chipset CrossfireX Dual-Channel DDR3 1333/1066Mhz 2x PCI-Express 2.0 x16 GigaLAN 8-CH High Definition Audio 2x SATA 6.0Gb/s 4x SATA 3.0Gb/s 2xUSB 3.0 DVI/HDMI MicroATX[/strike]
MoBo 119.88- ASRock Z68 Pro3 Socket 1155 Intel Z68 Chipset Dual Channel DDR3 2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066 7.1 CH HD Audio Gigabit LAN 2x SATAIII 6.0 GB/s 4x SATAII 3.0 Gb/s 2x USB 3.0 ATX


[strike] Ram - 29.99 - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666) 4GB (2x2GB) Dual Channel Kit (F3-10666CL9D-4GBXL)[/strike]
Memory - 49.99 - G.SKILL Sniper Series DDR3 1600MHz (PC3-12800) 8GB (2x4GB) Dual Channel Kit (F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR)

[strike] Monitor - 179.99 - BENQ G2420HD, 24" Widescreen Full 1080p LCD Monitor, 1920x1080, 2ms(GtG), 40,000:1(DCR), VGA, DVI and HDMI[/strike]
Monitor - 129.99 - Asus VS228HP 21.5" Full HD LED SLIM Widescreen Monitor, 1920x1080, 2ms(GtG), 50,000,000M:1(ASCR), D-Sub and HDMI

[strike] Drive - 24.99 - LG GH24LS70 Black SATA Lightscribe DVD-Writer 24xDVD+R/-R 8xDVD+RW/6xDVD-RW 16xDVD+R DL 12xDVD-R DL 48x CD-R 32xCD-RW (Retail)[/strike]
Drive - 21.99 - Samsung SH-S222AL/BEBE SATA Black Light Scribe 22X SpeedPlus DVD-Writer

HDD - 89.99 - Seagate Barracuda (ST500DM002) SATA3 6.0Gb/s 500GB 16MB Cache (OEM)

PSU - 105.99 - Corsair Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W 80PLUS Bronze Certified Power Supply (CMPSU-650TXV2)

Case - 69.99 - Antec Three Hundred AB (ALL BLACK) Gaming Series ATX Case 3/0/(6) 2xUSB Audio (No PSU)

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[strike]Total = 1359.164 (after tax), -250 for my old computer and monitor which a friend is buying = 1109.164[/strike]
Total = 1229.213 (after tax), -250 for my old computer and monitor which a friend is buying = 979.214
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Dimensions

MoBo = 12" (H) x 7.5" (W)

Video Card= 4.376" (H), 9" (W)

Case= 18.1" (H), 8.1" (W), 18.3" (D)
 
Solution
J
Hey Jeremy,

After reading your previous post, I looked into the GTX 560 Ti 448, and decided to go with it. For the purpose of my games the 570 would have been a safe bet, but overkill, especially since I don't really care about max settings, generally speaking. It is also a little over 100$ cheaper, which brings my total below 1000, after selling my old computer, which is great! It is also good news that this new card will actually fit my chosen case!

Thanks so much for all your help, it is genuinely appreciated!


Right now I just need to back track and make sure that it is compatible with my PSU and MoBo.

-----

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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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It looks pretty good, but I'd drop the video card to a 560TI and spend the difference on getting a better motherboard. I notice you didn't include a case - I assume you already have that or are you planning on using something different?

Also your RAM is a bit underpowered - you should get 8GB 1600 instead of 4GB 1333.
 
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ward43

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Jan 14, 2012
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K Thanks for the input so far guys!

- I added the case to my original post, I was just so tired I forgot to include it. Does it look like it would work / fit everything?

- I change my monitor to an Asus that doesn't include speakers (since I already have some), it's not quite the one that you mentioned, but it has 2ms which I read was good for games, compared to 5ms.

- In regards to downgrading my graphics card in order to upgrade my mother board and consequently the ram is can support, would that be a wise choice for a primarily gaming computer? I read that I want a good graphics card above all else, and that the mother board and ram don't matter as much. Please help me to understand your choices to switch towards the z68 + 1600ram. (and yes, my current mother board doesn't support 1600, so I would need to upgrade both)
 
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ward43

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Alright, so assuming I need to change my motherboard and memory, I found a z68 that is almost the same price (on clearance), that supports 1600GHZ memory, so I found 2x4gb by G.Skill (which seems to be the most popular brand). I believe that both support each other.. any comments?


MoBo 119.88- ASRock Z68 Pro3 Socket 1155 Intel Z68 Chipset Dual Channel DDR3 2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066 7.1 CH HD Audio Gigabit LAN 2x SATAIII 6.0 GB/s 4x SATAII 3.0 Gb/s 2x USB 3.0 ATX

Memory - 49.99 - G.SKILL Sniper Series DDR3 1600MHz (PC3-12800) 8GB (2x4GB) Dual Channel Kit (F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR)
 
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Block Bud

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The graphics card seems a bit over powered for what you need to do. If this build is this serious then you will defo need to increase ram with higher speeds and you will want 8GB.

You might want to think about future proofing the mobo. So maybe invest some more in a even better i7 processer.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=8gb+ddr3+ram&hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=933&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9186412349387068286&sa=X&ei=Q-4ST_mRIsmB8gOIiZDdAw&ved=0CJMBEPMCMAI

You have 4 DIMM slots that can have 8gb in each so you are fine with that. This mobo does Cross Fire.

I think this will be ok and has potential to be even better in the future.

You might want to shop around more for that graphics card because you can get it much cheaper then just get it shipped or posted and save your self some monies for other stuff
http://www.hardwareking.net/product_info.php?currency=GBP&info=p45396_Gigabyte-GeForce-GTX-570-OC--1-25GB-GDDR5--2x-DVI--mini-HDMI--GV.html

Hope i helped,
Bud
 
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ward43

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But I thought I needed a strong video card and just a decent processor.. I mean I know in ideal situations it would be better, but I am on a budget (I looked up both of your suggestions, one doesnt exist at my store, and the other is even more pricey after the EURO -> CAD conversion)

What do you think about the Z68 MoBo, and (2x4gb) 1600MHz Ram I linked?

And for my personal needs, I will never go past 8gb, it just won't happen.
 
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ward43

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So can anyone answer some questions for me, which I have been unable to answer myself..

1. If I do not plan on overclocking, do I need a third party cooling system, and/or a case with built in fans?

2. How can I figure out if my case will fit both my MoBo and video card?

3. Is my MoBo compatible with my PSU and ram?

4. Is my Videocard requires a minimum 650W or greater system power supply with one8-pin and one 6-pin external power connectors, my PSU has the 650w, but I am not sure if it has both one 8-pin and one 6-pin external power connectors.
 
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jeremyp1979

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Most every case is going to have some built in fans, try for one with 3 or 4. You should not need an aftermarket cooler for your cpu if you arent overclocking



Any mid or full tower case should be able to fit MOST video cards. If you are worried about you card fitting, the maximum card length is listed in the case details(if not on the site you use, newegg shows this), and the details on the video card will show you it's overall length.Motherboards come in a few different form factors, by far the most popular are ATX and mATX. These will both be supported by virtually any case you can buy.(the board you have listed is ATX, by the way)



It is compatible with your PSU, if you want to check for ram compatibility, check the Mobo manufacturers website, search for your motherboard model, and look at the qualified vendor list. This will give you model and part numbers for the ram the board supports.



According to Newegg, your power supply has 2 6+2 pcie connectors, which means they will each work for either 6 pin or 8 pin, so youre covered there.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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No. Your motherboard will default to the lowest speeds and timings it can handle. You can enable the BIOS to run the RAM at stock speeds but you never want to go over otherwise there could be serious consequences.

Any mid or full tower case should be able to fit MOST video cards. If you are worried about you card fitting, the maximum card length is listed in the case details(if not on the site you use, newegg shows this), and the details on the video card will show you it's overall length.Motherboards come in a few different form factors, by far the most popular are ATX and mATX. These will both be supported by virtually any case you can buy.(the board you have listed is ATX, by the way)
Click to expand...

That's actually determined by the dimensions of your case than anything else. If you're getting a smaller, tighter case (like the Cooler Master HAF 912) you want to make sure it has good cable management to accommodate for larger hardware (PSUs and video cards).

It is compatible with your PSU, if you want to check for ram compatibility, check the Mobo manufacturers website, search for your motherboard model, and look at the qualified vendor list. This will give you model and part numbers for the ram the board supports.
Click to expand...

I always recommend checking the QVL but it's only a guideline - most manufacturers don't have the time or resources to test every motherboard with every stick of RAM that's out there. As long as it has certain specifications (voltage is extremely important) - you're good to go.
 
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mingwyo

mingwyo

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I'm pretty sure hardwareking.net is a scam...
 
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pharmgamer

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at the price you are paying for the 570, you might as well get an radeon 6970 and save 100$. Also the difference between 1333 and 1600 ram is minimal, you can pick up mushkin stilletos for 20-25$ less. You can also probably save a few bucks on the optical drive if you shop around too.

That being said, you save over 100$ with minimal sacrifice to performance.
 
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ward43

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Thanks for all your help Jeremy! Sorry for the late reply, I was at the gym.

Upon looking into things, my current case does come with 3 built in fans, and the dimensions of the case seem to be much greater then that of the MoBo and graphics card. (I edited the dimensions onto the bottom of the original post)

I also checked my MoBo’s home site, and it turns out that it also supports my CPU and Ram.

I looked into the Radeon 6970, but the site I am using does not carry that brand.

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Questions;

In regards to the memory, I found that the difference in price between the 1333 vs 1600 was minimal, the big difference is the 4g vs 8g.. originally I thought I would only need 4g, since I only ever surf the internet and play one game at a time, but almost everyone since then has suggested upgrading to 8g, which is a price difference of about 20$.. do you think I should play it safe with 8g?

In regards to the video card, from the forum posts I read, most people recommend getting a strong video card for games, above all else. So that is why I went with the one I did, it has great reviews.. it is pricey though, are you familure with any others that I could try looking into? (ideally with a Socket LGA1155, the thought of starting the process over is scary, but not out of the question)
 
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jeremyp1979

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With the price of ram right now, there is no reason not to get 8g, which would be enough for pretty much anything you could throw at it. Windows 7 and its background processes are going to use at least 1g, and add to that any kind of background software you'll be using, and with 4g you wont have much headroom. 8g gives you the ability to do anything you need on a homebuilt computer, and for only 20 bucks or so, why not?

The GTX 570 is a great card, and will be about 5% faster than the 6970. If it's worth the cost difference to you, go for it. I personally prefer nVidia cards, the AMD cards are known for having driver issues.

If you are worried about the price on the GTX 570, you might look into a GTX 560 ti 448 core. This card uses the same hardware as the 570 and 580's, with some cores locked out. It is very easy to OC into 570 performance range, and runs about 300 dollars(US)
 
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jeremyp1979

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The card you've selected is 11.1" x 5.5"
From the antec website(not sure it doesnt show this on newegg, all of the cases ive been looking at lately do: Maximum video card size: 11"/279mm (Note: some video cards may block access to the adjacent hard drive bay)
SO, if you stick with the 570 the card will be just a hair too long. This case would be good if you like it/can get it, and it's just a hair more than the antec, and also has usb 3.0 in the front and it has a drive cage that you can turn to make more room for cabling/video cards.

If you decide to go with the GTX 560 ti 448 core, the card dimensions are 9.57" x 4.53" x 1.65"(for the MSI Twin Frozr version), and MSI is known for using larger heat sinks than the reference cards, so any other brand should be no bigger than it(The evga classified version is actually bigger, but at 10.5", would still fit your case) If you decide to get it, you can use the case you have linked currently.
 
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ward43

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Jan 14, 2012
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Hey Jeremy,

After reading your previous post, I looked into the GTX 560 Ti 448, and decided to go with it. For the purpose of my games the 570 would have been a safe bet, but overkill, especially since I don't really care about max settings, generally speaking. It is also a little over 100$ cheaper, which brings my total below 1000, after selling my old computer, which is great! It is also good news that this new card will actually fit my chosen case!

Thanks so much for all your help, it is genuinely appreciated!


Right now I just need to back track and make sure that it is compatible with my PSU and MoBo.

-----

The PSU is defiantly compatible, it actually provides more watts then needed now.

The MoBo appears to be compatible, because I came across a forum where a guy talked about using both of them. However I was unable to find anything official.
 
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jeremyp1979

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Jan 13, 2012
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Hey Jeremy,

After reading your previous post, I looked into the GTX 560 Ti 448, and decided to go with it. For the purpose of my games the 570 would have been a safe bet, but overkill, especially since I don't really care about max settings, generally speaking. It is also a little over 100$ cheaper, which brings my total below 1000, after selling my old computer, which is great! It is also good news that this new card will actually fit my chosen case!

Thanks so much for all your help, it is genuinely appreciated!


Right now I just need to back track and make sure that it is compatible with my PSU and MoBo.

-----



It actually uses almost exactly the same amount of power as the 570 gtx, so you'll be good there, and as your psu has 2 6+2 pcie plugs, you'll be covered there as well. Glad we got you what you wanted in your system, it should be quite the gaming machine :)
 
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jeremyp1979

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The one thing you didn't include, and I am being too lazy to read back through all of the posts, is a copy of windows 7. Make sure and get 64 bit, and for what you're going to be doing, home premium should have you covered pretty well. It runs about 100 dollars(us)
 
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