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[Solved] Please critique my first build before I buy parts

Forum Systems : Homebuilt [Solved] Please critique my first build before I buy parts

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thegreatdekay   01-17-2012 at 09:04:30 PM

Ok guys...this is going to be my first homebuilt computer :o I picked out the parts I liked on newegg and was hoping you guys could comment on a compatibility issue or any part that I should/shouldn't have. My budget is to stay between 1500-1800 max

Here we go:

case: thermaltake level 10 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133192 looks great, has good cooling, and most importantly there is a lot of room inside...so I think this would be an ideal case for a first build???

cpu: i7 2600k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115070

cpu cooler: noctua cpu cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835608018 seems to be a great cooler and it's quiet and not liquid cooled, so I chose this. Do I even need it? seems like something I would want if I want to try overclocking in the future...

Hard Drive: SSD-- Crucial 256GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148443 Decided to go with SSD because I really dont need anymore room than 256gb atm...and by all the reviews it seems like SSD is the way to go

Memory: Gskill 8gb 1866 sniper http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231460

Mobo: ASUS Sabertooth P67 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131702 choose this because I know nothing about BIOS and reviewers say the bios is very easy. Also would buy this fan to supplement air flow, as suggested by users: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835230035

Graphics card: EVGA GTX 570 superclocked http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130620 I currently have an EVGA 8800gtx and it's worked really well the last 5 years...so I chose EVGA again. Also..I'm sure this is an ongoing debate..but am I losing out by choosing nvidia over radeon? Tomato tomato right?

Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139011 850W seems good for my needs if I decide I want to run SLI in the future...right?

I also will buy Arctic 5 thermal paste and the Rosewill computer tool kit.

The total price of this build is around $1850

Outstanding questions: Is this all I need to build the computer? Do I need a soundcard with this setup?

I appreciate feedback on my build and whether or not I need to change out some parts...Thanks everyone!

EDIT: I should mention this computer is going to be used mainly for gaming. My monitor i currently have is a viewsonic 120hz 22'' and it's max resolution i believe is 1650


Message edited by thegreatdekay on 01-17-2012 at 09:16:23 PM
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kajabla   01-17-2012 at 09:25:28 PM
Best answer

-You REALLY could do with a cheaper case. Almost any case will be absolutely fine. Get whatever looks good on Newegg. You shouldn't spend more than $80 unless you're really attached to some case's look, and don't be afraid to spend $60. Just check here to make sure there's nothing badly wrong with your choice.
-2500K. No drop in gaming performance, and $80 less.
-Mugen 3 CPU cooler, $50, with no extra thermal paste. You don't need it.
-1600mhz RAM. You won't see a difference.
-No tool kit if you have a screwdriver. Honestly, that's all it'll give you.
-A far cheaper 750W PSU, $100 after rebate: (enough for 7970 SLI): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341052

 

...and now you can fit in a 7970 :D $560 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150585
With the latest Nvidia series not yet ready for market, the 7970 is currently the best value at the very high end, which is where you are.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by kajabla on 01-17-2012 at 09:29:31 PM
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jeremyp1979   01-17-2012 at 09:32:36 PM

Id follow Kaja's advice, but get EVGA nVidia gtx 580 instead(the models that end in AR are lifetime warranty). Buy a card now could possibly get you a much cheaper 6 series when they come out(if it's within 90 days of purchase). If you go this route, make sure and check the EVGA site for cards that are eligible.

I would pick the GTX over the 7970 for a few reasons:
AMD's driver issues are a real PITA, though some people seem to not have any issues at all, LOTS of people do.
The 580, while being a bit slower, is proven technology with all of the bugs and kinks worked out.
It's also 50-60 bucks cheaper if you get the reference versions.

A couple of good things about the 7970... Eyefinity, More VRam than the gtx 580, CF scales a bit better than SLI, uses less power.

Reply to jeremyp1979
digitalzom-b   01-17-2012 at 09:33:54 PM

^Take Kaja's advice. However, if you're happy with a 570, then it's just a money saver.

 

I usually recommend this case; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119224 quiet and great cooling. Lots of room too, and great behind-the-motherboard cable management.


Message edited by digitalzom-b on 01-17-2012 at 09:34:58 PM
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thegreatdekay   01-17-2012 at 09:43:15 PM

kajabla wrote :

-You REALLY could do with a cheaper case. Almost any case will be absolutely fine. Get whatever looks good on Newegg. You shouldn't spend more than $80 unless you're really attached to some case's look, and don't be afraid to spend $60. Just check here to make sure there's nothing badly wrong with your choice.
-2500K. No drop in gaming performance, and $80 less.
-Mugen 3 CPU cooler, $50, with no extra thermal paste. You don't need it.
-1600mhz RAM. You won't see a difference.
-No tool kit if you have a screwdriver. Honestly, that's all it'll give you.
-A far cheaper 750W PSU, $100 after rebate: (enough for 7970 SLI): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341052

...and now you can fit in a 7970 :D $560 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150585
With the latest Nvidia series not yet ready for market, the 7970 is currently the best value at the very high end, which is where you are.




-I will definitely switch the 2600k for the 2500k.
-I can now drop the noctua cpu cooler in favor of the mugen 3...and I thoguht the thermal paste is for mounting the processor? do I even need to purchase thermal paste at all?
-I will change from 1866 to 1600mhz ram
-the 750W psu looks like a nice alternative as well
-Once I get home from work I will post a few cases I think I like as a replacement and would appreciate further feedback!

EDIT: I think I was able to narrow it down to two cases I like...should I go with one over the other?
Lian-Li http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112239 $50 cheaper than the corsair case
Corsair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811139005

Thank you everyone very much!!


Message edited by thegreatdekay on 01-17-2012 at 09:59:23 PM
Reply to thegreatdekay
thegreatdekay   01-17-2012 at 11:10:47 PM

I found this cpu cooler instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065 seems the install isn't so hard..just put some screws through the mobo..

 

if anyone could answer my thermal paste question + whether the lianli case will fit all my components (including the coolermaster hyper 212+ I would be very grateful.

 

Thanks


Message edited by thegreatdekay on 01-18-2012 at 12:09:42 AM
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kajabla   01-18-2012 at 12:52:37 AM

All heatsinks will come with thermal paste that's good enough. AS5 might buy you a couple of degrees, but don't worry about it. They're also generally all equally easy to install; that should not be taken into consideration.
The 212+ is the best value at $30, but I think the Mugen 3 might be worth it. If you Xfire 7970s, you'll want a nice overclock.
That case'll be fine. As I said, choose by looks. That one's perfectly good.
The 7970's more than $50 better than the 580. It's very close to the 6990 level. http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 04-16.html


Message edited by kajabla on 01-18-2012 at 12:55:03 AM
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thegreatdekay   01-18-2012 at 01:13:52 AM

with the changes from 2600k to 2500k, cpu cooler, power supply, and case I'm now down to $1400!! That's with a EVGA superclocked GTX 570. Should I stick with the 570 or is the price/performance for the 580/7970 really worth the extra money?


Message edited by thegreatdekay on 01-18-2012 at 01:14:28 AM
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WR2   01-18-2012 at 01:18:53 AM

For single monitor gaming - GTX 570 is a good match.

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thegreatdekay   01-18-2012 at 01:29:06 AM

great! ended up getting a new computer for less than I thought I would have to spend. Thank you everyone! I'm sure I will probably be posting at some point in the near future when I begin building this new rig lol

Reply to thegreatdekay
kajabla   01-18-2012 at 01:33:10 AM

The 570 is definitely a better value. I think one now and another in the future'll work quite well. The same power supply will be good.

 

Building: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] e-building
Read your motherboard's manual.
Also, as a last word, BACK UP. Buy an external drive if you don't currently own one. It's definitely worth the money.


Message edited by kajabla on 01-18-2012 at 01:34:35 AM
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