Your final thoughts before I hit the "buy" button...

[FFM]

Approximate Purchase Date: Now

Budget Range: around 1300 $ CAD.

System Usage from Most to Least Important :: Only games

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: nope

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences: Reliability first, performance second.

Overclocking: Yes, arouind 4.0 - 4.2

SLI or Crossfire: Yes, but not now (i.e. will wait a year or two for the GPU price to be cut in half).

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/intel-cpu-bx80623i52500k
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor[/url] ($219.69 @ DirectCanada)

CPU Cooler: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr1
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler[/url] ($34.98 @ NCIX)

Motherboard: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz68xud3hb3
Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard[/url] ($134.99 @ Canada Computers)

Memory: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1600c9
Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory[/url] ($50.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Hard Drive: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/intel-internal-hard-drive-ssdsa2cw120g3k5]
Intel 320 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[/url] ($186.33 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/evga-video-card-012p31570ar
EVGA GeForce GTX 570 1.25GB Video Card[/url] ($349.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Case: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/antec-case-elevenhundred
Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case[/url] ($109.99 @ Canada Computers)

Power Supply: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu850hx
Corsair 850W HX850 ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply[/url] ($169.99 @ Canada Computers)

Optical Drive: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/lg-optical-drive-gh24ns70oem
LG GH24NS70 OEM DVD/CD Writer[/url] ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Total: $1275.94

(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

 

[ultimabeam]

I like everything except the case. The HAF 922 or Storm Scout are better (and likely cheaper) options.

That said, it's a balanced and well thought out build, right down to the low profile RAM.

 

[Onus]

[rant]
Coolermaster still puts liar labels on some of their PSUs, or claims they have certain protection circuits that they lack (facts, not opinion; reviews at HardwareSecrets). That's dishonest, and a dishonest company does not deserve anyone's business for any of its products. Fortunately, in every market where it is found, Coolermaster has competitors offering equivalent (or superior) products for the same price. Check out Xigmatek coolers and Rosewill cases as good examples. You won't take a hit in the wallet for refusing to support a dishonest business.
[/rant]

Edit: Otherwise, I also think your choices are well balanced, and your selections decent.

 

[inzone]

After looking over your selections I noticed that you had not selected a HDD and if that is your intent then I would go with this SSD;

Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F180GBGT-BK 2.5" 180GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$299.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233211

If you compare the read/write speeds you will notice quite a difference and having used both Intel and Corsair I am currently using the 180gb Corsair as my boot drive. There is also a $35 mail in rebate with this purchase. If you look at the feedback on this drive you will see that it is extremely good.
Everything else is very good and especialy the video card , nice choice.

 

[FFM]

I like everything except the case. The HAF 922 or Storm Scout are better (and likely cheaper) options.

That said, it's a balanced and well thought out build, right down to the low profile RAM.

You hit the nail here: the choice of the case is driving me right down CRAZY !!!!

It's the part I've research the most, and none seems to stand out off the crowed around 100$. I'm welling to pay 100$ (or a bit more) for a case under the logic that it's the part we're most likely to keep the longest (this and the PSU ?). I looked at the HAF 922 carefully and it didn't seems much better (it has one more fan ? - I don't mind having to pay an extra 20$ for 2x120mm extra fans on the Antec1100 when I'll SLI in a year or two). Your thoughts ?

I really hesitated between the Antec1100, the HAF932 and the Corsair 650D (which is supposely a "top case" but cost 50$ more than the Antec 1100 and the user reviews are mitigated).

 

[FFM]

After looking over your selections I noticed that you had not selected a HDD and if that is your intent then I would go with this SSD;

Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F180GBGT-BK 2.5" 180GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$299.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233211

If you compare the read/write speeds you will notice quite a difference and having used both Intel and Corsair I am currently using the 180gb Corsair as my boot drive. There is also a $35 mail in rebate with this purchase. If you look at the feedback on this drive you will see that it is extremely good.
Everything else is very good and especialy the video card , nice choice.

Thanks for the heads up; I indeed already have a external 1TB for data. I went for the Intel for reliability; as it's the brand standing out of the crowed on that matter (and this 320 series has a 5y warranty). I don't mind sacrifying SATA3 for SATA2, since when it comes to games, I wont see any differences in performance, except for a slightly longer loading time (?) Thoughts ?

 

[inzone]

I have over the years used a lot of SSD's and it started with the very expensive Intel SLC SSD and I have even tried the OCZ RevoDrive and now What I have for my setup is two Corsair 180gb SSD's in raid 0 and the 240gb RevoDrive as secondary with games and apps for quick access and regular storage on a 600gb Velociraptor. Any current game is on the Raid boot drive and I am completely happy with this setup , the games maps load instantly and I am always the first in the map of course this is my personal preference and everybody has what they want to use and I only post this to give an example of what there is besides traditional setups.

 

[wallz]

Approximate Purchase Date: Now

Budget Range: around 1300 $ CAD.

System Usage from Most to Least Important :: Only games

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: nope

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences: Reliability first, performance second.

Overclocking: Yes, arouind 4.0 - 4.2

SLI or Crossfire: Yes, but not now (i.e. will wait a year or two for the GPU price to be cut in half).

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU:
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.69 @ DirectCanada)

CPU Cooler:
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ NCIX)

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Canada Computers)

Memory:
Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Hard Drive:
Intel 320 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($186.33 @ DirectCanada)

Video Card:
EVGA GeForce GTX 570 1.25GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Case:
Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($109.99 @ Canada Computers)

Power Supply:
Corsair 850W HX850 ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($169.99 @ Canada Computers)

Optical Drive:
LG GH24NS70 OEM DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Total: $1275.94

(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

That's pretty much a similar machine I just purchased from Memory Express. I like your parts and prices. Overclocking the 2500k with a heatsink is very stable. Running 4.5ghz at approx 1.35v and temps don't exceed 60 degrees celcius.

In regards to the Antec 1100 case, I don't have any complaints, however suprisingly it is an oversized midsize case, which I find has good air flow and a lot of space to work with. It only comes with two fans so I purchased to Zalman intake fans.

$129.99 - Antec Eleven Hundred Gamer Case
$229.99 - Intel Core i5 2500k 3.3GHz 6MB
$179.99 - Asus P8Z68-V Motherboard
$52.99 - Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600Mhz CL9 2x4GB Blue
$189.99 - Intel 320 Series 120GB SSD SATA II
$269.99 - Asus ENGTX560 Ti DCII TOP/2DI/1GD5
$129.99 - Corsair CMPSU-750HX 750W Modular PSU
$29.99 - Corsair Air Series A70 CPU Cooler

Subtotal $1,212.92
HST $145.55
Total $1,358.47

 

[Lokster1]

Did you take a look at Corsair 500R, I have the white one and I love it, tons of room and great airflow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

They have it in all black too

 

[FFM]

I have over the years used a lot of SSD's and it started with the very expensive Intel SLC SSD and I have even tried the OCZ RevoDrive and now What I have for my setup is two Corsair 180gb SSD's in raid 0 and the 240gb RevoDrive as secondary with games and apps for quick access and regular storage on a 600gb Velociraptor. Any current game is on the Raid boot drive and I am completely happy with this setup , the games maps load instantly and I am always the first in the map of course this is my personal preference and everybody has what they want to use and I only post this to give an example of what there is besides traditional setups.

I very much appreciate your input. I probably should have mentioned that this is my first built (i.e. I'm a noob); hence, the whole raid setup is very nebulous to me. I would look into this prior to buying today; after all, I have done so-many reading than a bit more wont hurt.

Cheers.

 

[Rockdpm]

In his case i would be nice if the Haf xm, which if you don't know its the Case Cooler master has announced that is the Micro version (Mid tower) of the Haf X. Looks a little like the Level 10 GT far as the Side panel goes but the rest has a Haf X look. Far as everything else goes. But if you want a better case, i'm using the storm enforcer and i works good cooling, but if you want cases with good fan filters for a good deal look corsair, some cooler master ones have them but eh.

 

[FFM]

Did you take a look at Corsair 500R, I have the white one and I love it, tons of room and great airflow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

They have it in all black too

I sure did. The reason it wasn't too appealing for me was the Hardwaresecrets review that wasn't that good (they mentioned it wasn't really worth it compared to the 400R, unless you really want the extra features - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-Carbide-Series-500R-Case-Review/1406/7); same with the Neweggs user reviews that are quite mitigated: too much plastic compare to the harder built of the Antec1100. I might be completely wrong though, so thanks for your suggestion.

 

[inzone]

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0, Black Interior and Four Fans-1x 230mm front RED LED fan, 1x 140mm rear fan, 1x 230mm top fan, and 1x 230mm side fan
$159.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

The only case that has better fans than this case is the Half-X 942 , if you want massive air flow take a look at the size of these fans and I can vouch for the Half-X since I have it. There is even a shroud for the video cards where you slide the thing over the ends of the video cards and there is an option for a 120mm fan to go inside so it blows directly at the end of the video card towards the rear of the case.

 

[FFM]

That's pretty much a similar machine I just purchased from Memory Express. I like your parts and prices. Overclocking the 2500k with a heatsink is very stable. Running 4.5ghz at approx 1.35v and temps don't exceed 60 degrees celcius.

In regards to the Antec 1100 case, I don't have any complaints, however suprisingly it is an oversized midsize case, which I find has good air flow and a lot of space to work with. It only comes with two fans so I purchased to Zalman intake fans.

$179.99 - Asus P8Z68-V Motherboard

DUDE! I have literally spent every evening last week trying to decide between the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/ GEN 3 and the GA-Z68X-UDH-B3. I only went with the GA because I don't need more than 2xPCIe x16 (I will NOT 3x SLI) nore the fancy bios (anyway I think GA updated their BIOS to mouse friendly). Furthermore, the Asus board advertises iEEE 1394 connection on the back panel; aren’t they in the middle of the board instead ?!?

However, I am still wondering which one is the most reliable between those two cards. I have read countless threads on various forums about "Gigabyte vs ASUS Motherboards". And it seems both have the same moderate quality, same crappy client services, and same amount of DOAs.

Anyway, I’m curious, what made you choose the Asus over the GA ?

 

[inzone]

I personaly don't have a problem with any MB except the low budget ones and as long as you get a working MB (not doa) then you will be ok.
Gigabyte , Asus ,Asrock and Evga , they are all the same just get lucky and get a working one. I have always used Asus and for the most part have had good luck with them but am currently using a Gigabyte board because I like the feature set and the price.

 

[wallz]

DUDE! I have literally spent every evening last week trying to decide between the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/ GEN 3 and the GA-Z68X-UDH-B3. I only went with the GA because I don't need more than 2xPCIe x16 (I will NOT 3x SLI) nore the fancy bios (anyway I think GA updated their BIOS to mouse friendly). Furthermore, the Asus board advertises iEEE 1394 connection on the back panel; aren’t they in the middle of the board instead ?!?

However, I am still wondering which one is the most reliable between those two cards. I have read countless threads on various forums about "Gigabyte vs ASUS Motherboards". And it seems both have the same moderate quality, same crappy client services, and same amount of DOAs.

Anyway, I’m curious, what made you choose the Asus over the GA ?

I went with the ASUS based on reviews and personal preference since none of my ASUS MB have failed me yet. From what I've read, the mid range ASUS boards are more reliable but that's just based on opinions I guess??? I haven't had much experience with Gigabyte, but I'm sure I'd be just as happy with one.

Since the P8Z68 models perform the same, I went with the Asus P8Z68-V Motherboard to save some money as I don't need the extra ports (firewire etc) with the PRO model, and I don't plan on upgrading my CPU so I saved a bit on the non-GEN3 version.

 

[Onus]

Take a look at this Enermax Hoplite: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124139 and here is HardwareSecrets' Golden Award review of it: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Enermax-Hoplite-Case-Review/1208
It has all the same features (and then some, like the variety of drive mounts) of the Crappermaster or Rosewill cases, but is much sturdier than the ones I've used from either of them. Right now, it is $85, or $60 if you play the rebate game (and win).

 

[somekidxd]

SSD, change to Crucial M4 or Samsung 830. Other than that, its good.

 

[juhygt1]

SSD, change to Crucial M4 or Samsung 830. Other than that, its good.

Crucial and Samsung over Intel ? If I would get to drop the reliability of Intel, I would prolly go with OCZ Vertex 3.

"We continue to believe that Intel's SSDs are the most reliable you can buy. Our opinions are shared by data center managers in the enterprise world, who we've polled about their own experiences with solid-state technology. Almost exclusively, they let us know that they lean on Intel drives."

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-review-benchmark,3115-4.html

I guess they know what they're talking about.

 

[FFM]

Thanks everyone. It's now a done deal. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no DOA. Are there somewhere DOAs bitching threads just in case I need to scream out any upcoming frustrations ?

On a more serious note, I am slowly getting accustomed to this forum: once the thread quiet down it sends an email mentioning you have to select a "best answer". I understand the point, as this pumps the well deserved tech creds of those providing researched and most needed insights.

Well, since this is my second thread for advice on a built (I had to postpone my purchase initially planned last November), I'm obviously a guy that have a hard time taking decisions.
Therefore, since I believe all of you deserve the best answer award, well you go democratically elect a winner between all of you and I'll happily give the winner the best answer!

Cheers

 

[FFM]

Best answer selected by FFM.

 

[hunter315]

This topic has been closed by Hunter315