New Build, not sure about the Power Supply draw

[mr_disco]

Hi all! So I finally built a new rig. I'm on a budget, but wanted to get something I really wanted and would last for several years. I'll link up to what I bought, and then post my questions/concerns at the end.

Case: Cooler Master HAF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-M Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131786
CPU: i5 2500k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Main Storage: 120GB SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726
Side storage: 160GB I had lying around ( I don't keep much on this computer)
RAM: 8 GB 2133 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231476
PSU: 600 Watt http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822013
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master 212 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

I'm debating about the video card...

I'm either thinking of an XFX 6870 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150563
or the same thing in a 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

I'm not sure if needing the GPU to have both 6-pin cables will draw too much power from my 600 watt PSU. All in all I've have paid (before the graphics card) a grand total of about 650.00 - Gotta love sales!

I want to know general thoughts, and whether or not the 600 Watt PSU is enough to add that 2GB GPU, or if I even need the 2GB GPU, I think I could live with the 1GB version. I mostly am wanting Skyrim/BF3 on Ultra, I also play Arkham City, and the Dawn of War 2 series...

 

[morgoth780]

i'd recommend getting a smaller ssd and getting a better vid card like a 6950.
that is a terrible psu, get a corsair/antec/seasonic psu, 650w or 750w for future cfx.
get 1600 mhz ram, theres hardly any performance difference.

 

[QuietPC]

Hi all! So I finally built a new rig. I'm on a budget, but wanted to get something I really wanted and would last for several years. I'll link up to what I bought, and then post my questions/concerns at the end.

Case: Cooler Master HAF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-M Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131786
CPU: i5 2500k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Main Storage: 120GB SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726
Use a Crucial, Intel or Samsung since you need the best dependability given it's your main drive. NOt the OCZ
Side storage: 160GB I had lying around ( I don't keep much on this computer)
Sata?
RAM: 8 GB 2133 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231476
this ram is 1.65v and won't play with your setup. You need 1.5v and please consider low profile for clearance reasons
PSU: 600 Watt http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822013
Junk. Get a Corsair, Seasonic or other quality 80%+ efficiency bronze or better. Your proposed psu will not do the job
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master 212 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

I'm debating about the video card...

I'm either thinking of an XFX 6870 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150563
or the same thing in a 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561
The 1gb will do the job. The 2gb won't do much and is not worth the cost

I'm not sure if needing the GPU to have both 6-pin cables will draw too much power from my 600 watt PSU. All in all I've have paid (before the graphics card) a grand total of about 650.00 - Gotta love sales!

I want to know general thoughts, and whether or not the 600 Watt PSU is enough to add that 2GB GPU, or if I even need the 2GB GPU, I think I could live with the 1GB version. I mostly am wanting Skyrim/BF3 on Ultra, I also play Arkham City, and the Dawn of War 2 series...

 

[neal0790]

You probably wont have great fps on ultra but you should be fine on high settings with bf3. a 600 watt psu will be fine but if you ever want to crossfire two 6870's you would probably be better off with a 750w. Also i would definitly get rid of that diablotek PSU. There garbage and a psu isnt something you should go cheap on. I would get the 2 gb if you going to be running on a high resolution. Also be careful buying RAM with the tall heatsinks its doesnt fit with the 212 cpu cooler.

 

[mr_disco]

Thanks for the quick response, the secondary drive is indeed SATA, but not SATA 6Gb/s. Can you explain what you mean by the ram being 1.65v and not playing with my system?

 

[sosofm]

Your PSU is the weak spot. Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031
Buy this RAM Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544 is low profile and you will not have problems when you install the cpu cooler.

 

[morgoth780]

Thanks for the quick response, the secondary drive is indeed SATA, but not SATA 6Gb/s. Can you explain what you mean by the ram being 1.65v and not playing with my system?

intel mobos only support up to 1.5v ram

 

[mr_disco]

Would this PSU be better? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153136

Also, if I already bought the RAM Is it enough of a problem that I need to return it and get something with 1.5v?

 

[sosofm]

That power supply is much better than that Diablotek.
You can keep your RAM but after you power your PC go in BIOS as set the memory voltage at 1.5V.

 

[neal0790]

you can keep the ram just make sure you install it before you install your CPU cooler to make sure it all fits.