$1500 Gaming Build Ran into some Troubles

[mrwhit30ut]

So, Here is my build. I will be CFXing, and overclocking. If, and when I need to crossfire, I will definitely buy a new PSU (The current one is there to keep the initial price down. This will be Assembled in the US. I am trying to keep my parts from Micro center, New egg, NCIX, and Tigerdirect. I have a Tiger Direct, and a Microcenter within 15 minutes of my house. Oh, almost forgot I will be overclocking also.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

CPU Cooler: Corsair CAFA70 61.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181011

Motherboard: MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3) ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=62865&vpn=Z68A-GD65%20%28G3%29&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1315

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231477

Hard Drive: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($154.99 @ Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191

Video Card: XFX Double D FX-797A-TDFC ($579.99 @ Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150596

Case: Corsair CC650DW ATX Mid Tower Case ($173.43 @ NCIX US)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=58078&vpn=CC650DW&manufacture=Corsair

Here's the problem area, I also really like this Case
Case: NZXT Switch 810 White ATX Full Tower Case ($189.98 @ Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146088

Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($151.29 @ Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222AB DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Newegg)
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

Total: $1478.68
This is the total with the Corsair 650D, not the Switch 810. So what do you guys think. 810 or 650D. And any other areas you might want to critique? Also a couple of my part's lowest prices can be found on amazon. Can the rainforest of products be trusted?

 

[striker410]

Looking good. I do have a few suggestions, though.
-Get a decent 850w PSU. 650w is NOT going to run 2 overclocked 7970's. Period. Something like this would do the job: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817116016 Or a Corsair TX850M: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139029
-Next, I'd grab a different cooler. While the A70 is okay, the Hyper 212 EVO is better. http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R1/dp/B005O65JXI
-While that mobo is alright, I'd prefer one with PCI-E 3.0 for futureproofing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265 Same price, and now you don't need to worry about a rebate.
-This is probably nit-picking, but I'd grab some black RAM so it matches your color scheme: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
-I would prefer an OCZ Vertex 3 over a Corsair Force GT. Your call though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706

That's all! You've done really well.

 

[mrwhit30ut]

Okay, so not to be a a**hole or anything but you've got a couple things wrong. I will upgrade my PSU before I go to CFX. The A70 is the best Cooler in this price range, and it is cheaper. This motherboard has PCIe Gen 3 and it is also a company I trust. I do not like Asrock. and my color scheme is Blue and Black not Black only, guess I should have said that. OCZ has a very bad record with me. 2 broken PSUs that fried a motherboard and 3 RMAed SSDs. And again, I know I kind of sound like an a** in this post, but I have absolutely no intentions of being one.

 

[striker410]

Oops, my bad. Didn't know MSI came out with their Gen3 Boards yet.
Hey, if you wanna roll with the GT, that's cool. Just a suggestion.
I made the RAM suggestion to go with my suggested mobo, in case you wanted to switch.

I will however stick with my PSU suggestion. Why get a $140 PSU, then buy another one later when you can spend $140 on one that can run both? The NZXT Hale is an excellent PSU, as is the Corsair. I'd just like to know your thinking.

Will you be gaming at 1080p? A pair of 7970's is pretty overkill for that res. Maybe drop to a pair of 7950's, or wait for the 78xx to come out?

 

[mrwhit30ut]

Striker you bring up great points, and I will be getting a better PSU then. And I will be gaming at 1080p, and I will probably go 3 monitor eyefinity. But here's my dilemma, its also a disease really. Its called ihavetohavethebest-iosis. I cannot buy something knowing there is something better on the market for what I need to do. So I have forced myself to get all the other parts, non the best, so I could get the best most powerful single GPU out. Oh and also no one has commented on my lack of HDD, and it is because HDDs are way to overpriced right now, and 120GB is enough for OS, BF3, Minecraft, and WoW. I will be getting a 1TB HDD when they are reasonably priced again.

So on that note, Recommended 850w PSUs, and also what do you guys think, NZXT Switch 810 or Corsair Obsidian 650D?

 

[CaedenV]

I agree, go with a much cheaper OCZ psu. After purchasing PCPnC they have really stepped up their quality in power supplies. Then again, I understand avoiding companies that have burned you before. Either way it does not make any sense buying such a ridiculously priced psu when you are planning on replacing it in a year or two. If you are going to spend that kind of money, just buy one that will last you for the long term.

I love MSI, but their z68 mobos do not have the best track record when it comes to stability and OCing. They have some solid p67 boards... but I am quite sure those would not interest you. Sadly I have to say that ASUS and ASRock rule the market in that price range for performance no matter the cost... and getting something potentially bad because it fits your color scheme is just a little silly.

Too bad you missed those killer SSD deals a week ago at microcenter... they had a ton of SSDs at the magic $1/GB number. But that is not a bad price for the Corsair.

All things being equal on the case I would likely go with the white one for style, but really, you can't go wrong with either of them, they are both top notch.

Best of luck!

 

[CaedenV]

Striker you bring up great points, and I will be getting a better PSU then. And I will be gaming at 1080p, and I will probably go 3 monitor eyefinity. But here's my dilemma, its also a disease really. Its called ihavetohavethebest-iosis. I cannot buy something knowing there is something better on the market for what I need to do. So I have forced myself to get all the other parts, non the best, so I could get the best most powerful single GPU out. Oh and also no one has commented on my lack of HDD, and it is because HDDs are way to overpriced right now, and 120GB is enough for OS, BF3, Minecraft, and WoW. I will be getting a 1TB HDD when they are reasonably priced again.

So on that note, Recommended 850w PSUs, and also what do you guys think, NZXT Switch 810 or Corsair Obsidian 650D?

The best cure for the desease is to know that you will be out of date in 3 months no matter how much money you throw at it. It is much better to get affordable parts that get the job done, and upgrade more often.

 

[aznplayer213]

"Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($151.29 @ Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088"

They were having a sell for a corsair 850 gold for 180 (tax and everything) on newegg during 2-15-12. Also as a 7970 owner, I had to switch out of a 700watt silver psu because it was barely enough to keep the system stable. I was overclocking a lot on the black edition 7970...

 

[elbert]

The CM Hyper 212+ is the best bang for the buck. The CM Hyper 212 EVO is the new version but they both are about the same. The old version tho is lower priced.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-19.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 $19 after rebate.

For 2 or more 7970's I suggest a CM Silent Pro 1000W. I point this out only to show a combo deal with a case which makes it a very good deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.829291 < good deal on both $264.98 and after rebate $224.98.

 

[striker410]

Alright! I understand wanting the best, and if you plan on going Eyefinity in the future the 7970's might be the best choice. That 3GB Vram sure will be nice

With that said, you'll need to get some substantial clocks on the CPU in order to remove the CPU bottleneck from a pair of 7970's. 4.5GHz should do the trick. With this in mind, an upgraded CPU cooler isn't a bad idea. Tom's just recently did a review on high end air solutions: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-19.html The A70 gets the best bang for buck, although Corsair DID cheat by sending it along with two fans. Plus the Hyper 212 EVO was quieter, giving it the recommendation for a budget cooler.

That said, it might not be a bad idea to pick up a huge-ass cooler like the Noctua, as it should help you reach significantly higher clocks. It's $55 more, though.

I DO NOT recommend any Coolermaster PSU. They are in general not very high quality. A decent 850w will do fine, like this Seasonic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151108 Seasonic has a reputation for making outstanding PSU's.

When it comes to cases, both are excellent. While the Obsidian series is more designed for water cooling, it looks like the Switch can do either water or air. Plus, it looks more sexy Switch gets my vote.

 

[elbert]

Alright! I understand wanting the best, and if you plan on going Eyefinity in the future the 7970's might be the best choice. That 3GB Vram sure will be nice

With that said, you'll need to get some substantial clocks on the CPU in order to remove the CPU bottleneck from a pair of 7970's. 4.5GHz should do the trick. With this in mind, an upgraded CPU cooler isn't a bad idea. Tom's just recently did a review on high end air solutions: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-19.html The A70 gets the best bang for buck, although Corsair DID cheat by sending it along with two fans. Plus the Hyper 212 EVO was quieter, giving it the recommendation for a budget cooler.

That said, it might not be a bad idea to pick up a huge-ass cooler like the Noctua, as it should help you reach significantly higher clocks. It's $55 more, though.

I DO NOT recommend any Coolermaster PSU. They are in general not very high quality. A decent 850w will do fine, like this Seasonic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151108 Seasonic has a reputation for making outstanding PSU's.

When it comes to cases, both are excellent. While the Obsidian series is more designed for water cooling, it looks like the Switch can do either water or air. Plus, it looks more sexy Switch gets my vote.

Think you mis-read the review as the CM Hyper 212 EVO got best bang for the buck due to much better temp to noise.

Cooler Master wins this time, and by a wider margin

Noctua is a bad ideal as its near half the price of the CPU. Read the article as it states only given the 2011 socket 6 cores did they give the Noctua the tomshardware award as they are not low-cost processors. The best bang for the buck tho on newegg is the CM hyper 212+ at only $19. Most low end overclockers use the CM Hyper 212+.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/page-261868_29_650.html#t1959409

Cooler Master is only pretty good but Seasonics big problem is high cost. Not to long ago I only suggested the Antec but now they are junk due to quality control. Cooler Master is higher ranked than Seasonic. Cooler Master is ranked 6 while Seasonic is ranked 20th.
http://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-power-supply-manufacturers/computer-hardware

Are you really going to suggest a brand new PSU with no user reviews? Seasonic can no longer copy Antecs designs so I fear both will suffer. The CM 1000w has the best user reviews of any high end PSU on newegg.

I would be very worried about the seasonic as same model 750w has a very high 50% 1 egg user rating.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151107

I suggest going with my two recommendations.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=11vipqvnlyoab
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.829291&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1nu7zgss0mvp5

 

[mrwhit30ut]

So here is what I have currently:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.44 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($194.99 @ NCIX US)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @
Newegg)

Hard Drive: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($154.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($479.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: NZXT Switch 810 Black ATX Full Tower Case ($164.49 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Corsair 850W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($159.99 @ NCIX US)

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222AB DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Newegg)

Total: $1451.85

Those are with most of the changes I've seen, I'm leaning towards the 810, but I am still a wee bit unsure on exactly what case I want to buy.

 

[elbert]

That is a great build. The NZXT 810 is very roomy and can handle motherboards as large as the XL-ATX spec. Have fun with your PC MrWhit3Out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX

Only thing left I can suggest is the best for long lasting thermal grease AS5. Silver after all has a higher thermal conductive material then even the copper heat pipes.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
http://www.engineersedge.com/properties_of_metals.htm

 

[striker410]

Noctua is a bad ideal as its near half the price of the CPU. Read the article as it states only given the 2011 socket 6 cores did they give the Noctua the tomshardware award as they are not low-cost processors. The best bang for the buck tho on newegg is the CM hyper 212+ at only $19. Most low end overclockers use the CM Hyper 212+.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/page-261868_29_650.html#t1959409

The 212+ is $20 after rebate. Without taking rebates into account, it's the same price as the EVO (Look at OP's link to NCIX)
I hardly consider a $1500 rig a "low end" machine. When it's packing a punch in the way of dual 7950's, I'd want every advantage I could get. Note however I DO suggest the EVO, just saying the Noctua is an option.

Cooler Master is only pretty good but Seasonics big problem is high cost. Not to long ago I only suggested the Antec but now they are junk due to quality control. Cooler Master is higher ranked than Seasonic. Cooler Master is ranked 6 while Seasonic is ranked 20th.
http://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-power-supply-manufacturers/computer-hardware[/quotemsg] Where's the data to back up the ranking?
Here's a review hardware secrets did. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1034/9 Coolermaster puts fake labels on their PSU's. This 600w PSU can in fact only supply 450w, and doesn't even meet 80+ specifications.

Are you really going to suggest a brand new PSU with no user reviews? Seasonic can no longer copy Antecs designs so I fear both will suffer. The CM 1000w has the best user reviews of any high end PSU on newegg.

Yes, I will. Seasonic has been a staple of reliability.

I would be very worried about the seasonic as same model 750w has a very high 50% 1 egg user rating.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151107

There's 2 ratings. 50% of 2=1. A SINGLE bad rating.

 

[mrwhit30ut]

So, all I really did was change the hyper 212 evo to a +. I will eventually put in a water cooling loop, and I find getting a really good air cooler now would be a waste if I am just going to get a water cooling loop.

On another note though, when do you think Kepler will be out? And do you guys think the "660 Ti" I guess will top the 7950? Buying an Nvidia card would also help me because I do utilize CUDA cores for Sony Vegas and things.

 

[Why_Me]

Nvidia Kepler cards are rumored to be out sometime in Q2 of this year, about the same time Ivy Bridge is due out... April/May of this year. Ivy Bridge + Gen 3 board + new generation vid cards = PCI-E 3.0

 

[striker410]

So, all I really did was change the hyper 212 evo to a +. I will eventually put in a water cooling loop, and I find getting a really good air cooler now would be a waste if I am just going to get a water cooling loop.

Makes sense. Good call.

On another note though, when do you think Kepler will be out? And do you guys think the "660 Ti" I guess will top the 7950? Buying an Nvidia card would also help me because I do utilize CUDA cores for Sony Vegas and things.

As Why_Me said, it's supposed to come out later this year. I imagine the 660 would be somewhere in between the GTX 570 and the 7950, hopefully with the overclocking potential of the famed GTX 460. It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

You know, the other option would be to grab a pair of GTX 580's since you can use CUDA. I've seen them for as low as $325 used, and $414 new after rebate. Just an idea, not saying I suggest it.

 

[mrwhit30ut]

Idk, Since the next generation of cards is out, I really would rather not buy a 580. They are large, Hot, and power and price v performance is not very good.

 

[striker410]

Makes sense. Just throwing it out there.

 

[elbert]

The 212+ is $20 after rebate. Without taking rebates into account, it's the same price as the EVO (Look at OP's link to NCIX)
I hardly consider a $1500 rig a "low end" machine. When it's packing a punch in the way of dual 7950's, I'd want every advantage I could get. Note however I DO suggest the EVO, just saying the Noctua is an option.

LOL you dont see the big point that the i5 2500k with the Noctua would be near the price of the i7 2600K. At that point the OP would be better off with the i7 2600K and a CM hyper 212+. Suggesting the EVO again after wrongly admitting the A70 won? Worst grabbing the link I posted before you then mis-stating the outcome. What is your point any way as I stated the EVO is fine just a bit higher priced compared to the CM hyper 212+ which it is on NCIX. NCIX has the CM hyper 212+ for only 22.99.

The CM Hyper 212+ is the best bang for the buck. The CM Hyper 212 EVO is the new version but they both are about the same. The old version tho is lower priced.

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=41337&vpn=RR-B10-212P-G1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER&promoid=1315

Where's the data to back up the ranking?
Here's a review hardware secrets did. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1034/9 Coolermaster puts fake labels on their PSU's. This 600w PSU can in fact only supply 450w, and doesn't even meet 80+ specifications.
Yes, I will. Seasonic has been a staple of reliability.

So has Antec and your not suggesting a top quality high cost Seasonic but a budget version with no user reviews. The budget versions just below getting destroyed in user reviews. You turn around and point to a budget 600w Cooler master and compare it to their quality high cost versions. The ranker lists information you will have to ask them but here is a bit of what I have found.

Information and media on this page and throughout Ranker is supplied by freebase, factual, Wikipedia, Ranker users, and other sources. Freebase content is freely licensed under the CC-BY license and Wikipedia content is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation license.

There's 2 ratings. 50% of 2=1. A SINGLE bad rating.

Yes but the site states both did purchase the power supply. That put their feed back ahead of speculation. Speculation on same model higher wattage with no reviews is more in question.

 

[elbert]

So, all I really did was change the hyper 212 evo to a +. I will eventually put in a water cooling loop, and I find getting a really good air cooler now would be a waste if I am just going to get a water cooling loop.

On another note though, when do you think Kepler will be out? And do you guys think the "660 Ti" I guess will top the 7950? Buying an Nvidia card would also help me because I do utilize CUDA cores for Sony Vegas and things.

Either of the CM hyper 212 will make a great cooler. As for the water loop the Noctua is about an equal to some water coolers. It beat the Corsair H70 water cooler by a bit. At these prices tho I would first suggest going to higher end CPU's. Given the short time till the 22nm i5 3570K I would suggest waiting if you plan to put a lot of cash in a system. The 22nm i5 3570K launches April the 8th.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/corsair_h70/4.htm

Leaked slides suggest the GTX660 will be out April the 12th. If the leak is correct the GTX660 will equal the GTX580 which the 7950 only has a 1% lead over.

 

[Why_Me]

Either of the CM hyper 212 will make a great cooler. As for the water loop the Noctua is about an equal to some water coolers. It beat the Corsair H70 water cooler by a bit. At these prices tho I would first suggest going to higher end CPU's. Given the short time till the 22nm i5 3570K I would suggest waiting if you plan to put a lot of cash in a system.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/corsair_h70/4.htm

Leaked slides suggest the GTX660 will be out April the 12th. If the leak is correct the GTX660 will equal the GTX580 which the 7950 only has a 1% lead over.
http://www.expreview.com/img/news/2012/02/03/NVIDIA-600-2.jpg

That JPEG is bogus. It's been posted all over the net and it's as fake as a $3 bill.

 

[elbert]

That JPEG is bogus. It's been posted all over the net and it's as fake as a $3 bill.

That is cool as I stated if the leak is correct. IE only Nvidia know for sure.

 

[mrwhit30ut]

So I was just throwing some things around on PC part picker and I found something. Do you guys think it would be good to buy a 3820, CPU? then because of the increased motherboard cost buy a 6970? Or I could try and get a cheaper X79 motherboard and try for a 7950?

What do you guys think of this psu
here

 

[striker410]

I'd stick with the 2500k. There isn't really a reason to go with LGA 2011 unless you want one of the hex-cores, since the 3820 performs so close to the 2500k anyway. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-3930k-3820-test-benchmark,3090.html Since they run on the same architecture, they perform very similarly. Go with the 2500k.

That PSU is excellent. However, why 1000w? A decent 850w can hold up a pair of 7950's, 7970's, whatever. If you were to get three cards then 1000w would be required.