Help with new build!

[obsama1]

Hello. I am planning to build my first computer.
Approximate Purchase Date: Mid-Late June

Budget Range: ~$500 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important:Gaming(med. to high. settings), Browsing the Internet, BOINC/F@H

Parts Not Required: HDD, DVD drive, mouse, keyboard, monitor, OS,

Preferred Website(s) for Parts:Newegg, Microcenter, NCIX(Any reputable site)

Country: USofA

Parts Preferences:by brand or type: None,(except Intel CPU) just make sure the brand is reputable and inexpensive.

Overclocking: Yes, but only on air.

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1440x900

Additional Comments:Trying to go for best bang for my buck. I've made a spreadsheet of the parts I need. This is my 1st build, so I want to ask the TH community for some help. If you see something that needs changing, feel free to critique and add to it. My build is about ~$480 currently. The only things I can't decide betwwen are a PSU/mobo/heatsink. I don't currently have a heatsink(want to use stock one), but if there's a good one that fits withi n budget, please refer me to it. Also, MicroCenter offers $50 off any mobo purchased with an i5/i7, so take $50 the mobo price. And in addition, if I'm running at full load (with 1 HDD and 1 DVD drive, and a phone charging via US), will the PSU be enough, or is it overkill?

i5 2500K
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

HIS AMD 6870 (Considering paying more for the XFX model)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161389
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

Corsair 4GB(2x2GB) Vengeance RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233141

Gigabyte Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233067

Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H mobo
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087

APEX 500W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154026

 

[catatafish]

I would emphatically recommend you go with a PSU from Corsair, Antec, or Seagate. http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore/?psu=yes For heatsink the Hyper 212 is a very popular choice. I'm very happy with mine and I'm running a very cool 4.5 overclock.

I also might be a bit concerned about the cooling/fan capabilities of that case, particularly if you plan to overclock. If you can stomach the $65 range there are a lot better options with a few 120mm fans that would come with it. For instance: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

 

[obsama1]

Thanks. Will definitely get the HS you recommended. But what PSU do you think I should get? 400w, 430w, 450w or 500w? Also, Segate doesn't make PSUs. Did you mean SeaSonic?

 

[tlmck]

Thanks. Will definitely get the HS you recommended. But what PSU do you think I should get? 400w, 430w, 450w or 500w? Also, Segate doesn't make PSUs. Did you mean SeaSonic?

Look for 500-550w 80 Plus bronze certified PSU from Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, Silverstone, XFX, or OCZ.

 

[catatafish]

Something like this maybe...plenty of good clean efficient power for your GPU and overclocking. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

lol, yes, seasonic, sorry

I would want 550w personally at least. And the amps at 12v is also important. IIRC most cards want 30amps.

If you push your PSU with no headroom, you'll be running it full blast which means less efficiency, and a shorter life.

 

[Cloudz00x]

Don't know about anyone else but Id like to at least future proof a PC from the ground up which would mean the bare necessities aka the motherboard. Don't know if Intel will follow through with there X79 models but the LGA 2011's are started to become the new line. Maybe consider a new motherboard to future proof yourself for updated processors to come.

Something low priced and has also been recommended by Tom's Hardware is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157282

This would also mean you'd have to get the new six core processors since there isnt any backward compatibility. Just something to think about.

 

[obsama1]

Thanks! Good PSU you linked to! ANything else that needs changing? mATX to ATX? Different mobo brand?

 

[Cloudz00x]

Something like this maybe...plenty of good clean efficient power for your GPU and overclocking. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

lol, yes, seasonic, sorry

I would want 550w personally at least. And the amps at 12v is also important. IIRC most cards want 30amps.

If you push your PSU with no headroom, you'll be running it full blast which means less efficiency, and a shorter life.

Can definitely vouch for this one. Had this on a previous build and it was great. Every PC I've built has been based around Seasonic PSU's. Great thing about them is you still have le-way above the wattage given. So technically for example my 1250w Gold cert that I have can operate above the given wattage if needed believe cap 1400-1500 not quite sure. Good choice.

 

[obsama1]

I'd get an LGA 2011, but the mobos are too expensive for my build, and the Intel hexa-cores would be more expensive than the entire build, LOL. Quadcore is enough for now. By the time we need hexa-cores (min requirements for games), it'll be 2017. Also, since it'll be summer when I'm building this, the prices for the parts should go down. I won't buy Ivy Bridge, unless I can get an unlocked IB i5 for ~$180. When IB, The 2500K should decrease a bit, so I'll save.

 

[catatafish]

I prefer to avoid the micro boards and cases. I like a lot of room to work. Can't go wrong with gigabyte or ASUS. Personally I looked for a couple of 6gb/s connections for my drives for SSD and good BIOS utilities. I also wanted USB 3.0 and PCIE 3.0. The mobo you chose lacks the PCIE 3 I believe. Not an issue unless you plan on taking advantage of the GPUs that will probably start using them in the future.

 

[obsama1]

Is this one good? http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375352

 

[catatafish]

It's good if you don't need USB 3.0 and don't anticipate ever using a PCIE 3 video card .

Check this one out. Asrock is the budget arm of ASUS and a common choice among gamers. USB 3 and PCIE 3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

This is also a nifty guide http://www.hardware-revolution.com/best-budget-gaming-pc-february-2012/

 

[obsama1]

Anything else that needs changing?

 

[obsama1]

Bump.

 

[cdiscoll2012]

i would say maybe upgrade to 8 gbs of ram or at least 6 games are getting more and more RAM intensive so at least 6 gbs would future proof you for a while

 

[catatafish]

Yeah, two 4gb sticks for a total of 8 is what most folks do.

If you keep asking us, we'll keep changing things . There are just so many different ways you could do this.

What you've got, but with 8gb total RAM, the Asrock mobo, and better PSU and you're good to go....at least until June when you start building, then we'll be recommnding the newer CPU, a different GPU, and a different mobo.

 

[obsama1]

Found 8GB of Kingston RAM for $30.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360526

 

[Mousemonkey]

Bump.

Don't...
Bump posts
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/283384-33-read-first

 

[obsama1]

Don't...
Bump posts
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/283384-33-read-first

Oops! Won't do it again!

 

[obsama1]

NCIX has the i5 2500K for 190. Should I get it from NCIX vs. Microcenter, since NCIX had free shipping?