Advice on New Build!

[toledoj]

Hey Guys!

This is my first time posting on here, but rest assured I've used tom's hardware many, many times. I just wanted to run my new build that I plan on ordering and to ask if everything checks out! Please give me some better alternatives in the same type of price as the components im posting. Here goes:

Intel Core i5-2500K BX80623I52500 Unlocked Processor - $225
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7168016&CatId=3669

GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 Motherboard - $100
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1165562&CatId=7212

Patriot G2 Series Division 2 Edition Desktop Memory Kit - 8GB (2 x 4GB) PC3-10666, DDR3-1333MHz - $34
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7114145&CatId=4534

OCZ OCZ-ZS650W ZS Series Power Supply - 650W -$60
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=927376

Thermaltake V3 Black Edition Mid Tower Case - $40
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5520044&CatId=1509

OCZ AGT3-25SAT3-60G Agility 3 Series Solid State Drive - 60GB, 2.5" SATA III, 6Gbps - $60
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=557371&CatId=5300

And I'll probably just buy a random case fan too

Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions! Thanks guys!

 

[alvine]

looks good
no hard drive?
you can get a 7770 instead of the 6850, they run the same price

 

[morgoth780]

personally, i'd drop to an i5 2400 and get a better card, like an hd 6870--but with your choice you can overclock

 

[willard]

You don't have enough storage space, unless you're planning on recycling a hard drive you already have. 60GB is nowhere near enough space for an entire system these days. That's basically enough space for Windows and a single game, and you'll probably be bumping into the drive's capacity limits when you patch.

You'll need at least another cheap hard drive for storage, and I'd also recommend getting a larger SSD if you can afford it. You can find 120GB SSDs on Newegg for around $140, and probably larger if you're willing to wait around for a good sale.

 

[sadams04]

A few things...

MEM - Those Patriot memory modules are 1.65 volts. Look for 1.5 volt modules....

PSU - No OCZ... Stick with Antec, Corsair, XFX or Seasonic. If SLI / CF doesn't interest you then 500w is plenty of power. If you are planning multiple GPUs down the road look for a 755w / 850w model.

CASE - Fine and all, but be sure to install exhaust fans on the top and side as well as an intake fan on the front. Air flow should be front to back...

GPU - The HD 6850 is a fine GPU as is the HD 7770, but with such a powerful rig the "mid-level" GPU seems a bit unbalanced. If you are planning on dual HD 6850 GPUs, then disregard. If you plan on sticking with a single GPU, then consider upgrading.

CPU Cooler - You have a K series processor so I assume you are planning on overclocking. Don't forget a cooler... Hyper 212 EVO - $35

 

[CaedenV]

Look at the new 7000 series cards, also the GTX600 series is coming out by the end of the month, so there may be price drops soon once the competition arrives, but it is your call if waiting a month for a $20-50 price drop is worth it.

agree with sadams, you NEED 1.5V memory to work with sandy bridge.

disagree with sadams, I have the 750W version of that power supply and it is excelent! OCZ acquired PC Power and Cooling, and their quality has improved dramatically for it. So while OCZ use to be crap in the past, that is no longer true.

I have that same case, and while I like it, there are now some better ones on the market in the same price range or $10-20 higher.

Before OCing you will want an aftermarket cooler like the hyper 212+ or Evo, but that does not have to be purchased right away.

I love SSDs (have one in my wife's PC and am currently saving up for a big one for myself), but they are not going to add much to your gaming experience, so I would cut the SSD out and get a better GPU, and then upgrade to the SSD later when you can save up again. SSD prices are going nowhere but down, so maybe you will be able to get a much larger/faster one in a year for the same price or less.

check for a local microcenter as their CPU prices are crazy low. Also I would stick with the i5 2400 with an h67 board, and then pour more money into the gpu, unless you are absolutely set on OCing in which case the parts you picked are just fine .

Best of luck!

 

[azeem40]

For me, the i5-2500k costs 195 with taxes at Microcenter lol.

 

[g-unit1111]

disagree with sadams, I have the 750W version of that power supply and it is excelent! OCZ acquired PC Power and Cooling, and their quality has improved dramatically for it. So while OCZ use to be crap in the past, that is no longer true.

I knew OCZ's PSUs have got significantly better since their acquisition of PC Power & Cooling - that's good to know.

Look at the new 7000 series cards, also the GTX600 series is coming out by the end of the month, so there may be price drops soon once the competition arrives, but it is your call if waiting a month for a $20-50 price drop is worth it.

The 7870 is sweet but the low end - the 7770 - hasn't been getting the best reviews. It's best to get the 6850 in that price range.

I love SSDs (have one in my wife's PC and am currently saving up for a big one for myself), but they are not going to add much to your gaming experience, so I would cut the SSD out and get a better GPU, and then upgrade to the SSD later when you can save up again. SSD prices are going nowhere but down, so maybe you will be able to get a much larger/faster one in a year for the same price or less.

I definitely agree with this and I would not get an Agility 3 as your primary HD. The reason being is while they are fast, having only 60GB storage capacity will suck. It actually comes out to less than 30GB after a full format and Windows install, go with a 500GB - you'll have more than ample space to install games and what have you.

MEM - Those Patriot memory modules are 1.65 volts. Look for 1.5 volt modules....

Not to mention Patriot is not a good RAM manufacturer - this would be a better choice -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544

Try this for an $800 build:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $59.99 ($10.00 MIR)
PSU: Corsair CX600 V2 - $69.99 ($20.00 MIR)
Motherboard: Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - $129.99
CPU: 3.1GHz Intel Core i5-2400 - $189.99
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 1600MHz 1.5v - $44.99
HD: Samsung / Seagate Spinpoint F3 500GB - $89.99
Optical: Lite On DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 - $159.99 ($10.00 MIR)

Total: $759.92 - $40.00 MIR = $712.92

If you want to upgrade to the 2500K and a Hyper 212 that would up the price to $789.21 with MIRs.

 

[azeem40]

If you plan on running dual GPUs in the future, you could consider a 750W Antec unit.

 

[toledoj]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input! I took into account all the things you guys suggested. I should clear up that i wont be running graphics in crossfire or SLI. Also, i want to have the option to overclock, so i think ill keep the 2500k in the build. In response to the SDD, its only for the OS because im using a drive i already own for storage. Below are the changes Ive made. Check em out and see if everything's alright!

RAM: Corsair CMZ8GX3M4X1600C9 Vengeance Desktop Memory Kit - 8GB (4x 2GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, 240-pin DIMM, 1.5V, CL9, XMP Ready http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1586678&Sku=C13-5705

PSU: XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

And now to the graphics card. This is where i have a few questions. Im thinking about getting a GTX 560 instead of a HD 6850. Is it worth spending a bit extra to have a GTX 560? The one ive been specifically looking at is this one:

ZOTAC AMP! GeForce GTX 560 http://www.zotacusa.com/amp-geforce-gtx-560-zt-50702-10m.html

Heres an in-depth review: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti_Amp_Edition/1.html

The one worry is both power and temperature. Would i be alright with that card and the XFX Core Edition PRO550W?
Also, would the temperature issue be alright if I added 2 or 3 case fans?

If you know of a better card with similar performance, do tell! However, im mostly looking to get a GTX 560.

Thanks for all the help!

Regards.

 

[toledoj]

bump!