1'st time build, hows it look?

[peacefrogs420]

1) ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

2) LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

3) Seagate ST310005N1A1AS-RK 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

4) EVGA 02G-P3-1568-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

5)OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

6)Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX

7)ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

8)Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 ...


This is what I got picked out so far, this is my first time building a PC. I obviously am aiming at using this for gaming and an over all fast machine, that i wont need to upgrade to play any of the newer games. I don't want to have a heat issue, or lack of power. I don't know very much about building PC's obviously being this is my first time building one. I'm willing to give or take maybe $200 to make it more stable. Any input is would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[g-unit1111]

I'm not the biggest fan of Lian Li - they're good cases but they're way overpriced for what you get. The 2600 isn't needed for a gaming system - drop that to a 2500K and invest that difference in upgrading your GPU to a Radeon 7870: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html

Here's a couple of case choices that I would recommend around the same price range:

- Corsair Carbide 400R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008
- Antec 1100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178
- Fractal Design Arc MIDI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352007

Kingston is a good choice for RAM vendor as they have some of the lowest fail rates in the biz, but watch the voltage. This is a safer version for SB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104255

Then add a Hyper 212 Evo and you should be good to go.

 

[peacefrogs420]

I couldn't find the 7870 on new egg. Is the graphics card a downgrade? the processor i picked out was a i7 is that over kill? or investment terms in case for the future? or is the i5 not to far away from it? I changed the ram already on my order list. still looking at the rest.

 

[quicksand10]

It's new, it's coming out very soon.

The processor is overkill: i7 uses hyperthreading (it's 4 cores, but it shows as 8 cores on windows). Hyperthreading is useless for gaming, useful for some CPU intensive programs, such as CAD or programming.

Go for an i5-2500k (k stands for unlocked multiplier, so very very easy to overclock). It's the best for gaming, bar none.

 

[g-unit1111]

I couldn't find the 7870 on new egg. Is the graphics card a downgrade? the processor i picked out was a i7 is that over kill? or investment terms in case for the future? or is the i5 not to far away from it? I changed the ram already on my order list. still looking at the rest.

1. It's a new card and yes it's supposed to be out next week from what I'm being told. It will be a huge upgrade from the 570 for almost the exact same price, check out the benches: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html

2. The i7 is more for multimedia applications and media content creation applications like Adobe CS5 and Autodesk Revit, games will not take advantage of hyperthreading for the most part.

3. They're almost the exact same in terms of performance.

 

[peacefrogs420]

Correction, made the change on my new egg shopping list.


I replaced the Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX

to the

**Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 HyperX Plug n Play Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3P1K2/8G


I changed the process or from Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I72600

to the

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K



So in computer speed terms it wouldn't make a difference between the i5 and i7?


And that graphics card is definitely worth waiting for... Cannot wait.. hopefully its alot of bang for the buck

 

[aRodr1guez]

So in computer speed terms it wouldn't make a difference between the i5 and i7?


And that graphics card is definitely worth waiting for... Cannot wait.. hopefully its alot of bang for the buck

No difference at all. Unless you plan on doing some heavy video editing. The i5 is the best chose for gaming. If you don't plan on overclocking the CPU then you can even drop down to i5-2400.

The 7870 is definitely worth the wait. It's only a couple days. Monday is release date supposedly.

 

[quicksand10]

A lot of us can't wait for that GPU

And your build looks really good I'm sure you will enjoy it!

 

[g-unit1111]

I changed the process or from Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I72600

to the

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

No difference at all - and the 2500K can be easily overclocked.

And that graphics card is definitely worth waiting for... Cannot wait.. hopefully its alot of bang for the buck

That will definitely be a wise decision - I'm getting the Sapphire 7870 as soon as I get my tax refund.

 

[peacefrogs420]

Yes Ive done some research on that card, I'm one of many whom cannot wait for the release. Hopefully New egg adds it on their site the day of release, Id prefer to have everything in one order. I'm just looking into a suitable case for the rig.
I guess it will be in the 300-400 dollar price range? ( for the 7870 )


by the way, when i make a decision on a case, im gonna post it and see what you guys think. a buddy who is helping me build the PC, mentioned that the power supply should go on the top of the case, and its easier to work with as well as the fans, i wanna make sure heat is def not a issue, are the fans that come stock with most cases good? and easy to replace if need be? I wanna make sure its not a heat trap and I fry everything because i cheaped out on a case or fans. Usually i game for long periods of time so you know how that goes.





Thanks a bunch for your guy's input, I highly appreciate it.

 

[quicksand10]

I disagree with your friend. Read this article from Tom's:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/cooling-airflow-heatsink,review-32315-4.html

I would suggest that you choose a case so that the PSU goes at the bottom of the case, and have some exhaust ports (and fans if you want) at the top of the case.

Fans that come with the case are usually alright.

Don't worry too much about heat. Worse comes to worst you can always put in some more fans :lol:

 

[peacefrogs420]

you don't think ill have problems with any games because its a new card, being there's patches to support them? or drivers? it wouldn't bug anything in the new system? because everything will be new when i build it? ( i know this is probably a newb question)



the case i had picked out? does it seem like that would have problems? There is a top fan if that helps anything?

 

[quicksand10]

you don't think ill have problems with any games because its a new card, being there's patches to support them? or drivers? it wouldn't bug anything in the new system? because everything will be new when i build it? ( i know this is probably a newb question)



wouldnt the PSU being at the top make the hat rise out faster? just curious, as i said i don't know much on building pc's.

No problems will arise, everything will be good. And if it won't, it'll be easily solved using your best friend Google (or posting the problem here on Tom's )

The PSU at the top will make the heat "rise out faster", but a fan at the top will do exactly the same thing, without heating up the PSU's internals. If you heat up the PSU's internals, it won't convert from AC to DC as efficiently and will make it die out quicker.

Ideally, your case will have a bottom mounted PSU, lots of space for airflow, possibility for big (120mm or bigger) fans. If I were you, since you're getting the ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3, I'd get one with a front USB3 port. When you find one you like, search newegg.com for reviews of the case (or sort by best rating and pick )

 

[peacefrogs420]

Im thinking about this for the case

- Corsair Carbide 400R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811139008



do you think it being made of plastic will make it a bad choice?

 

[flossbandit]

I had the modular version of that PSU for about a week and it sounded like a blow dryer on high during games. Enjoy your RMA.

 

[peacefrogs420]

so what the PSU i have picked out is not good? Is there another you would recommend for this rig im trying to set up?

 

[BobHodek]

I disagree with your friend. Read this article from Tom's:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/cool [...] 315-4.html

I would suggest that you choose a case so that the PSU goes at the bottom of the case, and have some exhaust ports (and fans if you want) at the top of the case.

The PSU at the top will make the heat "rise out faster", but a fan at the top will do exactly the same thing,

Now.. i was reading the article, and i noticed they did not take any actual control Case temperature differences between top and bottom, only exhaust for the PSU. Is it possible that a Top mounted PSU and a top mounted fan are an even better choice when you take this into consideration? I guess what i am getting at is, *if* the case holds more heat because the PSU is at the bottom, but the PSU's exhaust is cooler because its sucking air from the bottom outside of the case..isn't that defeating the purpose? just something i was wondering when i was reading it.

 

[quicksand10]

Sexy looking case, USB3 front panel, big, ample airflow, dust filters on fans, black interior... what else can you look for really...

Look at other cases and see if there isn't one that you find looks better. Otherwise, this case is good

Enjoy the new build!

EDIT:
PSU at the bottom:
COLD air is sucked in from the floor, cools the PSUs internals, then is sent out of the case. The PSU stays cooler and doesn't heat up nearly as much and it doesn't heat the rest of the your hardware in the case.

The fan at the top will do exactly the same thing, but won't ruin the PSU doing it. It's a win-win!
However, if you already have a case with a top mounted PSU, don't buy another one to replace it! :lol:

 

[aRodr1guez]

so what the PSU i have picked out is not good? Is there another you would recommend for this rig im trying to set up?

g-unit recommended an Antec PSU above. Go with his choice it's allot better.

 

[quicksand10]

Also, you don't really need a 750w PSU.

Consider this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

 

[peacefrogs420]

Hmm.. Well thinking in the future of things, if i do decide i want more GPU power, instead of having to purchase a whole new one, ill just need to buy another card?
In terms of versatility that is....

but how likely would that be... Id rather have more then not enough wattage.

if i did keep the one Ive selected would it cause any problems? or is it just a matter of its overkill via save a few dollars?

I know its hard for you to say, but what would you do in these terms?

 

[quicksand10]

Well, if you are able to pay more for it, of course it's worth it to go with a PSU with higher wattage, in terms of possibilities of upgrading.

Consider this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

 

[peacefrogs420]

right, I see. I suppose, I'll stick with the 750, just as long as it wont cause any problems. Theirs too many GPU's on the market, so i don't go insane. I think ill await the AMD 7870 and cross my fingers that it doesn't disappoint.


so eager to get this RIG ordered and built

 

[aRodr1guez]

right, I see. I suppose, I'll stick with the 750, just as long as it wont cause any problems. Theirs too many GPU's on the market, so i don't go insane. I think ill await the AMD 7870 and cross my fingers that it doesn't disappoint.


so eager to get this RIG ordered and built

You definitely won't be disappointed.

 

[peacefrogs420]

Cant beleive i didn't ask this, but is the AMD 7870 gonna be compatible with the rig im building?


http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7870/Pages/radeon-7870.aspx


but im sure you professionals wouldn't had recommended it if it were not going too work with the rig...
but i figure id rather post the requirements n ask anyway. Ty again everyone