First Build - hows it look?

[Enthusiadam]

Looking for some feedback after the preliminary round. Is PSU sufficient? mem? Gaming computer also being used for photo/video editing.

Cpu- i5-2500k

MoBo - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

GPU - ASUS GeForce GTX 560 Ti
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121424

PSU - OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018

MEM - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB ddr3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

HD - Seagate Barracuda 1 tb 7200 rpm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Dvd - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Case - Antec 300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

 

[pjl21]

Everything looks good! PSU will more than suffice.

 

[Silvune]

The OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W is not a good choice, this is because it only has ~50W more available on it's 12V rails than the 600W version and it is functionally identical in terms of the number and length of cables and connectors, so you might as well get the 600W version which is much less expensive.
Don't be under the illusion that it can SLI GTX 560 Tis, because it can't.

If you are going to spend ~$90 on a PSU there are much better choices as well.
XFX Pro 650W Core Edition 80Plus Bronze $80 ($15 rebate)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=59616&vpn=P1650SNLB9&manufacture=XFX

You might want to consider the Three Hundred Two for a similar price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129180

 

[Akhilcool]

Yeah I think you went overboard with the 700W PSU, especially if you're only running one 560 Ti. You are better off going for a high quality 600W PSU for the same price, give or a take a couple of dollars.

Here are a few suggestions:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139023
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

The second one is modular and was originally priced at $124 but brought down to $89. It is a good brand and is highly rated.

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $850 build:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Those are my recommendations, specially for the PSU. A solid buy @ $100 and giving you 750w. OCZ has gotten a lot better.
However one thing, wait a week and instead of the 560 Ti I suggest, get the 7850 releasing in the week or two. It'll provide better temps, power consumption (efficiency), overclocking, performance and just all around for only $40 more. Here's the review: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html

 

[Akhilcool]

Check out my $850 build:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Those are my recommendations, specially for the PSU. A solid buy @ $100 and giving you 750w. OCZ has gotten a lot better.
However one thing, wait a week and instead of the 560 Ti I suggest, get the 7850 releasing in the week or two. It'll provide better temps, power consumption (efficiency), overclocking, performance and just all around for only $40 more. Here's the review: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html

As for the PSU I'm not quite sure of your choice but you are right that by waiting a few weeks is worth it for the 7850. Of course that is considering that the OP is willing to spend $40 more as it isn't a small sum of course. I personally love the 560 Ti and wouldn't settle for anything else within that generation of cards. The review may not be completely accurate on the 7850 and who knows how the card actually performs as even the review can't predict that. However, most decent 560 Ti's with good after-market coolers are usually at least $240 anyways so I guess the price isn't that much more for a 7850. The only thing I'm concerned about is that the price given in the review may only be for the reference design or one with a bad cooler. You would most likely want an after-market cooler with good performance so the price may be well over the one listed there. Could be at least $250-$290 for one with a good cooler.

 

[aznshinobi]

I'm sure the 7850 will be around $250 but definitely not more than $280 as that will approach the 7870's pricing. Could be wrong however. I don't know what you mean by the review not being completely accurate about the performance. These are actual launch ready chips given to most of the large electronic websites in the world, IE Guru3D, TPU, Toms, Tweaktown, Legitreviews, all of their reviews all come out to providing the same if not similar benchmark results. It's not like they left any games to benchmark out.

Also here's a review on the ZS series
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=248
JG one of the best PSU reviewers gives it a 9, barely. But still nonetheless a 9. Granted this is the 550w version, the difference isn't all that much since Sirtec still OEMs the 750w version as well on the similar design.
650w version got Gold in Hardware Secrets
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-ZS-Series-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1361

 

[Enthusiadam]

Thanks for the advice all, I appreciate ya. but as im already over what i wanted to spend i think im gonna stick with the 560 ti, seems like a solid choice. As for the PSU, witch i admit im fairly clueless about. i think im gonna go with the
CORSAIR Gaming Series GS600 600W simply because i can get it cheaper and it should run everything fine.

unless someone has some reason why i shouldn't. basically my brain is mush at the moment as im learning pretty much everything as i go! (lots of fun tho and im much more knowledgeable then i was 3 days ago!)

 

[aznshinobi]

Why go with the 560 Ti? Turns out the 7850 is released already on Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663
It's only slightly more for way more performance I don't know why you'd go for a prior gen that being the 560 Ti.

560 Ti vs 7850
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=547
Beat in most benchmarks (560 Ti) however there are a few exceptions. The 7850 does pull in lower temps on the reference design, quieter and lower power consumption as well as higher overclocks.

Why get the GS series @ $90 for 600w when you can get the Antec 650w for only $75?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

 

[Enthusiadam]

Oh and why the 300 two? it doesnt really look anybetter to me.

 

[aznshinobi]

The 300 Two has USB 3.0, more stock fans included, and a better cable management design.

 

[Enthusiadam]

just trying to cut down on price, but ill probably end up getting the 7850, your right 40 bucks relly isnt *** at this point.

 

[Akhilcool]

Why go with the 560 Ti? Turns out the 7850 is released already on Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663
It's only slightly more for way more performance I don't know why you'd go for a prior gen that being the 560 Ti.

560 Ti vs 7850
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=547
Beat in most benchmarks (560 Ti) however there are a few exceptions. The 7850 does pull in lower temps on the reference design, quieter and lower power consumption as well as higher overclocks.

Why get the GS series @ $90 for 600w when you can get the Antec 650w for only $75?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

The two models posted on Newegg are $60 more than most 560Ti's. If the OP is willing to go that high than that is a good choice. However just because a 560Ti is a past gen card, doesn't mean it is outdated as it is one of the best, rock-solid budget cards of its time. Anyways, the Antec PSU is cheaper and gives a higher wattage but brand-wise and quality-wise it is rather garbage. Just because of the cheapness and wattage being more, doesn't mean that it is a 'better deal.' You want to pick a PSU with a good capacitor and other features that make PSU's such as the OCZ ZS Series 650W PSU a lot better of a choice.

 

[Akhilcool]

^ Not only that but the PC the OP is building only needs around 550W to run properly as the GPU he has chosen requires less energy. Therefore, he can choose to get a 600W-650W PSU of good quality instead of the Antec one that IMHO seems cheap.

EDIT: The Antec isn't also too appealing visually.

 

[Enthusiadam]

The two models posted on Newegg are $60 more than most 560Ti's. If the OP is willing to go that high than that is a good choice. However just because a 560Ti is a past gen card, doesn't mean it is outdated as it is one of the best, rock-solid budget cards of its time. Anyways, the Antec PSU is cheaper and gives a higher wattage but brand-wise and quality-wise it is rather garbage. Just because of the cheapness and wattage being more, doesn't mean that it is a 'better deal.' You want to pick a PSU with a good capacitor and other features that make PSU's such as the OCZ ZS Series 650W PSU a lot better of a choice.

How do you know if it has a good capacitor?

 

[Akhilcool]

How do you know if it has a good capacitor?

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=248

I know it is a 550W version but the build is the same. Check out the review.

 

[Akhilcool]

I have checked the review for the Antec PSU and it isn't actually that bad however, if you look at it....it looks like crap and the OCZ PSU faired a bit better of a review as well as it looking better.

Antec Review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=110

BTW, JG is the best PSU reviewer out there.

 

[aznshinobi]

Lol Akhil can you backup your statements with reviews and proof please?

Ok the 560 Ti is $210 @ cheapest, the 7850 is $260 at cheapest. THAT'S A $50 difference not $60. Not a huge difference at the cost OP is already spending. I know that old cards don't mean it's bad, I still rock a 5850. HOWEVER the 7850 is of the 28nm fab and that's a huge difference that's worth $50. He'll get way lower temps with the custom heatsink vs reference (Twinfrozer II) in fact the reference design's temps were already lower than the 560 Ti's. The power consumption is much less and the 560 Ti's is already lower. The 7850 can also OC WAY higher, than the 560 Ti.

To sum it up, the 7850 is better in EVERYWAY especially the fact that when the OP wants to Crossfire the availability of the 7850 will be easier than the 560 Ti's. So that's another reason @ only $50 more it's way worth it.

I suggest a 650w BECAUSE OP can Crossfire in the future. That is why, and your statement could not be more wrong. Antec makes great PSUs, they've always have.
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/antec-earthwatts-ea-650w-review-green-2011/5/
The only cons it had were non-sleeved (not a big deal) and non-modular (again expected at the price, the GS isn't modular either for $15 more)

 

[aznshinobi]

Why would you recommend an $80 550w when you can get a 650w that is only $75? This thought process is illogical when the Antec provides just as good performance. The ZS 750 is placed a solid price point but definitely not the 550w version or 650w version.

You also pulled up the wrong review Akhil, that's the older Antec 650 EA not the newer one.

 

[Akhilcool]

Lol Akhil can you backup your statements with reviews and proof please?

Ok the 560 Ti is $210 @ cheapest, the 7850 is $260 at cheapest. THAT'S A $50 difference not $60. Not a huge difference at the cost OP is already spending. I know that old cards don't mean it's bad, I still rock a 5850. HOWEVER the 7850 is of the 28nm fab and that's a huge difference that's worth $50. He'll get way lower temps with the custom heatsink vs reference (Twinfrozer II) in fact the reference design's temps were already lower than the 560 Ti's. The power consumption is much less and the 560 Ti's is already lower. The 7850 can also OC WAY higher, than the 560 Ti.

To sum it up, the 7850 is better in EVERYWAY especially the fact that when the OP wants to Crossfire the availability of the 7850 will be easier than the 560 Ti's. So that's another reason @ only $50 more it's way worth it.

I suggest a 650w BECAUSE OP can Crossfire in the future. That is why, and your statement could not be more wrong. Antec makes great PSUs, they've always have.
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/antec-earthwatts-ea-650w-review-green-2011/5/
The only cons it had were non-sleeved (not a big deal) and non-modular (again expected at the price, the GS isn't modular either for $15 more)

Firstly, I said that "If the OP is willing to spend the extra $40, the 7850 is a good buy" so I agreed with you. Secondly, just because the Antec PSU is $15 cheaper doesn't mean it is actually a good deal as I said before. For the immediate case, the OCZ PSU has a better look, better performance and reliability. Can you give me a reason why the 650W PSU is more expensive than a 750W PSU for other than the looks?

 

[Akhilcool]

Why would you recommend an $80 550w when you can get a 650w that is only $75? This thought process is illogical when the Antec provides just as good performance. The ZS 750 is placed a solid price point but definitely not the 550w version or 650w version.

You also pulled up the wrong review Akhil, that's the older Antec 650 EA not the newer one.

The model I recommended is the 650W one......the review is only for 550W.......the 650W PSU is $80.......

 

[aznshinobi]

Enthusiadam, I don't know how much more I can emphasize this but the Antec is so much more worth it than the 650w units you just posted. Both are priced $10 away from most 750ws. You might as well go for a 750w.

It's just not worth it for those 2 units when you have an Antec 650w 80+ BRONZE that gets solid marks performs the same (better than the GS 600) but costs less. It just doesn't make sense to go with the 650 ZS or the GS600.

 

[Akhilcool]

I believe the only difference between the new Antec PSU and the one in the review is that it is designed to be more energy efficient.

 

[Enthusiadam]

Im just gonna suck it up and go with the 7850, but im almost more confused on powersupplys now then before, can you explain to me what makes a good PSU and what makes one "cheep" (obviously im not talking about price)

 

[aznshinobi]

Please show me, how the OCZ ZS 650 has better performance and reliability than the Antec?

They both perform pretty much the same, the reviews have shown the Antec upholds its 80+ certification therefore the difference cannot be huge between that and the ZS 650. The reliability is hard to judge, even then, the Antec has a 3 year warranty and so does the OCZ unit. So it would not really matter as issues would come forth within the first year. So reliability is out of the issue.

All it comes down to is performance and the performance is close enough that $15 saved is nice to put towards the GPU. Plus the fact that his build doesn't have a window, does it really matter that it doesn't look good enough?