New $1200 Build - questions and thoughts?

[Edoras]

Main uses: Gaming, surfing, work (VisualStudio)

Purchase waiting until @ 03/30 to give GTX 680 a chance to come out and maybe affect prices (though I'm doubting that it will).

Please rate my build:
MB

Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378096 $130 (50 discount when purchased with CPU)
1. Is PCIe 3.0 and USB 3.0 Header worth the extra 30 than a Gibabyte board without it?

CPU i5-2500k $ 180 - Microcenter

Cooler: Cooler Maser Hyper 212 Eva $35.00

Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX mid: $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107

Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Gold 750W: $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256079

2. Overkill? Should I go with a less expensive model?


Optical: LG $18:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240


GPU: Gigabyte 7870: $360
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418

Ram: G.Skill Sniper 8GB: $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL032312&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL032312-_-EMC-032312-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231416-L011A

SSD: Mushkin 120: $130:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236
Cost – right about $1150

Are there any changes that you would suggest? Mainly wondering about the case and PS.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Edoras]

I should mention that I already have monintors (2) and HDD for storage.

 

[phenom90]

or perhaps you can go with gtx 680 and keep the ssd out from your build for the time being and buy one next time when you save money?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130768

 

[Edoras]

or perhaps you can go with gtx 680 and keep the ssd out from your build for the time being and buy one next time when you save money?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130768

that's something that I haven't thought of as I'd really like to go with an SSD... I wonder if anyone else will/ would suggest going this route...?

 

[phenom90]

unless you're one of those who just bothered by slower boot times... slower apps loading time... all in all... it depends on what you do with your pc... if your usage is more towards gaming... then gtx 680 is a much better choice....

 

[mojorisin23]

I think you have a solid build there as is. no mistakes as far as i can see.

phenoms suggestion is a good one.

 

[Edoras]

I think you have a solid build there as is. no mistakes as far as i can see.

phenoms suggestion is a good one.

I'll have to put some serious thought into doing that... though if I did, I'd have to pick up another HDD... since what I am currently using for data only wouldn't be enough, as I like to keep my OS/Games and data on different drives... that in turn would add another 80-100 to the price.

 

[phenom90]

then it is better to stretch a little bit more to get an ssd... since a 1tb hdd will cost around $1xx... for just a few more bucks you can get an ssd as you listed above... i would pick a gtx 680 over an hd 7870 in any day... if money isn't a concern... if you don't need another hdd for now... go for gtx 680... and add hdd/ssd later...

 

[Nim Chimpsky]

Cooler Master CM690 II: $69.99 ($54.99 after rebate) with EMCNGHG78
A higher quality case for less.

OCZ ZS Series 550W 80 Plus Bronze + $20 promo gift card: $67.99 ($42.99 after rebate)
Yes, the power supply you found was overkill.

ASRock Z68 Pro3 Gen3: $104.99
PCIe 3.0 yet cheaper.

Intel Core i5-2500K: $180

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus: $29.99 ($19.99 after rebate)
There is essentially no difference between this cooler and the Evo.

G.Skill Sniper 8GB 1600MHz: $39.94 with EMCNGHG96
Your RAM with a promo code.

Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition: $349.99
Save money on the GPU. Similar cooling designs from Sapphire have always performed better than the unreliable Gigabyte design.

Crucial M4 128GB: $159.99
I would recommend this SSD over one with a Sandforce controller. Much more reliable and probably faster.

Samsung 22X DVD Burner: $15.99
Cheaper DVD burner.

Total: $1,018.87 ($968.87 after rebates)

 

[hotthree]

or perhaps you can go with gtx 680 and keep the ssd out from your build for the time being and buy one next time when you save money?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130768

I agree here 100%. Keep the SSD out of your build for now. But when you do go with an SSD get a crucial m4, Samsung 830, or intel. Go this route if you absolutely cannot wait on windows loading/games. Idk but it's really not that big of a deal to me. I get into games in plenty of time etc on a reg hdd. Also the other reason I think you should keep it out for now is because you can only afford a 128gb. A 256gb would give you much more space for games considering your OS alone is going to take 50-90gigs after service packs etc.

The 680 card will be much more appreciated. The only reaon why you might not should go this route is because you only have 2 monitors and won't be able to do surround. The gains for single 1920x1080p is so good though Idk why you wouldn't.

Also drop the PSU. Check out seasonic i have seen good deals on some of them lately. You could easily get by with a 650watt if you do not plan on going SLI. It will handle your overclocking and be able to run any gpu you put in it.

If you want the extra headroom stay with 750watt, but I still think you could go a little cheaper if you watch for a deal.

 

[Edoras]

I agree here 100%. Keep the SSD out of your build for now. But when you do go with an SSD get a crucial m4, Samsung 830, or intel. Go this route if you absolutely cannot wait on windows loading/games. Idk but it's really not that big of a deal to me. I get into games in plenty of time etc on a reg hdd. Also the other reason I think you should keep it out for now is because you can only afford a 128gb. A 256gb would give you much more space for games considering your OS alone is going to take 50-90gigs after service packs etc.

The 680 card will be much more appreciated. The only reaon why you might not should go this route is because you only have 2 monitors and won't be able to do surround. The gains for single 1920x1080p is so good though Idk why you wouldn't.

Also drop the PSU. Check out seasonic i have seen good deals on some of them lately. You could easily get by with a 650watt if you do not plan on going SLI. It will handle your overclocking and be able to run any gpu you put in it.

If you want the extra headroom stay with 750watt, but I still think you could go a little cheaper if you watch for a deal.

is 620watt enough for PSU? This would save 70:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

 

[Edoras]

ok, I've change a couple of items which allows me to get both the SSD and t he GTX 680, for about $60 more.
Questions:
Is the PS enough (620w)?
Any further suggestions?

MB Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378096 $130 (50 discount when purchased with CPU)

CPU i5-2500k $ 180

Cooler: Cooler Maser Hyper 212 $30.00 (with 10 rebate)

Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX mid: $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107

Power Supply: Silverstone M12II 620 Bronze: 90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

Optical: LG $18:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240

GPU: EVGA GTX 680: $500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130768

Ram: G.Skill Sniper 8GB: $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL032312&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL032312-_-EMC-032312-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231416-L011A

SSD: Mushkin 120: $130:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236


Thanks again.

 

[phenom90]

so you won't go sli after all right? because it is better to get a larger psu should you want to get second card in the future... at least 850w... but for single card... this will do great as well...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341051
OCZ ZT Series 650W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze - $80 after rebate...

 

[Edoras]

so you won't go sli after all right? because it is better to get a larger psu should you want to get second card in the future... at least 850w... but for single card... this will do great as well...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341051
OCZ ZT Series 650W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze - $80 after rebate...

Correct, I am not going to go SLI... I am switching out the Silverstone for the OCZ... I think that my build is complete. Thank you all, especially phenom90, for your help.

 

[Edoras]

Best answer selected by Edoras.

 

[phenom90]

you're welcome... hope you enjoy your time with your new build...