New Build Advice. Around $1,400

[Sakra]

Hello, so I am currently working on getting everthing together to build a new computer, and just want to double check here with people that know more about compatibility and I have a few questions if anyone would humor me with. first off my build so far.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Cooling
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265 (debating still)

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136950

SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167042 (I'm not sure if this is the better of the Intel ones that are 120gb advice here would be welcome, also not 100% set on Intel if there are equal or better for the same price. any advice welcome)

Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

Graphics Card (confused here, what one of the two is better will they fit properly on my current Mobo and is there better for the price? Nvidia pref)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593
vs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130687

Now my main questions are,

1: What Graphics Card is the better choice out of those two, or is there a better (or more reliable) for the same price. (around $300~$350)

2: Will all these parts work together properly without hassle, like the Graphics Card fitting on the Mobo and in the Case, or any other issue someone here might notice.

3: Is a z68 better for what I'll be using it for, being mainly Gaming, some (not very serious) 3D rendering, or is the p67 suitable, I am more than likely going to be OCing.

4: Anyone able to provide a good solid walkthrough for setting a SSD up properly, I have found a few however I would sooner trust someone here I've interacted with. (absolutely clueless about SSDs besides what a someone here has told me, but I'd like more info before attempting to do it myself)

I will be ordering these around the 26th~28th at latest, so ANY feedback is so much appreciated.

 

[Sakra]

I seem to be being rushed, so it will be ordered today. lol so any advice as to the graphics card (and if anyone can see it all being compatible) thank you so much if you reply in time, if no reply I'll be winging it and pray for the best. thanks all either way!

 

[g-unit1111]

1: What Graphics Card is the better choice out of those two, or is there a better (or more reliable) for the same price. (around $300~$350)

Well the 570 is a good choice but it's becoming quite a bit outdated - for the price you should really consider the Radeon 7870 - it's putting up numbers that match or beat the 570 and in some cases the 580 for the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102983

2: Will all these parts work together properly without hassle, like the Graphics Card fitting on the Mobo and in the Case, or any other issue someone here might notice.

The case you chose is a good one and it has plenty of room for the biggest video cards, PSUs, everything else you can throw at it.

3: Is a z68 better for what I'll be using it for, being mainly Gaming, some (not very serious) 3D rendering, or is the p67 suitable, I am more than likely going to be OCing.

Yeah I'd recommend a Z68 over a P67 for gaming any day of the week - or for anything else for that matter. This would be a better choice for motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498

4: Anyone able to provide a good solid walkthrough for setting a SSD up properly, I have found a few however I would sooner trust someone here I've interacted with. (absolutely clueless about SSDs besides what a someone here has told me, but I'd like more info before attempting to do it myself)

Well first off if you're a first timer with SSDs, I would seriously hesitate to recommend any Sandforce-based drive like the Intel drive you chose. Go with a Micron-based drive like the Crucial M4: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

The reason being is that the Sandforce controller - which is popular on drives like the Intel 520, Corsair Force 3, Patriot Pyro, OCZ Solid/Agility/Vertex and several others has tons of firmware issues which will result in BSODs, Windows errors, and everything else you can think of. If you go with the Micron drive like the M4, Samsung 830, or Kingston Hyper X, the controllers are solid, and installation and formatting is painless. My M4 has been problem free from day one and it's one of the few SSDs I'll use to build systems from now on.

There's no real trick to setting up an SSD - basically all you need to know is that when you load Windows - do not perform a full format - quick formats only - the Windows installer will take care of the rest.

 

[Sakra]

Hello, and thank you for the info! I will most likely be switching out those parts asap, so the Graphics card out does the 570 in every way? does that count Physics, like would I notice a 570 in any case doing something better than the 7870? I don't know why, probly brand whoring is why I'm leaning to Nvidias card, but if the AMD one is way better I'm all for it!

 

[g-unit1111]

Hello, and thank you for the info! I will most likely be switching out those parts asap, so the Graphics card out does the 570 in every way? does that count Physics, like would I notice a 570 in any case doing something better than the 7870? I don't know why, probly brand whoring is why I'm leaning to Nvidias card, but if the AMD one is way better I'm all for it!

Well the main thing is the new NVIDIA cards - the Keppler series - along with the AMD 78XX and 79XX have been completely redesigned from the ground up and are getting rave reviews. The 570 is based on somewhat existing architecture that was carried over from the 4XX series. The new AMD cards - especially the 78XX series have been matching and beating the 570 in every benchmark and in some cases even the 580 for like half the cost of an OC'd 580, check out the benchmarks and decide for yourself: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html

I'm getting a 7870 for my system as soon as I get my tax refund.

 

[Sakra]

Alright, well thank you very much, I will probly be going with the 7870 now since it seems so beefy sounding, I can't wait for this new computer, wanting it to be the best thing posssible (for my limited funds) this will be a huge upgrade considering my current PC doesn't even have a graphics card, hah. thanks again! you always seem to make things very clear.

 

[Sakra]

Best answer selected by Sakra.

 

[g-unit1111]

Alright, well thank you very much, I will probly be going with the 7870 now since it seems so beefy sounding, I can't wait for this new computer, wanting it to be the best thing posssible (for my limited funds) this will be a huge upgrade considering my current PC doesn't even have a graphics card, hah. thanks again! you always seem to make things very clear.

Yeah no problem - you always want to keep all your options open.

 

[Mattacus]

The 7870 is also unreliable as of yet as you can read from the toms hardware reviews and amd is notorious for driver problems. I think your best option is to get an EVGA 570 with the -AR sku, and then use the step up program if you decide that the Kepler 570 equivalent is particularly compelling.

Edit: as far as I'm concerned, if a card can't run Starcraft II at stock clocks, it isn't a card that is a worthy and safe investment.

 

[g-unit1111]

The 7870 is also unreliable as of yet as you can read from the toms hardware reviews and amd is notorious for driver problems. I think your best option is to get an EVGA 570 with the -AR sku, and then use the step up program if you decide that the Kepler 570 equivalent is particularly compelling.

Edit: as far as I'm concerned, if a card can't run Starcraft II at stock clocks, it isn't a card that is a worthy and safe investment.

I'd like to see where you're getting this information from. I'm sure it has to do with Catalyst 12.1 which is known to have problems with the newer cards but once Catalyst 13.1 is released it should be a lot better.