First new build, parts chosen, need some guiding.

[kevin5fan]

Approximate Purchase Date: In 2-3 months when I got all the money needed

Budget Range: 800 - 1000 CAD (Canadian Dollars)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video Editing etc

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: http://www.canadacomputers.com first, newegg.ca second

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences: N/A

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: I have chosen a full set a parts I just need you to give me some advice

CPU: Either the Intel Core i5 2500k or the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition

The Phenom is obvouisly cheaper, but I really want preformance, I also consider the FX-4100 Bulldozer but I heard really bad reviews about it. So please give me some light which of these should I choose? Does the Core i5 2500k make a big difference in gaming over the Phenom?

Motherboard: Well when I started to think of building a PC, I was going for a AMD CPU so that lead me to buy a AMD AM3+ Motherboard but I changed my mind for now to get the Intel Core i5.

These two motherboards is what I have in mind:
Gigabyte: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=045858

ASUS: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=041236

They are both z68 and LGA 1155 which is the socket for the Core i5 2500k Sanny Bridge.

The price is very close, I just want to know which one would preform better, I am not very good with motherboards. The ASUS seems to be the best selling and the Gigabyte one was recommended on this video by youtube for z68 cuz I am going to think of overclocking my CPU and GPU in the future.

RAM: I am really not sure about my RAM, I am looking for a 8GB Ram that will run fast and is at a decent price, please find me one. What I have in mind right now is this http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_311_312_612&item_id=046229 And I have a question does CPU have to be compitable with RAM?

Power supply: I looked at many reviews for Powersupply: Some offer a cheap price for a great ammount of power but there life span seem to be really short. I have decided to choose this one: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_443&item_id=020479 Was recommended from my friend so yea. If you can find one thats same price or near and offers way more please tell me thank you.

Case: The case I chose is http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_112&item_id=033559 Coolermaster HAF 912 Mid Tower. I heard very good reviews about this case and its a very good price. I just have one question. I am preparing to use the Corsair Hydroseries CPU cooling system, http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_135&item_id=036491 Will this be compitable with my motherboard, cpu and big enough for my case? Please tell me, I just want to make sure and not feel like an idiot when i buy it and its too big to fit in.

GPU: For the GPU I am preparing to buy a Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 Card, I will buy another one in the future to run crossfire with, this is the part I am uncertain about, 6870 use a lot of power so how much Watts will I need to run Crossfire with two 6870 Cards? To be stable in this situation. http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_557_558&item_id=042024

For DVD Driver: Please find me one that is cheap and IDE (I heard that is better than SATA) DVD Reader/Burner that will be compatible with all these parts. Thank you very much for taking your time.

 

[g-unit1111]

CPU: Either the Intel Core i5 2500k or the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition

The Phenom is obvouisly cheaper, but I really want preformance, I also consider the FX-4100 Bulldozer but I heard really bad reviews about it. So please give me some light which of these should I choose? Does the Core i5 2500k make a big difference in gaming over the Phenom?

Yeah the FX series is bad news right now - there's talk that it will get better once Windows 8 is out but I'm quite skeptical as there's NOTHING I'm convinced that will fix the FX series. AMD relied too much on the OS for it to function properly. The 2500K will run circles around *ANY* Phenom II based build - even the $70 Pentium G620 outperforms the FX-8150 in tests.

Case: The case I chose is http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=033559 Coolermaster HAF 912 Mid Tower. I heard very good reviews about this case and its a very good price. I just have one question. I am preparing to use the Corsair Hydroseries CPU cooling system, http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=036491 Will this be compitable with my motherboard, cpu and big enough for my case? Please tell me, I just want to make sure and not feel like an idiot when i buy it and its too big to fit in.

Excellent choice - you can't go wrong with the HAF 912 as it has features that are unparalleled for the price range. I'd drop the plans to use the Corsair H series liquid coolers though - there's too much risk for not a lot of payoff. A strong air cooler like the Noctua NH-U9B will give you the same results and it's far safer.

Power supply: I looked at many reviews for Powersupply: Some offer a cheap price for a great ammount of power but there life span seem to be really short. I have decided to choose this one: http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=020479 Was recommended from my friend so yea. If you can find one thats same price or near and offers way more please tell me thank you.

Go with this instead - OCZ doesn't have a good reputation on PSUs but their sub division PC Power & Cooling does, but I'd get a Corsair just to be on the safe side: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_441&item_id=036009.

RAM: I am really not sure about my RAM, I am looking for a 8GB Ram that will run fast and is at a decent price, please find me one. What I have in mind right now is this http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=046229 And I have a question does CPU have to be compitable with RAM?

8GB is plenty. AMD branded RAM is actually made by Patriot and it's an OK choice but there's far better. Make sure you get low profile if you plan to install any sort of aftermarket cooler. Try this instead: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095

For DVD Driver: Please find me one that is cheap and IDE (I heard that is better than SATA) DVD Reader/Burner that will be compatible with all these parts. Thank you very much for taking your time.

Not even slightly - with IDE you have to set jumpers for master / slave and it's a major pain - with SATA you don't, I far prefer SATA-based drives over IDE ones. Anyone who says otherwise most likely doesn't know what they're talking about.

GPU: For the GPU I am preparing to buy a Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 Card, I will buy another one in the future to run crossfire with, this is the part I am uncertain about, 6870 use a lot of power so how much Watts will I need to run Crossfire with two 6870 Cards? To be stable in this situation. http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=042024

For the price you'd pay for 2 x 6870 - you should go with a single 7870 - it will be far better, I always try to emphasize the strongest single GPU solution you can get as opposed to two weaker ones.

 

[kevin5fan]

CPU: Either the Intel Core i5 2500k or the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition

The Phenom is obvouisly cheaper, but I really want preformance, I also consider the FX-4100 Bulldozer but I heard really bad reviews about it. So please give me some light which of these should I choose? Does the Core i5 2500k make a big difference in gaming over the Phenom?

Yeah the FX series is bad news right now - there's talk that it will get better once Windows 8 is out but I'm quite skeptical as there's NOTHING I'm convinced that will fix the FX series. AMD relied too much on the OS for it to function properly. The 2500K will run circles around *ANY* Phenom II based build - even the $70 Pentium G620 outperforms the FX-8150 in tests.

Case: The case I chose is http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=033559 Coolermaster HAF 912 Mid Tower. I heard very good reviews about this case and its a very good price. I just have one question. I am preparing to use the Corsair Hydroseries CPU cooling system, http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=036491 Will this be compitable with my motherboard, cpu and big enough for my case? Please tell me, I just want to make sure and not feel like an idiot when i buy it and its too big to fit in.

Excellent choice - you can't go wrong with the HAF 912 as it has features that are unparalleled for the price range. I'd drop the plans to use the Corsair H series liquid coolers though - there's too much risk for not a lot of payoff. A strong air cooler like the Noctua NH-U9B will give you the same results and it's far safer.

Power supply: I looked at many reviews for Powersupply: Some offer a cheap price for a great ammount of power but there life span seem to be really short. I have decided to choose this one: http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=020479 Was recommended from my friend so yea. If you can find one thats same price or near and offers way more please tell me thank you.

Go with this instead - OCZ doesn't have a good reputation on PSUs but their sub division PC Power & Cooling does, but I'd get a Corsair just to be on the safe side: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_441&item_id=036009.

RAM: I am really not sure about my RAM, I am looking for a 8GB Ram that will run fast and is at a decent price, please find me one. What I have in mind right now is this http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=046229 And I have a question does CPU have to be compitable with RAM?

8GB is plenty. AMD branded RAM is actually made by Patriot and it's an OK choice but there's far better. Make sure you get low profile if you plan to install any sort of aftermarket cooler. Try this instead: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095

For DVD Driver: Please find me one that is cheap and IDE (I heard that is better than SATA) DVD Reader/Burner that will be compatible with all these parts. Thank you very much for taking your time.

Not even slightly - with IDE you have to set jumpers for master / slave and it's a major pain - with SATA you don't, I far prefer SATA-based drives over IDE ones. Anyone who says otherwise most likely doesn't know what they're talking about.

GPU: For the GPU I am preparing to buy a Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 Card, I will buy another one in the future to run crossfire with, this is the part I am uncertain about, 6870 use a lot of power so how much Watts will I need to run Crossfire with two 6870 Cards? To be stable in this situation. http://www.canadacomputers.com/pro [...] _id=042024

For the price you'd pay for 2 x 6870 - you should go with a single 7870 - it will be far better, I always try to emphasize the strongest single GPU solution you can get as opposed to two weaker ones.

Alright I'll drop the H60 Cooling System, I'll probably get a fan instead. But the Noctua NH-U9B doesn't seem to be compatible with LGA 1155 MBs

But the Power Supply, your corsair Link isn't working really. But how much Watts would I need for one single 7870?

Also for the GPU: Do you think that the price of the 7870 will drop in like 2 - 3 months? Cause thats when I'm going to buy it.

 

[neal0790]

I would pick the i5 over and AMD processor anyday. You really cant beat it for gaming. Stay away from the FX-4100, its nothing but problems and a i5 will blow it away. Just remember with a i52500k your going to need a cpu cooler so factor that in to if you plan to overclock. The hyper 212 for $30 is cheap and works great.

I personally prefer ASUS motherboards, they have a really easy to use BIOS and a few extras like an auto overclocker and monitoring software. You pay extra for them, but its worth the money in my opinion. Gigabyte makes good boards too so either way you go you will be fine. Its just a matter of cost.

If you go with the ASUS board you can pick up 8gb of Kingston Hyper X. Its great RAM and the blue matches the board nicely. I grabbed some about 5 months for got $35 but usually it goes for about $50. Pretty much kingston, patriot and corsair all make good RAM. Just make sure you dont get the RAM with the tall heatsinks. There not needed and can get in the way when your installing a CPU cooler.

OCZ isnt a bad name for a powersupply but i would recommended a Corsair or seasonic over them anyday. You can get a 750w corsair for $105 on newegg. If you dont want to spend the extra money then the OCZ is fine.

For a graphics card i cant help ya much on the side of AMD. Im a nvidia fanboy and only buy there cards so im not really in the loop on the radeon cards.

The HAF 912 is a great case and you should be happy with it. I would stay away from the watercooler for the CPU cooler. Fans are easier and do a great job for the 30 bucks more you would spend on that you could use it on something else.

Sata is the way to go for DVD drives. Most motherboards dont even come with IDE anymore. Get a cheap lite-on for $20.

 

[neal0790]

i type to slow so i just repeated alot of what g-unit just said. lol

 

[geekapproved]

If you do a lot of video editing, go with i7, not i5.

 

[neal0790]

The 7000's series should drop soon. Noone knows for sure but with the 680 coming out and specs just released of the 670 there going to eventually have to drop there prices. 670 is rumored to be out in june ($50-100 less than AMD's competing card), which the 660, 650etc should be coming out soon after that. If that happens AMD is going to have to go lower.

 

[kevin5fan]

Thanks neal and geek, I was just planing to get this cooler instead, will it be good if I overclock the i5? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_129&item_id=044952 This one that is right?

 

[neal0790]

Thanks neal and geek, I was just planing to get this cooler instead, will it be good if I overclock the i5? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=8_129&item_id=044952 This one that is right?

Yeah thats the cooler i use and what alot of people use for there rigs. You really cant beat the performance it does for $30. You can always add another fan on the back too, if you wanted a little more juice.

 

[kevin5fan]

Yeah thats the cooler i use and what alot of people use for there rigs. You really cant beat the performance it does for $30. You can always add another fan on the back too, if you wanted a little more juice.

Will I be able to put that fan into the CM HAF 912? It seems really thick hehe

 

[g-unit1111]

Alright I'll drop the H60 Cooling System, I'll probably get a fan instead. But the Noctua NH-U9B doesn't seem to be compatible with LGA 1155 MBs

But the Power Supply, your corsair Link isn't working really. But how much Watts would I need for one single 7870?

Also for the GPU: Do you think that the price of the 7870 will drop in like 2 - 3 months? Cause thats when I'm going to buy it.

It should be - most come with universal mounting brackets anymore. It should say on the box "Supports LGA 1155/1156/2011 AM2/AM3/AM3+.

2. As far as the wattage goes you really need about 650 - 750 to be on the safe side. That should handle all you need - if your long term plans include Crossfire you'll want to add another 200W. The 78XX series is far more energy efficient than previous generations so a 1K+ PSU isn't necessary anymore.

3. Could but I wouldn't count on it - it's priced to compete with the forthcoming GTX 660 and 670 - neither of which will be around the $250 mark.

 

[kevin5fan]

It should be - most come with universal mounting brackets anymore. It should say on the box "Supports LGA 1155/1156/2011 AM2/AM3/AM3+.

2. As far as the wattage goes you really need about 650 - 750 to be on the safe side. That should handle all you need - if your long term plans include Crossfire you'll want to add another 200W. The 78XX series is far more energy efficient than previous generations so a 1K+ PSU isn't necessary anymore.

3. Could but I wouldn't count on it - it's priced to compete with the forthcoming GTX 660 and 670 - neither of which will be around the $250 mark.

Thanks Also would this be a good HDD? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=035755

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks Also would this be a good HDD? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=035755

If you're getting an SSD I'd say yes but if it's going to be your primary HD - a 5900 RPM drive will be a huge bottleneck. If you're sticking with a mechanical HD as your primary you want 7200RPM - no more no less.

 

[kevin5fan]

If you're getting an SSD I'd say yes but if it's going to be your primary HD - a 5900 RPM drive will be a huge bottleneck. If you're sticking with a mechanical HD as your primary you want 7200RPM - no more no less.

So this would be the good choice right? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=029337

 

[neal0790]

So this would be the good choice right? http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=029337

That ones fine. Western Digital is one of the best brands for HDD.

 

[kevin5fan]

I just have one more quesiton, for GPUs, I just want one between 200 and 100 that will be able to play all recent games smoothley.

 

[azeem40]

The 560ti fits the bill just right.

 

[g-unit1111]

The 560ti fits the bill just right.

I'd go for a 7850 if I was paying the money for a 560TI right now.

 

[kevin5fan]

I'd go for a 7850 if I was paying the money for a 560TI right now.

Um what about this g-unit Its 560 but its Super Over clock and EVGA

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_557_559&item_id=038942