Critique my build

[jpblann]

Hi everyone!

Just about to build a new machine. I haven't built or payed attention to anything new in the past year or so, so I have had to do A LOT of research before deciding on a build I will be happy on.

However, choosing a video card is doing my head in!

NOTE: I live in New Zealand and use www.pricespy.co.nz to find cheap parts. Prices will differ with U.S

Anyway below is what I have decided on so far.

MOBO: asrock z77 extreme 4
CPU: i5 3570 ivy bridge
HDD: WD black 500gb 7200
RAM: 2x4 Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz
GPU: UNDECIDED
CASE: UNDECIDED
PSU: Corsair 650w (Is this enough?)
O.D: Mid range blueray player - Not important IMO

Some feedback on a good case and gpu would be awesome. Any possible changes I could make to the rest.

I was going for a 2500k but its $30nzd ($20 U.S) more for a 3570k so opted for that!

CHEERS!
Jono

 

[Outlander_04]

I was particularly impressed by the "undecided " entries

Im not sure I'd buy the 3570K instead of the 2500k . Overclocking doesnt look good because of heat issues and stock performance is not a big enough improvement to offset that

Before you can choose a psu you need to choose a GPU ....and b4 we can help you it would be good to know what your screen resolution is

 

[welshmousepk]

Hey mate, i too am from new zealand so let me know if you need advice on where to buy.

as for parts, it really depends on how much you wish to spend. newer tech is currently very overpriced here, so i would go with older nvidia or a 7xxx amd card.

PSU wise, id get a decent 650w at least. a corsair unit would be preferable, and are currently pretty cheap at computer lounge.

a 560ti would be good if you are keeping your budget low, otherwise a 7870 or 7950 would do very well.

for the case, the inwin mana 136 is insanely cheap here compared to other cases and has all the features you could really want. I got mine for 109 from playtech and it has served me very well.

let me know if you have any more questions

 

[jpblann]

Thanks for the quick response dude.

I will be looking at over clocking but only slightly. Will most likely keep it at 4 - 4.2 and from what I have read, the 3570k with an aftermarket cooler will run stable at 4.2. But even so, its getting to the "flip a coin" stage! haha

I have a 21.5" monitor at 1,920 X 1,080 but would look at upgrading in the future so want to invest in a card that is future proof as possible!

 

[Jaywill]

Cases I like:

Mid Towers -

Corsair 500R (my personal favorite) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009
Fractal Arc Midi - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352007&Tpk=Arc%20Midi
CoolerMaster Storm Scout - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&Tpk=cooler%20master%20scout

Full Towers -

CoolerMaster HAF X - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225
Antec 1100 (super mid tower) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178&Tpk=antec%201100

GPUs:

Top end, Sapphire's 7970 is a good price right now at $450 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982

Otherwise wait for a GTX 680 to come into stock somewhere

Mid range, the 7870 stacks up pretty well for a sub-$400 card, something like this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102983

But then we're talking only $90 (after MIR) more for the latest and greatest Radeon. Seems silly to not get the top of the line for a measly 90 bucks. Then again every penny counts these days, so your mileage may vary.

EDIT - Oh sorry I missed the New Zealand part. Here I am linking Newegg prices. Well, the idea is the same, but some of what I said here could be irrelevant due to price differences.

 

[Outlander_04]

1080p resolution starts to game OK with a Radeon 6870 . You could expect to play demanding games on high settings and not have many or any slow downs

What kind of budget do you have for graphics and psu?

 

[jpblann]

@OutLander_04

I was having a look at that 6870 vs 560 actually but decided I would wait one more week and opt for the 7850 maybe 7870 - seems the 7870 is awesome for the price!

Price is limited to about 1300 nz but could go over by a bit if I thought it was worth it!

@welshmousepk

Exactly what I was thinking about the video cards, still need to decide whether I get a 7850/560ti or wait a week and buy a 7870

Thanks for the info on the case that's exactly what I needed. I notice a lot of people advising on good cases but the price difference or availability is a lot different than NZ.

Thanks bro!

 

[welshmousepk]

no a problem. the 7850 would be best value-wise, as long as you are comfortable overclocking. the 7870 is better, but not by enough to justify the price jump, especially since the gap is closed when overclocking is taken into consideration.

as for the case, it obviously depends on if- you like the looks. but im a fan of in win cases. if you prefer sleeker, simpler cases, then you can get the lower end corsair carbides on computer lounge pretty cheap right now.

here's a link to the mana though: http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=/ID=16848/SID=734138470/productdetails.html

good ariflow, lots of space and loads of expandability.

 

[jpblann]

Best answer selected by jpblann.

 

[jpblann]

no a problem. the 7850 would be best value-wise, as long as you are comfortable overclocking. the 7870 is better, but not by enough to justify the price jump, especially since the gap is closed when overclocking is taken into consideration.

as for the case, it obviously depends on if- you like the looks. but im a fan of in win cases. if you prefer sleeker, simpler cases, then you can get the lower end corsair carbides on computer lounge pretty cheap right now.

here's a link to the mana though: http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=/ID=16848/SID=734138470/productdetails.html

good ariflow, lots of space and loads of expandability.

Case looks nice, thinking I am going to go for it! Thanks for the heads up - was having an absolute MARE deciding.

Also thanks for the info on the 7850 - looks like I might get one and fork out for the msi twin frozr + after market cpu cooler.

Will 650w be enough to run this or would it be worth going for a 700? will be looking at CF in the near future!

 

[welshmousepk]

650 will be plenty.

I ran two GTX 560tis on my current 650w xfx unit. and it currently powers my 680 just fine.

 

[jpblann]

650 will be plenty.

I ran two GTX 560tis on my current 650w xfx unit. and it currently powers my 680 just fine.

Awesome, thanks again bro - you've been a massive help!