New build with 3570k

[imapaladin]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week

Budget Range: $800

System Usage: Mostly gaming, aside from surfing, watching po- I mean movies, etc.

Parts Not Required: Everything not stated

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.ca & NCIX

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

I'm going to be recycling some parts from my previous computer, which are:
Case: Antec Sonata 3
CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
PSU: Antec Earthwatt 500W bronze certified that came with the case
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 1GB
Optical: LG DVD(don't know the name)


The new parts I've picked out so far:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K Unlocked Quad Core Processor
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=70541&vpn=BX80637I53570K&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1069

MOBO: ASRock Z77 EXTREME4
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=70902&vpn=Z77%20Extreme4&manufacture=ASRock

RAM: Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=57869&vpn=KHX1600C9D3K2%2F8GX&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1069


I need some advice on HDD, PSU, and RAM.

For HDD, I'm thinking of choosing one of these
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=62047&vpn=WD20EARX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1069
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=50895&vpn=WD1002FAEX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1069
Which one would be better when all things are considered?

As for PSU, do I need a better one or is 500W sufficient for the current system? I tried using the PSU calculator but I'm not sure if that's enough. I might do some overclocking. When I add a second 6850 or upgrade it, I'll definitely have to replace it but until I do, I'd rather not spend the money if I can.
Also, is that RAM a good choice?

If you have any other suggestions, they're welcome.

 

[Thrin]

Your PSU should be fine. I did a calculation using some extra components for you and still came in under 450 Watts.

The RAM is a good choice. Basically any RAM that is from a proven manufacturer and runs at 1600 is going to work. My recommendation is to get the cheapest available that fits that criteria.

Is 8 GB going to be enough? It should be for now. I suspect we'll start wanting to have 16 GB within two years though. That's just pure speculation based on nothing more than a gut feeling so I can be entirely wrong.

Overall, good choices!

Are you looking to get a hard drive as well?

If so, I would recommend getting an SSD (at least 90 GB, preferably 120+ in size) and a hard drive of at least 1 TB.

 

[imapaladin]

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, one of the two HDDs I stated above.

I just read some comments that http://ncix.com/products/?sku=50895&vpn=WD1002FAEX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1069 can be pretty noisy.
Is there a better choice or is this still the best even with the noise. I'd rather avoid it if it's too loud.

I currently have(I believe)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148221

Should I just keep this, or get a new SATA 3? I'm planning to turn the one I have into an external one though, because more storage would be nice, but not mandatory.
I was thinking of plugging it in along with SATA 2, but I read it hinders SATA 3's performance or something like that. Or maybe I'm wrong...not sure.

As for a SDD, it's definitely within my consideration but the question is, is it really worth the money? The only reason I didn't mention SDD in the opening post is because of this.
One's supposed to install only OS on the SDD I believe? maybe some games too? or do they go on the HDD...I'll have to read up on it but as I asked, is the performance really worth the cash?

Also, I'd like some DEFINITE answer on the PSU. As I mentioned, I might be OCing it a bit, does that 450W account for this? I'm a little cheap so unless I have to, I'd like to keep the current one lol.

 

[SetZ]

If you have the money, then imo go for an SSD. It's supposed to be 100 times faster than an HDD. Of course, this isn't really the case but there is really a noticeable difference between the two. Just look at some videos on youtube comparing SSDs and HDDs, when booting a computer for example. Typically the OS would be installed on the SSD along with your frequently used applications/games. And for other files, such as pictures, music, videos, they would go on the HDD.

Just to be safe, since you're planning on overclocking and doing SLI/Crossfire, it would be safe to have at least a 750W PSU. Brands like Corsair, Seasonic, Antec, Silverstone are the better ones. And if you could, have a modular PSU since it makes building a system easier and you'd have a cleaner look on your build.

 

[Thrin]

Sorry, I missed the links to the hard drive. My bad!

For the hard drive you have a couple of options.

First, you could get a terabyte drive and keep your current as extra storage.

Your current drive isn't bad so I would keep that going.

What I would do would be to forgo getting a new hard drive and go straight to a good sized reputable solid state drive. A couple of options: Crucial M4 256 GB (it's been on sale in Canada for ~$199 recently at tigerdirect) and intel makes a good SSD - in terms of reliability. I am basing this on user reviews over the long term.

I'd really aim for a crucial m4 256 GB though since it fits the bill perfectly.

As to what to run on it? OS + Games. You'll notice a huge difference.

For games that you aren't currently playing you can move them over to your hard drive.

But, 256 GB is a fair amount of space to keep most games on as long as you leave your data stuff (movies, music, pictures, whatever) on your hard drive. I think this way you also fall within your budget.

Checking for the best price of the M4 at this moment:

$229.67 at DirectCanada or $229.99 at Memory Express

Best over 200 GB SSD that I can find quickly is ncix.com's daily sale on a Mushkin Chronos Delux at $204.99 before mail-in. With mail-in it'd be $189.99.

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=62972&promoid=1146

On newegg it gets a 4/5 rating from 53 customer reviews. I'd be okay with that myself.

No other component, in my opinion, will make such a huge performance impact as getting an SSD. It is definitely worth the price. Plus it's silent.

As to the PSU - yes, I assumed you'd be overclocking. Your PSU will be running around 90% capacity at peak so maybe go to a 600 or 650 but it isn't -necessary- as such.

 

[imapaladin]

Thank you for the information, sirs.

I've decided to get a
OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-128G 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=69936&vpn=VTX4-25SAT3-128G&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology&promoid=1069

I was thinking of getting Crucial M4 but since Vertex 4 is $40 off, and the reviews seem to be excellent(unlike earlier vertex which a lot of people complained about for instability).

As for HDD, I've read quite a lot of complaints about noises in WD black I linked above. Also, since many people on this forum who are building gaming rigs seem to be going for Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 7200.12 1TB SATA 32MB Cache 3.5IN Internal Hard Drive OEM,
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=58746&vpn=ST31000524AS&manufacture=Seagate
I'll go for this one too I suppose...

Finally for PSU, I might as well get one while I'm getting all these parts even if I'm safe.
I'm planning to get Corsair Professional HX750W 750W ATX 12V 62A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply Active PFC 140MM Fan
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=38649&vpn=CMPSU-750HX&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1069

 

[Thrin]

If you haven't bought the components just yet, the seagate drive is on sale at Canada Computers for $89.99.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=042240

At the same price at Direct Canada:

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14120DR5445&vpn=ST1000DM003&manufacture=SEAGATE

The OCZ Vertex 4 is on sale at Memory Express for $139.99

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX38936

Memory Express charges a flat rate for shipping of $8.99 (unless price matched with 0 shipping) but if you were to price match the Seagate drive as well (or, if you want, the rest of your components as well) you can get some more savings. Price matched, the Seagate drive would be $87.49 at Memory Express.

You could also price match the PSU there and get that for $117.49

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX24570

It's a good set of options you've picked. I happen to have an SSD and a barracuda as well. I just wished I had gotten a larger SSD. It's that good! But, 120 GB is viable.

Good luck with your system! I think you'll be happy.

 

[imapaladin]

If you haven't bought the components just yet, the seagate drive is on sale at Canada Computers for $89.99.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=042240

At the same price at Direct Canada:

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14120DR5445&vpn=ST1000DM003&manufacture=SEAGATE

The OCZ Vertex 4 is on sale at Memory Express for $139.99

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX38936

Memory Express charges a flat rate for shipping of $8.99 (unless price matched with 0 shipping) but if you were to price match the Seagate drive as well (or, if you want, the rest of your components as well) you can get some more savings. Price matched, the Seagate drive would be $87.49 at Memory Express.

You could also price match the PSU there and get that for $117.49

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX24570

It's a good set of options you've picked. I happen to have an SSD and a barracuda as well. I just wished I had gotten a larger SSD. It's that good! But, 120 GB is viable.

Good luck with your system! I think you'll be happy.

Ah, thank you for those links.
One last thing, do you think it'd be worth it to swap that power supply with a 80 Plus Gold certified one like http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088?

 

[imapaladin]

Best answer selected by imapaladin.

 

[Thrin]

Ah, thank you for those links.
One last thing, do you think it'd be worth it to swap that power supply with a 80 Plus Gold certified one like http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088?

No, you don't have to do that with this power supply. I just quickly checked a review of the PSU
( http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-HX750W-Power-Supply-Review/775/10 ) and the review is a good one.

The power supply is "silver" rated but, apparently, that was Corsair's choice to downgrade since it actually hit the criteria for "gold." I'd be very comfortable with the power supply as it is.

 

[imapaladin]

No, you don't have to do that with this power supply. I just quickly checked a review of the PSU
( http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-HX750W-Power-Supply-Review/775/10 ) and the review is a good one.

The power supply is "silver" rated but, apparently, that was Corsair's choice to downgrade since it actually hit the criteria for "gold." I'd be very comfortable with the power supply as it is.

Thanks for replying again. ^^
I see, I'll just go with the one I chose then.

Uhm...one last thing(again. Regarding the SDD, I'm thinking of going for
Crucial M4
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=60445&vpn=CT128M4SSD2&manufacture=CRUCIAL%20TECHNOLOGY&promoid=1260

or

Mushkin Chronos
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=62873&vpn=MKNSSDCR120GB&manufacture=Mushkin%20Enhanced&promoid=1069

instead of Vertex 4.
After all, Vertex 4 is new and we don't know what issues it will have that only time can tell. I'd rather go for stability than gamble it...your thoughts?

 

[Thrin]

Either of those SSDs should be good. I've seen a lot of people really happy with both.

I'd personally lean towards the Crucial M4 only because I heard about it's reliability first. So, in other words, for no good reason at all.