First Time PC Build Compatability Check

[tsonner111]

Hello, this is my first time building a PC, and I am admittedly a bit cautious on the compatibility of all the parts.

I have researched compatibility, but I would feel a bit safer buying the parts after a second guessing made by a more experienced person.

If anybody would be so kind,

Here are the parts:


Case
Merc Alpha Mid Tower ATX Computer Case
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382963

GPU
Core i5 2400 LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354590

Motherboard
GA-Z68AP-D3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375352

Power Supply
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Graphics Card
01G-P3-1556-KR NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360190

HDD
Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Optical Drive
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

RAM
4GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10666) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 2GB Memory Modules)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0353218



I would appreciate any criticisms or advice y'all have on the build I am compiling. The goal is a $750 or less machine for gaming.

 

[cranked]

I assume it's for gaming? Depending on the games you play, you might want to try and squeeze in a better GPU.

Check with microcenter (assuming you are ordering there because you live close to one), they were/are offering discounts on motherboards with the purchase of a processor. It might be for IB only though.

Otherwise, not a bad build if it's for gaming. You could go to an i3-2100 to spend more on a GPU.

 

[tsonner111]

It is a gaming rig, but I plan on building a mid level PC. I'm aware that the GPU is rather average.

Average with good results for the money spent is the goal though.

I'll go ahead and check about the Microcenter deals you talked about. Thank you for your help

 

[ddan49]

What's your budget? We can't really help if you don't tell us. Please use the sticky at the top of this subforum.

 

[revisionzero]

A budget would be great to know. However, for a few extra bucks you could get a lot more horsepower out of this system. I also think a 6850 would be better than a 650, granted its slightly more. Changed the processor to a 3450 which is a Ivy Bridge, changed to 8GB of Patriot RAM as 4GB will be hit almost instantly. Changed to a Seasonic PSU with slightly more wattage, Seasonic, Corsair, and Antec make some of the best PSU for reference.

Quixby Permalink
Processor: Intel Core i5-3450 Quad-Core - BX80637I53450 ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Intel Z77 - Z77 Pro4-M ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6850 - HD-685X-ZCFC ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot 8GB (2 x 4GB) - PGV38G1333ELK ($40.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W - M12II 620 Bronze ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage Device: Samsung by Seagate SATA 3.0Gb/s 500GB - HD502HJ/ST500DM005 ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Device: SAMSUNG - SH-222BB/BEBE ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $675.93
Prices include shipping and discounts when available.


Not sure if we are allowed to use tools such as Quixby here (Sorry if not, I will remove it). However it does check compatibility for you, Im a active builder and part of the project (for full disclosure). Just trying to help the OP.

Again if you can afford another $70 and want to overclock there are some good options.

Edited for a Z77 Mobo as dudewitbow pointed out.

 

[dudewitbow]

@above, you cant use an ivy bridge processor on a z68 till its bios has been flashed with a sandy bridge processor.

 

[revisionzero]

@above, you cant use an ivy bridge processor on a z68 till its bios has been flashed with a sandy bridge processor.

I was under the impression boards are now shipping with that BIOS? However, good call I should of linked a Z77 board. I will change it.

 

[dudewitbow]

never a good idea to buy one, because who knows if yours was just in a stock room waiting to be sold =X, with the older bios

 

[ddan49]

Are you sure about that? I'm FAIRLY certain (as in 80%) that IB is backwards-compatible with Z68. Or else we would have heard a LOT more about that.

 

[revisionzero]

never a good idea to buy one, because who knows if yours was just in a stock room waiting to be sold =X, with the older bios

True, I corrected the link thanks to your input. I should of realized that initially though =P

 

[dudewitbow]

Are you sure about that? I'm FAIRLY certain (as in 80%) that IB is backwards-compatible with Z68. Or else we would have heard a LOT more about that.

it is backwards compatible, BUT you have to flash the bios. i've heard complaints already before(some guy mistakenly bought a h61 mobo that said ivy bridge compatible and didn't know about the flashing). Its always better to be safe than sorry.

 

[ddan49]

Oh, of course. I'd always much rather get a Z77 with IB than get a Z68... $10 can save you a LOT of trouble.

 

[tsonner111]

The price range of the PC is $750 or less. The current total price of the PC so far is ~$535. I'm not sure where to sticky the price tag.

Anyway, I appreciate the advice, but are the parts compatible with eachother?

My main concern isn't the strength and power of the PC, but I'd like to catch any errors in compatibility and learn how to fix them. If I can learn how to seamlessly mix/match parts, I can build any computer I want.

Thanks for the advice everybody.

 

[azeem40]

For compatibility:
Make sure the CPU socket matches the MOBO socket.
Make sure the RAM is rated at 1.5v or less for IB builds.
Make sure the RAM is good for use on Intel systems.
Make sure the CPU Cooler says it supports the socket you're using.

 

[ddan49]

CPU: If Intel, most likely LGA 1155. Make sure your mobo socket supports 1155 (most Intel ones do)
RAM: 1.5v or less for SB builds, too. Make sure that it matches the mobo socket, although I don't know of ANY mobos/RAM that aren't 240-pin. Just double-check.
Make sure your GPU fits in your case!
Make sure that the rails and stuff on your PSU are okay.
Make sure that your mobo AND your GPU support SLI/Crossfire if you're going that way.

 

[tsonner111]

Does anybody know if the parts are all compatible with eachother?

Are there any issues with compatibility regarding all the listed and linked parts?