Final Check on 1K PC

[yams_22]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next Few Days

Budget Range: $1000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Web Browsing, Gaming, Photo Editing, Watching Movies

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com/amazon.com/microcenter

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: N/A

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080, possibly dual-monitor in the future

Additional Comments: Preferably running silently + cool.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570k ($190 @ Microcenter)


Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ($90 @ Microcenter)


RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8gb 1600 ($54)


Video Card: MSI Twin Frozr II GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2gb ($250 @ Newegg after rebate)


CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo ($37 @ Microcenter)


SSD: Crucial M4 64gb ($70 @ Microcenter)


HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1tb ($85 on Newegg)

DVD Drive: Asus 24xDVD-RW ($17 @ Amazon)


PSU: Corsair TX650 ($70 @ Newegg after rebate)


Case: Corsair Carbide 400R ($90 @ Amazon)


OS: Windows 7 Home Premium ($80 @ Newegg)


TOTAL: $1023 USD

How do you guys think I did? About the Video Card, do you think I should get the 1gb version of the Twin Frozr II? It'll cost $25 less and I'm not sure if 2gb of memory is enough.


Thanks guys.

 

[Thomas_89]

I would change the GPU to an HD 7850, it's cheaper ($225 after rebate) and performs marginally better. And I would get a Seagate HDD, it performs great and it's cheaper than the WD you listed. Finally I'd get this corsair PSU. It provides enough power for CF in the future and is rock solid.
Other than that, excellent build!

 

[Patflute]

The heat spreaders on your RAM might conflict with your CPU cooler and it's 2x4gb right?

I would go with a Radeon 7850: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/547?vs=549&i=371.372.373.374.375.376.377.378.379.380.381.382.385.384.383.387.388.389.390.392.393.394.396.397.400.398.401.402.403.404.459.457.456.405.460.391.426.406.424.407.411.410.422.423.409.413.412.414.415.416.417.418.419.420.421

Don't get a different power supply, you're not doing sli/crossfire.

 

[yams_22]

Ok, thanks for the feedback so far. I'll be switching to a Seagate Barracuda 1tb hard drive...

I've also done some research about the 7850 vs the 560 ti, some sites say that the 7850 performs better theoretically but actually doesn't because of drivers? Is this true?

Thanks.

 

[Thomas_89]

The heat spreaders on your RAM might conflict with your CPU cooler and it's 2x4gb right?

I would go with a Radeon 7850: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/547?vs=549&i=371.372.373.374.375.376.377.378.379.380.381.382.385.384.383.387.388.389.390.392.393.394.396.397.400.398.401.402.403.404.459.457.456.405.460.391.426.406.424.407.411.410.422.423.409.413.412.414.415.416.417.418.419.420.421

Don't get a different power supply, you're not doing sli/crossfire.

I read somewhere OCZ's ModXtream series are not very reliable after apporx 1 year of use. I couldn't find the forum I read it just now but i'll try to later when I have more time.

 

[yams_22]

Ok, thanks. This is the sort of stuff that I'm trying to look out for...

It would be appreciated if somebody could recommend a reliable PSU for a similar price.

 

[azeem40]

ModXStream isn't a good PSU series. Get the TX650 V2.

 

[Patflute]

Sorry when I said: "Don't get a different power supply, you're not doing sli/crossfire," I really meant that you don't need a higher wattage. Should have been more clear.

 

[deathrune]

Seagate Barracuda 1tb sucks
I would suggest getting a WDl black caviar 1tb. But it's up to you.

 

[azeem40]

Nice assumption mate. You can't just say something sucks without backing it up.

 

[Patflute]

You have a FX-8150, you're opinion is invalid.

 

[yams_22]

Ok thanks guys so far, based on your feedback I will be going with a TX650, and will get a Barracuda 1tb.

Can somebody answer the question I had about the graphics cards I had above? Thanks

 

[Thomas_89]

You have a FX-8150, you're opinion is invalid.

haha +1

 

[Thomas_89]

Ok thanks guys so far, based on your feedback I will be going with a TX650, and will get a Barracuda 1tb.

Can somebody answer the question I had about the graphics cards I had above? Thanks

About the drivers making the 7850 not performing better than the 560ti because of drivers? Well of course AMD/ATI should take an example of nVidia drivers but take a look at this article. The 560ti has some instances where it outperforms the 7850, but mostly at lower resolutions. For the rest it kicks the 560ti's butt. I'd take the 7850 over the 560ti any day.

edit: forgot link