First Build, fine-tuning and compatibility check

jen_gamer

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Jul 5, 2012
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10,510
my other topic seems to be dead, so I'm making a new one, starting with the build I now have in mind

aside from this build, I'm also looking for advice on a store that ships to Europe (specifically, the Netherlands) if someone could point me in the right direction, that would be helpful

I also want to know if these parts are all compatible with each other, I think they are, but I'm still pretty green when it comes to Hardware, so I'd like to know if I have enough slots/ports and everything to support all the components, and that everything fits inside the case

I apologize for not linking anything, I tried, but this computer kept crashing whenever I switch tabs

Case:
I was recommended a Carbide 300R or 500R, but I didn't like them, so I dropped those, and instead I have several other options

once I have decided on my case, I would also like to fill all optional fan slots, but I'm not sure what the maximum fan size is for each case, I'd be grateful if someone could help me with that:

-COOLER MASTER HAF XM RC-922XM-KKN1 Black Mesh, Plastic, Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

-Antec Three Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded 2 x USB 3.0

-NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case


Motherboard:

AMD:
-GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD5 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

Intel:
-GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard


CPU:

AMD:
-AMD FX-6200 Zambezi 3.8GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor FD6200FRGUBOX

or

Intel:
-Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K


GPU:

Radeon:
-GIGABYTE GV-R797OC-3GD Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

GeForce:
-GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card


Hard Drive:
HDD:
-Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SSD:
-Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MX MKNSSDCR120GB-MX 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

or

-Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR240GB 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)


PSU:
-CORSAIR Professional Series HX750 (CMPSU-750HX) 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply


RAM:
-G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL11D-8GBXL


Cooling:
I'm not sure which of these would be the best, I have heard, and read good things about all of them (both the brands and the products)

-Thermaltake CLW0217 Water 2.0 Extreme/All-In-One Liquid Cooling System

-CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler

-Antec KUHLER H2O 920 Liquid Cooling System


Optical Drive(s):
- 2x ASUS DVD Burner Black SATA Model DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS


Monitor:
-Asus VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers


Wireless Network Adapter:
-ASUS USB-N53 Black Diamond Dual Band (2.4GHz 300Mbps/5GHz 300Mbps) Wireless-N USB Adapter, Graphical Easy Interface, Live Signal Monitor


price would be between 1765 dollars (AMD+GeForce+120GB SSD) and 2025 dollars (Intel+Radeon+240GB SSD) on Newegg

any comments on this build are welcome

friendly greetings,

Jen
 

Nw333

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Jun 24, 2012
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Id say go with the Intel build AND the geforce card. :) you wouldnt need anaftermarket cooler if you arent OCing. Also, I dont know your intentions for this build, so I cant suggest stuff right away :p
 

jen_gamer

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Jul 5, 2012
22
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10,510
right, purposes, I'm going to use it for gaming mostly, to give you a few examples: Crysis 2, the Witcher 2 and Skyrim with the Enhanced Texture pack

I'm also going to use it as a general purpose computer, with several instant messengers running simultaneously, and a lot of web browsing

as for overclocking, I'm not planning on it right now, I don't know too much about it, but I may attempt it later
 

jen_gamer

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Jul 5, 2012
22
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10,510
I have to wonder, is an AMD 3.8Ghz 6-core inferior to an Intel 3.4GHz 4-core? and why? there is a significant difference between the two

the GeForce 680 was recommended against, saying it wasn't worth the extra 100 dollars compared to the 670, I can probably afford it, but if they are that close in terms of performance, wouldn't the extra money be wasted?

I can agree to the 120GB SSD, that's what I had in mind in the first place, the 240GB SSD would be more of a luxury option

the Corsair H100 was the first cooling system that was recommended to me, I would like to know, however, why it would beat the Antec 920 or the Thermaltake system?

are there any suggestions for the case? I'm rather charmed by the NZXT Gamma, but the Cooler Master HAF XM also caught my eye
 

Nw333

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Jun 24, 2012
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To your first question, the i5 3570K is GREAT for OCing, AMD processors arent very good in terms of games/graphics, what theyre great for are multi tasking. Also intel has a waaaaaay better upgrade path, since you can just buy an i7 if you need/want to. 2nd, the 680 is newer and significantly better, but you can go with the 670. Im not good with coolers, but the H100 has very high ratings.
 

jen_gamer

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Jul 5, 2012
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10,510
well, when I play games, I always run instant messengers in the background (4 of them) and most of the time I have an internet window open to quickly look things up, aside from that, my Razer drivers are always running, and sometimes a music program as well (depends on the game)

with this in mind, and the fact that I'm not planning to upgrade anything anytime soon, your recommendations would still go to the i5 3570K?

the graphics card is hardest for me to decide on, my initial choice would have been the 680, but after it was recommended against, I'm hesitating, in terms of hardware, I tend to trust those that know more about it then me, but I'm getting mixed advice

for cooling, it looks like the Corsair H100 has won the contest, which only leaves the CPU, GPU and case to be decided, though I'm starting to lean towards the i5 3570K
 

jen_gamer

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Jul 5, 2012
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10,510
I am also still looking for international or european vendors so I can have these parts shipped to the Netherlands, I can start my own thorough search tomorrow (access to a FAR better computer) but a start would be nice

I already found the Motherboard and CPU, as well as the HAF XM case and the HDD, but the SSD, RAM, GPU, PSU, Cooling, and the other cases remain elusive

small things like the Wireless Network Adapter are not as important, and neither are Optical Drives

do the original manufacturers ship international?
 

Renzkuken1

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Aug 4, 2012
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I reccommend a gtx680 msi lightning as it has voltage unlocked and can be overclocked really well + it as a great cooler. I picked mine up for 600. Or the next step up is gtx690 for 1000 which has 2 gpu's in one.

I definitely recommend if 3570k due to overclocking it is so easy. I'm talking 3.4 to 4.5+ with the h100 easily.'

I'm running a Aercool X-predator white edition case and it is amazing. Great cable management and cooling!

Hope i helped.