Tom's experts! Please advise me on my $1100 build

[akshat121]

Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to look at my thread! I appreciate any and all advice you could give me.

I've been researching parts for my new build all week and now it's finally time to pull the trigger and make my order. Before I do so though, I was hoping to get input from all of the smart techies on the forums.


Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: TONIGHT!!

Budget Range: ~$1100

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, HTPC

Are you buying a monitor: Nope, going to hook it up to my tv

Parts to Upgrade: All of it

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon, Newegg

Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Parts Preferences: Please see list of selected parts below

Overclocking: Perhaps a little bit down the road

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I would like a quiet PC. Games I plan on playing include Assassin's Creed 3, Battlefield 3, Crysis 2

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current PC works fine but gives an annoying heat warning beep when playing games, so I decided to assemble a new one.


===============================================
PARTS LIST:
===============================================
Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower Case - $60

Seasonic x560 PSU - $106

ASRock z77 Extreme4 Motherboard - $115

EVGA Geforce GTX670 FTW Edition - $400

Intel Core i5 3570k CPU - $215

Cooler Master Hyper 212+ HSF - $20

G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB DDR3 SDRAM - $59

Samsung 830 Series 128GB SSD $85

Asus 24x DVD Burner - $17

I figured I'd window shop for a wireless Keyboard/Mouse later, though if you have any quality inexpensive suggestions I'd love to hear them.

I'm also waiting for a solid deal on a good 1.5 - 2 TB HDD.

===============================================


I have one question about the SSD: Will I be able to install windows right out of the box? I was reading about the OCZ Agility 3 drives and remember seeing something about having to install firmware updates before use.



Wow, thanks for reading through all that! Do you guys have any insights for me?

 

[obsama1]

You install the firmware updates after installing Windows. However, checking Samsung's website, the drive has received 1 update, so it should be already pre-installed. If not, it's very easy. 1866MHz RAM has no benefits over 1600. Save $15 and get this kit. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

 

[akshat121]

@Obsama1: Thanks friend, that's a good tip! I'll edit my original post with your suggestion.

Edit:
@bigcyco1: Wait I don't understand. Can you please explain how the corsair ram will cause a conflict?

 

[bigcyco1]

Everything looks good to me and keep the ram you picked it's very good and the above suggested ram with conflict with your aftermarket CPU Cooler if you decide to run your ram in dual channel mode or if you decide to add more ram later down the road and the big heatsinks on ram are a marketing gimmick.If you want cheaper ram go with something like these Ram:Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544#top

RAM:G.SKIL Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416#top

RAM:CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196#top

RAM:CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186#top

RAM:Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996995
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226191#top

RAM:SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model MV-3V4G3D/US
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147096#top

 

[akshat121]

Thanks BigCyco1 for those links.
I was thinking I'd go with the slower speed G.Skills Sniper series for $40 that you posted: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416#top

@recon-uk: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look up some reviews on it now and check it out.

Edit: Although I'm hoping that by getting the GTX670 now I won't have to worry about upgrading my GPU anytime soon.

About that, I was wondering how long it would be before this DX11 card will be outdated like my current DX9 card is?

 

[obsama1]

The CPU is very close to the RAM slots. If you have a CPU cooler and RAM with those protruding fins(heatsink), they will come in contact with another, and sometimes the RAM won't be able to fit. The fins are a gimmick since RAM doesn't get hot, and they're really just for looks. So, better to get low-profile RAM, which is just RAM with smaller fins or doesn't have them at all.

 

[obsama1]

Well, Windows 8 will have DX11.1, and it's expected that most, if not all, DX11 cards will be updated to 11.1. DX12 isn't due for a few years. The 670 will last 4-5 years, I'd say. Since most games are console-ports, and optimized drivers will improve the performance.

 

[Deemo13]

I would recommend you get a CPU cooler for that CPU there if you plan to overclock at all. Even if not.

The Hyper 212+ is only like $20, and some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound is like $10.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

The 212 EVO is a little better, but a bit more. Depends on your budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Here's some thermal paste:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

 

[bigcyco1]

Thanks BigCyco1 for those links.
I was thinking I'd go with the slower speed G.Skills Sniper series for $40 that you posted: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416#top

@recon-uk: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look up some reviews on it now and check it out.

Edit: Although I'm hoping that by getting the GTX670 now I won't have to worry about upgrading my GPU anytime soon.

About that, I was wondering how long it would be before this DX11 card will be outdated like my current DX9 card is?

That ram would be fine as well.

 

[bigcyco1]

The CPU is very close to the RAM slots. If you have a CPU cooler and RAM with those protruding fins(heatsink), they will come in contact with another, and sometimes the RAM won't be able to fit. The fins are a gimmick since RAM doesn't get hot, and they're really just for looks. So, better to get low-profile RAM, which is just RAM with smaller fins or doesn't have them at all.

+1 thanks saves me from needing to explain it :lol:

 

[akshat121]

Thanks again for all the links and information everyone, it's very helpful.

@obsama/bigcyco: Will the sniper series ram be low profile enough to not cause any problems? Also, could I just use the outer 2 ram slots on my motherboard so it wouldn't be as close to the heatsink?

@Deemo: I chose the hyper 212+ because I read it's pretty much the same as the EVO and not really worth the additional cost.
I have some old leftover arctic silver thermal paste from a previous build like 7 years ago. Would it still be good to use?


About power supplies, I just read on this review below that the seasonic x560 has a measured maximum power draw of 730W before it shuts itself down.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-X-Series-560-W-Power-Supply-Review/1118/8
Now does this mean that my 560W psu would be able to put out up to 700 watts? Not that I'd ever push it that far, but I'm partial to this one's look, modular design, and quiet, semi-fanless feature and would like to know that I don't have to worry about it ever being under-powered.

 

[bigcyco1]

Yes the ram will work fine as for your other question it might work like that i wouldn't waste my time though or risk it better safe than sorry i always say.

 

[akshat121]

Good point bigcyco.

Thank you for the help everybody! I placed the order about an hour ago and will eagerly await the ups driver for the next couple days.
I appreciate you all sharing your wisdom! =]