New desktop <$1500 please critique choices

[lycos679]

I forgot to add that I want to be able to upgrade the CPU and GPU in the future. Thanks!

 

[lycos679]

Hello,

I put together some parts for a computer I would like to build in the next 6 months and would like some opinions on the choices I made. I can spend upwards of $1500, but less is preferable as long as I maintain quality.

Approximate Purchase Date: Withing 6 months, probably right after Thanksgiving

Budget Range: <$1500 USD

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, movie editing, movies, Heavy Excel usage with macro and VB programming. I need to have multiple applications running at the same time without "lag"

Are you buying a monitor: No



Parts to Upgrade: (e.g.: CPU, mobo, RAM) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**

Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, Amazon.com, any

Location: USA

Parts Preferences: I prefer Intel CPU's (Haven't really liked AMD, but if they have a good chip I will consider)

Overclocking: Maybe, I like the idea

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200 on a 19 inch monitor and I would also like to hook up the computer to a 46 inch 1080P HDTV

Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC. Please also list specific software or games you're using)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Two reasons: 1. I want to play some of the newer games on PC instead of a console. 2. My personal computer need to be replaced.

Here is a list of parts that I am looking at:

ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard This one is an open box for $240, but I'm not sure if it's overkill x2. I do want a motherboard that will allow me to upgrade in the future and it does seem like a deal.

Intel Core i5-3550 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53550 $209 This is cheaper and seems to have more performance than the 2500 model.

ASUS GTX680-DC2T-2GD5 GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $540 I think this is a bad pick for the price. I wasn't able to find many GTX 570 card's, but Radeon 7970 cards seem to be a little (maybe a lot) better and are around $400-$450

This one is $420 and I seem to get more. GIGABYTE GV-R797OC-3GD Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $420

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply $109 This is definitely more than enough, but it does future proof to some extent.

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM $105

I also found G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10D-16GBXL $90

The only difference seems to be the timing and latency, but I don't know enough to determine which, if either, is a better deal.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $109 I will probably get an SSD but I'm not going to even look at them until Thanksgiving.

ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM $50

I till not need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and am not worried about a case, but feel free to suggest a case or 2.

The total price comes to $1240 to 1366 depending on the GPU. Thoughts? Any parts I should swap out? Do any look overpriced?

Thank you all very much in advance.

 

[azeem40]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1321.89
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-12 01:13 EDT-0400)

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-PRO750W-Semi-Modular-80Plus-Supply/dp/B005IUVYA2/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1344750955&sr=1-4 $111.71 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping | Post-purchase rebate: $10.00 Price after rebate: $101.71
XFX PRO750W XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80Plus 750 Watt Power Supply (Silver)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1030160 $396.98 save: $13.00 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme6/ <---- another look at that board along with a link to the latest bios update

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-extreme6-z77a-gd65-z77h2-a2x,3187-2.html <----- review of that board w/benchmarks



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121637 $419.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS GTX670-DC2-2GD5 GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685 $429.99 - $404.99 after $25.00 rebate
MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423 $399.99 FREE SHIPPING
GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

 

[bigcyco1]

Here my suggestions you mentioned you might want to overclock well that's not going to work out to well with the locked cpu you need to switch it to i5-3570k So the main difference between the Intel Core i5-3550 and the Intel Core i5-3570K which offers the ability to overclock the processor as the main advantage; there are others but that is the big one. The standard HSF's aren't meant to handle overclocking if you are going to overclock you need to get a replacement cooler the stock one just ain't going to cut it especially on ivy bridge lol.You also will need low profile ram those ripjaws ain't going to work they will conflict with your aftermarket cpu cooler for motherboard i wouldn't recommend buying open box it's almost certain it's missing stuff out the box that's a gamble i wouldn't take instead get one of the motherboards i suggest there top notch and have lots of features and upgrade options not to mention they are cheaper price so now i will list my ram suggestions and motherboard suggestions as well as case suggestions and aftermarket cpu cooler suggestions take your pick and feel free to ask any questions you like the cases are all different prices but most are within the $100.00 or less. ____________________________________________________________ Case:COOLER MASTER HAF XM RC-922XM-KKN1 Black Mesh, Plastic, Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119257#top


Case:NZXT Phantom 410 CA-PH410-B1 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146085#top

Case:Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139016#top


Case:Antec DF-35 Black Steel Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129088#top

Case:Antec Eleven Hundred Black Super Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178#top


Case:Corsair Carbide Series 400R Graphite grey and black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case
$10 off w/ promo code EMCNBNC32, ends 8/13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

_______________________________________________________________________
MOTHERBOARD RECOMMENDATIONS - mobo:ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819#top


mobo:GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545#top

mobo:ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157295&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards%20-%20Intel-_-ASRock-_-13157295&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=#top
______________________________________________________________________ CPU COOLER RECOMMENDATIONS - Depending on if you want to mildly oc or hardcore oc one of these will be for you the COOLER MASTER V6 GT and COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO are for light to mild overclocks nothing more the rest can handle temps better for higher overclocks!

CPU Cooler:Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme Universal CPU Cooler 120mm Magnetic Fluid Dynamic LED Fan and Fan Controller/Heatsink Rev.1 with 1156 Brackets, free TX-3 Thermal Paste Included Inside
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154011#top

CPU Cooler:NZXT HAVIK-140 CPU Cooler w. Dual 140mm Fans
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835146011#top


PHANTEKS PH-TC14PE_BL 5 x?8mm Dual Heat-Pipes Dual 140mm Premium Fans and Quiet CPU Cooler with Patented P.A.T.S Coating
by Phanteks
http://www.amazon.com/PHANTEKS-PH-TC14PE_BL-Heat-Pipes-Premium-Patented/dp/B005OQJVP0/ref=pd_cp_pc_1/178-7594657-4819959

CPU Cooler:COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

CPU Cooler:COOLER MASTER V6 GT RR-V6GT-22PK-R1 120mm DynaLoop CPU Cooler w/ Universal bracket & Dual Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103089#top


CPU Cooler:Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018#top

_______________________________________________________________
RAM RECOMMENDATIONS - 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.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546#top

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:G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) 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

 

[azeem40]

COMBO DEALS:

cpu+hsf:
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz
CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60 High Performance
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1024225
$276.98 + $15.00 Mail In Rebates = $261.98

mbd+ram:
GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI
Patriot Intel Extreme Master, LE 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1044353
$199.98

psu+cse:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS
Corsair Carbide Series 400R Graphite grey and black Steel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1020976
$143.98

Orly? You expect him to run a dual GTX 670 setup on a 500W PSU that doesn't even provide 500W?

 

[azeem40]

not SLi,,, NO..

Reread the OP then. He says he wants to CF/SLI, then why are you suggesting a 500W PSU?

 

[azeem40]

mis-read, I recommend 750-watt to be safe.

He already has a 750W PSU in the OP.

 

[lycos679]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm still going through some of this information and comparing the mobo's listed. I do want to clarify that price checking isn't really the main point of this post, rather if you would swap out any of the parts and if it looked like a good build. I should have been more clear about that, sorry. Having said that, thanks for linking pcpartpicker.com It seems like the best site to determine if a part is overpriced.

Moving on, is there any real advantage/difference between a Radeon 7970, GTX 670, and GTX 680? I mean is there any reason to pick one over the other? From what I've gathered the 670 is almost as good as the 680, but $100 cheaper. The 7970 seems to be better than the 680 as well, although I may not have read into the comparisons deeply enough.

Bigcyco1, Thank you so much for pointing out that I would in fact need the i5 3570 and that the 3550 would not work, I wasn't aware of that. Also, good eye on catching that low profile RAM would be needed!

I will try and check back later or tomorrow morning (as time permits)

Once again Thank you to everyone that has replied, once I research the mob's a bit more I will update my build.

Thanks!

 

[lycos679]

Best answer selected by lycos679.