2012 Gaming Rig - First Build Check

[soccernum7]

Additional Comments: This is my first time building a PC and I am starting from scratch besides internet service, a router, and a desk. I have done 'some' research and know the parts I need but not the tools or anything other than what I have posted. I would appreciate any help, even a hyperlink on supplies i might need to build one that way I don't have to run around last minute to buy things or so I can order them in advance.

--I have no idea which GPU or PSU i should get. I'm going to be on a tight budget, but on the other hand I highly value quality if I have to spend a bit more. I am looking for parts that are will last for 3-4 years with minor upgrades (maybe a new GPU or HDD, etc..) and will also perform at high quality while being moderately cheap for something of the sort.

**Important** I have some pretty wicked storms where I live and the power goes out 1-2 times a month for short periods of time during the spring, summer, and fall. Should I buy a surge protector? I have one for our tv,dvr,pc,printer, and etc. but it is full. My question is, is it worth buying? Could it save my computer and parts if something funky happens with the power? What will it do exactly?


Approximate Purchase Date: Spring 2013

Budget Range: Less than $1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, watching movies, maybe recording, some CAD(school projects, etc.), homework, etc.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes


Parts:
Possible Cases: RAIDMAX Blade ATX Mid
COOLER MASTER HAF 912

Extra Case Fans!? : COOLER MASTER 120mm 4-pack

Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K

Heatsink/Fan: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO

Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z77X-D3H ATX

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache

GPU: EVGA 02G-P3-1559-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 2GB
EVGA 02G-P3-1568-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series 750W 80 PLUS GOLD Certified
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series 750W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified

Network Adapters!? : I have the router and modem next to my room so i could run wires through the ceiling, but If wireless is just as good I won't run them.
ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter
Intel EXPI9301CTBLK Network Adapter

Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor, Other:
Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110
Logitech Optical Gaming Mouse G400
Logitech Z313 25 w 2.1 Speaker System
ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms
CyberPower 850 6 Feet 8 Outlets 2400 Joules Home/Office Surge Protection
LITE-ON DVD Burner



Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg ; amazon ; tigerdirect ; etc.

Location: OH, USA

Parts Preferences: Intel, Nvidia, Logitech

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current PC is an "Emachines" stock and it can't handle CAD programs that I need for school or high end games off of Steam(Battlefield 3, Call of Duty, Randomness...etc..etc)

 

[zared619]

Additional Comments: This is my first time building a PC and I am starting from scratch besides internet service, a router, and a desk. I have done 'some' research and know the parts I need but not the tools or anything other than what I have posted. I would appreciate any help, even a hyperlink on supplies i might need to build one that way I don't have to run around last minute to buy things or so I can order them in advance.

--I have no idea which GPU or PSU i should get. I'm going to be on a tight budget, but on the other hand I highly value quality if I have to spend a bit more. I am looking for parts that are will last for 3-4 years with minor upgrades (maybe a new GPU or HDD, etc..) and will also perform at high quality while being moderately cheap for something of the sort.

**Important** I have some pretty wicked storms where I live and the power goes out 1-2 times a month for short periods of time during the spring, summer, and fall. Should I buy a surge protector? I have one for our tv,dvr,pc,printer, and etc. but it is full. My question is, is it worth buying? Could it save my computer and parts if something funky happens with the power? What will it do exactly?


Approximate Purchase Date: Spring 2013

Budget Range: Less than $1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, watching movies, maybe recording, some CAD(school projects, etc.), homework, etc.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes


Parts:
Possible Cases: RAIDMAX Blade ATX Mid
COOLER MASTER HAF 912

Extra Case Fans!? : COOLER MASTER 120mm 4-pack

Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K

Heatsink/Fan: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO

Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z77X-D3H ATX

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache

GPU: EVGA 02G-P3-1559-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 2GB
EVGA 02G-P3-1568-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series 750W 80 PLUS GOLD Certified
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series 750W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified

Network Adapters!? : I have the router and modem next to my room so i could run wires through the ceiling, but If wireless is just as good I won't run them.
ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter
Intel EXPI9301CTBLK Network Adapter

Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor, Other:
Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110
Logitech Optical Gaming Mouse G400
Logitech Z313 25 w 2.1 Speaker System
ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms
CyberPower 850 6 Feet 8 Outlets 2400 Joules Home/Office Surge Protection
LITE-ON DVD Burner



Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg ; amazon ; tigerdirect ; etc.

Location: OH, USA

Parts Preferences: Intel, Nvidia, Logitech

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current PC is an "Emachines" stock and it can't handle CAD programs that I need for school or high end games off of Steam(Battlefield 3, Call of Duty, Randomness...etc..etc)

You should definitely get a surge protector.
The 2500k is great, you can't go wrong with it.
I would go with the HX series 750 for the PSU.
That's a good motherboard. You could get a cheaper one to do the job though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

If you want to game a 560ti isn't enough. Get a 7850 if you want to stay around $200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127688

Any name-brand wireless adapter will work.
Keyboards and mice are personal preferences and its really just up to you.
Hope this helps

 

[soccernum7]

should i go ahead and get a Radeon HD 7870 ? should i get a sound card? is that monitor any good or should i get a different one? Anything else i should look into or buy?

 

[g-unit1111]

should i go ahead and get a Radeon HD 7870 ? should i get a sound card? is that monitor any good or should i get a different one? Anything else i should look into or buy?

The Radeon 7870 is great for gaming.

Possible Cases: RAIDMAX Blade ATX Mid
COOLER MASTER HAF 912

Raidmax cases are absolute garbage. Don't buy one if you can help it. The HAF 912 is far better.

Extra Case Fans!? : COOLER MASTER 120mm 4-pack

Not needed. You can always add these later. Plus you can only get as many as your case has mounts for.

**Important** I have some pretty wicked storms where I live and the power goes out 1-2 times a month for short periods of time during the spring, summer, and fall. Should I buy a surge protector? I have one for our tv,dvr,pc,printer, and etc. but it is full. My question is, is it worth buying? Could it save my computer and parts if something funky happens with the power? What will it do exactly?

Actually don't get a surge bar - instead you should look at getting a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) which will kick in if a storm hits and allow you to safely shut down your system. They're about $50 - $100 but you shouldn't include that in your system budget. Don't worry about accessories when selecting a system - get that stuff after you purchase your build.

If you want to game a 560ti isn't enough. Get a 7850 if you want to stay around $200.

560TI is a generation old now (550TI shouldn't even be considered) and has been replaced by the 660TI but the Radeon 7870 would be the best in the $200 range. No NVIDIA GPU comes remotely close to matching it.

The 2500k is great, you can't go wrong with it.

It *WAS* great but now it's been discontinued and replaced by the 3570K. If you get Z77, don't water it down by pairing it with a 2500K.

 

[kevin83]

The 7870 is the best graphics card in the $250 price segment. You do not need a sound card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102983
You could save a ton of money and use this psu, Rosewill is starting to come out as a relatively trustworthy psu maker. These days you only need 500w to run a 7870 and a 2500k.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182068

You'll also want to get a better cpu cooler than the stock one. The xigmatek dark knight II and the noctua nh-d14 are the top air coolers that aren't zalman..
xigmatek dark knight II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
noctua nh-d14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

 

[mastrom101]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iNUS 1K

You would want to run a cable to your computer rather than buy a wireless adapter if possible.

Two fans should be enough.

I would suggest:
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-blackwidow-2013/
http://www.razerzone.com/ca-en/store/razer-taipan

Monitor looks fine.

Good Luck!

 

[soccernum7]

would this work?
CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series GreenPower UPS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102082

 

[kevin83]

You'll need this one, a 550w power supply draws more than that from the wall as 550 is the maximum power output. The power draw from the wall can exceed 650w in that same unit. High efficiency gold rated power supplies cut down on that, but not a ton.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102048

 

[soccernum7]

thanks

 

[loresr97]

Low Profile RAM if you buy the Cooler Master 212

 

[g-unit1111]

The 7870 is the best graphics card in the $250 price segment. You do not need a sound card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102983
You could save a ton of money and use this psu, Rosewill is starting to come out as a relatively trustworthy psu maker. These days you only need 500w to run a 7870 and a 2500k.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182068

You'll also want to get a better cpu cooler than the stock one. The xigmatek dark knight II and the noctua nh-d14 are the top air coolers that aren't zalman..
xigmatek dark knight II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
noctua nh-d14
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

Yeah but I keep saying - the 2500K has been discontinued. The 3570K has replaced it.

I'm really in the minority on this board but I really do not like Xigmatek coolers. And I wouldn't get the D14 if you're using a HAF 912 - it won't fit. Go with a 212 Evo, or something like the EVGA M020, or the Noctua NH-U9B instead.

 

[soccernum7]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iOy0

is that a real issue or is it fine?
**ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports.

 

[boulbox]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iONW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iONW/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iONW/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($242.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($93.89 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K60 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.98 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: Corsair CH-9000001-NA Wired Laser Mouse ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1322.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[g-unit1111]

would this work?
CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series GreenPower UPS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102082

I like APC: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101344

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($242.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($93.89 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K60 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($89.98 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: Corsair CH-9000001-NA Wired Laser Mouse ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1322.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I would not advise anyone to pay $90 for a keyboard on a $1400 budget - put that in the GPU and get a 7950 or 7970