First build compatibility check

aspade_01

Honorable
Dec 16, 2012
5
0
10,510
I plan on building my first gaming computer and would appreciate opinions in regards to the compatibility and choice of my planned components.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16427594

Motherboard: ■ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68
CPU: ■Intel Core i5-3350P Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155
Memory: ■Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) 240-Pin DDR3
Storage: ■Plextor M5P Series PX-128M5P 2.5" 128GB SATA III SSD (OS only)
■Seagate ST310005N1A1AS-RK 1TB 7200 RPM SATA
PSU: ■SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified
Video Cards: ■EVGA 01G-P3-N988-TR GeForce 9800 GT HDMI 1GB 256-bit DDR3 (x2 SLI)

Case: ■Corsair Obsidian Series 650D (CC650DW-1)
CPU cooling: ■COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1
Optical drive: ■Samsung DVD burner SATA Model SH-224BB/RSBS
OS: ■Windows 8 64-bit OEM
 
Ok here are my changes and reasons. Please consider all changes. I tried to assume some things, such as you liked that case, even though it was expensive, it is nice. I also assumed you wanted a fully modular power supply. I also assumed that the price above is where you wanted to be at so I didn't trim the fat to bring the price down, I just trimmed the fat where it needed it so you could get a better over all Gamer.

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LGA 1155 Intel Z77
Do not use a Z68 board for an new ivy bridge build. While they support the Ivy bridge it requires a BIOS update. Out of the box they typically do not work. Besides, the Z77 is the newer chipset that came out for Ivy bridge. It has a few more features. This board has a $20 off code and is loaded.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131820

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz
This is $10 more after you apply the $15 off coupon. It's faster and has the build in graphics, which can be really useful at times.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115233

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Your selection is fine, this is just on sale with code. You also don't need 1866MHZ RAM if you aren't going to do heavy overclocking.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

Storage:
SSD - Is fine
HDD - I'd get the bare drive instead of the retail one, it will save you $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

PSU:SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold
The 750W you selected if way overkill. Even the 650W above is WAY overkill, but it's a crazy good deal and was fully modular like the one you chose.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

Video cardMSI N660TI-2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB
This video card is FAR FAR better than the 9800Gt you selected. The 9800 realistically will not run much of anything these days. If you got a cheaper case you could make this a GTX670.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127711

Case It's fine, personal choice mostly

Cooler It's fine, but EVO model has a nicer fan, but this is a good deal

Optical It's fine, but this one has free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136254

OS it's fine

The above with all coupon codes applied comes out to:
Grand Total: $1,302.89

Oh yeah and everything was free shipping and still have $75 in mail in rebates. Some of these have codes that expire today, so if you do not buy today you will have to look over the list again and re-evaluate. My goal is to get the most bang for your buck.
- $90 in codes
- $155 in instant savings
 

Azn Cracker

Distinguished
Jay's build is better.

But whatever you do, don't get 2 9800's and put them in sli. Its a waste of money. They are overpriced since those cards are very old. I got them for the same price 2-3 years ago. You'd be much better off with a newer single card. Then you wouldn't have to spend as much money on the motherboard either.
 

aspade_01

Honorable
Dec 16, 2012
5
0
10,510

I appreciate all your input. I don't know much about the market for computer components so this helps a lot.
Your assumptions are mostly right... although I have no problem trimming unnecessary fat. I do like the case a lot and want a fully module PSU for convenience, but if you have any ideas that result in some serious trimming, then I'd be all ears.
 
^
It is going to come down to what you want to comfortably spend. As you trim the fat off my build you will start to compromise things. Exampled:
Case: The case you chose is well constructed, and is steel and aluminum. It is a nice looking and will be a ridged case to make a good build out of. You can start looking at cheaper cases, but you will start to sacrifice things. Thinks will be more plasticy and thinner. Just something to think about. Cases are alot of times personal preference. As long as it holds your crap together and has decent airflow, it really doesn't matter. However, it is what you have to look at every day. If it will be on a nice desk in an office or living room, you may want it to look appealing. With that said, here are a few other cases. There are SOO many, but here are a few. I mean you can sit here and diddle with cases all day long. You have to like what it looks like.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146077
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146087

Motherboard: The one I selected has a lot of options. It has a WiFi card and everything. If you have not planning to overclock you could get an H77 motherboard and save some money as well. Or just look at another Z77 board.
This ASrock board is well liked and comes with 8GB of RAM free.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

Power Supply: If you don't care if it is modular you can save some money right there. This is a good one, and should support any single video card you throw at it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

Video card: If possible, for a gaming build you will want to get the most you can in this area. Honestly, I'd like to see you at a GTX670 if you compromise in other areas. They even come with 2 free games
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130802

BTW you said you want a gaming PC, but what games do you play?

 

aspade_01

Honorable
Dec 16, 2012
5
0
10,510

Well I'd like to be able to play Battlefield 3 on a PC because I'm kinda tired of the dumbed down maps and 24 player cap of consoles.
I play Minecraft a lot on my existing PC, but mainly I'd like to be able to play BF3 at high-max settings... or at least much better than consoles.
I agree that if I am going to break the bank on anything, then it probably should be the video card.
As far as cases go I'm more concerned with having an easy to organize design. I like the Corsair Obsidian's because of the removable backing and wiring holes to make everything neat and organized. I feel that having all the wiring tucked away should substantially increase airflow and in turn cooling.
I don't have to have a modular PSU, but I'm a bit obsessive about organization. I could easily deal with one that's not modular to save money (especially when it comes down to consulting my wife about the build).

I'd like to build it for BF4, but as far as I know the specs aren't released yet except the fact that they utilized much more of Frostbite 2's functionality than they did with BF3 which imo would probably require a lot more resources to run.
If I could build one that could easily run BF3 at max or near max settings for under $1000 I'd be thrilled though.
 
A GTX670 will run BF3 very well at all but Ultra settings. I have given up on Battlefield because of the nonsense in playing it anymore. They've ruined the series with this on. I started playing PlanetSide2 which is much more cooperative and forces you to be. It also is on a MUCH more vast scale. 3 continents that support up to 2,000 players on each. It's free to play, so check it out.

To get down to the $1000 price you will want to look at the $50 cases, cheaper non modular power supplies, and look at the less expensive motherboards. You may also want to forgo the SSD. It all depends. Just work the numbers a bit and look for deals.
 
Ok so here are my changes or suggestions:

HDD: For $5 I'd get the WD Blue drive. A bit faster and is a really reliable drive. Either is fine though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339

SSD: For the same price you can get a Samsung 120GB drive. It isn't as fast as the Corsair GT, but you get an extra 30GB. I have a 240GB drive and am already at 110GB with only a few games along with the OS and Office 2010. If you want speed then stick with what you have. But in most real life scenarios the difference in speed will go unnoticed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188

RAM: for $1 more you can get this RAM that is DDR3 1600 instead of 1333. Either is fine though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

PSU: I wouldn't touch an Apevia power supply with a 10 foot pool. It is the most failed brand of power supply I've come across. For $3 more after promo code I'd get this one. It has free shipping and the Apevia was almost $10.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139040

CPU: The 3570K is the same price. You can also save $15 if you are ok with 200MHz slower CPU. It shouldn't really make a huge difference if you want to save a few bucks,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115234

Other than that, it looks good. The GTX670 is a good choice for gaming. There are some other cards, like a few EVGA ones, that are less up front and still have a rebate. Just a way to save a few more bucks. MSI is good and this one has a heavy overclock.
 

aspade_01

Honorable
Dec 16, 2012
5
0
10,510


Well I think I've come to a final (affordable) build. I really appreciate all of your advice.
Now to run this by the boss... aka my wife... :sweat:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=21236392
 
So the 3570K no longer has a discount. So you are better off saving the money and getting a standar 3570 @ $215 or better yet get the 3460. It is $200 and has a $15 off code for today only. The 200MHz difference won't make any real difference to you.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115234

I also see the 128GB Crucial M4 is on sale if you want to save a few bucks. However, I'd still probably take the Samsung over it. It is still a good drive in case you need to squeeze a few extra bucks out of this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

Also something to consider... just to consider. The stock coolers are not the greatest in the world. While they do the job, a decent aftermarket cooler will be much quieter and do a better cooling job. This is an optional component for you, but just something to consider. I've installed this one personally and it is very quiet and very widely use among members of this site for moderate overclocking.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099


I think that might do it. Every day is different and has different deals on Newegg so the list ALWAYS changes to maximize your dollar. A good selling point to the wife is building your own machine saves money in the long run. The performance is better so it lasts longer, and since everything is retail parts and based on a standard, you don't have to scrap the whole thing and buy a completely new computer each time. You just upgrade what components need upgraded.