I5 3570K PSU and build advice

[phatz_60]

Hi I am doing a new build (haven't really done one since my q6600 years back) for a friend and his budget is in the £500 bracket. This is to include not just the main rig but all the bits that go with it e.g. Monitor, Keyboard mouse etc. He is not a gamer but is getting into amateur photography and want to give him a build which will last him for some time.

I am having difficulty with the right case and the size of the PSU. Currently I have chosen a case and PSU for 500W but I know 650W would be the ideal size. I was hoping if anyone's got any advice on the rig set-up below (is it a good mix? - don't worry about the peripherals) and the PSU. Only OC I will be doing is switching on turbo mode later down the line if he needs it.

RIG:
CPU: i5 3570K
MOB: Gigabyte H77-D3H S1155 Intel Z77 DDR3 ATX
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10600 C9 1333MHz
HDD: 500GB HN-M500MBB Samsung Spinpoint M8
GPU: EVGA GT 640 2GB DDR3
Opt Drive: LiteOn IHAS124-19 24x DVD+/-RW SATA Black - OEM
CASE+PSU: Novatech Cougar ATX Case with 500W PSU

Peripherals:
Monitor: AOC e2050S 20" LED-Backlit Monitor
KeyBoard + Mouse: Logitech Desktop MK120 USB Keyboard / Mouse

 

[songoku619]

A good 500W PSU will more than enough.

1. I'd swap out the 1333MHz for some good 1600MHz (1.5v) Ram. The price difference is nearly non-existent and you're getting better performing Ram.

2. Swap out your GPU for a GTX550ti/HD 7770/HD 7850 depending on your budget (ascending order price/performance). This will last for quite a while and would suffice should your friend decide to go into video editing etc. and you might just get your buddy into gaming

3. If you are only using Turbo-boost and not OC'ing proper then leave the 3570K and Z77 board - The i5 3470 performs the same at stock clocks and the H77 boards are cheaper (Non-OC vs OC on the Z77). It also has Turbo-Boost which gets used as needed. Plus its much cheaper.

4. Choose a case that looks nice I guess since you won't be running a gaming rig that needs super cooling

 

[g-unit1111]

3. If you are only using Turbo-boost and not OC'ing proper then leave the 3570K and Z77 board - The i5 3470 performs the same at stock clocks and the H77 boards are cheaper (Non-OC vs OC on the Z77). It also has Turbo-Boost which gets used as needed. Plus its much cheaper.

The OP has a 3570K and an H77 motherboard - the H77 prohibits overclocking so there's no point in purchasing a 3570K if you're going to do so.

2. Swap out your GPU for a GTX550ti/HD 7770/HD 7850 depending on your budget (ascending order price/performance). This will last for quite a while and would suffice should your friend decide to go into video editing etc. and you might just get your buddy into gaming

I agree - that GT640 won't get you very far but the 550TI isn't worth purchasing either. Stick with the 7770 or 7850.

CASE+PSU: Novatech Cougar ATX Case with 500W PSU

I'm not quite sure I'd go with a generic power supply and Ivy Bridge. You need to make sure that PSU is certified and rated before purchasing. If it isn't - don't buy it.

 

[phatz_60]

Thanks both for your replies. It has given me thought and have tried to juggle the options. It has made me focus that at some time I will be wanting to OC the CPU in order to give the system more longevity but not go nuts. I have lumped for the pro3 as the difference between the Pro4 and the OC side of things does not seem to be much (more power phases I think, I am not an OC nut case but know how to dabble) I have mixed it up a bit based on your advice with the core components to as follows and dropped the mobo, this has allowed me to up the GPU and RAM. Am looking in to the PSU side of things. Many thanks for your help

MOBO: ASROCk Z77 Pro3
CPU : Same - i5 3570K
RAM: 8GB Kit (4GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-12800, 1.35V 1600 low profile
GPU: Radeon HD 7770 1GB

 

[songoku619]

If you're going to OC then better make sure you get yourself an aftermarket CPU cooler. You don't wanna fry your chips

 

[g-unit1111]

If you're going to OC then better make sure you get yourself an aftermarket CPU cooler. You don't wanna fry your chips

I've actually heard of people taking the 3570K to speeds beyond 4.5GHz using the stock cooler but that's only on the stock voltages. Once you start messing with that, that's when you need the extra cooling.

 

[songoku619]

Great way to decrease lifespan of your chip imo...Better safe then sorry. Besides, there are some pretty cheap and efficient coolers out there so why not