Need advice on new gaming rig

[Zanduz]

This is going to be my first ever home build gaming rig. I don't have an exact budget, but i'd like to keep it to $1500 or less. Obviously the main use of it is going to be gaming. However, i'm also gonna use it for 3D-modelling, work and some other stuff as well.
I have already taken a look at some components and started to put together a list of possible components to my system. However, i am not quite sure if they are compatible (fx. motherboard and gpu) and i have absolutely no idea which power supply to get. So i would really appreciate any help and advice. And also feel free to come up with whole new system build suggestions - just make sure to keep the price at or below $1500.

My list of components:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K or Intel Core i7-2700K
Motherboard: Asus P8P67 WS Revolution ATX LGA1155
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 X 8 GB) DDR3-1600
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 Black Edition 2GB or Gainward GeForce GTX 660 2GB
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80

 

[djangoringo]

Gainward is a european brand, are you from Europe ?

But what you'll want is an i7-3770k or i5-3570k +z77 mobo.
Don't get the sandybridge cpus when you can get the ivybridge ones.

 

[Zanduz]

Yea, i'm from denmark.

And yes i have also taken a look at the i7-3770k, but i thought it might be overkill?

 

[Zanduz]

Why the Z77 motherboard?

 

[blake1243]

Lol when the ivy is $10 more then its not really overkill.

 

[djangoringo]

If it's mainly gaming then yes, just get the i5-3570k, and the z77 mobo, cause it was made for the ivybridge cpus, especially for the K series, since you want to overclock the cpu, also many features like plenty of sata III ports, usb 3.0, SLI/Crossfire support(dual pcie 3.0 slots), etc.
I don't recommend going with older z68 mobos.

 

[admbautista]

I would tweak the parts, and get something like this.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/w19X

1. Changed the board and cpu to newer gen.
2. Memory is optional, you could stick to your choice. but you can also down it to 8gb. it is still more than enough.
3. You could change the cooler also, if your preference is water cooling.
4. If you plan to sli, just change the psu. 750w I think will do. check this out for brands/series. http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/permalink/323050/323050/ShowThread.aspx#323050

 

[Zanduz]

Well, in my country its actually $150 more. But don't mind that.

 

[djangoringo]

He's in denmark those prices could be over the budget there.
Unless he provides a local website to check the parts, it's hard to say what it fits.

 

[djangoringo]

What's your budget in euros ?

 

[Zanduz]

If it's mainly gaming then yes, just get the i5-3570k, and the z77 mobo, cause it was made for the ivybridge cpus, especially for the K series, since you want to overclock the cpu, also many features like plenty of sata III ports, usb 3.0, SLI/Crossfire support(dual pcie 3.0 slots), etc.
I don't recommend going with older z68 mobos.

Yea makes sense, thanks

 

[djangoringo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£163.94 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X Performa CPU Cooler (£27.47 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-GD55 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£102.49 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£34.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£70.97 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£59.50 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (£309.00 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case (£68.95 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£73.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer (£17.76 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £929.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

UK£ 929.05 = 1 145.2294 Euros

Amazon.co.uk offers free Super Saver Delivery to the following countries:

Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Andorra, Finland, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Vatican city, Poland.

 

[Zanduz]

I would tweak the parts, and get something like this.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/w19X

1. Changed the board and cpu to newer gen.
2. Memory is optional, you could stick to your choice. but you can also down it to 8gb. it is still more than enough.
3. You could change the cooler also, if your preference is water cooling.
4. If you plan to sli, just change the psu. 750w I think will do. check this out for brands/series. http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/permalink/323050/323050/ShowThread.aspx#323050

About the memory. I see you've changed it to 4 X 4. Is it better have 4 X 4 or 2 X 8? Or is there no difference? Just curious.

And about the cooler, i heard its better to have water cooling instead of air in case i wanna OC, cause then it'll be way more effective.

 

[Zanduz]

He's in denmark those prices could be over the budget there.
Unless he provides a local website to check the parts, it's hard to say what it fits.

I could provide you with some websites, but i don't think it would do any good cause the price is in my local valuta.

 

[Zanduz]

What's your budget in euros ?

About 1140 euros

 

[djangoringo]

See the amazon build, it has free shipping for your country.

 

[Zanduz]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£163.94 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X Performa CPU Cooler (£27.47 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-GD55 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£102.49 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£34.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£70.97 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£59.50 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (£309.00 @ Amazon UK)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case (£68.95 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£73.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer (£17.76 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £929.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

UK£ 929.05 = 1 145.2294 Euros

Amazon.co.uk offers free Super Saver Delivery to the following countries:

Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Andorra, Finland, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Vatican city, Poland.

Are you sure that this system is buildable? I mean, is everything in this build compatible and will all fit in the case?

 

[djangoringo]

100% compatible, it fits all in the case, sufficient power for two 670 gtx, the mobo supports SLI, the psu has juice even for two 670 gtx.
The cooler is compatible with lga 1155, it's a good cooler : http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Zalman-CNPS10X-Performa-CPU-Cooler-Review/1065

The ssd(sansdisk extreme) is out of stock, the same for the dvd drive(you can buy that in any shop in your country).
If you want a ssd get this one from amazon co uk : http://pcpartpicker.com/uk/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128m4ssd2

 

[Zanduz]

How do you for sure? I mean, do you have this build yourself or have you seen it or what?
And also how du you know which psu to take?
Its not that im doubting you or anything, im just curious and want to learn about this.

 

[jonjonjon]

About the memory. I see you've changed it to 4 X 4. Is it better have 4 X 4 or 2 X 8? Or is there no difference? Just curious.

And about the cooler, i heard its better to have water cooling instead of air in case i wanna OC, cause then it'll be way more effective.

get 2x8GB. ivy bridge only has a duel channel memory controller. also gives you room to upgrade if you ever had the need. and even then are you sure you need more then 8GB or ram?

the newest sealed liquid coolers are about the same as the high end air. it really depends on preference and price. if you are talking about doing a custom loop that's a different story.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/h100i-elc240-seidon-240m-lq320,3380.html

 

[djangoringo]

How do you for sure? I mean, do you have this build yourself or have you seen it or what?
And also how du you know which psu to take?
Its not that im doubting you or anything, im just curious and want to learn about this.

It's a standard atx mobo, it fits a case with standard atx, the fractal is a quality case, the msi mobo is a good one, i don't see nothing wrong with it, the psu is a seasonic oem, really good quality psu with 750w, it has plenty of sata connectors and pcie pins connectors.
The cooler i can assure you also that fits.
The rams is low profile, no problems with clearance for the cooler, and it's supported by the mobo.

Case :
Supports graphic card lengths up to 290mm when removable HDD-Bay is in place
Supports graphic card lengths up to 470mm without removable HDD-Bay
Supports CPU coolers with height of 180mm

Asus card : 271.78 millimeters

 

[Zanduz]

It's a standard atx mobo, it fits a case with standard atx, the fractal is a quality case, the msi mobo is a good one, i don't see nothing wrong with it, the psu is a seasonic oem, really good quality psu with 750w, it has plenty of sata connectors and pcie pins connectors.
The cooler i can assure you also that fits.
The rams is low profile, no problems with clearance for the cooler, and it's supported by the mobo.

Case :
Supports graphic card lengths up to 290mm when removable HDD-Bay is in place
Supports graphic card lengths up to 470mm without removable HDD-Bay
Supports CPU coolers with height of 180mm

Asus card : 271.78 millimeters

All right thanks!

 

[Zanduz]

Theres been suggested two mobos:

MSI Z77A-GD55 ATX LGA1155

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155

Which is best?

 

[djangoringo]

Both are good ones, the z77 extreme is a bit shorter mobo, but has 8 sata ports(4 sata III) vs msi 6 sata(2 sata III, 4 sata II), also has more power phases, both supports SLI.
Both has good uefi bios, they're at the same price, you can get also the asrock one if you like.

 

[Zanduz]

Both are good ones, the z77 extreme is a bit shorter mobo, but has 8 sata ports(4 sata III) vs msi 6 sata(2 sata III, 4 sata II), also has more power phases, both supports SLI.
Both has good uefi bios, they're at the same price, you can get also the asrock one if you like.

What are those sata ports exactly?