Advice wanted on a new build. $1500 budget.

[Someguy514]

Approximate Purchase Date: Tuesday Feb 26, 2013

Budget Range: $1300-$1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (in Windows and Linux), Work (Linux, some coding, lots of terminals, lightweight stuff mostly, but would probably run a Windows VM alongside). No movie-watching or Blueray needs.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.ca, tigerdirect.ca

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Current is 1680x1050, would like to go to 1920x1080, probably Display Port.

Additional Comments: As silent as it can be without going too crazy. I don't mind some background hum, just don't want any wind tunnel fan whirring, etc.

I'm pretty set on the main components, but I'm not up to date on things like cooling, cases, power supplies... would really appreciate some input.

I have an ASUS G53-SX gaming laptop right now. I no longer need the "mobility" so I'm going to a desktop and upgrade simultaneously.

Prices are in Canadian dollars (roughly same as $US).

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K $226
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $135
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) F3-1600C9D-16GXM $107
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568

Graphics card: ASUS GTX670-DC2-2GD5 GeForce GTX 670 2GB $420
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121637

Cooling: CORSAIR Hydro series H50 High Performance CPU Cooler $65
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010

Case: Could really use some help. I don't want anything that shines/glows or is flashy or funky. Just sit there, unobtrusively and be quiet. Other factors are easily accessible ports for USB and/or audio (headphone/mic, etc).
Corsair Carbide Series 400R Graphite $110
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

PSU: SeaSonic SS-660XP 660W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified $160
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151121&Tpk=660xp2
Supposedly older revisions of this PSU had a coil whine issue, but this should now be fixed... ?

Disks:
I have a Samsung 840 series (250GB) SSD. I plan to get a second one, use for Windows, one for Linux, and have the following as a data drive:

Boot drives: Samsung 840 SSD (x2) $170 (for one... already own one)
Data drive: TOSHIBA PH3200U-1I72 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache ($100)

For audio, the motherboard's onboard should be fine right? I mostly have headphones on, for what it's worth.

The total of all the above is roughly $1500 already.


Monitor: Advice welcome, probably going with:
ASUS VE258Q Black 25" 2ms $260
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236123CVF


I think that about wraps it up. Suggestions/comments?

 

[g-unit1111]

You don't need 16GB of RAM on a gaming rig.

That build looks good with a couple of suggestions:

Get the Gigabyte Windforce 3X over the Asus model: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423

And then get the Noctua NH-U9B over the Corsair H50: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016

And the Carbide 400R is a solid choice. If you want a couple of other recommendations in that price range:

- NZXT Phantom 410: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=80378&vpn=CS%2DNT%2DPHAN%2D410%2DGM&manufacture=NZXT
- Antec 1100: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=65171&vpn=ELEVEN%20HUNDRED&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1010
- Fractal Design Define R4: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352023
- Antec P280: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=76383&vpn=P280%20White%20Window&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1302
- Azza Hurrican 2000: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=54697&vpn=CSAZ%2D2000&manufacture=AZZA%20Technology
- Cooler Master HAF XM: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=71084&vpn=RC%2D922XM%2DKKN1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
- Fractal Design Arc MIDI: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=58475&vpn=FD%2DCA%2DARC%2DBL&manufacture=Fractal%20Design&promoid=1360

 

[compnewb_12]

I would save some money on the ram, only need 8 gb. I would also buy a 7970 card for around the same price or a bit less, if you are ok with going down the amd route. Other than that I think it would work well

 

[J_E_D_70]

If you're not running this under load 24/7, really should save some cash on that PSU. Don't need Platinum (Bronze is good for your average gamer or productivity) unless electricity is outrageously expensive where you live.

 

[Someguy514]

Thanks all for the input.

Everyone mentioned the RAM... I plan to run some virtual machines when I boot into Linux, it's not really for gaming. And considering an extra 8GB is just 50 bucks... I dont' see a reason to skimp there.

@g-unit1111 : Any particular reason for the Gigabyte video card instead of the one I picked? Other than the fact that it's 20 bucks cheaper, which is a good reason.
Same for the cooling unit: I went with liquid for the silence factor, is the one you picked nice and quiet?

@J_E_D_70 : Thanks, I might look for a slight downgrade from the plat.

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks all for the input.

Everyone mentioned the RAM... I plan to run some virtual machines when I boot into Linux, it's not really for gaming. And considering an extra 8GB is just 50 bucks... I dont' see a reason to skimp there.

@g-unit1111 : Any particular reason for the Gigabyte video card instead of the one I picked? Other than the fact that it's 20 bucks cheaper, which is a good reason.
Same for the cooling unit: I went with liquid for the silence factor, is the one you picked nice and quiet?

@J_E_D_70 : Thanks, I might look for a slight downgrade from the plat.

The Gigabyte has three fans and is one of the coolest solutions on the market. It should be fairly quiet.