Help with First Build

[Clayjar]

Hi all,

This is my first build, and I am seeking some advice and suggestions on the components I have picked out and the components I have yet to pick out. Before I go further, here is my build so far:

CPU: Intel i5-3570k

Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8Gb 1600

GPU: EVGA GTX 660

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 6.0Gb/s

Disk Drive: Asus 24x SATA


Ok, so that's all that I have picked out so far. My budget is anywhere from $1300-$1500 for the computer parts, but I still have to get peripherals and software. I would like to get the best performance for every dollar spent, so if the above setup is completely dumb, feel free to suggest something entirely different. I would like a decently powerful computer that could get through the next few years without any major upgrades.

I would like any advice on any of the parts I have picked out above. Also, I still need a PSU, heat sink, probably a sound card, and a case for it all. I'm so new to this I don't really know how to decide on some of this stuff.

Also, what would I need to make this computer wireless capable? And anything special I need to do with USB compatibility stuff?

I am building this as a gaming computer, so that it is powerful enough to play modern games (PlanetSide 2, StarCraft 2, etc), but I will also be using it as an everyday life, school computer.

I am not planning on OC'ing or doing any SLI or Crossfire, I want to keep this build pretty simple, being my first.

Thanks in advance for any help, and just let me know if I left out any important info.

 

[Jgatewood]

This is great addition in order to add wireless,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320132
ive been using it and havent run into any hiccups yet.

 

[larrym]

I am guessing you mean 3570K for the processor? That processor and MOBO you picked out are made to overclock. You can save some money by getting something like the 3470 and h77 MOBO. Do you want to keep overclocking an option for the future?

 

[g-unit1111]

On $1500 you can definitely get a better video card than a reference 660. Here's what I would suggest:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($445.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($145.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1459.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-06 12:14 EST-0500)

 

[Clayjar]

I am guessing you mean 3570K for the processor? That processor and MOBO you picked out are made to overclock. You can save some money by getting something like the 3470 and h77 MOBO. Do you want to keep overclocking an option for the future?

Yes, I did mean the 3570k, edited OP to fix. I am not planning on ever doing any OC with this build, the only reason I was going with the 3570k is because it seemed to me to be the top of the line i5.


@g-unit1111 That build looks really good. I would much rather prefer to utilize more of my budget than less. Do I need to add any other fans, or is the heat sink enough to do the job? If I do need more cooling, is the case going to be a restriction or can I get pretty much anything and just slap it in there?

 

[bodeen2012]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/I1ag
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/I1ag/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/I1ag/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial V4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS-I Epic Edition (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.58 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $976.46
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-06 19:52 EST-0500)

 

[g-unit1111]

I am guessing you mean 3570K for the processor? That processor and MOBO you picked out are made to overclock. You can save some money by getting something like the 3470 and h77 MOBO. Do you want to keep overclocking an option for the future?

Yes, I did mean the 3570k, edited OP to fix. I am not planning on ever doing any OC with this build, the only reason I was going with the 3570k is because it seemed to me to be the top of the line i5.


@g-unit1111 That build looks really good. I would much rather prefer to utilize more of my budget than less. Do I need to add any other fans, or is the heat sink enough to do the job? If I do need more cooling, is the case going to be a restriction or can I get pretty much anything and just slap it in there?

Your system's air flow is determined by the positioning of your heat sink. You can only get as many fans as your case has the mounts for, and the size and positioning of them do matter. Your motherboard will have mounts for three fans plus the CPU fan. So I recommend not purchasing any fans until you get your rig assembled because of that. The reason being is that it's tough to plan when you buy the rig vs. when you actually have it and you get an actual, visual representation of how many fans you have. Plus your case may include an extra 200mm fan or 140mm fan like mine did so there may not be any reason to buy extra. The positioning of them is critical as well. I follow this guide. By doing so my work PC and my home PC both run like refrigerators on standard air cooling.

Use this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooling-airflow-heatsink,3053.html