$1500 First build review/advice

John Drsta

Honorable
Mar 22, 2013
4
0
10,510
First of all thanks for any help and opinions given.
First time poster long time reader.
First time builder :)
Lets get down to the issue...



***Recommended copy/paste for Q&A on new builds Below***

Approximate Purchase Date: Within 7 days

Budget Range: $1000-1700.. 1500 ideally

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming , Heavy multitasking, Everyday PC use.

Are you buying a monitor: NO

Parts to Upgrade: None

Do you need to buy OS: Yes, win 7 64

Preferred Website for Parts: Amazon... 90% of my funds are in my amazon account. Although I Can purchase small parts elsewhere with CC, $200 range

Location: TX,US

Parts Preferences: Intel, nvidia, corsair

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Reliability**, Future use*, upgradeable, Function>Form

Why Are You Upgrading: Old beat down Dell, ready for a change.

_____________


This will be my first build, and what better place to come for advice than here. After weeks of research I find myself reading a LOT of forum threads regarding all sorts of issues. So before I purchase I would like to get some feedback from the knowledgeable user's here. Part's I have chosen have not been picked out randomly, but after days of research and advice from friend's recent build's.


**Below is a list of my planned build**

CASE: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 Case FDCAARCR2BLW - Black
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ATX9Y3C/ref=ox_sc_act_image_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A35DL6C7BAXYRR

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53570K
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SZ0E1K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

BOARD: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RIFKUS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

CPU COOLING: Corsair Hydro Series Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler H100i
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ZN2NH6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

GPU: MSI GTX 660 Ti Power Edition Graphics Card with Triple Overvoltage and Enhanced PWM Design (N660TI PE 2GD5/OC)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008SBX6GI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 750 Watt ATX/EPS Modular 80 PLUS Bronze (TX750M)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005E98FVS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
*Questions regarding PSU down below.

HDD: WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088PUEPK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

SSD: Samsung MZ-7TD250BW 840 Series Solid State Drive (SSD) 250 GB Sata 2.5-Inch
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NHAEXE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

OPTICAL: LG Electronics 12x SATA Blu-Ray Disc Combo Internal Drive with 3D Playback and M-DISC (Black) UH12NS29
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008G9V60K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006EWUO22/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q0PT3I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER


TOTAL via amazon : $1,575.11
(according to my cart unless I missed something.)
___________________________


MY notes, reasoning, and questions: (In order from component list above.)

Case: The "arc midi r2" is already purchased. Shipping as I type this.
So that is a done deal. Wanted original Arc midi but sold out :( . I'm thinking parts will fit after research. If I am incorrect let me know.

CPU: I am pretty firm on the CPU, From what I read a i-7 3770k performs slightly better than i-5 3570k. But the difference is negligible in gaming. I am NOT going to be rendering or encoding video or doing graphics designing etc. So from what I read this is my best bang for the buck. If I am wrong in my assumption's let me know, noob builder here after all.


MOBO: The motherboard I am firm on too. I love the aesthetic look. Two of my friends own it. One of which is in a Arc midi case, sleek black look. Also I see nothing but positive reviews online. I want this board and don't really want to budge on it.

Cooling: Corsair H100i.. I'm looking toward this for ease of use, installation, mobility, OC potential, reliability. etc. This is my first build, a simple closed loop system I think will be perfect. I Know some may suggest a rasa kit from the past things I have read but let me crawl before i walk IMO for liquid cooling :p. I have also looked into a Noctua d-14, But I really don't want a huge heat sink visible.

GPU: Open to offers on this. I chose because two friends suggested this card and both run it in their rig with same board and damn near same specs I'm going to get. I do Maybe want to SLI in future but one nice card will be good for me with my one monitor for time being. Other suggestions on alternative cards or why I'm stupid for buying said card is appreciated.

**PSU: Important for me. From what I read a Corsair tx750m will do the job for this rig even if I want to SLI in future even a 650W possibly. BUT a TX 850m is the EXACT same price as the TX 750m. Should I just go ahead and get the 850 for headroom? Will it hurt my system? should i stick with a 750 for same price? CONFUSED on this aspect!!

HDD: Seems fine, open to alternatives. Currently on a 500gb and I don't even use 70% of it yet, to give you idea of my usage. (I use several externals). I trust WD.Will be used for storage.

SSD: Seemed best bang for buck, I like samsung, although open to suggestions (250gb area)use for primary C:

Optical: Any good drive that can read and burn BR AND DVDs is fine by me. Don't know much here, I wont use it much, but i would like to have it. This seemed to be a good deal. Open to options.

RAM: Need 16gb for sure. I find myself limited with what I want to do with 8gb. pretty straight forward unless I'm mistaking... Open to other manufacturers or "speed" differences/options.

OS: Im guessing this will do, i dont need anything fancy. Its what i use now. Seem's its compatible with everything.

^^ Questions.**
1. I really need help in determining PSU wattage, Keep in mind I may do SLI in future and I do plan to over clock CPU and GPU and possibly RAM. I may add another drive and two more fans to do a push/pull configuration on the h100i. and other "to be determined" accessories.
Is corsair tx850m overkill? is 750m just right? considering both are priced the same...opinions please.

2. Are all the mentioned parts compatible? Will they "plug" into said power supply? and work? 750 or 850 corsair tx

3. Will this set up be easily upgradeable and play games at high quality for next 2-3 years?

4. will the Z77 sabertooth MB have adequate sound? ( I mostly use 5.1 headset)

5. Are their any parts I am lacking in this build?



ALL opinions , alternative part recommendations, guides,links, notes whatever. are HIGHLY appreciated. I'm trying to Cover every corner before I take on this adventure. Hence long post :p



Here is also a link that "i think" will show the build via their website.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LuOT

For a price and parts summary.
I believe i chose parts on the website correctly, no guarantee.
Also Keep in mind price will be different as im buying mostly from amazon. But the estimate is not off by far.


I realize this post may be TLDR. And I apologize in advance for improper post layout or etiquette I may have shown. I am not a regular forum user.
But I am about to drop a nice chunk of change on a rig and this is my very first build. So I am trying to be precise and as detailed as I can for clarity and potential replies. I figured I would explain everything the best I can to streamline things, as I plan to complete my purchase VERY soon. Also have it running ASAP.

When all my parts are in look forward for me asking for more advice as i start to build it lol!

Thanks for your time and replies.



 

Andy11466

Distinguished
Mar 21, 2013
465
0
19,060
If you're planning to spend that much and maybe sli in the future get a better psu, and no need to spend that much on a windows 7... just torrent the windows 7 to a usb and use that extra 100 for a better psu or gfx or maybe split 50/50 and get better both (if that makes sense LOL..)
 

John Drsta

Honorable
Mar 22, 2013
4
0
10,510



Makes sense. However , wont windows be able to see it is bootleg via internet access/ updates? Not familiar in this aspect.... Will the copy be as stable as a legit version?

Also im guessing i should go with a 850w? instead of 750? with a better brand or next level up series.
Im not gonna go crazy with sli or anything but if I want to add another card I would like to be able to do so safely.

Thanks for your time
 

John Drsta

Honorable
Mar 22, 2013
4
0
10,510
Purchased!!!!

Changed a few items. I won't go into detail as it doesn't seem necessary.

Figured I would get more help than just to download windows bootleg.

Post's with a simple minded format get dozens of responses but a well laid out post/build gets ignored. Maybe I just should of put "need help" then 2-3 parts without any reasoning or background research. Or maybe a "wish list" build or something and pretend I am going to purchase it lol....anyways..

Thankfully there are other forums out there that give good feedback and answered my questions.

Mod's feel free to close this thread please I don't see any options to close it myself unless i am missing something. Is/Was the post solved/answered? No, it was not, in any way.
 
too bad you purchased it. i would have suggested this
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MjHl

-case is fine though. the arc midi is the airflow R4
-no idea why anyone would pay for a sabertooth. you basically got yourself a plastic shell that heats up the motherboard and then force you to use 40mm fans that are rather whiny and blow dust into the cover, making it hard to clean out
-why buy fisher price watercooling? it doesnt perform much better than a heatsink but costs double and the fact that its no where near silent just makes it a terrible purchase for most. if you were to ever get a closed loop cooler, you should have purchased the swiftech h220. at least it is built properly using copper fins
-as for the psu, 750w is plenty. and for anything above 650w, you should be buying modular like the psu in my listing
-the 670 is a much better choice in terms of if you want a nvidia card. otherwise a 7950 and 7970 are much better options
-the samsung 840 is crap. 1000 write cycles and super low write speeds are not worth purchasing. the corsair neutron for 169.99 smacks the 840 in every department and definitely beats it in price