1st Time Build, Feedback Appreciated

[conradbloom]

Hey all,

This is a second take by a first time builder. Had some help from my neighbor trying to design a upgradeable gaming pc. Here's the breakdown:

1) Uses include gaming, general purpose
2) Trying to stick to $800 for new items. I already have a monitor, OS, keyboard/mouse, and 1 TB hard drive
3) Located in the US
4) No brand preferences
5) I already have a monitor, OS, keyboard/mouse, 1 TB hard drive but otherwise built from the groundup
6) skip
7) plan to overclock
8) hate to be a noob, but not sure what I can expect. Just bought HP 23 inch HD monitor, the one from the hot deals forum actually.
9) nowish though I can wait a few weeks for appropriate deals
10) Please feel free to give as much advice as possible!

Without further ado, this is my initial build:

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer CaseModel #:Three HundredItem #:N82E16811129042Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate
Note (Add) $69.99 -$15.00 Instant $54.99 Update... $44.99 after mail-in rebate

XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V REV.W with ACK-I5361 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler I7 i5 775 1155 ...Model #:Dark Knight-S1283VItem #:N82E16835233029Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate
Note (Add)$44.96 -$10.00 Instant $34.96 Update.... $14.96 after mail-in rebate

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRLModel #:F3-12800CL9D-8GBRLItem #:N82E16820231314Return Policy:Memory Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) $44.99 $44.99 Update

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...Model #:BX80623I52500KItem #:N82E16819115072Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) $224.99 $224.99 Update

SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD ...Model #:X650 GoldItem #:N82E16817151088Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) $179.99 -$50.00 Instant $129.99) Update - $30.00 w/promo = $99.99

PowerColor AX6870 1GBD5-2DH Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ...Model #:AX6870 1GBD5-2DHItem #:N82E16814131378Return Policy:VGA Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate
Note (Add) $179.99 -$20.00 Instant $159.99 Update .... $139.99 after mail-in rebate

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel MotherboardModel #:Z68 Extreme3 Gen3Item #:N82E16813157271Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate
Note (Add) $129.99 -$5.00 Instant $124.99 Update... $114.99 after mail-in rebate

LITE-ON 22X DVD Writer Black IDE Model Ihap322-98Model #:Ihap322-98Item #:N82E16827106327Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock.... Now: $21.99

Thanks!

 

[conradbloom]

BTW, the GPU is not meant to be a long term solution. Probably just til this summer...

 

[fastamdman]

I would switch some parts around in that build to save money and get better prices. First off I think you have some prices backwards lol.

2500k+ud3 359
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.764352

corsair 500watt + 8gb ddr3 1600mhz ram 89.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.761045

Case is up to you, I like the antec 100's and antec 300 illusions. If you wait a bit the antec 300 illusion will go back on sale at newegg.

As for the cpu cooler grab a hyper 212+ it will be more then enough for your needs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

Don't forget to grab some good thermal paste.

I also like this drive more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

Oh and depending at what resolution you will be gaming at, you could probably afford a 560 ti with the parts I am suggesting you grab instead

 

[Ken g6]

OP, those prices you listed are offset weirdly. I wouldn't go for either of fastamdman's combo deals, unless you didn't mean that the GPU (not PSU) is temporary. I'm sure he was as confused by the prices as I was. His other two choices look good, though.

The PSU is expensive, but with the promo code it becomes fairly reasonable at $100, if you're upgrading your GPU later. If you want to save money, get this for $66 AR.

Edit: Here's some RAM for $30AR.

Are you near a Micro Center where you can get a 2500k for $180, plus maybe a discounted mobo combo?

 

[fastamdman]

Ignoring his prices and looking at the parts he is using he would be better off with a cheaper motherboard and psu but a better video card. As for the psu, the one I listed can run pretty much any single card. If he is going SLI later on then that is a different story and he should grab a tx750.

Edit: I assume the "GSU means GPU". What do you wanna run in the summer time? Worse case scenario if you dont like my PSU because you feel it doesn't have enough wattage, even though it does, grab this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.761043

EDit 2 : Kengen those ram sticks arrive DOA really really often, look at the god awful reviews bro.

Edit3: You can grab 8gigs of really good ram for around 35 bucks and you don't need a super expensive PSU like that for w/e card you are going to run in the summer. Even a brand new gtx 590 can be ran on a 650tx just fine.

 

[mfenn]

Ignoring his prices and looking at the parts he is using he would be better off with a cheaper motherboard and psu but a better video card.

Hate to burst your bubble, but the parts that OP linked come out $20 less than your "cheaper mobo".

 

[fastamdman]

Ok so then he should switch out JUST his motherboard. Not sure what you have against me or the UD3, but it's cheaper. So0o0o0o cheaper + as efficient + gets the job done that he needs = win.

 

[mfenn]

OP, you are on the right track, but you can switch some stuff around to get a GPU that doesn't need to be upgraded.

- Swap the Ripjaws for this G.Skill DDR3 1333 kit. -$15
- Swap the PSU for an XFX 650W -$40 AR
- Swap the GPU for a GTX 560 Ti +$55 AR

 

[mfenn]

Ok so then he should switch out JUST his motherboard. Not sure what you have against me or the UD3, but it's cheaper. So0o0o0o cheaper + as efficient + gets the job done that he needs = win.

I don't have anything against you. I have something against people who post incorrect information.

The Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 costs $115 AR and the GA-Z68XP-UD3 costs $135 if you apply the $15 combo discount wholly to it.

 

[fastamdman]

Oh and just to be clear, his system WITHOUT a gpu comes up to....645.50
Mine comes up to 595.56

Try again next time please

Edit: I didnt factor in his MIR nor my MIR. My system comes with 30 dollars in MIR lol.

 

[mfenn]

Oh and just to be clear, his system WITHOUT a gpu comes up to....645.50
Mine comes up to 595.56

Try again next time please

Great way to dodge the question. Are you a politician?

I think that we are all agreed that his PSU costs too much. The problem is that you recommended a motherboard that is more expensive while saying it was cheaper.

 

[fastamdman]

You are right his motherboard is cheaper sorry for the confusion. However my system OVERALL is cheaper . I also hate asrock boards. I still recommend going with the ud3 though

Edit: Correct price for the ud3 build would be 550.93 and 20 dollars in mir which is 540.60 AFTER shipping

 

[conradbloom]

Sorry for some of the sloppy posts earlier! Tried to make the correct edits on those...

Really appreciate your feedback all. Seems like a good trade off on those prices MFenn and I think that is the direction I may go.

Would you all recommend that I wait and scope out Newegg for some price drops/sales on those components, given the coming two weeks, or does it make sense to make the purchases now? I've never shopped for a home build before, and do not know what exactly to expect!

 

[lehtv]

I also hate asrock boards.

Just so you know, expressing personal opinions like that without any stated reason do nothing but confuse. If you hate asrock, please keep it to yourself or state clearly why you hate asrock.

 

[mfenn]

Sorry for some of the sloppy posts earlier! Tried to make the correct edits on those...

Really appreciate your feedback all. Seems like a good trade off on those prices MFenn and I think that is the direction I may go.

Sounds good!

Would you all recommend that I wait and scope out Newegg for some price drops/sales on those components, given the coming two weeks, or does it make sense to make the purchases now? I've never shopped for a home build before, and do not know what exactly to expect!

We can't predict too well which discounts Newegg will have over the next two weeks. Some stuff is bound to shift around, but I'd say that on average now is not any better or worse to buy than two weeks from now.