Build Critique Please

[DCalabrese]

Hi there,

I built a rig back in 2007, replaced it with a laptop and am now looking to build a new desktop. My knowledge of current hardware is admittedly not 100% current.

It will be used for gaming and general computing. I've come up with a selection of parts and I'm looking for some input on them regarding compatibility, better alternatives, making sure it fits in the case etc. I don't have a strict budget but am towards the higher end of what I'm looking to spend as is. I prefer to stick with Intel/nVidia.

The PSU might be overkill? However it allows for future upgrades. RAM is relatively cheap...any reason to bump up to something faster? 1866? I don't know if it would be noticeable.

Here's what I have so far:

Optical: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072

Mobo: MSI P67A-G45 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130582

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231428

HDD SAMSUNG Spinpoint 1TB 7200 RPM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

PSU: Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153106

GPU: EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 570 HD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130620

*There were at least 3 different 570's; help choosing the right one would be greatly appreciated*

Monitor: Acer D241Hbmi Glossy Black 24" - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009278

I certainly don't need the keyboard/mouse that go with that monitor but it was comparatively cheap. I'd like something 24" but I am open for suggestions in this area.

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119197

Okay guys, that should be it! Thank you so much for any input

Regards,
Dan

 

[T_Yamamoto]

That 850 PSU is overkill

you only need 600 watts

 

[lehtv]

On SB, 1333MHz CAS9 RAM is all you need. By all means get 1600mhz if it happens to be around the same price as 1333, as in this case. The performance difference between different RAM speeds and latencies on Sandy Bridge, are very much negligible.

And yeah the PSU is 1) not the best manufacturer 2) overkill. Get a 650W PSU from Antec, Seasonic or Corsair. Pretty much all their products are great from low-end to high-end.

The cheapest but still good 650W I'd recommend is Antec Earthwatts 650W. Just $50 with rebate.
The most expensive - and the best - is Seasonic X-650 or X-660.
In between, there are: Seasonic S12II 620, M12II 620, Corsair TX650 V2, TX650M, HX650 and Antec HGC-620.

Unless you're very partial to NVIDIA or EVGA in particular, I would suggest 6950 2GB for a vidcard. MSI Twin Frozr III Power Edition, or XFX dual-fan with lifetime warranty. Better value IMO, esp. with the higher VRAM (more future proof in that department). If you go this route, a 550W PSU would be enough.

I'd get a monitor with a height-adjustable stand. I use a 27" monitor and even that benefits greatly from height adjustment - I can set it so I face it directly. This is of course personal preference but I find it's the most ergonomic solution.

 

[DCalabrese]

Thanks for the input so far! I am partial to both NVIDIA and EVGA, so I will stick with them but I appreciate your opinion!

As far as the PSU goes, I was pretty sure it was overkill. However, a buddy of mine recently built a rig where 650W should have been plenty and it wasn't enough to boot; I don't know if he chose a brand that misrepresented the power output or not, but an upgraded PSU solved his issue. So mostly I was just nervous about that.

Good insight on the monitor - I'll see what I can find. : )

 

[lehtv]

With regard to your friend's issue with a 650W PSU, there are a few possible explanations. Firstly, it could've been a faulty unit, perhaps unlikely but it happens. Or if he bought it used, it could've been at the end of its age. Or it could've been a bad quality PSU to begin with, cheaply built, bad power quality. Many cheap PSUs can't even reach their rated wattage at room temperature.

But on your particular system, a 650W PSU from a quality manufacturer such as Seasonic will get the job done with zero issues, guaranteed. If there are issues, the unit must be faulty.

 

[DCalabrese]

I've had good luck with Corsair in the past so I think I will go with your recommended http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...7;20TX650%20V2.

Any input on the video card? All of these are 570's but I don't entirely understand all of the differences. AR vs. KR? They're all such similar prices, I'm not sure which to pick.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001402%2040000048%20600094002&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=48|14-130-684^14-130-684-TS%2C14-130-692^14-130-692-TS%2C14-130-622^14-130-622-TS%2C14-130-620^14-130-620-TS%2C14-130-621^14-130-621-TS

I really appreciate your help!

EDIT: I suppose that compare link doesn't work:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130621
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130622
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130684
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130620
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130692

 

[lehtv]

EVGA's -AR, -KR and such extensions refer to the warranty category. See http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/

The link you posted doesn't work.

 

[DCalabrese]

Yeah, sorry about that, I've since edited the post. Thanks for the warranty info!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

lifetime warrenty's are the best though

 

[lehtv]

Well, there's a bit of a dilemma here. IMO it boils down to GTX 570 SC vs. GTX 570 DoubleShot. The double fan cooler will have easily nicer temps or lower noise, or both, depending on how you configure the fan profile. But it lacks lifetime warranty. 3 year warranty is still pretty good though, most manufacturers will only give you two.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Just pop on an aftermarket GPU cooler with duel fans and youre good to go lol

 

[DCalabrese]

Thank you both for your input!

 

[lehtv]

Just pop on an aftermarket GPU cooler with duel fans and youre good to go lol

 

[mfenn]

Honestly OP, all of those GTX 570s are overpriced. The only way that the GTX 570 competes with the 6950 2GB on price/performance is when the GTX 570 is below $300. The gap only gets worse (much worse) when you consider the extra PSU requirements that the GTX 570 imposes.

The 6950 2GB + 520C is a whopping $115 less expensive than even the least expensive EVGA GTX 570 and Corsair PSU.

I would definitely get the G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB kit for $41. Acer monitors are somehwhat poor IMHO, but luckily the ASUS VH242H is in the same price range.

 

[mfenn]

Takumi is always serious!!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

yeah, im always serious

Id get the warrenty and add a aftermarket cooler to it

wait, does that void warrenty?

 

[mfenn]

yeah, im always serious

Id get the warrenty and add a aftermarket cooler to it

wait, does that void warrenty?

Yes

 

[lehtv]

Not on an EVGA card, as long as you reinstall the original cooler before sending it in ^_^

 

[T_Yamamoto]

haha. well then. lifetime warrenty+aftermarketcooler=winwin!

 

[mfenn]

Not on an EVGA card, as long as you reinstall the original cooler before sending it in ^_^

Lalalala, didn't hear you say that. :whiste:

 

[T_Yamamoto]

see no evil, hear no evil!