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Build review, need mobo - 2500k, 7850, SSD

E

Ever

Junior Member
Hi Anand!

Decade-long user, can't find my original login.

Would love a review of the build below to make sure everything makes sense. "IE, that RAM is 1600 while the CPU is only 1333, or, "you should really consider X-motherboard for that setup."

For Diablo 3 on max settings. I don't want it to stutter when there's a bunch of on-screen action in multiplayer. I'm OK if this build errors on the safe side. 1920x1200.


CPU: i5 2500k

GFX: Radeon 7850 2gb

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8g 1600

SSD : Crucial M4 128gb

HDD : Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB SATA2 (current)

OS: Win7 64bit (I already own retail for my 32 bit setup. I think this also includes 64..?)

MoBo: Unsure. z68 or z77?
Leaning towards z68:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

Or, future proof for IB with a z77:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20GA-Z77X-UD3H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Z77%20Extreme6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157293

Case/PSU: Sill considering. I like that this case has USB 3.0 and SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139011

HSF: 212+ (already checked, looks to fit with the ram and the ASRock)


1) What will you be doing with this PC?
D3 absolute max, and general computing for a good few years
2) What's your budget?
It was $800. I'm around $1k now, but will consider alternatives
3) Which country do you live in?
San Francisco, CA. Driving to MicroCenter likely not worth it, but Amazon is tax-free.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?
Everything but monitor (2405fpw 1920x1200) and PSU (650w), unless that isn't enough
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes, casual OC
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP, 1-2 week max
9) What features do you need in a motherboard?
I like my mobo components to be "up to date" since I'll be using this build for a few years. USB 3? PCIe 3?
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Win7 retail (I think that's both 32 and 64..?)

---

YGPM about regaining access to your original account. 🙂

Harvey
Senior AT Mod/Admin
 
Last edited by a moderator:
aaksheytalwar said:
It is better to pay $100 more than to lose so much
Click to expand...

I disagree. You lose at most an extra 30% CPU performance which doesn't necessarily translate into better fps, and CF/SLI which most likely will never be needed. Especially with regard to Diablo 3, and especially considering that paying more could mean going over budget.
 
Steering this train back on track 😛

z68 or z77 for the build above? I know the z86 is plenty, but am feeling the pull to go z77 for future proof. But I rarely upgrade individual components (read: SB -> IB), so I'm thinking this is an unnecessary upgrade. Is there any other reason to justify ~$40 more to go from z68 -> z77?
 
Z77 costs the same as Z68 if you pick the right board such as the Z77 Pro4. "Future-proofing" doesn't even factor into the equation. The true reason for you to get a Z77 board is that USB 3.0 front panel headers are only present on the higher-end Z68 boards, whereas they are pretty much standard on Z77 boards.

The rest of the parts that you've picked out look fine to me, and yes your Retail Windows 7 license does entitle you to both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
 
mfenn said:
Z77 costs the same as Z68 if you pick the right board such as the Z77 Pro4. "Future-proofing" doesn't even factor into the equation. The true reason for you to get a Z77 board is that USB 3.0 front panel headers are only present on the higher-end Z68 boards, whereas they are pretty much standard on Z77 boards.

The rest of the parts that you've picked out look fine to me, and yes your Retail Windows 7 license does entitle you to both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the header heads-up. I've chosen a case with USB 3.0. Does a motherboard need to have a 3.0 header in order for the case's front ports to work? Or do most mobo's, header or not, have terminals to receive such a case's 3.0 lines?
 
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Do you actually have USB3.0 compatible devices? Do you think it'd be fine to just use the back panel ports for the occasions when you actually need the higher bandwidth (i.e. transferring more than just a few megabytes)?
 
I was in same situation as you last week.. almost identical build actually.

I went with a z77 in the end, this one to be precise. So far so happy.
 
You bring up an interesting point, lehtv. In the ten+ years I've spent building myself computers, I've never had one with front I/O's. I've always hated getting on my hands and knees to swap USB behind my dusty desk, so I guess it's that I'm excited to have USB on the front - and the current gen at that.
 
Sounds good, I have the PC on my desk and the rear panel can be accessed relatively easily 🙂
 
Ever said:
Thanks for the header heads-up. I've chosen a case with USB 3.0. Does a motherboard need to have a 3.0 header in order for the case's front ports to work? Or do most mobo's, header or not, have terminals to receive such a case's 3.0 lines?
Click to expand...

You will need a header of some sort, USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 to be able to use the case's front USB ports. If you get a mobo without a USB 3.0 header, you will only be able to use the front ports at USB 2.0 speeds. I don't see why you wouldn't get the Z77 board since the one I linked is the same price.
 
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