Building New Ivy Bridge, Intel Gaming PC - Help!

[kr335606]

Hi everyone. I am building my first gaming rig and going with the Ivy Bridge set-up. I do not plan on OC'ing but that is just because I have zero familiarity with it.

Can you review the following build and let me know any thoughts/recommendations? I plan on buying this week...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming, Work from home with big spreadsheets

2. What YOUR budget is.
$1100-1300

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US - Newegg

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Not a fanboy, but want to go with Intel from what I am hearing

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No parts currently

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Probably default.

8. What resolution will you be using?
? not sure of monitors max (listed below)

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Next week, hopefully.

Parts list:

GPU
Radeon HD 7950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161400

PSU
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139021

SSD
Intel 330 Series Maple Crest SSDSC2CT120A3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820167121

COOLING
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

MOBO
ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131837

CPU
Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116506

MEMORY
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
(was told cooler fitment might be an issue so low profile)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233186

CASE
COOLER MASTER HAF 912
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119233

MONITOR
ASUS VS248H-P Black 24" HDMI LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236153

DRIVE
ASUS DVD Burner Black SATA Model DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135240

Windows 7 64B


Total w/ Rebates: ~$1300



Please let me know thoughts on everything, compatability, etc. I am not looking to do a whole lot of fancy stuff, so "you can overclock this to x and be better", etc. is not really my forte. That said, I will definitely listen to anything.

I need specific feedback on fitment as I have been told it will be tight.

THANK YOU!!! :thumbsup:

 

[mfenn]

Overall, you don't have a bad list there. You can optimize prices on some of the parts though:
- GPU: This MSI TwinFrozr 7950 is $310 AR
- PSU: 750W is overkill for a single-GPU system. The PCP&C Silencer Mk III 600W is $55 AR AP and has plenty of juice
- SSD : Fine, but I wouldn't buy a Sandforce when a more reliable drive like the M4 128GB is $10 more.
- HDD : Where is it? Is ~128GB enough storage for you?
- HSF: Good
- Mobo: Not a bad deal AR, but if you don't plan to go dual-GPU (99% probability), then the ASRock Z75 Pro3 will do what you need for less.
- CPU: Good
- RAM: Too expensive for what it is. DDR3 1333 will perform within a couple of percent for less money.
- Case: Fine, but a little outdated. The Antec Three Hundred Two has front panel USB 3.0
- Monitor: Alright, but $180 is a little much for your standard TN panel IMHO. This 23" IPS panel is $185.
- ODD : Too expensive for what it is. This Lite-ON DVD Burner is $18

 

[kr335606]

So would go with the TwinFrozr over the Radeon? Or it is just a cheaper option with comparable stats?

Thanks!

 

[richaron]

So would go with the TwinFrozr over the Radeon? Or it is just a cheaper option with comparable stats?

Thanks!

They're both Radeons :hmm:

"TwinFrozr" is MSI's name for it's 'Twin' fan heatsink & fans. The boards are probly the same, but the MSI coolers should run quieter & cooler.

 

[mdlam]

its my personal opinion that your motherboard is overkill for that application. I would go with a B75 chipset instead of a z77, since your not getting an overclocking chip, you don't care about 2-3 extra FPS, so why not just spend 80 bucks instead? the B75 comes with 1 sata6, and 3 sata3, and 1 pcie3.0 16x, and 2-4 sodimm slots for 2x8gb=16gb which is plenty plenty plenty.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138357
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157313

 

[T_Yamamoto]

its my personal opinion that your motherboard is overkill for that application. I would go with a 65 chipset instead of a 77, since your not getting an overclocking chip, you don't care about 2-3 extra FPS, so why not just spend 75 bucks instead? the 65 comes with 1 sata6, and 3 sata3, and 1 pcie16x, and 2 sodimm slots for 2x8gb=16gb which is plenty plenty plenty.

65 chip set? You mean h67 or h77

 

[mdlam]

SSD I'm a huge advocate of Sandforce 2291, I think with new firmware there are literally 0 issues. I've never had an issue and i've had ocz and corsair.

Now if you are are overclocking....forget Ivy, i have a 3570k and it is TERRIBLE --> temp spikes on initial core load which sometimes freezes my apps...worst in games when it spikes randomly as you play. 2500k all the way, or hold off until haswell.

 

[kr335606]

Great advice guys. I will not be over clocking so still want to go with the Ivy. I can still get a lesser mother board and not be bottle necked?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Now if you are are overclocking....forget Ivy, i have a 3570k and it is TERRIBLE --> temp spikes on initial core load which sometimes freezes my apps...worst in games when it spikes randomly as you play. 2500k all the way, or hold off until haswell.

Not to derail the thread, but that is NOT a normal thing for Ivy. You have some sort of problem with your rig.

 

[Ken g6]

Great advice guys. I will not be over clocking so still want to go with the Ivy. I can still get a lesser mother board and not be bottle necked?

Yes, those B75 boards are nice for that. Either one should work fine for you.

The i5-3550 is $10 more than the 3450, but is slightly more cost efficient per MHz. I think it's worth it, but YMMV.

If you're not overclocking, you don't need an aftermarket CPU cooler (Hyper 212+) unless you insist on a very quiet system.

Are you sure you don't need more than that 128GB SSD? If you have $90, you can use it to either get a 1TB HDD (upgrade the firmware!) or to upgrade to a 256GB SSD.