Final advice before I buy parts for $1k gaming computer

[ajmcguire]

I am about to place an order with Newegg to build a new gaming / media computer and I'm looking for advice in a few areas.

Questions
1. Is there somewhere I could save money by buying a just-as-good alternative for any of the parts I have listed?
2. Is there something that is about to come out just on the horizon that would be worth waiting for?
2. Is there anything dumb I'm doing in regards to this specific combination of parts?

Facts:
~ I will be playing Diablo 3 and other games over the next two years, but primarily I want iTunes to run as fast as possible and Plex media server to run well.
~ Don't need optical drive, OS, or new display. Will be running with 1920x1080 resolution. May upgrade to dual monitor gaming in within six months.
~ Looking for a quiet(ish) decent looking case that is easy to work with and with USB3.0 in front. Not sure if the Fractal Design Define XL is the best solution or not.
~ Planning on using SSD for OS and applications. I think I can get by with 60GB. 2TB drive for data.
~ Won't be overclocking unless the effort really ends up being worth it.
~ Buying in the USA.

Prospective build:
Case: Fractal Design Define XL
Storage: Intel 330 60GB / SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 HD204UI 2TB
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 2133

 

[mnewsham]

You don't need expensive RAM, get these instead
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820576006

Cheaper SSD, intel is nice but honestly I wouldnt worry about it for a simple home system, in a work system it is a different issue however.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226247


You don't need to take up so much freaking space with the Define XL, the R3 has the same features but is 40 bucks less and is a bit smaller.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352014


You don't need such a big PSU, go ahead and get this. You shouldn't need anymore power than this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817553009

This GPU is 10% off until the 9th with the code XFX53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150521

or with the money I saved you, you could get something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150549
Which is 8% off with this code: HARDOCPX5X2D

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Look in our midbuilder guide

 

[SithSolo1]

You don't need expensive RAM, get these instead
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820576006

I'll admit I don't know anything about Pareema ram. It may be great. Personally I'd spend the extra $1 and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231311 Which has a Limited Lifetime warranty. The version with the red heat spreader is only $4 more. I couldn't find anything warranty wise on the Pareema.

 

[mnewsham]

I'll admit I don't know anything about Pareema ram. It may be great. Personally I'd spend the extra $1 and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231311 Which has a Limited Lifetime warranty. The version with the red heat spreader is only $4 more. I couldn't find anything warranty wise on the Pareema.

All the memory comes from the same place anyway, buy whichever you like, G.Skill is fine, the red heat spreaders are a waste of money and a pain in the ass with larger heat sinks. I personally use G.skill with my builds, but get 1333Mhz not some stupid 1600-2133Mhz waste of money.

 

[lehtv]

Case
Seeing as your video card isn't exactly optimal for 1080p, this is a good place to spend less. Define R3 is fine but unless you're particularly picky about noise (in which case you should make sure all components work towards that goal) you should buy a different case which offers better cooling for the money. Corsair 500R is $95 AR AP until tomorrow - awesome, I know.

HDD Good $/GB, approved. I have that same drive, zero issues.

GPU
Won't play demanding games very smoothly on 1080p, at least not without turning settings down. You can afford this 6950 2GB - it's only $191 AR AP until the 8th (or until sold out).

PSU
Good if you plan to crossfire later on. But seeing as you seem willing to settle for a midrange GPU, you will not need crossfire. It's a better idea to upgrade the midrange GPU to higher performing single GPU when needed - while Crossfire can offer seemingly better bang for buck, a single GPU has fewer issues with drivers, more stable framerates, less power consumption and less noise and heat. Strongly recommend Seasonic M12II 620W, it's on a discount for $70.

RAM
mnewsham is right, 2133 is just unnecessary. You will never notice a difference between 1333 and 2133 outside of benchmarking, it's just not going to affect your PC using experience, gaming even less. I would prefer G.Skill over Pareema.

Mobo
Again, good if you plan to crossfire later on. I would buy Asrock Z77 Pro3 or Pro4 instead. Newer, less cost, USB3.0 to the case, but no CF/SLI.

CPU Good ($205 AP).

SSD
330 is a new SSD so its firmware may not be mature enough reliability-wise. I would recommend Crucial M4 128GB for $125. Compared to Crucial M4 64GB drive it's faster, better $/GB and fits more games. I have a 120GB drive myself and still need to install some games on my 5400RPM drive - not a big deal but with a 60GB drive it'd be a bigger deal.

This should end up at $965 AR AP. Feel free to switch to the R3 if you want, it's a good case but 500R is way better for cooling. Also, if you buy the define R3 case and/or if you overclock, you want an aftermarket cooler. I'd recommend CM Hyper 212 ($20 AR), it's enough for a moderate OC and it's quiet on idle.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Get ddr3 1600 ripjaws x. Get crucial m4 Get asrock z77 extreme4

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Get 7850 for $240ish

 

[lehtv]

Get ddr3 1600 ripjaws x. Get crucial m4 Get asrock z77 extreme4 [...] Get 7850 for $240ish

Disagree, agree, disagree, disagree.

I hope that helps

 

[mnewsham]

Get 7850 for $240ish

do you just throw out nonsense ignoring budget or the rest of the build or performance? He can get a 6950 (better then the 7850) for 190-200. DDR3 1600mhz RAM is within 1-2% of 1333Mhz, get what is cheaper, and those stupid heat sinks on the ripjaws add NOTHING. Damn, i really don't like you...

The only thing you said that made sense was the M4, which is a good SSD, he doesn't need to spend more or get a huge one tho.

 

[mfenn]

do you just throw out nonsense ignoring budget or the rest of the build or performance?

Yes.

OP, I agree with lehtv and mnewsham. Another point worth considering is that the i5 2500K is kind of pointless if you don't plan to OC. The i5 3550 (paired with a Z77 board) will be a little faster and use less power. Alternatively, the i5 2400 is essentially the same speed and costs less.

 

[ajmcguire]

Based on the above advice I'm making the following changes:
CASE: Fractal Design Define XL --> Fractal Design Define R3
CPU: i5 2400k --> i5 2400
GPU: Radeon HD 6870 1GB --> Radeon HD 6950 2GB
PSU: CORSAIR TX750 V2 750W --> SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB 2133 --> G.SKILL Value Series 8GB 1333

Thought process:
~ Besides the impending release of Diablo 3, the release of the Intel 330 series was one of the major decisions to upgrade now. I hope I'll be able to deal with any firmware issues that might come up.
~ I really don't want to oc, so it makes sense to switch from i5 2400k to 2400.
~ I like the look of the Fractal Design cases, but mnewsham is right I don't need a full tower.

Thank you for all the help.

 

[lehtv]

~ I really don't want to oc, so it makes sense to switch from i5 2400k to 2400.

Then it would also make sense to switch to a different motherboard. Z77 Pro3 allows for overclocking, but since the CPU doesn't, you could save some cash here, e.g. Asrock H61iCafe ($65) That still gets you USB3.0 and SATA 6gb/s but in a smaller form factor and without CPU overclocking. It'd make sense to spend on the Crucial M4 128GB instead.

Hopefully, the stock cooler of i5-2400 won't make too much noise but of course you can buy an aftermarket cooler after testing it out

 

[ajmcguire]

Then it would also make sense to switch to a different motherboard. Z77 Pro3 allows for overclocking, but since the CPU doesn't, you could save some cash here, e.g. Asrock H61iCafe ($65) That still gets you USB3.0 and SATA 6gb/s but in a smaller form factor and without CPU overclocking.

It looks like the Asrock H61iCafe only has USB3.0 on rear panel. But this other Z77 MOBO (BIOSTAR TZ77B LGA 1155) has onboard USB 3.0 that I can use to hook to front panel of the case - and is still a little cheaper than the Z77 Pro3.

 

[mnewsham]

That board looks fine for what you are doing, a little bit more than you could spend but if you want USB 3.0 headers on the MB you have to spend a bit more.

 

[lehtv]

It looks like the Asrock H61iCafe only has USB3.0 on rear panel. But this other Z77 MOBO (BIOSTAR TZ77B LGA 1155) has onboard USB 3.0 that I can use to hook to front panel of the case - and is still a little cheaper than the Z77 Pro3.

Take a look at Asrock H77 Pro4-M ($90).

How much do you think you'll need front panel USB3.0 though? I don't think it'd be worth $25 for >90% of users. You still have USB3.0 in the back panel if it's needed. Do you have USB3.0 compatible devices?

 

[mfenn]

Take a look at Asrock H77 Pro4-M ($90).

:thumbsup: to the cheaper mobo suggestion. I totally spaced on that part when I recommended the non-K processor.