Final Build $1500 Gaming PC - Please critique

[Dashel]

Hopefully this wish list is viewable: https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=14019891

if not...

Sorry if I violated any board ettiquite by starting a fresh thread. This is the other I started some days ago:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2168834

The updated Q&A

1. Used for gaming first and foremost. Specifically MMO's. It's also a general use PC including pictures and I'd like to be able to do a bit of video editing and such.

2. 1800 USD max. I feel like 1800 should get me something that will run the latest games at 1920x1200 on high. Less expensive is of course just fine too!

3. US

4. I like Intel CPUs. 2500k seems the obvious choice. I like Asus and Gigabyte mobos but I'm open to suggestions. Z68 ideally. I like my Corsair PSU but again open to suggestion.

5. I'll be reusing my Monitor, Keyboard and mouse.

6. Yes I saw this by mnewsham: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2143542 and this http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2148141 but they are both a few months old so I hoped for a more current list of parts.

7 No overclocking.

8. 1920x1200

9. Building as soon as I have all the choices down.

10. No thin skin here, I'm offended you mentioned that.


CPU / Mobo bundle for 394.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...&SID=u00000687

1x Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

$224.99
1x ASUS P8Z68-V LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

$189.99
1x Codemasters Operation Flashpoint: Red River PC Game - Gift

$39.99


COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0 and Black Interior
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160

EVGA SuperClocked 012-P3-1572-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130595

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148348

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231311

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151233

Total: $1,486.39
Tax: $105.88
Shipping: $ 31.17

Grand Total: $1,618.44

 

[dma0991]

Everything looks fine to me. Optionally you could get a 750W PSU now to allow you to add in another GTX570 in the future for SLI. A 650W would work for a single but you would have to upgrade your PSU should you want to do a SLI setup.

 

[Athadeus]

Meh. Could either save a lot of money or get a lot more performance at the same price. I'm too lazy to find if you either started another post about this same build, or were just writing in someone else's. Whether this is just a clean thread for the same build (doing such is frowned upon), or really the first one for your build, you need to post or repost the information from the PC Builders sticky before you can expect helpful critique.

 

[Dashel]

I updated the post with the Q&A answers and original thread.
I got a lot of good advice and wanted to get the final build set in my mind.

Basically wanting to build a solid base to use for gaming (MMOs: Rift WoW, SWTOR, any FPS games, SCII, Diablo 3, Mass Effect etc.) I'd like the foundation to last me a good 2-3 years and I'll upgrade the single GPU as warranted.

 

[equazcion]

Looks good but is there any particular reason you don't want to overclock?

You've got an Asus Z68 mobo and 2500k, both supreme overclockers, in fact they're made for it. Overclocking has gotten much easier over the years, and should be child's play on this combination. Add a moderate CPU cooler and you could be running up around 5GHz.

For hard drive I would get two 500GB and RAID-0 them. You get massive drive speed advantages that way, and all the space from both drives.

PS. Even if you don't overclock I'd recommend getting a CPU cooler anyway. My current pick is the Noctua 12UP. It is a bit pricey, but worth it -- ever since I got one, all the the other coolers I've ever used seem like overpriced kids toys. Just a suggestion.

 

[Dashel]

I always toy with the idea of overclocking but I've never done it. Thanks for the tip though, that's a good suggestion.

 

[mfenn]

Basically wanting to build a solid base to use for gaming (MMOs: Rift WoW, SWTOR, any FPS games, SCII, Diablo 3, Mass Effect etc.) I'd like the foundation to last me a good 2-3 years and I'll upgrade the single GPU as warranted.

That's a good plan, but your execution leaves a little to be desired:
- CPU/mobo: There is really no reason to buy a $190 mobo, especially for a non-overclocking, single-GPU build. The i5 2500K + GA-Z68A-D3H is a better deal.
- Case: $155 is a lot to spend on a case, make sure you like it. Functionally, it is not going to be much better than a $60 Three Hundred.
- GPU: That GTX 570 is a bit high for what it is. The normal version is $285 AR and can be turned into a "superclocked" with literally two sliders in the Nvidia control panel.
- PSU: This XFX 650W is less expensive and better quality.
- RAM: That kit is overpriced. This is the same thing, sans fancy heatspreaders for $60.

All and all, I think that you see now how $50 here and there can really add up.

 

[Athadeus]

That's a good plan, but your execution leaves a little to be desired:
- CPU/mobo: There is really no reason to buy a $190 mobo, especially for a non-overclocking, single-GPU build. The i5 2500K + GA-Z68A-D3H is a better deal.
- Case: $155 is a lot to spend on a case, make sure you like it. Functionally, it is not going to be much better than a $60 Three Hundred.
- GPU: That GTX 570 is a bit high for what it is. The normal version is $285 AR and can be turned into a "superclocked" with literally two sliders in the Nvidia control panel.
- PSU: This XFX 650W is less expensive and better quality.
- RAM: That kit is overpriced. This is the same thing, sans fancy heatspreaders for $60.

All and all, I think that you see now how $50 here and there can really add up.

That Antec 300 is okay function wise if you mount the back 12cm fan in the front, but I still think grey interior is too ugly. If you want the function and fashion, the CM Storm Scout for $90 (regularly $70-80 on sale) has 3 nice fans (2 with Red LEDs with a switch to turn on/off), black painted interior, tool free 5.25" bays and PCI slot clips (good clips), and side mount HDDs which I really prefer. Just have to be careful with reallly long video cards.

Agree on the GPU, but would add that I think it's overkill in general. I just got a $140 HD6850 that I think owns 1920*1080/1200.

There's been a lot of even better PSU deals on Newegg lately, I'd grab one of those depending on what level of GPU you might get when next gen comes out (will be a better time to go high end).

 

[fffblackmage]

That Antec 300 is okay function wise if you mount the back 12cm fan in the front, but I still think grey interior is too ugly.

I don't understand. The 300 doesn't have a side window.

 

[Dashel]

That's a good plan, but your execution leaves a little to be desired:
- CPU/mobo: There is really no reason to buy a $190 mobo, especially for a non-overclocking, single-GPU build. The i5 2500K + GA-Z68A-D3H is a better deal.
- Case: $155 is a lot to spend on a case, make sure you like it. Functionally, it is not going to be much better than a $60 Three Hundred.
- GPU: That GTX 570 is a bit high for what it is. The normal version is $285 AR and can be turned into a "superclocked" with literally two sliders in the Nvidia control panel.
- PSU: This XFX 650W is less expensive and better quality.
- RAM: That kit is overpriced. This is the same thing, sans fancy heatspreaders for $60.

All and all, I think that you see now how $50 here and there can really add up.

Thanks mfenn you're always giving solid advice.

For the case my thinking is 1) I always find myself wanting more USB ports in the front of my current Antec 900, and 2) I'm concerned about fitting the modern GPU's in a midsize since my case now can be a bit cramped sometimes. 3) I'd like this build to be really simple to construct. This may be all unwarranted but that's my thought process.

On the other hand once it's built I dont mess with the insides of the case so maybe I am over doing it.

I see what you mean about the money adding up.

 

[fffblackmage]

1) I always find myself wanting more USB ports in the front of my current Antec 900

You can always buy one of those front USB port hubs.

2) I'm concerned about fitting the modern GPU's in a midsize since my case now can be a bit cramped sometimes.

A ref 6970 is 10.75" long, and it'll fit inside an Antec 300. It may be cramped, but at least it fits.

 

[Miscthree]

Looks good but is there any particular reason you don't want to overclock?

You've got an Asus Z68 mobo and 2500k, both supreme overclockers, in fact they're made for it. Overclocking has gotten much easier over the years, and should be child's play on this combination. Add a moderate CPU cooler and you could be running up around 5GHz.

For hard drive I would get two 500GB and RAID-0 them. You get massive drive speed advantages that way, and all the space from both drives.

PS. Even if you don't overclock I'd recommend getting a CPU cooler anyway. My current pick is the Noctua 12UP. It is a bit pricey, but worth it -- ever since I got one, all the the other coolers I've ever used seem like overpriced kids toys. Just a suggestion.

Forgive my ignorance but doesn't raid-0 require a hardware raid card to be reliable? They're expensive!

 

[dma0991]

Forgive my ignorance but doesn't raid-0 require a hardware raid card to be reliable? They're expensive!

Hardware based RAID is unnecessary for RAID 0 considering that software based RAID that most motherboard has these days are capable of handling RAID 0.

Hardware RAID will come in handy if you are dealing with more complicated RAID arrays that could rebuild data in case a specified amount of drives fail in a certain array.

 

[Chapbass]

I'd probably disagree with the raid 0 idea, especially with that SSD already in the build. Lose some reliability for not really a big performance gain (for what you'll be doing with it). Most of the performance related stuff will come off the SSD.

 

[BoomerD]

I strongly disagree with mfenn about the case. I have the standard gray interior HAF 932 case and love it. LOTS of room inside for my large hands when building/tweaking, plenty of room for HDD's, ODD, or any other hardware needed, comes stock with VERY quiet fans that do an excellent job of moving air...and keeping everything cool, and for me, the front panel connectors are done right.
I prefer a case that's not lit up like Times Square all the time, and the single red LED case fan that came with mine is barely noticeable. The "Super-Bright" blue LED's for power and CPU are, however, VERY bright...you could use them to signal the space station...or land the shuttle with them. BUT, my case sits under a desk where they're not "invasive."

mfenn and I disagree all the time about buying "premium" motherboards. I prefer the higher-end ASUS boards, while he's more about the lower cost Gigabyte boards. I feel there's good value in the "better" boards...Either way, you're getting a good, solid system.

As for the power supply...there's nothing wrong with that one, but there are better ones available.
Personally, I think I'd spend a bit more and get a Seasonic like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151088
or like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151087

If you'd prefer to stay with Corsair, (they're VERY good units) I'd recommend one of these instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139012

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139010

For your current build specs, ALL of those power supplies are overkill. You COULD easily get by with something in the 450-500 watt range since you're not planning on overclocking or running multiple GPUs...but I'm a firm believer in having a power supply that's a bit larger than needed...and try to never load my PSU beyond 60-70% of it's rated output.

 

[equazcion]

That's a good plan, but your execution leaves a little to be desired:
- Case: $155 is a lot to spend on a case, make sure you like it. Functionally, it is not going to be much better than a $60 Three Hundred.

Please do yourself a favor and don't go with Antec. Their cases are popular with people who've never built with a CoolerMaster (no offense intended to Antec fans, but I feel it's the truth).

Antec's designs are outdated and their quality is poor, though the parts are built "heavily". As most case manufacturers are moving towards more intelligent and tool-less components, Antec is still the most "toolful" case brand imaginable. Antec's drive cages require removing lots of screws, while CoolMaster's require none.

If you want to save some money on the case, go with the HAF 922. It's usually 100 bucks on NewEgg, and it's got everything you need. It's a mid tower as opposed to a full, but for your components a mid is more than ample, and the 922 does not lack for space to move around inside at all. The only downside is the gray metal interior as opposed to black, so if that bothers you enough you could go with the more expensive 932 (or spray paint the interior yourself). Otherwise the 922 is an outstanding case, very well-designed, beefy, heavy, with cable management, all tool-less drive bays, etc. Most bang for your buck if you ask me.

 

[Dashel]

A lot to take in thanks to everyone who gave advice and input.

I think I'd like to try a HAF case since I hear good things about them consistently. From there on I can make an informed decision on which I like better or what features to look for.

equazcion has me thinking about overclocking now, as did mfenn with his suggestion of GPU and superclocking that. If it's really just a matter of a few sliders now, I think it would make sense to go ahead and do it or at least allow for the option to do it.

 

[mfenn]

I'd probably disagree with the raid 0 idea, especially with that SSD already in the build. Lose some reliability for not really a big performance gain (for what you'll be doing with it). Most of the performance related stuff will come off the SSD.

:thumbsup:

Please do yourself a favor and don't go with Antec. Their cases are popular with people who've never built with a CoolerMaster (no offense intended to Antec fans, but I feel it's the truth).

Be careful throwing around those assumptions. I've personally build with both Antec and CoolerMaster (not to mention countless others) and I much prefer Antec over CoolerMaster. CoolerMasters always feel chinzty and gimmicky, not to mention fugly (IMHO). Give me the solid build of an Antec with well-secured parts any day.

 

[mfenn]

I strongly disagree with mfenn about the case. I have the standard gray interior HAF 932 case and love it. LOTS of room inside for my large hands when building/tweaking, plenty of room for HDD's, ODD, or any other hardware needed, comes stock with VERY quiet fans that do an excellent job of moving air...and keeping everything cool, and for me, the front panel connectors are done right.
I prefer a case that's not lit up like Times Square all the time, and the single red LED case fan that came with mine is barely noticeable. The "Super-Bright" blue LED's for power and CPU are, however, VERY bright...you could use them to signal the space station...or land the shuttle with them. BUT, my case sits under a desk where they're not "invasive."

mfenn and I disagree all the time about buying "premium" motherboards. I prefer the higher-end ASUS boards, while he's more about the lower cost Gigabyte boards. I feel there's good value in the "better" boards...Either way, you're getting a good, solid system.

As for the power supply...there's nothing wrong with that one, but there are better ones available.
Personally, I think I'd spend a bit more and get a Seasonic like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151088
or like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151087

If you'd prefer to stay with Corsair, (they're VERY good units) I'd recommend one of these instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139012

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139010

For your current build specs, ALL of those power supplies are overkill. You COULD easily get by with something in the 450-500 watt range since you're not planning on overclocking or running multiple GPUs...but I'm a firm believer in having a power supply that's a bit larger than needed...and try to never load my PSU beyond 60-70% of it's rated output.

Fair enough, but I would really implore the OP to remember the bolded. Sure, a gold PSU may make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but it isn't really doing anything for you that any other quality unit wouldn't.

 

[mfenn]

On the other hand once it's built I dont mess with the insides of the case so maybe I am over doing it.

Exactly. If you're not the type to be delving into your case every week, I don't see how having a case the size of the Empire State building really helps.

 

[equazcion]

Be careful throwing around those assumptions. I've personally build with both Antec and CoolerMaster (not to mention countless others) and I much prefer Antec over CoolerMaster. CoolerMasters always feel chinzty and gimmicky, not to mention fugly (IMHO). Give me the solid build of an Antec with well-secured parts any day.

CooleMaster gives you the option to secure using screws in addition after you've clicked-in to the tool-less rails.

My opinion is regarding the vast popularity of Antec. I think their name is bigger than their products. It may be that they're better suited for certain applications (or people), perhaps based on the use of more metal (as in professional or rugged scenarios), but that's the only benefit I can see. For the vast majority of uses CoolerMaster is a better choice and will save builders many headaches.

I recently built with an Antec 900 and was very disappointed primarily because of the lack of precision design. While everything was plenty heavy, it was difficult to get them lined up correctly. The back slot openings were also actually slightly off from the motherboard secure points and I actually had to bend my graphics card slightly to make the ports go through. With my 922 everything fell right into place, like night and day, and everything was again plenty heavy.

And speaking of home use, the Antec 900 has fan LEDs that could light up the night sky, and can't be deactivated without some serious surgery. The CoolerMasters have more reasonable brightness plus an independent LED button-switch.

 

[Dashel]

So if I were to overclock this, in terms of hardware all I'd need is a cooler for the CPU?

 

[BoomerD]

Fair enough, but I would really implore the OP to remember the bolded. Sure, a gold PSU may make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but it isn't really doing anything for you that any other quality unit wouldn't.

No kidding. When you're only talking about a few percent in terms of efficiency, it doesn't really make a huge difference in the cost of operation over the course of a year. Odds are, that small difference in operating cost won't pay the difference in purchase price between a bronze unit and a gold or platinum unit...

Choose a quality built PSU from one of the few manufacturers who actually sell quality PSUs and you're likely to have a unit that will last many years.

So if I were to overclock this, in terms of hardware all I'd need is a cooler for the CPU?

Yes, that's really about all you need. You CAN overclock with the stock coolers, but you won't get as big of an increase before the CPU gets too hot...plus, the stock coolers tend to be considerably noisier than the better aftermarket HSF coolers.

 

[equazcion]

So if I were to overclock this, in terms of hardware all I'd need is a cooler for the CPU?

As Boomer said, yes basically all you need is a cooler.

If you go with the 932 or 922 case, you'll have plenty of room for pretty much any cooler you choose (good ones tend to be big).

There's also thermal grease to consider. It goes between the cooler and the CPU. All coolers come with it, so you don't really need to worry about buying it unless there's a particular brand you've heard is good (if you go with my Noctua 12UP suggestion, it comes with some excellent grease) -- just make sure to apply it.

My method: A dogtag-bead size drop in the middle of the CPU, spread with your naked finger, don't get it on anything but the flat CPU surface (because it's often electrically conductive), then wash your finger.

 

[mfenn]

And speaking of home use, the Antec 900 has fan LEDs that could light up the night sky, and can't be deactivated without some serious surgery. The CoolerMasters have more reasonable brightness plus an independent LED button-switch.

Not every Antec has LED fans (the Three Hundred doesn't) and not every CoolerMaster has LED fans. If you don't want LED fans, don't buy a case with them.