Mid-range gaming system, about to buy, would like feedback

[andersonviola]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

gaming, family use.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

~1000, but flexible if the performance gain is tangible

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy,
ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

none

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

none

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

OC

8. What resolution will you be using?

planning on getting Asus VH242H 23.6-Inch LCD Monitor, 1080p 16:9

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

any moment

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

Windows 7, but not included in price above

So I have mostly followed mcfenns mid-range posts, and have set up the following:

ASRock z68 pro3 gen3
i5-2500k
CM hyper 212+
m4 128gb
Seagate barracuda 1tb ST31000524AS
HAF912
antec earthwatts 650w
g.skill sniper low voltage 8gb F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2
MSI R7850 twin frozr
lite-on dvd burner

questions:
1. amazon claims there is a newer model of the Seagate, ST1000DM003 vs ST31000524AS that mcfenn suggests. Any difference?
2. Any other tangible reason besides SLI to recommend the ASRock extreme3 over the pro3?
3. Any concerns with low voltage ram, for OCing or other? I wanted to make sure I bought Ram that was officially supported on the ASRock website, and chose it over the g.skill ripjaws (same latency) for the lower voltage.
4. I chose MSI (from tigerdirect) because I read from several places that it was quieter and cooler than the Asus. Any concerns?

This is my 1st build in 6 years, so any other comments/suggestions welcome!

 

[Ken g6]

2. Any other tangible reason besides SLI to recommend the ASRock extreme3 over the pro3?

The extreme 3 has heat sinks on the VRM, so it may overclock your processor a bit better.

I guess you don't want to wait for Ivy Bridge to be available next week?

3. Any concerns with low voltage ram, for OCing or other? I wanted to make sure I bought Ram that was officially supported on the ASRock website, and chose it over the g.skill ripjaws (same latency) for the lower voltage.

Not that I know of. If it's officially supported on the ASRock website. (I didn't check) it should be great!

 

[andersonviola]

I guess you don't want to wait for Ivy Bridge to be available next week?

I was under the impression the gains were not that noticable if using a discrete graphics card for gaming and everyday tasks, but will look into it. When I started putting a system together it was months away, guess I put it out of mind...

 

[mfenn]

It's mfenn.

Anyway, I obviously think that the build looks good. Here's the answers to your questions:
1. The newer model is slightly faster, but I recommend going for whichever one costs less.
2. The Extreme3 has SLI and better cooling as has been mentioned. Those are the big 2.
3. You're fine as long as the voltage is less than 1.5V. You don't really need to pay extra for super-low voltage RAM.
4. The MSI is fine. IMHO Sapphire's cooling solution is the best though.

 

[Charlie98]

If you are going for low voltage RAM, I would probably go with the Samsung over the G.Skill. It's my understanding it is very efficient and will OC very well.

In fact, I have a set setting right here on the desk, I'm fixing to replace my 1.5v Sniper 1600 currently in place.

 

[andersonviola]

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments...

decided to go with a spinpoint f3 1tb for 10$ more, and sapphire 7850 came back in stock on newegg today, so got that.

final build is:

asrock pro3 gen3
i5-2500k
hyper 212
g.skill sniper 1.25 8gb 1600
antec ea-650w
m4 128gb ssd
samsung spinpoint f3 1tb
sapphire 7850
lite-on dvd burner
haf 912
windows 7 64
asus vh242h 24" 1080p

$1300 after only $20 mail-in rebate.

Thanks again mcfenn for your mid-range thread!

 

[VirtualLarry]

yo, yo, mc, mc, mcfenn in da house!

 

[GoStumpy]

yo, yo, mc, mc, mcfenn in da house!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[mfenn]

yo, yo, mc, mc, mcfenn in da house!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

arrrggggggg :whiste:

 

[mfenn]

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments...

decided to go with a spinpoint f3 1tb for 10$ more, and sapphire 7850 came back in stock on newegg today, so got that.

final build is:

asrock pro3 gen3
i5-2500k
hyper 212
g.skill sniper 1.25 8gb 1600
antec ea-650w
m4 128gb ssd
samsung spinpoint f3 1tb
sapphire 7850
lite-on dvd burner
haf 912
windows 7 64
asus vh242h 24" 1080p

$1300 after only $20 mail-in rebate.

Thanks again mfenn for your mid-range thread!

Glad to help! Let us know if you run into any problems during the build.

 

[lehtv]

Yo dawg, we herd u liek mcfenn's advice so we put a post in ur post so u can read while u read

 

[Zameus]

Yo dawg, we herd u liek mcfenn's advice so we put a post in ur post so u can read while u read

Scooby Doo:uuuuuugh?

Nice build. I just finished building my son's PC from recomendations by Lehtv and Mcfenn (kidding) lol mfenn. Looking to build a new rig for myself. May use your build as a building template.

 

[lehtv]

Hah-haa... You must be unfamiliar with the meme Know your meme bro!