Need some comments on my new build in 10 yrs lol

[gnuelxela]

Hi all,

First time posting here, appreciate if anyone can give me some insights/comments on the build I am thinking abt. Recently I actually bought a Dell XPS 8300 as it was on a good deal (i7-2600, 12GB DDR3, etc..) but the customer service was crappy. My system order were shipped in pieces (keyboard/mouse was shipped separately) and I found out that one of the front USB ports doesn't work. Anyways, as I think that system wasn't so great after all, so I decided to return that and assemble my own.

Last time I built my own was when DDR266 was so popular... I had AMD Athlon XP 1800+ with a KT266A board (where's VIA now?). I think that was like 10 yrs ago? Afterwards, I have been using laptops as I went onto uni and never had a chance to get a desktop until now.

I doubt I will OC my system. It will be mainly for some photoshop, gaming and browsing. Expect it to be working for several yrs and have some upgradability.

TLDR version, building a PC with below spec, appreciate comments

CPU: Intel i5-2500K
MB: ASUS P8Z68-V
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-12800
HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB
PSU: Corsair TX650/650M
Case: Fractal Design Core 3000
You may notice that I am lacking a video card here, I am waiting on the Radeon HD 7XXX Series so I am not going to get any for now.

Here's my questions for you guys:
1. Should I get the low profile version of the Vengeance RAM or just the regular ones? As I probably won't OC, should I use the low profile one?
2. Should I add an SSD as the OS drive? (Thinking abt Corsair Force 3 Series)
3. Is my PSU too powerful for my system? (Even including I'll get a Radeon HD 7XXX series card later on)

Thanks so much for reading!

 

[Ken g6]

1. If you're not getting a large CPU cooler (and just using the standard one), you don't need low profile RAM. Edit: 2x4GB > 4x2GB!
2. Think about a Crucial M4 SSD, if you have the money.
3. Hard to say considering the 7XXX series isn't out yet. On the other hand, it might be enough for crossfire. I'd say it's not a bad choice.

We could tell you more, like specific parts, if you answered (the rest of) the questions in [thread=80121]the stickied thread[/thread].

 

[gnuelxela]

Thanks Ken, should be 2x4GB instead, edited haha.
Not sure if really I should get an SSD as my functions are not that high-end.

And here's my response to the sticky:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Photoshop, gaming, browsing, watching TV (maybe some recordings)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
1000 CAD

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

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.
As long as the parts are reliable, I'm open to all brands.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
None

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes, done some research before deciding on the current config.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Not really

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920*1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
In a few weeks

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

 

[lehtv]

Good choice parting with the Dell.

The 650W won't be that overkill, but you'd be fine with 550W. AMD 7000-series, being 28nm manufactured, will not consume as much power as current video cards. AMD recommends a 550W PSU for 6970, I doubt a 7970 will need more than that, probably 500W will be fine for it.

I would recommend that you either overclock the 2500K, or buy a 2400. An OC'd 2500K would be well within your budget. It's easy to OC and just free performance, really, so why not do it?

Here's my list, priced from newegg.ca:

$150 - Mobo - Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
$220 - CPU - Intel i5-2500K
$50 - Cooler - Scythe Mugen 3 silent CPU cooler
$50 - RAM - G.Skill Sniper 1333MHz 2x4GB
$50 - HDD - Samsung F3 1tb
$20 - DVD-drive
$210 - SSD - Crucial M4 128GB
$70 - Case - Coolermaster HAF 912 (-10 USD rebate)

As for the PSU, one of these:
$74 - XFX Core Pro 550W 80+ Bronze (-15 USD rebate)
$100 - XFX Core Pro 650W 80+ Bronze (-30 USD rebate)
$140 - Seasonic X-650 80+ Gold

Total, with Core Pro 550W PSU:
$895 before tax.

A couple of comments: The XFX's are Seasonic manufactured. Consider the SSD optional - leaving it out would let you spend on 80+ Gold PSU, two video cards, a more expensive case, or just lower the budget. The Fractal Design Core 3000 case would be decent, but newegg.ca doesn't have it. You could still get it from NCIX.

I'm not sure if you wanted to include the HD7000 video card within the $1000 budget? If so, I would leave out the SSD and buy the card that's going to cost on $300. SSD prices are still coming down relatively fast while their performance is going up, it'd be sensible to make that upgrade later on. Also if you're dead set on not OC'ing, get a cheaper H67 chipset board, an i5 2400 and either the stock cooler or CM Hyper 212+. That should allow you to stay reasonably within budget even with the SSD and a video card later.

 

[Ken g6]

Ya know, I'm beginning to find some questions missing from those 10, like:
11. Do you need a copy of Windows? Are you a student?

Also, #5 should specifically ask, "Will you reuse your monitor? Do you need accessories like a keyboard, mouse, or speakers?"

 

[gnuelxela]

Ya know, I'm beginning to find some questions missing from those 10, like:
11. Do you need a copy of Windows? Are you a student?

Also, #5 should specifically ask, "Will you reuse your monitor? Do you need accessories like a keyboard, mouse, or speakers?"

I will need a copy of Windows, looks like can't avoid the $100 gone in that =/

I don't have a monitor but that can be excluded from the $1000 budget. Just bought a MS Arc mouse and the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard, they are both very nice. I have my own Altec Lansing 2.2 speakers too.

 

[Ken g6]

I will need a copy of Windows, looks like can't avoid the $100 gone in that =/

$117 actually. :\

CPU: Intel i5-2500K $220
MB: ASUS P8Z68-V LX $130
RAM: G.Skill RipJaws $62
HD Samsung Spinpoint 1TB $50
PSU: Corsair TX650/650M $95 before $15USD rebate.
Case: Oddly, Newegg Canada doesn't seem to sell Fractal cases. Here's a $50 Antec 300.

Total: $725 or so.

At this point, there are a few things you could do. You could get a 128GB Crucial M4 SSD, ~$200. Or if you use Photoshop a lot, you could get an i7 2600k, double up on the RAM, and maybe get a smaller 64GB M4 SSD.

Or you could get a monitor. They're kind of important, you know. :biggrin:

 

[gnuelxela]

Thanks again both of you.

I wouldn't need to include the card within this budget. It will be an upgrade later on XD
I believe I can get most of the parts either from Tigerdirect or NCIX online.

Re lehtv, I think I will OC my system a bit but not too much just to squeeze a bit more performance out of it. But is Crucial M4 128GB too big for a system drive? I was thinking of a 40/60GB just to install win 7 on it to cut down the cost too.

How would you compare Corsair TX650/650M to the XFX Core Pro 650W 80+ Bronze?

I think I missed a bit here, but how come it looks like everyone recommends the Samsung spinpoint HDD?

Also, would you guys recommend using the cooler that came with the CPU or a 3rd party one? If so, which ones are good for i5-2500K?

 

[lehtv]

Re lehtv, I think I will OC my system a bit but not too much just to squeeze a bit more performance out of it. But is Crucial M4 128GB too big for a system drive? I was thinking of a 40/60GB just to install win 7 on it to cut down the cost too.

Yeah sure, I was thinking you'd install games on the SSD but if you don't want to do that a 60GB will be fine for much less $$. Good point.

How would you compare Corsair TX650/650M to the XFX Core Pro 650W 80+ Bronze?

I would say they're equals in quality. The XFX is a Seasonic-built product, and being 80+ Bronze it's probably based on S12II 650W. Corsair TX650v2/M is great too, likely built by Seasonic as well but not sure.

I think I missed a bit here, but how come it looks like everyone recommends the Samsung spinpoint HDD?

It's cheaper than WD Caviar Black, yet slightly faster. Not that speed matters much when you've got an SSD for a system drive... but price does.

Also, would you guys recommend using the cooler that came with the CPU or a 3rd party one? If so, which ones are good for i5-2500K?

I don't think you should OC "just a little bit". Either OC to 4.5Ghz or so, or don't OC - and in the latter case you can save some serious money by going for a non-overclockable CPU and a H67 board (no OC support). The stock cooler is fine, as far as stock coolers go. Loud at full RPM, cools adequately non-overclocked. Personally would go for a $25 Coolermaster 212+ at the very least, OC or not. I'm kind of partial to Scythe Mugen though, I really love the 300-1600RPM fan. Dead silent.

Since you're not including the VGA in your $1000 I'd say go balls to the wall and grab a good cooler for the 2500K, OC it to 4.5GHz, and make sure you get a case with good cable management, bottom-mounted PSU (hole under it for PSU air intake), good build quality and cooling potential and all that. It's really the only proper route at that budget IMO. Add $100 for Windows to my original build, replace the SSD and you're at less than $1000.

 

[evilspoons]

For what it's worth, I bought an ASUS P8Z68-V PRO in May and the Corsair Vengeance RAM I picked up for it didn't work. All sorts of rebooting and the "Mem OK" thing going bonkers.

I had to return the Corsair kit and get some G.Skill Ripjaws of similar spec and - surprisingly - lower cost, then it was happy as can be.

Maybe I just had bad Corsair sticks, but... that's my $0.02.

Also: the "won't be overclocking" idea: if the non-PRO P8Z68-V has the same feature as the PRO, you can get a decent, stable overclock by literally pressing one button and waiting a few minutes for it to reboot several times. Totally worth it.

 

[gnuelxela]

For what it's worth, I bought an ASUS P8Z68-V PRO in May and the Corsair Vengeance RAM I picked up for it didn't work. All sorts of rebooting and the "Mem OK" thing going bonkers.

Was this due to the system was checking the optimal OC lvl? I've read some post saying that the MB has that function and won't boot normally until it finds the optimal speed. Anyone can confirm?

Re lehtv, mmmmhmmm Scythe Mugen eh? Just read something on it and it's a Japanese product, gotta love them

 

[T_Yamamoto]

if you arent OCing, get a p67 board.

 

[lehtv]

if you arent OCing, get a p67 board.

P67 is an overclocking chipset.. It's H67 that isn't

 

[gnuelxela]

if you arent OCing, get a p67 board.

But P67 has no IGP support, so I'm with a system with no video card until Radeon HD 7000 comes out lol

 

[lehtv]

H67 does have IGP support. Could be worth it for you to just go with a microATX H67 (can be had for $60-80 IIRC) and i5-2400

 

[T_Yamamoto]

well then drop down to h67
microATX if you want to save money, but can only hold 2x240 pin RAM D:

 

[lehtv]

There are several microATX boards that can hold 4 memory modules. In general they're priced a bit higher, but still cheaper than regular ATX.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

didnt know that, good to know

 

[evilspoons]

Was this due to the system was checking the optimal OC lvl? I've read some post saying that the MB has that function and won't boot normally until it finds the optimal speed. Anyone can confirm?

Re lehtv, mmmmhmmm Scythe Mugen eh? Just read something on it and it's a Japanese product, gotta love them

That's sort of how it works, it screws around with memory parameters until it finds a combination that results in the system booting and the memory running around the speed it's supposed to run at. Normally, it's supposed to take a minute or so to process.

Mine would just sit there blinking the "MemOK" light forever.

 

[gnuelxela]

There are several microATX boards that can hold 4 memory modules. In general they're priced a bit higher, but still cheaper than regular ATX.

But in my case, cost isn't really a tight concern as long as the parts quality are good.
The reason why I didn't get a mATX board is:
1. Looking at Z68 chipset
2. Looking at ASUS boards
--> unless I pay the premium going for that "RED" PCB board, otherwise, looks like I have 4-5 Z68 to choose from ASUS and they are all ATX.

If cost isn't an issue, any changes to you guys suggestion on all the parts?

 

[lehtv]

I wouldn't change anything with regard to my suggestions -_____-

 

[T_Yamamoto]

ASRock z68 Extreme 3

im japanese

 

[gnuelxela]

im japanese

you guys always have the fancy tech stuffs!
I am very tempted by the cooler now!

 

[mfenn]

Here's my list, priced from newegg.ca:

$150 - Mobo - Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
$220 - CPU - Intel i5-2500K
$50 - Cooler - Scythe Mugen 3 silent CPU cooler
$50 - RAM - G.Skill Sniper 1333MHz 2x4GB
$50 - HDD - Samsung F3 1tb
$20 - DVD-drive
$210 - SSD - Crucial M4 128GB
$70 - Case - Coolermaster HAF 912 (-10 USD rebate)

As for the PSU, one of these:
$74 - XFX Core Pro 550W 80+ Bronze (-15 USD rebate)

This looks good to me. Though I will point out that the XFX Core series are built by CWT and not Seasonic. CWT is a pretty good manufacturer, but not many are up to the level of Seasonic (not that it's necessary for this build).

 

[mfenn]

But in my case, cost isn't really a tight concern as long as the parts quality are good.
The reason why I didn't get a mATX board is:
1. Looking at Z68 chipset
2. Looking at ASUS boards
--> unless I pay the premium going for that "RED" PCB board, otherwise, looks like I have 4-5 Z68 to choose from ASUS and they are all ATX.

If cost isn't an issue, any changes to you guys suggestion on all the parts?

Why do you need ASUS? Nothing suggested thus far is low quality. The real question you should ask yourself is, "What does the $50 difference between the ASUS and ASRock buy me?" The answer to that question could very well be "A 7950 instead of a 7870".