[New Build] Critique on New Build parts list

[rh535]

It has been 3 years, since I built my last computer. I will try to get the same lifespan on this new rig. I have some questions about my parts list. I will also be using my Samsung monitor as my secondary monitor (Dual display for TV, watching movies while trying to do school work etc.. I will not use the Samsung to game, only my new ASUS 25’ monitor. I will be purchasing my products from Newegg and Amazon (Hopefully more Amazon for the free 2-day shipping) My purposed new rig is linked with product pages from Newegg and Amazon.

Budget Range – Would like to keep under $3,000 USD. I just want to make smart decisions.

Location - USA

System Usage from Most to Least Important:

Play new games (Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3)
Encode movies
Rip/Burn Blu-ray and DVD’s
Watch Blu-Ray/DVD Movies
Will try to maximize with Overclocking (Nothing crazy)

Approximate Purchase Date:

A couple of weeks

SLI or Crossfire:

Probably - In the future(around Christmas)

Parts Not Required:

Keyboard
Extra Hard drive space - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb (I have 4 of these)

Current Rig (3 Years Old)

Mobo – Asus P5W DH Deluxe
CPU – Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz : Running at 2.30
GPU - EVGA 320-P2-N817-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3
Memory - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) & Another set of name brand memory (2 x 1GB)
Monitor - SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms
Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb (I have 4 of these)
Keyboard – Microsoft Sidewinder X6
Mouse – Logitech G5
PSU – OCZ 600w


Purposed NEW Rig

Case - Cooler Master HAF X Full Tower w/ SuperSpeed USB 3.0 w/ Window w/ Black Interior ATX Case (RC-942-KKN1) - $198.63
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...d=3PMHWEDXXGRW

Mobo – ASUS LGA 1155 SATA 6Gbps USB 3.0 Supported Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 2400 Motherboards P8Z68-V PRO - $209.99
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/...

CPU – Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K - $314.99
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Tu...

GPU - EVGA DS Superclocked 015-P3-1587-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB - $474.99
EVGA DS Superclocked 015-P3-1587-AR GeForce GTX 58...
Or

EVGA 03G-P3-1584-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 3072MB - $589.99
EVGA 03G-P3-1584-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 3072MB...

Memory - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $189.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DD...

Monitor – ASUS VE258Q Black 25" HDMI LED - $259.99
ASUS VE258Q Black 25" 2ms HDMI LED Backlight Wide...

Hard Drive / SSD – OCZ Vertex 3 Series – MAX IOPS Edition VTX3MI-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $289.99
OCZ Vertex 3 Series – MAX IOPS Edition VTX3M...

Mouse – Cyborg R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse for PC - $75.99
http://www.amazon.com/Cyborg-R-T-Gam...d=3PMHWEDXXGRW

PSU - OCZ Technology ZX Series 850W Power Supply - $169.00 (After Rebate)
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technology...d=3PMHWEDXXGRW

OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit 1-Pack - OEM - $139.99

CPU Heatsink - Noctua 6 NH-D14 - $80.99
Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler

Blu-Ray Burner - LITE-ON Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback SATA iHBS212 - $134.99
LITE-ON 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-R...

CPU Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver 5- $6.50
http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Silver-...d=3PMHWEDXXGRW

Speakers

No Idea. Would like 5.1. I have a older set, that i might use. Any suggestions?


Questions

1.) Is the extra 1.5GB worth it on the GPU front? I like to run many apps at once. I also do a good amount for ripping/encoding

2.) Since the ASUS monitor is new and I have not seen any reviews, by looking at the specs does it look like it would be good for gaming and movie watching?

3.) Will 850W be enough for this system? I would like to add another GPU around Christmas and make it an SLI rig. Also remember the 4 WD Black hard drives from current rig

4.) Is the Noctua NH-D14 complete overkill?

5.) Is Artic Silver 5 still the best stuff?

6.) Should I add a sound card? When I built my last rig, onboard sound sucked. Is it still awful? If I should add a sound card.
Which one? *I might add another GPU around X-Mas (Info for space considerations on motherboard)

7.) Is the amount of RAM overkill for multi-tasking and future games and apps?

8.) Anything i might be missing?


Thanks for all the help. Any advice or ideas is appreciated
Robert

 

[dma0991]

1. Not worth it especially if you have Intel QuickSync with the Z68 board.
2. 1080P on a 25" monitor I do not recommend. Preferably if the monitor that is more than 23" to have a higher resolution than 1080P.
3. 850W for a dual SLI GTX580 is sufficient but if you're waiting till Christmas for another card then most probably the newer 28nm cards would be released. I suggest something slightly cheaper while you wait for the newer cards.
4. No heatsink can ever be overkill.
5. Not the best stuff but there are alternatives like Tuniq TX-4 or Artic MX-4.
6. If you could afford for a sound card then get it. If you can't afford it then it is just an unnecessary luxury. Don't worry about spacing as I've fitted a Titanium above the top GPU in the PCIe x1 slot.
7. It depends but 8GB should be enough for most users.
8. Stick with other brands besides OCZ for the PSU. Try Seasonic, Corsair or Silverstone.

 

[Puppies04]

1. No not really, if you arent pushing multiple monitors i also would recomend you dont bother going SLI with 580's it is just complete overkill, save your money.

2. Fully agree with dma0991 find a higher res screen especially if you want to actually use that GTX580 to it's full potential.

3. 850w will be fine even overkill if you take my advice about not going SLI

4. If you are happy spending that much for a couple of degrees difference go for it, there are plenty of very good coolers for around $20-$30 that will be fine for that CPU unless you are really going to push the OC

5.Different people like different brands but it is a quality thermal paste

6.Completly up to you, my sugggestion would be build it first then see if you are happy with the sound quality from the onboard sound.

7. WAY overkill, you could get away with 4GB i suggest 8GB and you know you have more than enough. Keep in mind if you ever did need more it is a 5 minute job to retrofit more.

8. How are you planning on utilising the SSD? If you are just looking for a OS drive grab an 80GB one or if you just want to use the intel cache feature on the Z68 grab a 60GB one.

 

[rh535]

Could you recommend a good monitor with higher resolutions? I don't want a '27. I would sit to close to the display.

 

[rh535]

I was looking at some IPS monitors and have found a couple which i think might work

HP Smart Buy ZR24w 24-inch S-IPS Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.macmall.com/p/6110671

Dell UltraSharp U2311H 23"
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...ynote_irrank=0

Would these be a lot better than the ASUS i picked out?
Would it be okay for gaming and Blu-Ray? (Response-Time)

Also i looked at some other PSU options. I got some feedback about using OCZ as my PSU. For a little bit more i can get this

SilverStone ATX12V/EPS12V 1200W 80+ Gold PFC Power Supply ST1200-G
http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-AT...d=3PMHWEDXXGRW

Any thoughts?


Thanks

 

[mfenn]

I agree with dma and Puppies with regard to your specific questions. As for my general thoughts:
- SLI GTX 580s for 1080P is just silly.
- The HAF X is overkill and huge. Make sure you have room for it.
- 16GB of RAM is overkill, stick to 8GB
- OCZ PSUs aren't very good and let's not even talk about a 1.2KW PSU. I'd advise ditching the notion of "upgrading to SLI" and sticking with a 650W PSU.
- Mobo is overkill. Are there any specific features that you need over something like the ASRock Pro3?
- Both monitors are good, but I would personally go with the HP because I like 16:10 better than 16:9.

 

[rh535]

A mis-communication with my parents revealed i won't be getting the computer til mid-summer(end of June/July) anyway. I will keep all the information learned in mind while making the final decision in the summer.

Look forward to bringing a more updated version of potential specs during that time.

Thanks again
Robert