new build finally!

[Renegade_09]

Been too long since I built a computer. Last computer was back in 2004 and I've finally decided to just go with a i5-2500k after going back and forth with AMD and Intel. I really never upgrade computer components unless it craps out on me. Only reason I'm building a new one after 7 years is because I gave my AMD Barton Mobile 2500XP to my little sister.

I'm going to hold out until later for video card so I'm going to get the i5-2500k to use the integrated GPU. Any mobos you guys recommendation?
I'm having a hard time deciding on a case. So many options in the $80-110 range. All prices are in CAD. Going to get most of my components at NCIX and PM with other Canadian retailers if I see a cheaper price using pricebat.ca

Can't decide on these cases.

Antec Solo II $110
Antec P280 $112
Fractal Design Arc MIDI $100
Fractal Design Define R3 $110
NZXT H2 White $85
Corsair Carbide Series 500R $90

I want something quiet, good airflow, lots of storage for HD, and good cable management. Probably asking for too much haha but if anyone knows of a case in that price range please let me know.

Here's what I got so far. I'll be transferring my WD 1TB BLACK and WD 2TB Green over. I already have a DVD drive so this is all I basically need and maybe a quiet CPU cooler or I might just stick with the stock CPU cooler since I won't be overclocking. I'm learning more towards the Corsair 500R because it's Corsair. I'm going to have to read some more reviews and find out which case would be best.

[CPU] Intel Core i5 2500K $218.99 *PM MemoryHouse

[MOBO] Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-B3 $114.99 *PM Newegg.ca

[GPU] Not needed yet but I'm thinking in the $150 price range. I seen a HD 6870 on sale for that price just recently.

[RAM] G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL Ripjaws 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN DIMM Memory $39.99

[CASE] Corsair Carbide Series 500R $89.99

[PSU Seasonic X660 Gold ATX 12V 24PIN 660W Active PFC 80PLUS Gold Modular SLI Ready Power Supply $99.99 Kind of expensive but it's the cheapest one I've found thats 80PLUS and Modular. Anything comparable in the past for cheaper? I might hold out a bit more for boxing day deals.

Total = $563.95 + 73.31 (13% taxes) = $637.26

edit:
[PSU] OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W ATX 20/24PIN SLI Ready Modular Cables 135mm Fan Active PFC Power Supply $44.22 AFTER PM AND $25 REBATE *PM Direct Canada
Found another PSU at half the price

Updated Total = $533.18 + 69.13 (13% taxes) = $602.49 -$25 rebate = $577.49

 

[mfenn]

Everything looks fine except for the PSU. The X660 is overkill, but the OCZ is crappy. With the cases that you're looking at, you don't really need a modular PSU anyway.

What sort of gaming do you expect to do eventually? That is really what determines how much CPU you should buy. If you're only going to game moderately, you don't need anything more than a 430W.

 

[Renegade_09]

I do want to try out BF3 for the PC but I don't think I'll play it too much. I'm not that much into gaming anymore and I have my PS3 for most of my gaming if I ever get bored. I'm building this basically to upgrade and for Diablo 3.

Ok. So I don't need a modular PSU. What would you recommend?

How about these?

[PSU] XFX 650W PRO650W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 53A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS Bronze PSU $44.99 after $30 MIR

[PSU] Antec Earthwatts Green 500W Power Supply ATX12V V2.0 Active PFC 80PLUS Bronze 80MM Fan $49.99

 

[queequeg99]

I might consider this one:

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=52173&vpn=S12II 520&manufacture=Seasonic Electronics

$20 cheaper and because it's not so outrageously beyond what you need watts-wise, it should run more efficiently.

 

[Renegade_09]

Isn't the Antec Earthwatts Green 500W at $49.99 the same but cheaper than the Seasonic?

So here's the new build

[CPU] Intel Core i5 2500K $218.99 *PM MemoryHouse

[MOBO] Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-B3 $114.99 *PM Newegg.ca

[GPU] Something in the $150 price range? Maybe a 6870 or 6850? Planning on running Diablo 3 but I do want to try out BF3. I haven't PC game for 4-5 years so getting this PC might get me back into gaming again.

[RAM] G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL Ripjaws 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN DIMM Memory $39.99

[CASE] Corsair Carbide Series 500R $89.99

[PSU] Antec Earthwatts Green 500W Power Supply ATX12V V2.0 Active PFC 80PLUS Bronze 80MM Fan $49.99

Total = $513.95 + 66.81 (13% taxes) = $580.76

Saved me around $57 going with the Antec 500W.

What you guys think about the motherboard and ram? Will they all work together fine?

 

[Ken g6]

That XFX 650W is the PSU I was going to point you to, but any of them work. RAM's good.

If you're not overclocking, you can step down to an i5 2400 for $200. You could also choose a cheaper H67 or H61 mobo such as this one.

 

[mfenn]

Current build looks good. Something like a 6870 for $150 is more than enough for Diablo 3 and will run BF3 decently well if you don't mind lowering a few settings.

 

[Renegade_09]

Forgot to mention that I'm using a LG 1080p LCD HDTV for a monitor right now. Will that 6870 be enough for 1080p gaming? And on which settings (low,medium,high, or ultra)

 

[mfenn]

Depends on the game. Diablo 3? Ultra. BF3? High

 

[Renegade_09]

Not sure what settings but I guess pretty high. Going from PC to console now back to PC I think I would satisfied with high for BF3. I just want an efficient and quiet video card for gaming. I hear that the 6870 is considerably louder than the 6950. Not sure if this is true but that's what my friend told me.

Still haven't built my computer yet.

Got some deals on some sales and picked up a few parts. Now I'm just having a hard time picking a motherboard. I'm just looking to run a single video card. I've been hearing a lot of bad things about ASUS. Not their motherboard but RMA service. Not sure what brand of motherboard I should get. Gigabyte, MSI, Asrock, or Asus?

ASUS P8Z68-V Pro GEN3 $210

ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 $188

Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 $160

ASRock Z68 EXTREME3 GEN3 $135

Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-B3 $126

ASUS P8Z68-V LX $124

I also picked up the Seasonic S12II 520W for $60 along with my i5 2500k for $190.

I haven't picked a case yet. But there was a Fractal Design R3 on sale for $60. It was a door crasher on Boxing Day here in Canada and I couldn't manage to get one at that price.

 

[mfenn]

It depends on the specific coolers, but in general, the 6870 should be quieter than the 6950 2GB. PC "high" is better than anything on consoles though.

There is no need for you to spend a ton of money on the mobo. Out of the ones that you listed, I would go with the P8Z68-V LX or GA-Z68A-D3H, they have all the single-GPU features that you need.

 

[Renegade_09]

I'm thinking of adding a SSD to this build. Can anyone comment on the Patriot Memory Torqx 2 128GB for $129.99 CAD. See it on sale for and was wondering if I should keep it.

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/redirect.ht...sc-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=15121&creative=330641

 

[VirtualLarry]

Torx 2 SSD is Phison controller. Might want to read up a bit on those, before purchase.

 

[mfenn]

Torx 2 SSD is Phison controller. Might want to read up a bit on those, before purchase.

Wow, never heard of that one. In the SSD controller world, being unknown is worse than having a bad reputation because the controllers with bad reputations and least have workarounds!