New Build for Friend

[theattrox]

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

Gaming (Starcraft 2, Battlefield 3, Diablo 3), Photo Editing (Photoshop CS5, Lightroom 3, Adobe Bridge), Light Video Editing (1080p, Adobe Premiere, After Effects)

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

$1500

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

California (NewEgg, Amazon (Prime Member), NCIX, Frys Electronics (they match prices with Micro Center)

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.

Intel and Nvidia Fanboy

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

Keyboard, Mouse, Dell U2410, Speakers, Headphones, HD, DVD Drive, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

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

Overclock
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1200
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

This week


So this is for a friend of mine who wants to game on the highest graphic settings and also does lots of photo editing on adobe cs5 and light video editing on adobe premiere. I may end up building one for myself if I can't wait.

So far here's an idea I came up with:

Case (Corsair 650d) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%20650d

CPU - Can't decide between i5-2500k or i7-2600k Does photoshop cs5 take advantage of hyper-threading and is the speed difference really that noticeable? I spoke on the phone with Fry's Electronics and they will match prices with Micro Center.

Cooler (Noctua) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835608018

Mobo (gigabyte z68) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128512

HD - Going to use old ones for now since of the ridiculous prices

SSD - (Crucial M4 128gb) http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-2-5-In...9569153&sr=1-2

GPU (Evga 570 on sale for $299.99) - http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=58573&promoid=1146

PSU (SeaSonic X750 Gold $124 with promo) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-17151087-L04C

RAM (Gskill 8gb) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Since I might be building one for myself as well, I really prefer quality parts and nothing flashy. I also want room to be future proof in case of adding an additional card or something. I also have prime membership on amazon if I can find better deals.

 

[Ken g6]

2. What YOUR budget is.

$1500

Wow! That good a friend, or you just think you need to spend this much?

CPU - Can't decide between i5-2500k or i7-2600k Does photoshop cs5 take advantage of hyper-threading and is the speed difference really that noticeable?

Photoshop does. I'm hearing so does BF3! 2600k FTW.

I'd make some changes:

- Case: $60 Antec Three Hundred

- PSU: 750W is a bad size. Either get 650W if he's not going to add a second 570 in SLI, or 850W if he is.

- RAM: Double it!

 

[lehtv]

You've obviously done some research. Some comments:

• Nice find on the PSU... given the budget I'm gonna give a green light on that :thumbsup: but the Seasonic-manufactured XFX 650W and 750W are just $50AR and $70AR (modular version $90 AR)
• If you chose the PSU and mobo for SLI-compatibility, a case with a side fan would be a nice complement (e.g. Corsair 500R, Rosewill Thor V2) though not necessary
• Thermalright HR-02 Macho performs nearly as well as the Noctua, will fit the 650D but not sure about the ones with a big side fan ... Not sure if NH-D14 will fit them either. Impossible to find cooler clearance measurements these days
• I'd prefer a cooler and quieter Gigabyte GTX 570 at $315 AR

@ ken g6

Seasonic X-750 will handle 570 SLI with ease (edit: normally I'd prefer 850W too but as this costs the same as the X650 at the moment it's a great deal)

 

[theattrox]

A psu is something I don't really want to skimp out on, especially if in the future we decide to sli. I'd prefer modular and something quiet but it doesn't have to be silent. So the 650d isn't a good choice for airflow? Are there any other options that have a similar design? I've only used evga and had good experience with them, does gigabyte deliver the same performance?

btw thanks for such quick replies!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

The 650D is fine, on the other hand, the 800 & 700 D have bad airflow..

has 800D

 

[Ken g6]

Seasonic X-750 will handle 570 SLI with ease

Too bad Anandtech doesn't have a 570 SLI power bench. But considering the 570 takes more power than the 470, and the 470 SLI uses up to 740W, I wouldn't chance a 750W PSU on 570 SLI. Especially if overclocking becomes involved.

 

[lehtv]

I'd prefer modular and something quiet but it doesn't have to be silent.

The X series will actually be silent (read: fan not spinning) on low loads, and that may include the load wattage during gaming with GTX570.

So the 650d isn't a good choice for airflow?

It has decent airflow, but not the best for dual-GPU setups

I've only used evga and had good experience with them, does gigabyte deliver the same performance?

Performance of course is the same, they're both GTX 570's. The gigabyte probably overclocks better due to the good cooler. And as mentioned it is quieter and cooler because of the triple-fan cooler. But it will dump more heat inside the case, and while that won't be a problem with a single GPU it will require good airflow in SLI. EVGA 570 SLI also benefits from good airflow, of course, but it's not as crucial.

 

[lehtv]

Too bad Anandtech doesn't have a 570 SLI power bench. But considering the 570 takes more power than the 470, and the 470 SLI uses up to 740W, I wouldn't chance a 750W PSU on 570 SLI. Especially if overclocking becomes involved.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-570-sli-review/13

System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 578W
(Core i7 965 @ 3750 MHz (25x150 @ 1.35v)

Power consumption in Furmark isn't realistic. Look at Crysis power consumption instead: 470 SLI uses 579W, which is perfectly fine for X-750 (under 80% of rated wattage.)

 

[theattrox]

Well, I can't seem to find any good deals on modular psu's with 850+ Watt. Besides the XFX what about the Corsair TX850? Is SLI worth it? I kind of really like that seasonic since its pretty much silent.

 

[lehtv]

XFX 850W 80+ silver, modular for $110 AR (Seasonic-manufactured just like X-750). The fan will spin at all loads though but I'd expect the GPU to be make much more noise at idle (and load, obviously).

 

[theattrox]

Nice, thanks lehtv. Would modular really matter in a case like the 650d or the 500r since I can tuck the cables in the back? I've also never heard of the HR-02 you recommended I see you use a Scythe Mugen 2, do you have any others in mind? Forgive me it's been forever since I've built my last computer.

On the other note: Besides running cooler and quiet with the gigabyte you don't think the evga 570 is the better bang for the buck at 299 and warranty?

 

[trexpesto]

$15 off Antec 300 w/ promo code EMCJKHE27, ends 10/31

 

[lehtv]

Nice, thanks lehtv. Would modular really matter in a case like the 650d or the 500r since I can tuck the cables in the back?

Well in the end it probably won't make a huge difference but it will make managing cables easier. You'd probably have an unused PCIe power cord, unused SATA connectors, unused molex connectors etc. that you'd have to tuck in the case somewhere if you couldn't detach them.

I've also never heard of the HR-02 you recommended I see you use a Scythe Mugen 2, do you have any others in mind?

Mugen 3 is a good cooler, but HR-02 Macho is better easily for the same price. For a high end cooler I could also recommend Noctua's top-down coolers like C14 and C12P. If you want to save a bit of cash, go with Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, it'll get you to 4.5 and it's still reasonably quiet.

On the other note: Besides running cooler and quiet with the gigabyte you don't think the evga 570 is the better bang for the buck at 299 and warranty?

It depends on what you value in a card. Personally I think the better cooling is worth $15 more, and Gigabyte still offers 3 year warranty which isn't bad by any means.

 

[theattrox]

lehtv, do you have a link with details of the gigabyte card? I've been reading up on the evga and a lot of people complain about the loud fan whine noises. This would drive me nuts.

 

[lehtv]

Gigabyte 570 on newegg (check the user reviews, they praise the good temps and acoustics).

 

[theattrox]

Gigabyte 570 on newegg (check the user reviews, they praise the good temps and acoustics).

Did you notice the last 4 recent reviews are all 1 star doa?

 

[lehtv]

Any card can be DOA, even EVGA.

Someone with a DOA card is probably eager to write on newegg about it, while those with a working card are busy enjoying their GPU.

 

[ItsAlive]

$15 off Antec 300 w/ promo code EMCJKHE27, ends 10/31

Thats for the Antec 300 Illusion, it comes with 2 extra 120mm fans that the basic 300 doesn't have. I have 2 of these cases and at $45 each shipped, they are some of the best cases you can buy. Theres plenty of room in them, the build quality is superb, the layout is great, and the fans all have fan controller switches so you can adjust them for silence or performance.

 

[lehtv]

300 Illusion at $45 is a steal, +1 on that. Who cares about poor cable management when you only pay $45

 

[theattrox]

It is a good deal indeed, but my friend and I have agreed we like the corsair and lian li cases.

 

[mfenn]

I'm hearing so does BF3! 2600k FTW.

In theory, yes. In practice, that $100 is better spent on the GPU IMHO.

 

[mfenn]

You've obviously done some research. Some comments:

• Nice find on the PSU... given the budget I'm gonna give a green light on that :thumbsup: but the Seasonic-manufactured XFX 650W and 750W are just $50AR and $70AR (modular version $90 AR)
• If you chose the PSU and mobo for SLI-compatibility, a case with a side fan would be a nice complement (e.g. Corsair 500R, Rosewill Thor V2) though not necessary
• Thermalright HR-02 Macho performs nearly as well as the Noctua, will fit the 650D but not sure about the ones with a big side fan ... Not sure if NH-D14 will fit them either. Impossible to find cooler clearance measurements these days
• I'd prefer a cooler and quieter Gigabyte GTX 570 at $315 AR

:thumbsup: to this. I'd say to get the 650W though. The rule of thumb about "upgrading to SLI" is don't. High-end GPU prices do not decrease much (if at all) before stocks dry up. When the 28nm GPUs come out, you will look pretty silly paying $250 for GTX 570.

 

[theattrox]

Well my friend and I have decided we are going to stick with the i5-2500k, I don't think it will make such a big difference after reading up on it.

 

[theattrox]

:thumbsup: to this. I'd say to get the 650W though. The rule of thumb about "upgrading to SLI" is don't. High-end GPU prices do not decrease much (if at all) before stocks dry up. When the 28nm GPUs come out, you will look pretty silly paying $250 for GTX 570.

When over clocking isn't it safer to have higher wattage on the powersupply? In that case i'll probably stick with the seasonic for silence.

 

[mfenn]

When over clocking isn't it safer to have higher wattage on the powersupply? In that case i'll probably stick with the seasonic for silence.

Safer in the sense that you might be able to push the overclock a bit further? Yes.

Safer in the sense that it is less likely to explode? Not really. The PSUs we've recommended are all high-quality units with good overcurrent protection.