New Computer Build (SB)

[Skillet49]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for:
Mainly a general purpose system. I will be gaming which is the main focus of the build, but I would like the flexibility to do some workstation type simulations (HFSS, Heavy Matlab code, etc).

2. What YOUR budget is: I would like to keep everything under $1200 if possible.

3. Everything will be purchased in the U.S.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference: Other than going Intel for SB not much. I prefer Nvidia cards, but would be open to a solid AMD/ATI card if the price/performance is right.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are:
I am mostly starting over with this build, I might use an optical drive from my current computer and some of my storage drives, nothing else.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads:
I’ve been looking over the SB threads for weeks, trying to get a good feel of what is out there and what the best price/performance parts are.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds: I feel like it would be a shame to get SB and not overclock some. I won’t be going for a maximum overclock, just a nice stable boost in speed.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with: I’m looking at some 23’’ to 24’’ monitors so 1980x1080 will be what I will be gaming on.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? I’m assembling and ordering parts in the next week or so, though I might delay the graphics card until I see how the GTX 560 performs.

Here are the parts that I am currently thinking about:
CPU: 2500K $225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072

Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 PRO $189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131682

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 or Antec Six Hundred $100 or $65

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-197-_-Product
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129079

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20EA650%20650W

Ram: (Already Purchased) G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $93
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...01600%20sniper

Heatsink: CORSAIR CAFA50 120mm $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-012-_-Product

Monitor: ASUS VE247H Black 23.6" 2ms Full HD HDMI LED $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236112

I still have no idea what to get for an optical drive or possibly a SSD for booting.
Also I’m open to GPU options, I’ve been leaning towards a GTX 460 (and overclocking), but again not sure on this point.
Please feel free to critique and add suggestions.
Thanks

 

[mnewsham]

Go ahead with that basic build, wait for the GTX 560 and get the HAF 922 because it is a nice High airflow case, although for budget concerns the antec 600 is still a solid choice, For SSD get this. And i would reccomend changing out the heat sink for this one

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Go ahead with that basic build, wait for the GTX 560 and get the HAF 922 because it is a nice High airflow case, although for budget concerns the antec 600 is still a solid choice, For SSD get this. And i would reccomend changing out the heat sink for this one

Vertex 2 120 GB is $198 AR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227551).

Also for HSF's, the Corsair A50 is $25 AR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181012), and the A70 is $32. There are many other options, but really the stock HSF and SB doesn't need exotic cooling. You could most likely get away with stock HSF if you're only OC'ing a bit.

 

[Skillet49]

Vertex 2 120 GB is $198 AR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227551).

Also for HSF's, the Corsair A50 is $25 AR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181012), and the A70 is $32. There are many other options, but really the stock HSF and SB doesn't need exotic cooling. You could most likely get away with stock HSF if you're only OC'ing a bit.

I did notice that the A50 was $25 AR, but I wanted to keep the pricing somewhat fair in comparing parts so I didn't include it.

I also looked up the XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V and it didn't seem to perform as well as either the A50 or the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus. So I think as far as HSF's go I'll stick with one of them.

As far as SSD's go, which controller is the best one now? I haven't kept up on the SSD market.

Thanks

 

[mnewsham]

As far as SSD's go, which controller is the best one now? I haven't kept up on the SSD market.

Thanks

Sandforce 1200 or wait for sandforce 2000

 

[Skillet49]

As far as cases are concerned, do you think I will really need the air-flow that the HAF922 or Antec 600 gives? Or do you think I could get away with an Antec 300?

Because if I add either of those SSD's to my budget my price goes up to just over $1000, and I'm trying to allow for about $250 for the GTX 560.

Any thoughts on alternate cases that would still provide good air-flow on a budget?

 

[zi0n.]

Or do you think I could get away with an Antec 300?

I would def get the 300.

 

[dpodblood]

I would buy the GTX 470, or wait until the GTX 560 is released.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I haven't kept up on graphics, but at that resolution I think the SSD is more important than a GTX 470 vs 560 debate. At 1920x1080 only in very few games will a better graphics card give any actual improvement that would be noticed (remember that over ~60 FPS the human eye can't even register so as long as your minimums are 65+ you'll be fine). The SSD is a significant boost in realized performance.

I might even go so far as to suggest a mid range card now and upgrade in 6 months or so selling your current one.

 

[BoomerD]

Do you NEED the extra airflow of the HAF case? No way to know. Cases are as much a matter of the looks as they are the air flow potential. Having a case that you hate the appearance of won't make up for great air flow...and conversely, one that you love but has poor air handling characteristics isn't a good option either.
I LIKE the looks of the HAF cases...and the outstanding air flow potential is just a nice side benefit...

 

[Skillet49]

Do you NEED the extra airflow of the HAF case? No way to know. Cases are as much a matter of the looks as they are the air flow potential. Having a case that you hate the appearance of won't make up for great air flow...and conversely, one that you love but has poor air handling characteristics isn't a good option either.
I LIKE the looks of the HAF cases...and the outstanding air flow potential is just a nice side benefit...

Ok so I stuck with most everything from my original list, but I switched CPU Coolers to COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

Because it's slightly cheaper than the Corsair A50.

Also I found that Newegg also has the Antec 900 on sale for the same price as the HAF 922. Any thoughts on either of those cases?

Thanks

 

[Zargon]

i just did a buid in a NZXT Vulcan, it flows decent air, especially if you add the giant side fan you can purcahse for it

 

[mfenn]

Ok so I stuck with most everything from my original list, but I switched CPU Coolers to COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

Because it's slightly cheaper than the Corsair A50.

Also I found that Newegg also has the Antec 900 on sale for the same price as the HAF 922. Any thoughts on either of those cases?

Thanks

I would not bother with anything beyond the stock heatsink. Anand got it up to 4.4GHz. The 212+ will be quieter though.

Everything on your original list looks good except for the mobo. You don't need to pay such a ridiculous amount for one unless there's something that you're not telling us. I'd grab the 2500K + GA-P67A-UD3 combo for $335.

For the SSD, get a Sandforce. The 60GB Agility 2 is $100 AR. Also, pretty much any $20 optical drive will do.