New Gaming Build Critique Request

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K

kazemax

Junior Member
Sep 10, 2011
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I can sense my current machine is about to die on me, so I was looking to build a replacement gaming pc. I’ve read a lot of the build threads and have come up with the build list below. It would greatly be appreciated if I could get some feedback on the parts I’ve selected and to make sure they are all compatible. I’m also open to suggestions as the list is not set in stone. Thanks for the review in advance.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Basically a multi-purpose pc for web browsing, multimedia, home file storage, gaming. I would like to play the following games on good settings. WoW, SC2 and Diablo III and Guild Wars 2 when they come out.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$1,000 budget (might be willing to go a bit more if it’s worth it)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA and probably 1 stop shopping from Newegg

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.
Not really a fan boy of brands, just want to get the most reliable and best bang for your buck parts.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers (basically anything outside of the actual case)

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

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Don’t plan on overclocking at the moment but may decided to try it out when I can get over the fact that I might screw it up in the process.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1680x1050 is my current gaming resolution, maxed out based on my current card.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Now

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
No problem here if it’s going to save me money.

CPU: Intel i5-2500K ($219.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072
RAM: G.SKILL Value Series 8GB ($43.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
GPU: Sapphire 6950 2GB ($244.99AR) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102945
PSU: XFX Core Edition PRO550W ($69.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207013
HDD Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB ($59.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
OPTIC DRIVE: Samsung CD/DVD Drive ($19.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151233
CASE: Antec 300 ($44.95) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042
CPU FAN: Coolermaster Hyper 212+ ($29.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065
OS: Windows 7 Home 64bit OEM ($99.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

Not sure on the MOBO, looking at the following 3 choices.
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 ($114.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271
ASRock Z68 PRO3 ($94.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157251
Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 ($121.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128502

Thanks!
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
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www.mfenn.com
Your build looks great to me! I can see that you've really done your homework.

For the mobo, all 3 are good choices. If eSATA or two x16 slots matters to you, get the Extreme3. Otherwise, get the Pro3.
 
Ken g6

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
Moderator
Dec 11, 1999
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Looks good overall! Don't forget the bundle discounts of the month:
* CPU+RAM
* Case + Windows
Plus, that case has a $10 off promo code you didn't mention.
 
K

kazemax

Junior Member
Sep 10, 2011
3
0
0
mfenn said:
For the mobo, all 3 are good choices. If eSATA or two x16 slots matters to you, get the Extreme3. Otherwise, get the Pro3.
Click to expand...

What components requires eSATA or x16 slots nowadays, I've been a bit out of the loop. Trying to figure out if I would need them or not.

In the event that I don't plan on overclocking would you still recommend getting a HSF or would the provided stock heatsink be sufficient?
 
Ken g6

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
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Dec 11, 1999
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eSATA is for an external hard drive. Way faster than a USB 2.0 external drive. I'm not sure about USB 3.0; but probably faster than that too.

Two x16 slots is for using two video cards together, for Crossfire (for AMD cards like yours) or SLI (for nVIDIA). There is no reason to Crossfire with your current monitor. If you added another two just like it, then it might be worth it. ;)
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
Ken g6 said:
eSATA is for an external hard drive. Way faster than a USB 2.0 external drive. I'm not sure about USB 3.0; but probably faster than that too.

Two x16 slots is for using two video cards together, for Crossfire (for AMD cards like yours) or SLI (for nVIDIA). There is no reason to Crossfire with your current monitor. If you added another two just like it, then it might be worth it. ;)
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: eSATA vs. USB 3.0 is pretty much a moot point with mechanical drives though because either interface is going to be limited by the drive itself.

OP, if you don't know that you need eSATA or multiple x16 slots, then it's safe to say that you don't need them. ;)
 
Ken g6

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member
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Nah, 550W is perfect. I run a slightly OCed GTX 460 768 on a 450W Corsair. Load power consumption for his GPU is practically identical to mine (maybe 10W higher). An OCed 2500k might use a little more power than my processor, so 550W is perfect.
 
lehtv

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,897
74
91
Yes, you'll be fine. 2500K has a TDP of 95W at stock, and once OC'd heavily can go up to 150W. Add ~160-170W for the 6950, and you're at around 320W for both at 100% load. That is an easy way to estimate how much you'll ever use in a real-life scenario. Because you almost never have both working to 100% simultaneously, that accounts for the power consumption of other components in your system.

In theory, you could probably pull around 400W with simultanenous Prime95 and Furmark.
 
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W

Woozl

Junior Member
Dec 11, 2007
12
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0
May I piggyback on this thread please? I'm going to copy this build almost exactly and I have a couple of minor questions that do not merit a new thread.

1. Will I have any problems if I install these parts in a 5 year old Lian Li PC65B http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16811112040?

2. I will also be adding a SSD. My sample size here is smaller since there is less discussion of which one to pick. I was thinking of either

Corsair Force Series 3 120GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233206 or
Crucial M4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687
 
lehtv

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,897
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Woozl said:
1. Will I have any problems if I install these parts in a 5 year old Lian Li PC65B http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16811112040?
Click to expand...

No. An ATX case is an ATX case, it will house any ATX motherboard and ATX power supply. The only issue I can think of is installing the SSD, you may need to buy a 3.5" to 2.5" bracket for that if the SSD package doesn't come with one.

2. I will also be adding a SSD. My sample size here is smaller since there is less discussion of which one to pick. I was thinking of either

Corsair Force Series 3 120GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233206 or
Crucial M4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687
Click to expand...
Corsair Force has the Sandforce controller which everyone keeps, uh, dissing. I have an OCZ Vertex 2 with Sandforce and I'm quite happy with it. But my recommendation, based on consensus, goes to Crucial M4.

There's a $50 deal on the Antec HGC-620 power supply, grab while u can ;P
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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lehtv said:
No. An ATX case is an ATX case, it will house any ATX motherboard and ATX power supply. The only issue I can think of is installing the SSD, you may need to buy a 3.5" to 2.5" bracket for that if the SSD package doesn't come with one.

Corsair Force has the Sandforce controller which everyone keeps, uh, dissing. I have an OCZ Vertex 2 with Sandforce and I'm quite happy with it. But my recommendation, based on consensus, goes to Crucial M4.

There's a $50 deal on the Antec HGC-620 power supply, grab while u can ;P
Click to expand...

Mostly agree. I would check the clearance on the expansion slots in the PC-65B. It's hard to tell from the picture if you could get a 10.5" card like the 6950 in there and still keep the lower drive tray.
 
W

Woozl

Junior Member
Dec 11, 2007
12
0
0
mfenn said:
Mostly agree. I would check the clearance on the expansion slots in the PC-65B. It's hard to tell from the picture if you could get a 10.5" card like the 6950 in there and still keep the lower drive tray.
Click to expand...

Thanks to both of you. I checked the clearance on the lower drive tray, and it may be tight. I can remove it, however, and use the upper drive tray. My HD and SSD won't be cooled by the front fan/s, but I don't think that will be an issue. Worst case scenario (no pun intended), I have to buy a new case.
 
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