New rig help

[nexus987]

I Need some build advice...

1. What will PC be used for? Web surfing, home VM/virtualbox as test lab for win/linux, light programming, watching movies (typically standard def), light gaming. Rig doesn't have to be _silent_ but I'd like it to be quiet.

2. Budget: around $1000, but flexible

3. buying from USA, prefer NewEgg.

4. Prefer Intel CPU.

5. recycling current Hitachi HDS723020BLA642 2TB drive (as data drive), Dell 24" 1920x1200 monitor, existing DVD burner/speakers/keyboard/mouse

6. Have searched threads here and on some other forums. Still unsure of graphics card & motherboard. Thinking of going with i5-2500k cpu

7. Not planning on overclocking.

8. gaming with 1920x1200 resolution. Again, light gaming (current system has Radeon HD4800 GPU - no idea how this compares with current low/mid-price cards)

9. looking to build in the next week or two.

considering the following components:

SSD: Crucial M4 256GB (system/program drive & might host a VM or two)

CPU: I5-2500k (currently running an E6600)

Motherboard: totally open to suggestions, but I am considering:
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157265

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233143

Case: I've been looking at: Fractal Design Define R3 ATX mid tower - I like that it's got sound absorbtion & lots of drive bays for future expansion.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352004

Antec TrueQuiet 120 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835209050

Power Supply: no idea. Looking for something quiet(ish)

Video Card: here's where I REALLY need help. I know very little about the current state of GPU's. Would like to spend $200 or less here & get something that's not too loud (are fanless cards worth it?).

 

[DaveSimmons]

Modern cards are more quiet and cool when doing non-gaming work than older cards like the 4850/70/90, because of good cooling and better downclocking of the GPU.

A 4870 is a bit slower than a 6770. The next step up would be a 6850 or 6870. Above that (but over $200) would be a 6950 or GTX 560 ti.

I think the 4870 idle noise is a bit misleading -- with the default quiet setting, my 4870 started to cook itself until finally the fan would run full blast for awhile to cool it back down. If you look at these cards the idle noise is about the same but the idle temperature is much lower. So the card stays at that quiet level without heating the case or cooking itself.


4870 vs. 6850 ($140 - $160)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/304?vs=291

4870 vs. 6870 ($155 - $175)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/304?vs=290

4870 vs. 6950 ($210 - $240)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/304?vs=331

4870 vs. GTX 560 ti ($190 - $230) (note there is a slower non-ti 560, don't get it by mistake)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/304?vs=330

 

[mfenn]

For light gaming I would say to get a 6850. It's a decent upgrade from your 4870 and should be much quieter at idle.

As for the rest of your choices:
- SSD : Do you really need 256GB? You are paying a pretty penny for something that will be much cheaper next year.
- Mobo: Since you're going to be doing light gaming and not overclocking, there is no reason to get a fancy tweaker's mobo. Get the ASRock Z68 Pro3 for $95 AP.
- RAM: Too expensive for what it is any has tall heatspreaders that get in the way. Get a couple of these G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB kits.
- Case: Good
- Fans: You don't really need any extra fans
- PSU: The Seasonic S12II 430W has plenty of power for this rig and is very quiet. It is a bit pricey at $70 though, so a 430CX would be a decent alternative.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

For light gaming I would say to get a 6850. It's a decent upgrade from your 4870 and should be much quieter at idle.

As for the rest of your choices:
- SSD : Do you really need 256GB? You are paying a pretty penny for something that will be much cheaper next year.
- Mobo: Since you're going to be doing light gaming and not overclocking, there is no reason to get a fancy tweaker's mobo. Get the ASRock Z68 Pro3 for $95 AP.
- RAM: Too expensive for what it is any has tall heatspreaders that get in the way. Get a couple of these G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB kits.
- Case: Good
- Fans: You don't really need any extra fans
- PSU: The Seasonic S12II 430W has plenty of power for this rig and is very quiet. It is a bit pricey at $70 though, so a 430CX would be a decent alternative.

about all you need and its good to go