PC Build and Critique

[Septrosh]

I originally had most of this posted over at PC Gamer but have had very little feedback (in fact, just one response). I was hoping that you guys might be able to make some better recommendations for me, especially in the monitor category.

I'm ordering all the parts for a new PC in two weeks and would like someone to review what I have here and/or perhaps make better suggestions/critique for me!

Budget: Not an issue. That being said, I want for it to make $-to-performance since. For example, I would be willing to buy the i7 because it is better than the i5. However, from my research, after the i5 is OC’d it is hardly worth the extra $80~$100 for the i7.

Use: Gaming and Dreamweaver

Country of Parts Order & Website: USA, NewEgg preferably



RIG:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
CPU Fan: Corsair A70 or Corsair H100 Scythe Mugen 3
Mobo: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard (I had also been looking at the Z68 which someone recommended, but the only real difference from my research, and correct me if I’m wrong, is the Z68 would provide me with integrated graphics [which I don’t need], and HDD caching.) Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
Video Card: (Not purchasing – Existing Gear) XFX HD 6970 (At the present time I will just be running one card, but if anyone makes a different MOBO suggestion, I do want the option to be able to run a second 6970 down the road)
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X Blue Edition
PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 XFX 850W PRO850W XXX
Disk Drive: (Not purchasing – Existing Gear) BD Drive x 1
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint 1TB - 7200RPM HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D
SSD: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB Crucial M4 128GB
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit – OEM
Monitor: Currently playing on a Dell E228WFP. I don't intend on keeping the monitor but really can't decide in this area. First, I can't decide if I want to do a dual monitor setup or just one. What are some recommendations for setup and monitors? I suppose I could always start with 1 and upgrade to 2. ASUS VG237HE
Peripherals: (Not purchasing – Existing Gear) Keyboard - Logitech G15 || Mouse - Logitech G9


Well I hope I have provided enough information for review/critique and look forward to hearing back from everyone! Again, I appreciate all the input and your time.

Note: Apparently Strike doesn't work on these boards. Grey = Initial Equipment in Post|| Red = Updated Equipment in Post

 

[fastamdman]

Cpu is good, the cpu fan/coolre is way over kill. SB chips don't run hot, go with a hyper 212 evo and save a lot of cash. It would be better used towards something else in all honesty, if you are overclocking the 212+/evo will do 4.5ghz no problem.

Motherboard, I really prefer z68 motherboards and anything by asus/gigabyte. I don't recommend older boards like p67 to people currently. I would rather have all the options possible just in case later on down the line you want them, especially when they are at the same price or cheaper.

The ram is fine but you don't need 16gb, I would go with 8gb.

I don't like ati, I would go with a nvidia card but it's all up to you.

Case is personal preference.

PSU is nice, but expensive. I would go with a tx650v2 or a tx750 personally.

As for the ssd, I went with a crucial m4 and absolutely love it. I thought about the force series, but the reliability and the speed of the m4's are second to none.

As for monitors, the asus VS line is sexy!

 

[Septrosh]

Fastamdman, thanks for the first reponse. I appreciate it. I'm looking over your recommendations here.

(...) PSU is nice, but expensive. I would go with a tx650v2 or a tx750 personally. (...)

I was originally thinking about the TX750, but then I saw that this one is modular so in terms of cable management it will give me a nice clean look, even though I could tuck them away.

Thanks again for the feedback, definetely looking into the SSD recommendation and monitor line up.

 

[lehtv]

CPU Good.

Cooler A70 isn't particularly good, two 1600RPM fans are going to be a bit noisy. H100 is likewise not a good choice, it's simply overkill for overclocking a 2500K and it's bad value for money. I'd buy Scythe Mugen 3 $50. (Hyper 212 Evo would be a good choice but it's $45 on newegg up from $35, oddly)

Mobo $150 isn't a bad price. But I'd still recommend Z68. You might end up needing integrated graphics for backup or to drive a secondary monitor. And you'll have the possibility to do SSD caching even if that doesn't seem likely at the moment. Also, plenty of Z68 motherboards are Ivy Bridge / PCIe 3.0 compatible. Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $125 or Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H $160

RAM How much of a RAM hog is Dreamweaver? Or did you pick 16GB RAM just in case? 8GB is more than enough for gaming and everyday use. Patriot 2x4GB $36

PSU Not good bang for buck. Also, 750W can handle 6970 crossfire but 850W would be more comfortable and have more room for future upgrades and overclocking. XFX 850W XXX $110 AR 80+ silver semi-modular

HDD Faster and cheaper: Hitachi 7K1000.D 1TB $120

SSD More reliable: Crucial M4 128GB $185

Monitor Plenty of options here, from a standard 24" 1080p TN panel ($150-200) to 27" TN panel ($300+) to 30" 2560x1600 IPS panel (>$1000)

 

[Septrosh]

Lehtv, thanks for the reply.

(...) RAM How much of a RAM hog is Dreamweaver? Or did you pick 16GB RAM just in case? 8GB is more than enough for gaming and everyday use. Patriot 2x4GB $36 (...)

Dreamweaver doesn't use up a lot of RAM. I just figured I would get it, "just in case," even though 8GB is fine for even the most demanding game. I could cut it down to 8GB since it will just be sitting there wasting away.

Mobo $150 isn't a bad price. But I'd still recommend Z68. You might end up needing integrated graphics for backup or to drive a secondary monitor. And you'll have the possibility to do SSD caching even if that doesn't seem likely at the moment. Also, plenty of Z68 motherboards are Ivy Bridge / PCIe 3.0 compatible. Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $125 or Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H $160

Is there a difference between the Asrock and Gigabyte referenced here, or just brand preference?

 

[lehtv]

You can check the specs of each mobo on newegg. Off the top of my the main differences are that Gigabyte offers 1 additional year of warranty and internal USB3.0 ports (for the case front panel). Obviously Asrock is the better value for money board.

 

[mfenn]

CPU Good.

Cooler A70 isn't particularly good, two 1600RPM fans are going to be a bit noisy. H100 is likewise not a good choice, it's simply overkill for overclocking a 2500K and it's bad value for money. I'd buy Scythe Mugen 3 $50. (Hyper 212 Evo would be a good choice but it's $45 on newegg up from $35, oddly)

Mobo $150 isn't a bad price. But I'd still recommend Z68. You might end up needing integrated graphics for backup or to drive a secondary monitor. And you'll have the possibility to do SSD caching even if that doesn't seem likely at the moment. Also, plenty of Z68 motherboards are Ivy Bridge / PCIe 3.0 compatible. Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $125 or Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H $160

RAM How much of a RAM hog is Dreamweaver? Or did you pick 16GB RAM just in case? 8GB is more than enough for gaming and everyday use. Patriot 2x4GB $36

PSU Not good bang for buck. Also, 750W can handle 6970 crossfire but 850W would be more comfortable and have more room for future upgrades and overclocking. XFX 850W XXX $110 AR 80+ silver semi-modular

HDD Faster and cheaper: Hitachi 7K1000.D 1TB $120

SSD More reliable: Crucial M4 128GB $185

Monitor Plenty of options here, from a standard 24" 1080p TN panel ($150-200) to 27" TN panel ($300+) to 30" 2560x1600 IPS panel (>$1000)

:thumbsup: to this.

To elaborate on the monitor, you have a few options depending on what you want to primarily do and how much money you want to spend.

- ASUS VH242H $170 AR 24" 1080P 60Hz TN monitor. This is the least expensive option but also the least of an upgrade from what you currently have
- ASUS VE276Q $280 27" 1080P 60Hz TN monitor. This is a lot bigger than what you currently have, but the same resolution as the less expensive options
- ASUS VG236HE $290 23" 1080P 120Hz TN monitor. Even if you never use the 3D feature, the higher refresh rate will make things seem much smoother overall
- Samsung T27A750 $650 27" 1080P 120Hz TN monitor. Same benefits as the 120Hz monitor and 27" monitor, just both in one package
- HP ZR24w $510 24" 1920x1200 60Hz IPS monitor. More vertical pixels and better image quality due to using an IPS panel instead of the standard TN.
- HP ZR30w $1250 30" 2560x1600 60Hz IPS monitor. The big boy. Most pixels and largest screen size coupled with a very high quality IPS panel.

 

[Septrosh]

Looking over the MOBOs that were recommended I think I will go with the Asrock, not because of the cost but because from looking through google searches and pulling out the fanboys of each product, it seems the Asrock has some really good unbiased reviews. The downside from this board apparently is if you have to RMA it. From what I'm reading the ASUS / Gigabyte Customer Service is better. I have faith the first board will be flawless.

I'm still reviewing all the monitors referenced by mfenn (thank you!), I think I'm leaning to the ASUS VG236HE.

(...)
- ASUS VG237HE $290 24" 1080P 120Hz TN monitor. Even if you never use the 3D feature, the higher refresh rate will make things seem much smoother overall (...)

NOTE: For others that may find this thread useful in the future. The ASUS VG237HE referenced above is the ASUS VG236HE and is a 23" monitor.

 

[lehtv]

$45 is still a bit steep of a price for Hyper 212 EVO. It was $35 just a while ago, and it's only marginally better than the long time price/performance favorite Hyper 212+ which could be had for $25-30. Scythe Mugen 3 beats both easily and it's slightly quieter, just for $5 more. HOWEVER, I don't think Rijpaws will fit under Mugen 3. The fan will hang over 1-2 RAM slots and you should only put standard size modules under it. E.g. Patriot Signature, Crucial Ballistix or Corsair Vengeance LP

 

[Septrosh]

$45 is still a bit steep of a price for Hyper 212 EVO. It was $35 just a while ago, and it's only marginally better than the long time price/performance favorite Hyper 212+ which could be had for $25-30. Scythe Mugen 3 beats both easily and it's slightly quieter, just for $5 more. HOWEVER, I don't think Rijpaws will fit under Mugen 3. The fan will hang over 1-2 RAM slots and you should only put standard size modules under it. E.g. Patriot Signature, Crucial Ballistix or Corsair Vengeance LP

Updated, went with the Corsair recommendation.

 

[mfenn]

Updated, went with the Corsair recommendation.

Why? It is $15 more than the Patriot for the same specs.

Looking over the MOBOs that were recommended I think I will go with the Asrock, not because of the cost but because from looking through google searches and pulling out the fanboys of each product, it seems the Asrock has some really good unbiased reviews. The downside from this board apparently is if you have to RMA it. From what I'm reading the ASUS / Gigabyte Customer Service is better. I have faith the first board will be flawless.

If you get a DOA board, you should be talking to Newegg, not ASRock. They will take care of you quicker.

I'm still reviewing all the monitors referenced by mfenn (thank you!), I think I'm leaning to the ASUS VG236HE.

NOTE: For others that may find this thread useful in the future. The ASUS VG237HE referenced above is the ASUS VG236HE and is a 23" monitor.

Thanks for pointing out the mistake, it's been fixed.

 

[lehtv]

Why? It is $15 more than the Patriot for the same specs.

Probably because:
Patriot signature - 26 five-egg reviews, 13 one-egg reviews
Corsair vengeance - 36 five-egg reviews, 1 one-egg review

To most people that would suggest Corsair is more reliable.

 

[Septrosh]

Why? It is $15 more than the Patriot for the same specs.

I decided on the Corsair because of 2 reasons. 1) Pretty much as lehtv put it in Post #12. 2) I have always used Corsair RAM in the past and got good experience. The only reason I initially was going to go with the Gskill was because I read good reviews online about it and it seemed like a good bang for my buck even though I wasn't really going to use all 16GB. Through this thread I decided to lower to the 8GB kit. However, through this thread I found out that it really wouldn't work with the CPU cooler to the height clearance, lehtv referenced 3 for me and I knew from past experience that Corsair hasn't steered me wrong.

If you get a DOA board, you should be talking to Newegg, not ASRock. They will take care of you quicker.

Great to hear!

 

[mfenn]

Probably because:
Patriot signature - 26 five-egg reviews, 13 one-egg reviews
Corsair vengeance - 36 five-egg reviews, 1 one-egg review

To most people that would suggest Corsair is more reliable.

To me it would suggest that most Newegg reviewers don't know a DIMM from a GPU. What's more important IMHO is that Patriot support took the time to reply to nearly every review with an offer to resolve the matter.

 

[Septrosh]

I just wanted to thank everyone for helping me out and for all your solid feedback. I will be ordering the parts tomorrow for this rig. Over the past 2 weeks or so I did make one minor change and that was to the MOBO. I decided to go with the Gigabyte since it appears to support USB3.0 for the front of my case and the case I have chosen comes with it.

I will update everyone when my build is all together. Thanks again!

 

[mfenn]

Glad to help. Also check out the ASUS P8Z68-V LE for front panel USB 3.0 support.