Please help me finalize my first build.

[MoscowComrade]

I'm a first time builder so I'm a little jittery about selecting these parts and assembling the thing together. It's purpose is for gaming. I'm building this from scratch, so I won't be recycling anything. I'll use Windows 7. I don't have it selected yet because I'll see if the campus bookstore has it for a cheap price. If anyone has any commentary, I'd appreciate it. I'd like to order this week. Perhaps even today or tomorrow.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=20579307

Should the temps be sufficiently cool? Am I missing any components? I know I'll need an HD cable for the monitor and a powersurge protector, but I probably have those lying around somewhere. What about those ties for cable management? Do they typically come bundled in components or do they need to be purchased individually?

Any assistance you can offer me is appreciated.

 

[mnewsham]

back off on the PSU, 500w unit would be fine, and try and get 8GB of ram in 4GB dimms.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

back off on the PSU, 500w unit would be fine, and try and get 8GB of ram in 4GB dimms.

Agreed. Otherwise looks great! You'll like that monitor, it's very nice.

 

[MoscowComrade]

I've modified it a bit.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16611265

Newegg doesn't display combos in wishlists but I also have these items up:

Intel i5-2500K Sandy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072

ASUS P8Z68-V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131729

Operation Flashpoint: Red River
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16800999280

Now I also was originally looking at a combo with my PSU that included this SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM hard drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185

but I had to replace it with the Hitachi HDD because that Samsung HDD appears to be sold out. They're both identically priced although I'll get a combo discount with the Samsung. Both have somewhat mixed reviews. Any advice?

As far as the PSU goes, I think I'd like to go with Corsair but the lower wattage Corsair I looked at has the same price without that potential PSU/HDD combo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-004-_-Product

Granted, they have one or two more lower wattage PSUs for a slightly cheaper price, but I though the two I've discussed here look the most appropriate for gaming. I could be wrong however. Feel free to correct me.

Thanks!

 

[mfenn]

I would not buy a Hitachi HDD. Get a WD Black from the Egg or a Samsung F3 from somewhere else (or wait until it is back in stock at Newegg). Additionally,
- That PSU is still really expensive for what it is. Check out the HCG 520W
- The P8Z68-V is also really expensive ($170 after combo). Check out the GA-Z68A-D3H instead.

 

[MoscowComrade]

I would not buy a Hitachi HDD. Get a WD Black from the Egg or a Samsung F3 from somewhere else (or wait until it is back in stock at Newegg). Additionally,
- That PSU is still really expensive for what it is. Check out the HCG 520W
- The P8Z68-V is also really expensive ($170 after combo). Check out the GA-Z68A-D3H instead.

This looks good if a bit more pricey:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-284-_-Product

I guess that PSU you linked looks good, but it just barely clears the wattage need for the GTX 560. Won't that kind of inhibit my ability to upgrade in the future without replacing the PSU?

As far as the mobo goes, the cheaper price looks nice but how do they compare against each other performance wise? The Asus P8768-V looks a bit better, but I'm unsure of how relevant those improvements are to me. I'm having some trouble finding reviews on these.

 

[MoscowComrade]

I also realized that the power strips I have lying around the house are too old and junky to use on a big investment like this.

This looks decent and is one of the highest rated strips on Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812120802

I don't really know what to look for in a strip other than surge protection. Would I just be better off getting a strip in a brick and mortar store? Or perhaps there is something better on Newegg?

 

[ElFenix]

I don't really know what to look for in a strip other than surge protection. Would I just be better off getting a strip in a brick and mortar store? Or perhaps there is something better on Newegg?

the markup on power strips is amazing

try this link:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10907


monoprice is also about the best place to get cables. i was tired of the rat's nest behind my desk and so bought a big assortment of short power cables, network cables, audio cables, etc., and cleaned it all up. also got some short SATA cables (18" cables that come with everything are about 12" longer than usually needed) to unclutter the inside of my computer. ~$25 or so for a box full.

oh, and cable management
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10520
you can't beat $0.44 for a 100 pack of cable ties. you don't really need the 8" ones as you can use 2 4" ones looped together.

 

[MoscowComrade]

Okay, here's Mark III:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16617085

Hopefully I'm pretty close to finished on selecting these components, but any suggestions are welcome since I'm close to entering the point-of-no-return soon. I believe all I need is an OS (Windows 7 64 Home Premium Full version - not OEM or Upgrade right?) And I may knock my HDD down to SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1 TB if it returns soon.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[ElFenix]

Okay, here's Mark III:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16617085

Hopefully I'm pretty close to finished on selecting these components, but any suggestions are welcome since I'm close to entering the point-of-no-return soon. I believe all I need is an OS (Windows 7 64 Home Premium Full version - not OEM or Upgrade right?) And I may knock my HDD down to SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1 TB if it returns soon.

Any help is appreciated.

iirc, you can use OEM windows 7 64 bit, but the license ties it to the hardware it was purchased with. not a problem if you intend to keep this thing long enough for windows 8 to come out (next year some time last i heard).

upgrade won't work as it'll look for a previous windows install, though there have been license-violating ways around that in the past.

 

[mnewsham]

I guess that PSU you linked looks good, but it just barely clears the wattage need for the GTX 560. Won't that kind of inhibit my ability to upgrade in the future without replacing the PSU?

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/330

Anandtech couldn't draw more then 352 watts with their GTX 560 on an OC'd i7-920 bench. I doubt you will draw MORE power with your more power friendly i5-2500, you could honestly get away with a quality 400w unit... but that would be pushing it (even for me!)

 

[MoscowComrade]

Some people are recommending me that I get an aftermarket cooler. What do you guys think about that?

 

[mnewsham]

a small HSF with one fan would be fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103064

 

[Skott]

Some people are recommending me that I get an aftermarket cooler. What do you guys think about that?

I would suggest getting one. Your rig will be able to overclock and you may want to try it later on so its probably best to go ahead and set up for it. At the very least even if you never overclock it will still allow your cpu to run cooler and more quiet. The Hyper 212 Plus is what most folks seem to be getting these days but its dependent on your mobo and case for the most part as to how big you can get. You could go with a Corsair hydro cooler (H50/60/70) but they are more expensive.

Are you thinking of overclocking? Answer that first and then go from there.

 

[MoscowComrade]

Are you thinking of overclocking? Answer that first and then go from there.

Well, I certainly don't plan on overclocking intially since it's my first build and I don't wish to overcomplicate things. I did select the 2500K because it's only a marginal amount more and I could potentially overclock sometime in the vague future if I really needed it for performance as the hardware ages. I don't think I'm the type of guy that would feel compelled to overclock for sport or just for the hell of it.

 

[mnewsham]

Well, I certainly don't plan on overclocking intially since it's my first build and I don't wish to overcomplicate things. I did select the 2500K because it's only a marginal amount more and I could potentially overclock sometime in the vague future if I really needed it for performance as the hardware ages. I don't think I'm the type of guy that would feel compelled to overclock for sport or just for the hell of it.

I stand by my recommendation that a small HSF is still desirable, it cant hurt anything after all, and will keep overall temps down (you dont want a space heater).

 

[Gigantopithecus]

...and will keep overall temps down (you dont want a space heater).

How does the heatsink affect how much heat the CPU generates?

 

[mnewsham]

How does the heatsink affect how much heat the CPU generates?

it will dissipate heat into the rest of the room faster, a constant 35c cpu with moving air, in the long run will heat a room less then a 50c cpu without much moving air. Give that 50c enough time and it will heat up the rest of the room too.

 

[mfenn]

This looks good if a bit more pricey:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-284-_-Product

The F3 shows as back in stock (for me at least) now anyway.

I guess that PSU you linked looks good, but it just barely clears the wattage need for the GTX 560. Won't that kind of inhibit my ability to upgrade in the future without replacing the PSU?

As mnewsham said, a GTX 560 doesn't really need that much wattage. The 520 is fine.

As far as the mobo goes, the cheaper price looks nice but how do they compare against each other performance wise? The Asus P8768-V looks a bit better, but I'm unsure of how relevant those improvements are to me. I'm having some trouble finding reviews on these.

All Z68 motherboard perform within 2% of each other. The choice really comes down to the features you need. Given what you've said here, you don't need a fancy board. That $50 would be (for example) better spent jumping from GTX 560 to a GTX 570.

 

[mfenn]

Okay, here's Mark III:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16617085

Hopefully I'm pretty close to finished on selecting these components, but any suggestions are welcome since I'm close to entering the point-of-no-return soon. I believe all I need is an OS (Windows 7 64 Home Premium Full version - not OEM or Upgrade right?) And I may knock my HDD down to SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1 TB if it returns soon.

Any help is appreciated.

Comments:
- Swap the mobo and PSU as I suggested in my earlier post
- F3 shows as in stock for me now so switch back to that
- 8GB of RAM is $70 right now, so I'd go with that if you can fit it into the budget