Semi-Final Build, Feedback Time - First Time Builder - i5 2500k -(StarCraft 2 rig)

[Smoolean]

Hi everyone,

You may have seen a few threads from me before, but I'm finally ready to go through with this now

I'm looking to build a computer to play StarCraft 2 on maximum settings, so please correct any horrible hardware choices I made. I've included my likely flawed logic behind each choice, but again, feel free to correct me if I'm making a terrible choice.

I already have a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and legal copy of Windows 7 64 bit. I'm looking to keep costs relatively low. I'm not looking to future-proof it by any means, just want something that is pretty damn fast for at least a little while. I'd prefer to buy all parts from New Egg.

I've chosen a few parts, but need help filling in the details, as I've never built a computer before.

Here is my semi-final build (looking for any last minute suggestions, warnings, etc...):

CPU: i5 2500k // $225
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processo...1711484&sr=1-1

GPU: Radeon HD 6850 1 GB // $175
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DV...1711462&sr=8-1

Motherboard: ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 // $67 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0H61M-VS%20LGA

Power Supply: Corsair 430CX // $51 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9017&Tpk=430cx

RAM: G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 // $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Case: Antec Three Hundred // $60
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hu...1711556&sr=8-1

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 // $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-181-_-Product

DVD/CD : ASUS Black 24X DVD+R // $27 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-27135204

Before Taxes (but including shipping) this comes to $692.

(My rookie / paranoid questions about this build can be found towards the end of this thread)

Thank you for any and all help!!!

 

[zi0n.]

-- Fan? Or does that come with the case?
They usually do come with fans, I would recommend an antec 300 or a haf 912.
-- Heatsink for i5? I have no clue...
It comes with the stock one.. which it's good if you're not overcloking.
-- Miscellaneous cables or wires?
Motherboard comes with sata cables which is pretty much all you need. (rest comes from psu).
-- An enclosure for the hard drive, or is that included?
You don't need an enclosure for a internal HD.

Now... as for the parts.
I wouldn't get that OLD gen WD drive.. rather get a Samsung F3 or a newer WD black.
You don't really need 8 GB's for gaming but that brand is fine.
For the motherboard just grab P67A-UD3 or a P67A-G43 these are fine with 6gbs/usb 3.0
As for the GFX card the gtx460 is not a bad card but you could probably get something better, depends on your budget.

 

[Smoolean]

Hi Zion, thanks for the help!

Here is my updated build, still some details to fill in.

CPU: i5 2500k
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tel-_-19115072

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6&Tpk=P67A-UD3

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-427-_-Product

Video Card: MSI N460GTX CYCLONE 1GD5/OC GeForce GTX 460
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127510

Case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-042-_-Product

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-181-_-Product

CD Drive: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R SATA - Bulk - OEM
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

To anyone reading... should all of this be compatible? Do you see any obvious substitutions I should make? Would this case and motherboard allow me to make the following adjustments down the road when budget allows...

-- Add a small SSD for the OS and select apps, etc...
-- Add a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ or other cooling methods so I can overclock the i5

 

[zi0n.]

Get the 1TB ver of the F3 instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185

Not sure about antec 300 with the hyper212+, I had an antec 902 with a fan on the door and it wouldn't close because of the cooler. The SSD should fit easily with an adapter.

Everything else looks pretty good to me.

 

[mnewsham]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231396

Cheaper RAM

 

[fffblackmage]

Not sure about antec 300 with the hyper212+, I had an antec 902 with a fan on the door and it wouldn't close because of the cooler. The SSD should fit easily with an adapter.

Everything else looks pretty good to me.

I had the same problem with my 900 actually. I ended up shaving a bit of the side-fan's frame to get the door to close.

The side-fan placement on the 300 doesn't sit at a 45 degree angle like the 900/902, so it should allow for a bit more room for the cpu cooler.

 

[mfenn]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231396

Cheaper RAM

:thumbsup: The OP definitely doesn't need fancy RAM.

OP, the last build that you posted (except with the RAM mnewsham linked) looks pretty good to me.

As for you additional questions:
1. I wouldn't go any lower than 60GB for an SSD. The Corsair Force 60GB is a good deal at $130.
2. As suggested, the Hyper 212+. It shouldn't have any problem fitting in the Three Hundred as long as you don't mount a side fan.

 

[Smoolean]

Thanks for the help guys!

1. That RAM is $10 cheaper, can't argue with that . Will the 2500k not take advantage of the other, slightly faster RAM? Or is it not even faster, and I just have no clue how to read the descriptions (that is highly probable)?

2. Another thing I completely forgot... the power supply. Is the Corsair 650TX overkill? I just saw it in zi0n's signature, hehe, I know nothing about PSUs. Is there another more cost efficient choice, or is $105 pretty reasonable for a PSU?
// http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...orsair%20650TX

3. What do you guys think about the i3 Sandy Bridge vs the i5 2500k? Obviously it's slower, but with a decent GPU do you think it could power SC2 nearly as well as the i5 for $100 less...?
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-078-_-Product

 

[mnewsham]

1. You wont notice a difference in performance.

2. Yes it IS over kill. My suggestion is this. Which is actually still overkill

3. If you want to shave the budget then it would still perform fairly well in SC2, however the extra $100 is worth it IMHO.

 

[betasub]

For overclocking, or any apps that fully utilise four cores, then the i5-2500k is worth the extra spend. However, the i3-2100 is a budget winner, with the performance to handle SC2 and more.

 

[Axon]

i5 2500k for certain. You want that extra horsepower for gaming, especially a CPU lover like SC2. Otherwise, your build is shaping up nicely.

 

[mfenn]

1. You wont notice a difference in performance.

2. Yes it IS over kill. My suggestion is this. Which is actually still overkill

3. If you want to shave the budget then it would still perform fairly well in SC2, however the extra $100 is worth it IMHO.

:thumbsup:

 

[LucJoe]

Video Card: MSI N460GTX CYCLONE 1GD5/OC GeForce GTX 460
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127510

I would not buy this when you can get a 5870(more performance) for $10 less..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150476

 

[LucJoe]

3. What do you guys think about the i3 Sandy Bridge vs the i5 2500k? Obviously it's slower, but with a decent GPU do you think it could power SC2 nearly as well as the i5 for $100 less...?
// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-078-_-Product

SC2 is not optimized for quad cores, so you'll be fine with an i3.

I play SC2 at high settings 1920x1200 and only experience a little slowdown in huge full 200 supply 3v3 battles. Then again, I'm still able to micro while everyone else in the game is just watching a slideshow.

I haven't really confirmed yet but I'm pretty sure lag from large numbers of units is CPU bound.

The point is... I use an E6850 with an HD4860. So I'm sure an i3 + 5870 (or 460) would be just fine.

3. If you want to shave the budget then it would still perform fairly well in SC2, however the extra $100 is worth it IMHO.

It's more than $100.

He could easily get by with a combo like this from Microcenter (assuming no plans to overclock):

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/...ource=ACT_BYO&

$99 for an i3-2100 and H61 based board

Could build a very respectable SC2 smashing computer for under $400

 

[Smoolean]

I play SC2 at high settings 1920x1200 and only experience a little slowdown in huge full 200 supply 3v3 battles.

The point is... I use an E6850 with an HD4860. So I'm sure an i3 + 5870 (or 460) would be just fine.

WOW! I had no idea you could play at that resolution with high detail without some completely ridiculous setup. I know SC2 isn't the most demanding game around, but I know it can be quite CPU intensive.

The fact that you can get results like that with your setup sort of implies that my 2500k / GTX 460 build would be overkill.

He could easily get by with a combo like this from Microcenter (assuming no plans to overclock):

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/...ource=ACT_BYO&

$99 for an i3-2100 and H61 based board

Could build a very respectable SC2 smashing computer for under $400

First of all, wow, I wish I lived near a Microcenter, I would definitely take advantage of that offer. Secondly, when you mentioned making a respectable SC2 computer for under or around $400, what GPU did you have in mind? Even with the Microcenter deal (which I can't use anyways) the i3 2100 plus the GTX and cheap basics comes to around $520.

 

[mfenn]

The fact that you can get results like that with your setup sort of implies that my 2500k / GTX 460 build would be overkill.

I disagree with Joe's results. Even my i7 870 + unlocked 6950 2GB chugs a bit in a big battle. Of course, everyone's FPS tolerances are different.

 

[Smoolean]

Guys, thanks again for all of the help! Here is my semi-final build, still looking for any last minute tips, warnings, approvals , etc... before I make the purchases...

CPU: i5 2500k // $225
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processo...1711484&sr=1-1

GPU: Radeon HD 6850 1 GB // $175
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DV...1711462&sr=8-1

Motherboard: ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 // $67 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0H61M-VS%20LGA

Power Supply: Corsair 430CX // $51 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9017&Tpk=430cx

RAM: G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 // $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Case: Antec Three Hundred // $60
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hu...1711556&sr=8-1

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 // $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-181-_-Product

DVD/CD : ASUS Black 24X DVD+R // $27 (including shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-27135204

Before Taxes (but including shipping) this comes to $692.

Here are a few of my last questions (yes, I will try to stop pestering you all )

1. First and foremost, my biggest concern is the motherboard. I couldn't really find a motherboard that seemed like a no-brainer. I'm not going to overclock, so I don't need P67. I would have gone H67, but they were sold out and also seemed a bit pricey, so I leaned towards the H61. Considering this, is ASRock a decent brand? Will this motherboard hold back the i5 or GPU in anyway (I won't be overclocking anyway)?

2. I do not plan to overclock my CPU or GPU. Considering this, do you imagine heating will be a problem with just stock cooling? Will the fans that come with the Three Hundred keep the machine cool enough?

3. I read in someone else's thread, where the wise mfenn said the Corsair 430CX should be enough for a 6850 machine. None of my other parts seem very power demanding, so I will assume this power supply is a good fit?

4. Do the HD, DVD, or GPU need any separate cables I should purchase? I assume the power supply, motherboard, and case come with most of all the wires I'll need?

5. See any other potential problems? Any ways to save a little money here or there?

Thanks again!

 

[aphelion02]

With no overclock, why not just get the i5-2500 non-k version? That 6850 also might not be the cheapest, I think they go down to 150 AR on newegg. There is also a XFX version with same price as yours but better warranty.

This all makes you appreciate what a sick deal that XFX 5870 (now gone) was though, 25%+ performance for about the same price..

 

[Axon]

Guys, thanks again for all of the help! Here is my semi-final build, still looking for any last minute tips, warnings, approvals , etc... before I make the purchases...

1. First and foremost, my biggest concern is the motherboard. I couldn't really find a motherboard that seemed like a no-brainer. I'm not going to overclock, so I don't need P67. I would have gone H67, but they were sold out and also seemed a bit pricey, so I leaned towards the H61. Considering this, is ASRock a decent brand? Will this motherboard hold back the i5 or GPU in anyway (I won't be overclocking anyway)?

2. I do not plan to overclock my CPU or GPU. Considering this, do you imagine heating will be a problem with just stock cooling? Will the fans that come with the Three Hundred keep the machine cool enough?

3. I read in someone else's thread, where the wise mfenn said the Corsair 430CX should be enough for a 6850 machine. None of my other parts seem very power demanding, so I will assume this power supply is a good fit?

4. Do the HD, DVD, or GPU need any separate cables I should purchase? I assume the power supply, motherboard, and case come with most of all the wires I'll need?

5. See any other potential problems? Any ways to save a little money here or there?

Thanks again!

I would go with a better motherboard, but that's me. The one you've chosen skimps on a lot of modern features, such as USB 3/SATA 3. I'm sure it will do the barebones job just fine, however.

Stock cooling is fine.

430 watts will run the 6850 perfectly well.

Motherboard comes with two SATA cables, so you should be okay there.

Any reason you're ordering splitsys from amazon and newegg? It looks like the prices of the 2500k and the sapphire 6850 are identical from both retailers. I'd go all newegg, personally, you'll probably get your stuff faster.

 

[Smoolean]

@aphelion02: I went with the 2500k instead of simply 2500 because it was only a $15 difference, and that way in the distant future I could potentially upgrade to a different motherboard and overclock and squeeze a bit more life out of the processor. I suppose $15 is $15 and there's a good possibility I will never OC even in the future... tough choice.

@Axon: Does this motherboard seem like a wiser choice?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollHelpful1

The reason I was ordering the CPU and GPU from Amazon is because I believe NewEgg charges tax, whereas Amazon doesn't. Since those are the two most expensive parts, and Amazon doesn't carry a lot of the smaller parts, I stuck with NewEgg for the rest.

I've read the Antec EarthWatts Green PSU doesn't come with a power cable. Just so I understand, is this referring to literally, the cable that runs from the PSU to the outlet in your wall? Or an internal power cable of some sort?

 

[mnewsham]

It refers to just the outer cable that most people have 5 or 6 of laying around the house.

 

[mfenn]

@aphelion02: I went with the 2500k instead of simply 2500 because it was only a $15 difference, and that way in the distant future I could potentially upgrade to a different motherboard and overclock and squeeze a bit more life out of the processor. I suppose $15 is $15 and there's a good possibility I will never OC even in the future... tough choice.

I'd probably just save the $15 to be honest. The rest of the system will need an upgrade long before a stock 2500K seems slow.

@Axon: Does this motherboard seem like a wiser choice?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollHelpful1

It really comes down to whether or not the extra features are worth $20 to you. I'd probably lean towards the $80 board because it has USB 3.0.

The reason I was ordering the CPU and GPU from Amazon is because I believe NewEgg charges tax, whereas Amazon doesn't. Since those are the two most expensive parts, and Amazon doesn't carry a lot of the smaller parts, I stuck with NewEgg for the rest.

It depends on your state. If you live in CA, NJ, or TN, there are definitely savings to be had by going with Amazon.

I've read the Antec EarthWatts Green PSU doesn't come with a power cable. Just so I understand, is this referring to literally, the cable that runs from the PSU to the outlet in your wall? Or an internal power cable of some sort?

It's talking about the cable that plugs into the wall.

 

[Smoolean]

Thanks for all of the help mfenn, mnewsham, and everyone else! So I went with the 2500 (since I won't be overclocking). My parts should all be here within the next few days.

Here are three more first-time-builder-questions

1. Does anyone know if the i5 2500 will come with the heat sink already attached? Or will I need thermal paste to apply the stock heat sink myself?

2. Would you recommend not installing the HD 6850 right from the start? After the initial build assembly, would you recommend just plugging a monitor into the mobo, and then once everything is up and running, download the latest ATI drivers... and then at that point power down and pop the GPU in?

3. I've been reading guides and I will make sure to be careful with static charges. Also, with all of these modern parts, it doesn't seem like many tools are necessary... which tools would you consider to be vital?

 

[fffblackmage]

1. Does anyone know if the i5 2500 will come with the heat sink already attached? Or will I need thermal paste to apply the stock heat sink myself?

The heatsink that comes with the i5-2500 should have thermal paste already applied. Just install the CPU onto the motherboard, and then install the heatsink right on top of it.

2. Would you recommend not installing the HD 6850 right from the start? After the initial build assembly, would you recommend just plugging a monitor into the mobo, and then once everything is up and running, download the latest ATI drivers... and then at that point power down and pop the GPU in?

I don't think it really matters which way you go.

3. I've been reading guides and I will make sure to be careful with static charges. Also, with all of these modern parts, it doesn't seem like many tools are necessary... which tools would you consider to be vital?

Just touch the case to ground yourself often, and the most important tool is just a Phillips screwdriver.

Good luck!

 

[aphelion02]

Edit: didn't realize OP already ordered parts. Keep up a steady supply of pictures and build progress!