yet another critique my new build thread

[acheron]

Haven't fully thought this through yet, but I figured I'd start a thread to start getting some thoughts.

Intro:

This will be used for gaming etc. Some programming and development too but nothing hardcore that would impact the hardware choices.

Trying to keep budget to less than $1000; not counting a monitor which I might or might not do right now.

Mainly would be ordering from US Newegg; Amazon is fine too. I do have a local Microcenter too which has come through for me sometimes, even after the 5% sales tax. Other than that I probably wouldn't order from anywhere else, even for a bit of a discount. Generally worth it to me to stick with the dealers I trust.

Brand preference: For the past ~15 years I've had all ATI video cards; not necessarily opposed to nVidia if they're strictly ahead at this point but I'm more comfortable with ATI. Other than that I mostly don't care.

Current hardware: Details below.

I mostly don't bother with overclocking anymore; if I did do it it would be minor.

Resolution: Um, I have no idea. Not something I'm concerned about.

When: Within the next month or so.

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Alright, here's what I came up with. Newegg prices from earlier today listed.

CPU: i5-3570k $230

MB: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $135 Never had an ASRock MB before, but this looked like a good one. Are they pretty solid?

RAM: GSkill 16GB Ripjaws X $95

Video: Sapphire 2GB 6950 -- Currently $240 AR but it looks I just missed it on sale for $190... Unsure about this one. At $190 it's probably a good deal, but I don't know if it's still what I want for $240.

SSD : Crucial M4 256GB $210

Total with the $240 price of the 6950 is $910 before shipping.

Obviously there's no power supply listed. I currently have a nice Corsair 520W from a few years ago. Is that enough or do I need a new one?

Assume I'm covered on additional storage, optical drive, case, etc.

Like I said, I may want a new monitor but I'll worry about that separately.

Any thoughts on the stock Intel CPU cooler? I saw a Coolermaster 212? Since I'm not really into overclocking it would mainly be to reduce the noise level/increase stability. (Also someone please tell me that those heatsinks are easier to install now; the last one I did on a LGA775 MB was awful.)

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[krnmastersgt]

You have a budget of $1k and intended use is gaming, you should definitely check out mfenn's thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841 as that's pretty much exactly what you're looking for.

As far as the parts you're considering go:
CPU: Fine
MB: Fine, you could grab the ASRock Z75 Pro3 or Z77 Pro3 for quite a bit less and should be just fine for your build
RAM: Don't need 16GB for a gaming rig, also that ram is a bit overpriced at ~$47 per 8 GB when you should be paying around $40. The G.SKILL Value series is just fine for gaming, even without the heat spreaders (they really aren't necessary)
Video: For the budget, you should be able to get a stronger card like the 7850 or so.
SSD: Just fine, do you really need 256 GB though?

Your PSU should be fine for the system.

Just grab a CM Hyper 212+ for around $20 AR if you don't plan on overclocking very much. My temps are just fine with it at 4.2 GHz.

 

[Ken g6]

About the only part I'd change there is to get a 7850 for $210AR instead of paying $30 more for an older card. 520W will be plenty with the newer card.

I do suggest getting the CPU/mobo in a combo from Micro Center. Savings can approach $100!

Stock Intel coolers still have those push pins. I personally would get almost any other cooler to avoid them.

 

[acheron]

Hm, ok.. looking at 7850s now, and I think I'll do the ASRock Z77 Pro3 rather than Extreme4 if that's sufficient. I can put that MB savings into an aftermarket CPU cooler, because f*ck those pushpins.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[lehtv]

Since you're not intending to OC why bother with Z77 and 3570K and aftermarket cooling?

Mobo Asrock B75 Pro3 $80
CPU i5-3550 $210
RAM 2x4GB 1600MHz $50
GPU Gigabyte GTX670 $400
SSD Crucial M4 128GB $130
HDD Reuse $0
DVD Reuse $0
Case What case? $0
PSU Reuse $0

= $870

Resolution is important to know. How can we be sure you're not using a little 1440x900 LCD?

Also what is your OS?

 

[Ken g6]

Since you're not intending to OC why bother with Z77 and 3570K

This or buy the bundle at Micro Center. The MC bundle is cheaper than the non-overclockable parts.

and aftermarket cooling?

because f*ck those pushpins.

 

[lehtv]

Missed that he mentioned MC. Get 3570K + Z77 Pro3 from there, OC'ing is then an option should you change your mind about it.

Nothing wrong with pushpins, really... it's a one time job, easier installation isn't worth even $2 unless you're ridiculously highly paid. And some aftermarket sinks are harder to install than push pins. But if you want lower noise levels, that's another thing. E.g. Corsair A50 $15 AR, replace fan with Scythe 120mm PWM for $13. $28 AR total, quieter than almost any cooler below $50

 

[mfenn]

Nothing wrong with pushpins, really... it's a one time job, easier installation isn't worth even $2 unless you're ridiculously highly paid. And some aftermarket sinks are harder to install than push pins.

I agree. The point of avoiding pushpins is to get a really solid connection for big tower coolers. I've never experienced a bolt-through cooler that was actually quicker to install than a push-pin cooler. Pushpins take all of a minute to do once you know what you're doing.

Anyway, OP if you want to spend $1000 but have most of the essential bits covered, you should definitely not be looking a ~$200 GPUs because you can easily fit the GTX 670 into the build like lehtv demonstrated.

 

[acheron]

Hey, thanks for the comments and suggestions everyone. Ended up getting the Z77 MB+3570k at Microcenter for cheap; also turned out they had some decent Crucial RAM for a good price while I was there so I grabbed that instead of the Gskill.

Rest is coming from Newegg.. stayed with a XFX 7850; I usually don't spend more than $200 on a video card, jumping up from there a little bit to the 7850 was enough for me rather than going all the way to a GTX670 or something. Even though I said the budget, paying $400 for a video card is more than I wanted. Appreciate the idea though.

Current case I'm reusing is an Antec P182 for the poster who asked.

Anyway, hope I can start putting it together over the weekend.

 

[mfenn]

Nothing wrong with coming in under budget. It all comes down to what your expectations are vis a vis the amount of money you spent. Let us know how the build goes!