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Build request

S

Schalldämpfer

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 28, 2004
Messages
217
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming and graphics design, 2D and 3D.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Would like to keep it under $1,000. Flexible, but lower the better.

3) Where do you live?
I have a Microcenter near me.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, mobo, RAM, PSU, case, aftermarket cooler, GPU, HDD, optical drive

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes, but will not be extreme.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I have a 21" CRT I am planning on using for the moment, but looking at 23" in the near future.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next two weeks, unless a major hardware revision is due within a short amount of time.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
No RAID, no Firewire, yes SLI (dual, tri at the most,) USB 3.0 would be nice, SATA 6gbps would be nice. Would be really nice if wireless is included on the mobo, but I can go with an USB dongle.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Already have Win 7 64-bit.

I have the $180 Microcenter i5-2500k availabe. I'm looking at the P8P67 Pro, but I noticed the Evo version for about $20 more. What's the difference?
Probably G.Skill Ripjaw 8 gig.
Looking at MSI 560 ti Frozer.
No idea on PSU, but I do want a dual-SLI capable one.
Generic optical drive.
CM H212+ or maybe Corsair H60? I've never done WC before.
Case, I might reuse for the time being. But if I do buy one, I'd like a plain-looking one like Antec Three Hundred.

I did a little price comparison, and it looks like MC's only good deal is on the CPU. So probably will order from Newegg for the rest of the parts.

Your input is much appreciated.
 
So you've bought the i5-2500K already?

What programs will you be using?

When are you planning on buying the new monitor? Do you already have a monitor in mind?
 
tiraides said:
So you've bought the i5-2500K already?

What programs will you be using?

When are you planning on buying the new monitor? Do you already have a monitor in mind?
Click to expand...

I have not bought the 2500k yet.

I'll be using open-source software for graphics, basic MS Office tasks and gaming.

Monitor can come whenever. I did see a pretty good deal from MC on an LG monitor kinda like this one for about the same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005196

On a side note, is an IPS monitor worth the price difference? I'm not sure what advantages it offers.
 
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Schalldämpfer;1037226640 said:
A really old no name case. I do plan on replacing it, but I don't want to spend all the money all in one go.
Click to expand...

$180 - i5 2500K from Microcenter
$180 - MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard
$85 - G.Skill Ripjaws F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$240 - XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$70 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$21 - Samsung SH-S222AB SATA DVD Burner
$60 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case
$32 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156
------
Total: $868 plus tax and shipping

Notes:
- I didn't go with that Asus Pro mobo because that was one of the Asus mobos that had the most reported issues here on the forums. Oh and the Evo is the same as the Pro but has a second NIC. So not much reason to get that mobo. The above MSI mobo is a fairly solid mobo

- The Coolermaster HAF 912 is a far far better case than the Antec 300 due to its better cable management and more room. And yes get a new case right off the bat. Your old case will probably not provide decent enough cooling for the above build

- Went with the HD 6950 1GB since it has the better price to performance ratio.

- Oh and an IPS monitor is great if you're doing extensive photoshop or image work due to the better color representation. However they tend to be a little bad for gaming.
 
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Schalldämpfer;1037226875 said:
I have not bought the 2500k yet.

I'll be using open-source software for graphics, basic MS Office tasks and gaming.

Monitor can come whenever. I did see a pretty good deal from MC on an LG monitor kinda like this one for about the same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005196

On a side note, is an IPS monitor worth the price difference? I'm not sure what advantages it offers.
Click to expand...

The main advantage of an IPS is the viewing angles. What this means is that it displays color more consistent across the entire screen, whereas a TN will color shift. A simply example of this would be if you view say a single solid color full screen on a TN, it will not actually look the same color on the entire screen. Higher end IPS screens specially for graphics work also have other advantages as well. You can get a cheaper IPS, like the Dell u2311, in the low $200s when on sale.

I'd stick with the 212+ and the cheaper motherboard, unless it has features you need (such as better RAID, more connectors, etc.) to save money.
 
The P8P67 variant with SLI support begins with the Pro version, so that's why I went with that one. If there are better choice, I'm more than willing to listen.

I will probably stick with this HDD:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340562

I don't really need great viewing angle, and my graphics work is an hobby and nothing professional, so I don't need a crazy system. So I probably don't need an IPS in this case.
 
Danny Bui said:
Read my post above limitedaccess :D

Oh and the above MSI mobo does support SLI
Click to expand...

Oh, wow, your post didn't show up when I read it. It must have been a glitch or something.

But thank you. I think I will go with basically what you just laid out.

One question, though, what's coming down the road in the near future (within the next month or two) that might make this system obsolete?
 
Schalldämpfer;1037227093 said:
One question, though, what's coming down the road in the near future (within the next month or two) that might make this system obsolete?
Click to expand...
Dunno to be honest. The HD 7xxx series is supposedly being launched some in the next few months but there's scant info about that. AMD's Bulldozer CPUs are supposedly due in the next two months but there's been little to no information about its performance compared to the SB CPUs.
 
I see. Should I put off on building the rig and see what comes out?

And is there a more discreet-looking case? That one is a little too... jaggedy for my taste.
 
Schalldämpfer;1037227117 said:
I see. Should I put off on building the rig and see what comes out?
Click to expand...
Best advice I can give: Wait until you can no longer wait. Then buy.
Schalldämpfer;1037227117 said:
And is there a more discreet-looking case? That one is a little too... jaggedy for my taste.
Click to expand...

Other cases to check out:
$70 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58W ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56 ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance ATX Case
$100 - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$106 - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case
$127 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black ATX Case
$110 - NZXT Whisper WHI - 001BK ATX Full Tower Case
$120 - Velocity Micro GX2-W Silver Classic Aluminum Case with Side Window
$140 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - Cooler Master HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$165 - Corsair Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$220 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$220 - Cooler Master ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$220 - Lian Li PC-A71F Black ATX Case
$290 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Full Tower ATX Case
$330 - Silverstone Temjin SST-TJ07B Full Tower ATX Case
 
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Schalldämpfer;1037227177 said:
Thanks for the case choices.

However, the XFX card on Newegg doesn't seem to have good reviews.
Click to expand...

Although the haf 912 isnt the most aesthetically pleasing case I honestly believe you will not find a better case for anywhere near the money.. I am not crazy about the way it looks, but the internal layout is awesome. Also if you want to invest in a couple of the coolermaster 200mm fans its ends up being very very quiet with excellent airflow (has provisioning for a 200mm front & top)

As far as the video card goes that is a non reference design. If you have the money to spend I would actually look on the FS/T forums. I have seen a couple 2gb 6950's w/ reference design on there for 250-260 & atleast one of them is an xfx so its got a double lifetime warranty. Ie you buy the card used & register with XFX & your still covered as long as you own it. Plus got get the extra vram & a better chance of unlocking everything to a 6970.
 
Danny Bui said:
Best advice I can give: Wait until you can no longer wait. Then buy.
Click to expand...

This is truly the best advice. I waited until a bunch of items went on sale for my build and bought them all at very reduced prices. Then sure enough, the next month rolls around and the parts that I hadn't bought yet all went on sale.

Ended up saving roughly $300.

Also, as bastage says, the XFX card has a lifetime warranty and pretty good specs. I know that on [H]ard it's a trusted brand.
 
Schalldämpfer;1037230616 said:
How's this card? 2 gig VRAM for not much more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150530&cm_re=6950-_-14-150-530-_-Product

Oh, and I still need a wireless card or USB dongle.
Click to expand...

It won't make that much of a difference to be honest with the 2GB version. With that said, if you're willing to spend the cash, want a higher chance of not having to replace your video card so soon, and or plan on going with a resolution higher than 1920x1080, then go for the 2GB.

As for the wireless adapter:
$28 - Asus PCE-N13 Wireless Adapter
 
Schalldämpfer;1037241716 said:
How much more power draw can it take? Both comfortably and to the limit?
Click to expand...

Well that Antec 520C 520W PSU can provide 520W of power :). That's 520W at max BTW. As for comfortable limit, with most PSUs, you want to aim for a normal or average PC usage load of around 40% to 60% of the PSU's total wattage for optimal temperatures, noise, and longevity. So around 312W with that 520W for the optimal figures. You should be around that power usage range with the above setup.
 
Danny Bui said:
Well that Antec 520C 520W PSU can provide 520W of power :). That's 520W at max BTW. As for comfortably, with most PSUs, you want to aim for a normal or average PC usage load of around 40% to 60% for optimal temperatures, noise, and longevity. So around 312W with that 520W for the optimals. You should be around that power usage range with the above setup.
Click to expand...

And XFiring will push it just about to the limit, correct? I do plan on OCing, so does that 312W figure take OCing into account as well?
 
Schalldämpfer;1037241746 said:
And XFiring will push it just about to the limit, correct? I do plan on OCing, so does that 312W figure take OCing into account as well?
Click to expand...

Yes adding a second HD 6950 will pretty much push the limit. We generally recommend 750W PSUs for at a minimum for any Crossfire or SLI setup.

Also, that 312W is the optimal wattage usage that you have to get with any 520W PSU since it's 60% of the PSU's total load. Get it? It wasn't a guess per se of the above PC's actual power usage. With that said, with overclocking, there's a good chance that you'll exceed that 312W but still be well under the max load of that 520W PSU.
 
Schalldämpfer;1037227117 said:
And is there a more discreet-looking case? That one is a little too... jaggedy for my taste.
Click to expand...

I can vouch for the NZXT Whisper that Danny linked. Dead silent case, very sleek, very nice looking and very well built. I'd highly recommend it if you want something quiet and badass looking without too much flare. The inside is very nicely set up too. Check it out on Newegg for more pictures. While the HAF 912 is a very nice case, I was never a big fan of it either simply on looks alone.
 
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Schalldämpfer;1037243379 said:
Nabbed the Kingston 64 GB SSD for 64 dollars.
Click to expand...

And that was kind of bad buy actually. Oh well, at least it was cheap.
 
Schalldämpfer;1037246088 said:
Dang... why was it a bad buy? Just curious.
Click to expand...

While it is gonna be faster than a regular hard drive, its performance compared to other SSDs is pretty lacking. I.e the $130 Crucial 64GB SSD outperforms that Kingston by quite a large margin to the point that it's totally worth the extra $70.
 
Danny Bui said:
While it is gonna be faster than a regular hard drive, its performance compared to other SSDs is pretty lacking. I.e the $130 Crucial 64GB SSD outperforms that Kingston by quite a large margin to the point that it's totally worth the extra $70.
Click to expand...

Whew... I'll look up Buy.com's return policy.

Also, any idea if the newly-released Z68 boards will drive down prices on the P67? I really don't need the additional features of a Z68 mobo.
 
Schalldämpfer;1037246322 said:
Whew... I'll look up Buy.com's return policy.

Also, any idea if the newly-released Z68 boards will drive down prices on the P67? I really don't need the additional features of a Z68 mobo.
Click to expand...

Someone in another thread claimed the P67 prices have dropped, but I've yet to see how much or if at all.
 
Schalldämpfer;1037255596 said:
What is the difference between MSI G43 and MSI GD65?
Click to expand...

The GD65 has the following over the G43:
- SLI Support
- Two extra SATA ports
- Two eSATA ports
- All of the SATA ports on the GD65 motherboard is parallel to the motherboard rather than perpendicular to the motherboard like with the G43
- Firewire
 
Slowly getting my build together.

I ended up with the XFX 6950 1 gb from Newegg for 210 after rebates.

I dropped the idea of XFire or SLI, so I'll probably go with a cheaper mobo. Recommendations would be much appreciated.
 
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