Help finalize build, $900 gaming/SSD

[amsluis]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Some gaming (SC2 on mid/high settings), Image processing DNA sequence processing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Around 800-900 with tax and shipping, ideally. I could be convinced to go higher if it's worth it.
3) Where do you live?
Bay Area, CA
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, PSU, HD, smallish SSD, GPU, RAM, case, optical drive, WiFi card
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
nope
6) Will you be overclocking?
Not likely
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
23"
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP, no big rush
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.
Nothing in particular, so far as i know. I guess something good for SSD.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
64bit win7

Hi all,
Hoping you fine folks can give me a little hand with my first build. I'm looking to make something that's pretty good for gaming, but something under a grand. I was thinking i5-2500K and a ~60GB SSD as a starting place. The SSD is kind of important because I do a lot of microscopy and processing of images, so I'd like to be able to process on the SSD, then move the finished product to HDD. Room for another HDD in the future would be nice, so a case that can fit that would be ideal. I have OS.

So far I'm using this as a starting point.

This is what I have right now. The anandtech page mentioned something about a power cable adapter, so if you could tell me whether i need it, and what that might be, that would be great.

Input, comments, suggestions all welcome. If you feel like this is good so far, is this everything I need? Thanks so much you guys!

 

[Team Obi Juan]

Would omit SSD if its cost forced you to get a less good GPU.

 

[amsluis]

So you think the GPU is underpowered? Relative to the rest of the build, or for gaming? I'd be willing to pony up more if you think I'd really benefit from it. I guess I might need a better PSU then?

 

[Team Obi Juan]

How big are the images? I'm using 1/2 of my 64GB SSD with Windows and some pretty common apps installed. Only 1 game installed. I was just recommending against getting the SSD if you had to make sacrifices somewhere because I'm semi-disappointed with the SSD and wish I had waited for it to get cheaper before I bit. But since you have a legitimate use (and provided the images are small enough), go for it. My point was that to get a large SSD, you will have to cut somewhere else.

 

[Dangman]

Don't start with that AT guide as it has some questionable or poorly chosen parts in there (namely the SSD and RAM).

Also, your wishlist link does not work. Just post the list of parts man. With that said, considering that you're in California, I recommend not buying from Newegg.com as they will charge CA residents tax. I recommend buying from Amazon.com as they do not charge CA residents tax and usually has free shipping.

Also, we need you to figure out right now if overclocking is an option. With the current Sandy Bridge CPUs, depending on the CPU you chose, you may not be able to overclock at all should you change your mind. And note that the overclocking capable CPUs cost about $20 more than their non-overclocking counterparts.

 

[amsluis]

That's a great point about amazon vs. newegg. I have amazon prime so I'll definitely go with that.

I really don't think I need to mess with overclocking. So I guess that means i don't need the 2500K, but just the 2500? Since it is only 15-20 dollars more, do most of you see this as worth it?

If the AT guide is no good, I really don't have anywhere to really start. I'm completely unfamiliar with PC components and it all just looks like greek to me. I've been trying to learn as much as I can from reviews and similar-ish builds on this forum, but as you might imagine it's making my head spin a little.

My important issues, at this point, are:

1) Is it worth it to do overclocking? Seems to me that it's a good way to get more performance for the money, but if it's going to be something of a hassle for someone with limited experience, I don't really want to worry about it.

2) Where do I start? I feel like i5-2500/i5-2500K, ~60GB SSD, 8GB RAM is a decent starting point, but I have no idea what that means in terms of what's practical for MOBO, case, PSU. And I have no idea whatsoever about GPUs, other than I've been using a laptop for the last 3 years and I'd really enjoy feeling something with some power.

My budget is really flexible, so long as there's a good reason to do something, I'll do it. I'm not really looking for a crazy gaming PC, just something that's good and capable.

Let me know what else you might need to know. Thanks again!

 

[Dangman]

I really don't think I need to mess with overclocking. So I guess that means i don't need the 2500K, but just the 2500? Since it is only 15-20 dollars more, do most of you see this as worth it?

No. After looking at Amazon.com's price for the i5 2400, 2500, and 2500K, the 2500K is worth the extra cash since you may feel more comfortable with overclocking later on.

1) Is it worth it to do overclocking? Seems to me that it's a good way to get more performance for the money, but if it's going to be something of a hassle for someone with limited experience, I don't really want to worry about it.

IMO, yes it's worth overclocking. Overclocking the Sandy Bridge CPUs is easier than in the past.

2) Where do I start? I feel like i5-2500/i5-2500K, ~60GB SSD, 8GB RAM is a decent starting point, but I have no idea what that means in terms of what's practical for MOBO, case, PSU. And I have no idea whatsoever about GPUs, other than I've been using a laptop for the last 3 years and I'd really enjoy feeling something with some power.

Here's a prelim build for you:
$225 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU
$133 - MSI P67A-G45 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard
$65 - Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1K2/8G 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$185 - eVGA 01G-P3-1460-KR GeForce GTX 560 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$115 - Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SSD
$60 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$20 - Sony AD-7260S-0B SATA DVD Burner
$55 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case
---
Total: $858 plus tax and shipping.

 

[amsluis]

Thanks Danny Bui, that looks great. What PSU should I get?

This?

 

[Dangman]

Thanks Danny Bui, that looks great. What PSU should I get?

This?

Shit, I knew I forgot something. Do not get that PSU as it is of extremely low quality. You should be looking at this PSU:
$90 - Corsair 650TX V2 650W PSU

 

[amsluis]

Cool.
Thanks a lot, this really helps put me at ease that I'm not doing something that doesn't make sense, etc.

 

[Tainted]

If you are one of the lucky few who live near a microcenter, you can get the 2500k for $180+tax.