New Build, like some advice on it please

Pok_UK · 12 Oct 2011 at 20:15

Hi, I think its time to become a enthusiast. My old PC, built and rebuilt on a student budget (most now 3-4 yrs old), is not able to keep up anymore. I'd like to game on it and will like it to be fairly future proof. I am a noob with PCs but have managed to keep mine going a little and have tried to research, scouring the net and your forums for about a month. I hope by building this one I will learn a little more along the way.

I would like it to be able to run games like BF3 etc. at 1080 res.

This is the system I am thinking of getting.

Case: Inwin Dragon Rider (preferred for the looks vs phantom and HAF).

Mobo: Asrock Extreme 4 gen 3
Meant to be ok to OC with and has had good reviews.

Processor: i7 2600k. I know I'd prob only just use the i5k features for games but am I right in thinking multithreading will become used more? Also this whole BD vs i5 is making me think lets just get the i7 thats on offer...

Cooler: Corsair H100, I think it should fit in the case by what info I could find on the web (limited). I picked this one as its not much more then the H80 and I will use it to OC. I believe it comes with its own paste, should I use this or change it?

PSU: Lepa G series 900
Not 100% on this yet.. Its modular and meant to be able to give out consistent voltages. if I want to add a second GPU I 'd need a extra bit of power.

Ram: Not 100% set -
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz
seems ok to me

SSD: OCZ agility 3 60GB
(to use Smart Response Technology)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM
(I can always add more and expand later)

I also need a optical drive, I was thinking:
Samsung DVDRW from OCUK
Didn't think I'd need a blu-ray yet.

Then when all thats in place last bits of advice would be for some blue fans, any recommended for my case? Then the Big question what GPU? I don't want to spend silly money and am happy with one monitor for now, thinking £250-400?

Thanks, any advice would be welcome. I may have made some big mistakes so always best to run past the experts

olivier renault · 12 Oct 2011 at 21:10

- In similar kind of looks you have the Antec DarkFleet. Can't say about that particular case although not my taste. £115 sounds like a lot of money. I prefer functional over looks (getting a carbide 400R).

- I'm getting the same motherboard. Apart from that, I can't say

It's a 12+4 phase, so if you are looking at big overclocks, maybe something with more VRM power phases.

- The H100 seems to perform. Can't say about fitting in your case, but usually you stick it at the top of the case, making sure you have enough clearance with the motherboard VRM heatsinks.

- For the PSU, you have loads of choices around that price. I would personally pick up the Antec TP-Pro, or the XFX 850. The Lepa is an Enermax Modu87+ in disguise, iirc. Look up reviews. Not bad at all. I am picking up a Seasonic X-850 myself. Another step up though, like a AX850.

- I have the kingstons on a 1055T build and no worries. I am planning on moving them to the AsRock Z68 Gen 3 once I get going.

- Not a fan of the Agility. I have picked up a Crucial M4 128GB myself.

- I wouldn't bother with a Caviar Black, especially for storage. Instead oc Caviar Black + OCZ 60GB, I would pick up the M4 128GB and a Samsung F3 or Seagate Barracuda.

- Not a fan of Samsung opticals, had problems with those in the past. Going for a LG which is a good budget brand.

PSU review

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=223

HDD group test

http://techreport.com/articles.x/19330

olivier renault · 12 Oct 2011 at 21:26

OK Here's my up coming setup in comparison, which would equate to roughly the same price. Except maybe the GPUs

Carbide 400R.
2500K.
AsRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3.
HyperX 12800C9 8GB.
Seasonic X-850.
Samsung F3 1TB.
Crucial M4 128GB.
Thermalright MUX-120 Black.
Sapphire 6950 Toxic 2GB crossfire.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI GeForce GTX 560Ti OC Twin FrozR II 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **Supplied with FREE Batman: Arkham City PC game** £224.99
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £167.99
1 x Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £159.98
1 x XFX 850W Black Edition Modular '80 Plus Silver' Power Supply £122.99
1 x Corsair Carbide 400R Midi Tower Case - Black £79.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Bundle - Home Premium 64 Bit £68.40
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 32MB Cache - OEM (ST31000524AS) £44.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £47.99
1 x Thermalright MUX-120 Black CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775/LGA1156/LGA1155/LGA1366) £29.99
1 x LG GH24NS70 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £17.99
Total : £981.79 (includes shipping : £13.75).

I have a soft spot for PSUs, so I went with a posh Seasonic, but it's roughly equivalent for under a grand. Can go with 570's, or 6950's. I also like more Vram. 560ti SLI / 6950 Xfire kills, but it would be more like £450-£500. Can see how it goes with one GPU.

Rather than getting a 2600K now, I'm keeping to the 2500K, and will possibly upgrade to Ivybridge i7 later, depending. Probably not though, I expect the 2500K to perform great for a number of years.

Pok_UK · 13 Oct 2011 at 15:28

Hey, thanks for your reply, useful info, I think i will change hdd, a bit confused about a couple of things tho, the vrm is on the mobo right? So your suggesting getting a different one so I can put out more volts? I don't think I'll be going that crazy so it should suit my needs, it does have enough to reach the recommended limit right?

Also the VRAM, 2x GPU will cope better? But then I lose expandability in the future if I want to add a second more up to date

Ah decisions

olivier renault · 13 Oct 2011 at 20:58

You can theoretically mix and match GPUs for crossfire (not SLI), but it's best to keep them matched as much as possible.

The VRMs regulate power to the CPU. More phase mean each module does not work as hard to supply the voltage to the CPU, meaning less heat, more stable voltage. I cannot say for the Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 (7 phase?), but 12 phase (P8Z68-V, Extreme4, ...) will give you stable 30% overclock (4.4GHz. 4.6GHz).

I am getting a Extreme4 Gen3 and expecting to overclock to 4.4GHz. Motherboards like that will be all right.

Pok_UK · 14 Oct 2011 at 16:30

ok, worked on your suggestions and just the GPUs to sort (i5, different PSU, HDD, SSD).

I am thinking of 6970s, they perform better as well as 570s and are cheaper. Going to get one now and a second in a couple months i think.

Any idea which is a good brand? I have looked through the OC stock, it seems the HIS are pretty good out the box spec but I'm not sure how it will fit. Its only £30 more then the 6950 toxic as well.

Picking the right 6970 is annoying me and making me just want to buy a 570..