FINAL BUILD!!! help on improving

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Keenas

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 97640 18-Feb-2012 11:22

building new comp budget not alot not $1500 new to this as first build. done a fair bit of research thinking about buying asap.
using for high end gaming interested in future sli and making future proof.
also thinking about connecting up to 40inch t.v.
as u can see im obviously way off my budget (if i get a vga) maybe can ride on intel graphics for a while

Any recommendations with price/performance im all ears.

Mobo: ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 Gen3 $272
future sli
plenty of sataIII
hdmi for 40inch t.v 1920x1080 (not a problem if i get vga)
Internal usb 3.0 for front panel
supports K
pcie 3.0 with ivy bridge (was thinking future proofing not essential if can go cheaper!)
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

Psu: OCZ OCZ-ZX1000W 1000W Fully Modular $258
sli mainly
fully modular (was thinking future proofing not essential if can go cheaper!)
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

CPU: Intel i5-2500K Core i5 Processor $265
from what iv read good for gaming
intel graphics till graphics card
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER HYPER 212 EVO $46
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443
Arctic Cooling Thermal Compound MX-2 $11
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

RAM: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB $169
240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) 1.25V 9-9-9-24-2N
http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs01 [...] tails.html

Case: NZXT Phantom Enthusiast ATX Tower Case $238
like the looks
not sure if all 7 cooling options will work with mobo and if the front panel usb (3.0, 2.0) audio and esata jacks too.
http://www.tastech.co.nz/product_i [...] _id=372130

Fans: 2x 200mm NZXT High Performance Case Fan $72
http://www.tastech.co.nz/product_i [...] _id=352050
NZXT FN-140RB HIGH PERFORMANCE 140MM CASE FAN $28
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/co [...] f=pricespy
read about the fans are different than normal (i think the screws a different) thinking about sticking with nzxt

Hdd:Samsung SpinPoint F3 HD103SJ 7200rpm 32MB 1TB $128
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] 686a51e52d
Ssd: Crucial 64GB M4 2.5" SATA3 6GB/s $146
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] _id=363573
not sure if i should get Ssd or Hdd i know i wont be using a tb of data. (movies and all big stuff is on external Hdd)

OS: windows 7 home prem $? (150 ultimate upgrade)
i am a nz student but look online but only found 1 site (lapshop.co.nz) not sure if i should buy oem 64bit and upgrade from an old xp disk, is this the cheapest option? or can i get the full versian somewere else?
also what are benefits of windows ultimate compared to windows prem?

Graphics: no idea look at an asus gtx 570 but as i said way off my budget (+$495)
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] 06ff99f1b9

any ideas would be very appreciative!!!

price with Hdd $1637
price with Sdd $1655

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Banana?
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+1 received by user: 836

Subscriber

Reply # 583127 18-Feb-2012 11:29

You are spending $500 on a case and PSU. That could be trimmed quite significantly (by getting a cheaper case with included PSU) and then when you need more power go for a better PSU.
Obviously if you really want that case, get it, but you can get by with a much cheaper PSU until you go SLI.

Unless you are overclocking straight away, you will do fine with the stock cooler and fans. OEM CPUs come with a pad of thermal material, so paste is unnecessary until you remove the Cooler to change it.

You don't want to be spending all this money to get a gaming PC without getting a VGA card. The onboard one will not do for gaming. I would be trimming off what you can put off in order to get a graphics card.

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

813 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

Reply # 583142 18-Feb-2012 12:04

Save some cash on the PSU/case, and whats with all the extra fans? Get rid of all of them and get one of these $300-350 psu/case combos from CL
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentlist.asp?parttypeid=638&t=5

Cheaper RAM
http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=254/ID=15332/SID=125203568/productdetails.html

The HSF should come with thermal paste preinstalled, or with its own tube, no point buying extra

Keenas

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 583146 18-Feb-2012 12:21

thx for quick reply.
if i can get a vga instead of the pricey case then im all for it
wt psu would u recommend (wattage)? i looked at this one for 90bux or is it best to get a case with psu in till sli
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=361225

still abit edgy on the extreme4 vs p8p67pro
http://www.asus.co.nz/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8P67_PRO/

is the ram a good choice
as you can see im still quite a newby at all this.

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

813 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

Reply # 583149 18-Feb-2012 12:24

"using for high end gaming interested in future sli and making future proof."

Forget any form of pricey case if you want a decent gaming experience... I'll draw up a random build with Playtech and edit my post

From my build, only things I would change would be the case/psu (see computer lounge combo link) and upgrade the GPU to match the $1500 budget

Keenas

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 583198 18-Feb-2012 14:52

okay cheers. think iv finally got my set up.
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB $99
http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=254/ID=15301/SID=306285679/productdetails.html

Intel core i5 2500k $265
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=369124&RBTid=62f5d46a17c3e4e32f20b806ff99f1b9

Mobo ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 Gen3 $272
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=361826&RBTid=ec96aa16eec4a204b49815e185139841

os $150
windows 7 ultimate

Ssd: Crucial 64GB M4 2.5" SATA3 6GB/s $146
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] _id=363573

Case: NZXT Phantom Enthusiast ATX Tower Case $238
http://www.tastech.co.nz/product_i [...] _id=372130

650w Antec EarthWatts Green ATX Power Supply
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=361225

still off with a graphics card for 240 ideas? im a fan of nivida btw
does the ram fit with the mobo?

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

813 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

Reply # 583207 18-Feb-2012 15:08

Get a cheaper case. Or listen to me and look at the Computer Lounge combos
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?cPath=109_758&products_id=361293&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

Forget about the SSD for now, good luck getting anything more than W7, BF3 and Skyrim on 64GB... Go back to the Samsung Spinpoint
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=361615&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

Cheaper mobo:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3853#sp

RAM @pconline
2x http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=362149&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

Windows 7
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=368898&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

GPU:
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=358354&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

trig42

Banana?
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+1 received by user: 836

Subscriber

Reply # 583218 18-Feb-2012 15:55

+1 on the SSD. Get one as a boot drive only if you also have another drive to store your stuff on.
Windows takes about 10gigs, then you'll have hibernation files and swap files (not that you'll need them).

lucky015

628 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 87

Reply # 583284 18-Feb-2012 20:43

Keenas: building new comp budget not alot not $1500 new to this as first build. done a fair bit of research thinking about buying asap.
using for high end gaming interested in future sli and making future proof.
also thinking about connecting up to 40inch t.v.
as u can see im obviously way off my budget (if i get a vga) maybe can ride on intel graphics for a while

Any recommendations with price/performance im all ears.

Mobo: ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 Gen3 $272
future sli
plenty of sataIII
hdmi for 40inch t.v 1920x1080 (not a problem if i get vga)
Internal usb 3.0 for front panel
supports K
pcie 3.0 with ivy bridge (was thinking future proofing not essential if can go cheaper!)
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

Psu: OCZ OCZ-ZX1000W 1000W Fully Modular $258
sli mainly
fully modular (was thinking future proofing not essential if can go cheaper!)
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

CPU: Intel i5-2500K Core i5 Processor $265
from what iv read good for gaming
intel graphics till graphics card
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER HYPER 212 EVO $46
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443
Arctic Cooling Thermal Compound MX-2 $11
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] caa677e443

RAM: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB $169
240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) 1.25V 9-9-9-24-2N
http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs01 [...] tails.html

Case: NZXT Phantom Enthusiast ATX Tower Case $238
like the looks
not sure if all 7 cooling options will work with mobo and if the front panel usb (3.0, 2.0) audio and esata jacks too.
http://www.tastech.co.nz/product_i [...] _id=372130

Fans: 2x 200mm NZXT High Performance Case Fan $72
http://www.tastech.co.nz/product_i [...] _id=352050
NZXT FN-140RB HIGH PERFORMANCE 140MM CASE FAN $28
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/co [...] f=pricespy
read about the fans are different than normal (i think the screws a different) thinking about sticking with nzxt

Hdd:Samsung SpinPoint F3 HD103SJ 7200rpm 32MB 1TB $128
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] 686a51e52d
Ssd: Crucial 64GB M4 2.5" SATA3 6GB/s $146
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] _id=363573
not sure if i should get Ssd or Hdd i know i wont be using a tb of data. (movies and all big stuff is on external Hdd)

OS: windows 7 home prem $? (150 ultimate upgrade)
i am a nz student but look online but only found 1 site (lapshop.co.nz) not sure if i should buy oem 64bit and upgrade from an old xp disk, is this the cheapest option? or can i get the full versian somewere else?
also what are benefits of windows ultimate compared to windows prem?

Graphics: no idea look at an asus gtx 570 but as i said way off my budget (+$495)
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/p [...] 06ff99f1b9

any ideas would be very appreciative!!!

price with Hdd $1637
price with Sdd $1655

1. ASRock have often made some rather crappy motherboards so I would avoid them, ASUS do pretty good but they arent cheap for a decent one, When getting an Intel CPU try not to skimp on the motherboard or you may well find later down the track your stuck with a pile of crap with only one usable PCI-E and other similar problems.

2. PSU is overkill especially with a motherboard you'll never be able to run SLI/Crossfire on properly. (1x16 or 2x8)
You could easily get away with a decent 650w, I would aim about 750w.

3. CPU is a good bet for Intel systems but is favored in particular more by overclockers.

4. CPU Cooler is a great one, Nice price too, I'm intending on buying one myself soon, Thermal compound looks alright but I would go with Arctic Silver 5 for a little more (Although I have no experience with either)

5. RAM, The Ripjaws seem a fair bit cheaper than the sniper and look rather identical spec wise, Alternatively to ones you have chosen the ones below would be a little better. (I have a pair of something similar myself)
http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=254/ID=15333/SID=125203568/productdetails.html

6. SSD + HDD Crucial M4's seem to be fairly common as they seem cheap but I would favor something in Samsung 830 Series as they seem to do consistently better at a fairly marginal price increase atm.
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=370109&RBTid=1d365d07d21604d6708b91caa677e443
(May be cheaper elsewhere)

Don't forget a decent storage drive, Although its usually possible to transfer that from previous build unless its IDE, Western Digital are usually the best and have come down a fair bit in price again after the flooding lately and are now pretty much matched with seagates again, Samsung are run of the mill but certainly nothing special despite their great SSD's.

7. Case is a matter of personal preference but keep airflow in mind and keep an eye out for somewhere cheaper to get it from or an alternative cheaper case you like.

8. GPU, I favour AMD but all either way those ASUS cards are a horrible concept, They are bloody huge (triple slot) with alright-ish cooling, If going for a GTX570 I would suggest going instead for double slot triple fan. (Either way check it would fit your case) I dont see much benefit for the 570 over the 560TI.

nVIDIA's 500 series run VERY hot compared to AMD's 6000/7000 series, At 1080p gaming a 2gb card is usually preferable but not always possible, I'd go for a 6950 myself, At least Dual fan is usually preferred especially with nVIDIA cards, Their OEM cooling isn't all that effective compared to AMD's,

Look closely at the benefits of each alternative nVIDIA vs AMD wise, PhysX is nice but personally Infinity is more important to me as is lower temperature.

AMD drivers are now far better than they where and being updated extremely regularly, nVIDIA on the other hand are beginning to fall behind on theirs (Laptop's being one example).

And finally, Combo's are nice but don't allow yourself to sacrifice too much on a FUNCTIONAL component too much for a decent price.

lucky015

628 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 87

Reply # 583286 18-Feb-2012 20:46

P1n3apqlExpr3ss: Get a cheaper case. Or listen to me and look at the Computer Lounge combos
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?cPath=109_758&products_id=361293&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

Forget about the SSD for now, good luck getting anything more than W7, BF3 and Skyrim on 64GB... Go back to the Samsung Spinpoint
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=361615&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

Cheaper mobo:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3853#sp

RAM @pconline
2x http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=362149&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

Windows 7
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=368898&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

GPU:
http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/product_info.php?products_id=358354&RBTid=56b131fbd09eb59b8544165d019b396b

Valid point on SSD's, At best you would only end up storing your OS and 1 or 2 of your most played game on it, If you have the money it is a nice upgrade but if you don't then the difference is fairly minimal other than saving a few seconds on boot up and perhaps game loading if you can fit it on the drive.

Also ends up requiring you to install large programs to alternative directories to keep the drive from becoming completely full.

Keenas

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 583312 18-Feb-2012 22:10

aight looking good now. :)

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
650w Antec EarthWatts
Intel core i5 2500k
Antec Three Hundred or storm enforcer
Asus GTX 560 Ti DirectCU II TOP Super Overclocked
Samsung SpinPoint F3 HD103SJ 7200rpm 32MB 1TB
Corsair Memory 4GB x2 or G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (4gb x 2)
windows 7 64 oem

both memory both dont come up on quality vendors list
heading towards storm enforcer.
so looks like im getting ready to order.
last issue the graphics card is $344 i have about $500 to play around with, ideas on gfx cards? wanting best price/performance im also thinking about future sli to future proof,

lucky015

628 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 87

Reply # 583320 18-Feb-2012 22:36

Keenas: aight looking good now. :)

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
650w Antec EarthWatts
Intel core i5 2500k
Antec Three Hundred or storm enforcer
Asus GTX 560 Ti DirectCU II TOP Super Overclocked
Samsung SpinPoint F3 HD103SJ 7200rpm 32MB 1TB
Corsair Memory 4GB x2 or G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (4gb x 2)
windows 7 64 oem

both memory both dont come up on quality vendors list and heading towards storm enforcer.
so looks like im getting ready to order.
last issue the graphics card is $344 i have about $550 to play around with, ideas on gfx cards? wanting best price/performance

Motherboard looks good, Although not advisable for SLI (I should note this applies to most Z68 boards)

PSU should be fine

CPU fine

Cases both look fine (Double check Graphics card fits tho)

I wouldn't advise buying a Samsung HDD (Different story to SSD's) but i suppose they are fairly cheap and not all that bad.

RAM Both look alright, I'd take the G.Skill personally as they are probably easier to get cheaper and may be easier to get matched ram later down the track due to their abundance of supply.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about matching RAM to vendor lists as the lists aren't very comprehensive and rarely tend to be updated, Also compatibility problems are few and far between these days with RAM.

Storm looks like a decent case if you like the design, I always liked the CM690 II Advanced and the Enforcer seems to follow along the same lines with setup, Antec gets a little annoying when they are too cheap to paint the inside of their cases.

Better GPU could be an idea but performance differences aren't likely to be all that noticeable and prices go upwards pretty quick.

Keenas

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 583325 18-Feb-2012 23:20

wow awsome thanks alot!!!!!!! ordering away.

Keenas

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 583439 19-Feb-2012 15:07

why is the z68 motherboards not good for sli?

lucky015

628 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 87

Reply # 583495 19-Feb-2012 17:30

Keenas: why is the z68 motherboards not good for sli?

From what I can see the Z68 as well as a number of other Intel chipsets seem to only support a single PCI-E X16 channel, This is halved when a second graphics card is installed leaving it with 2 PCI-E x8 slots (This is what it means when a board says Single x16 or Dual X8).

x8 has a lower bandwidth that is increasingly being hit and would inevitably limit the peak performance of your setup, As bandwidth goes up this is becoming increasingly more of a problem.

It is of-course possible to use SLI with 2 x8 slots but depending on your choice of graphics cards you risk an up to %10 loss in performance when compared to 2 x16 slots.

With something like 560TI's or 570's I'm not sure if there would be a difference but 580's and upwards is often a 5%+ loss in performance, So you would likely be sitting right on the maximum bandwidth.

Keenas

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 583543 19-Feb-2012 19:57

ah so are the motherboards with dual x16 going up the price tree, and is it worth getting a mobo that has dual x16 (maybe pcie 3.0) for price/performance?

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