Gaming/Programming Build

[Ariste]

Hey all,

I'm looking into building a new rig that will be used mainly for gaming and programming (mostly using Visual Studio, which can be slow). I've been out of the game for a few years now, so I'd very much appreciate any advice you guys have. After some quick research I've put together the system below. First, the obligatory info:

What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
As mentioned above, this build will be used for gaming and programming, as well as the general Internet browsing/document editing what-have-you.

What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
Somewhere in the $1600ish range.

What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA.

IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
My preference is for brands that don't suck

If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I'll be reusing DVD drives as well as some combination of the 2 1TB hard drives I currently use to complement the SSD included in this build. I'll also be using my current 24" Dell monitor in a dual-monitor setup with the one listed in the build, and I don't need a copy of Windows because I can get one for free through my university.

IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes, briefly.

IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I'd like to do some overclocking (hence the aftermarket cooler), but I'm not going to try to push for a world-record overclock or anything like that. A moderate overclock is what I'll be looking for.

What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920x1200.

WHEN do you plan to build it?
ASAP.


And the build:

CPU/HSF: Intel i7 2600k w/ Hyper 212 EVO

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3

RAM: 8GB (2x4GB) PNY XLR8

Graphics Card: MSI Twin Frozr GeForce GTX 570

Power Supply: Antec NEO ECO 620W

Storage: Crucial M4 128GB SSD for boot/apps + existing HDDs for storage (I have 2 1TB drives, so I'll probably pick one or use both in RAID 0. While were at it: how effective are RAID 0 arrays with different brands of drives (but same size and speed)?).

Case: Corsair Carbide 400R Mid Tower

Monitor: HP ZR24W 24" LCD

Total: ~$1650


Thanks very much for any help. It will be much appreciated.

 

[lehtv]

That RAM is 1.65V, you need 1.5V. Here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416.

You could get a 6950 2GB and unlock/OC it to a 6970. MSI Twin Frozr II, Twin Frozr III, Sapphire Dirt3 Edition and Club3D CoolStream can all be unlocked (not 100&#37. This'll save you $100 over that 570 and perform about the same. If you get a 570 anyway, get the Galaxy 570 $290 AR or Gigabyte 570 for $325 AR. What games are you going to play?

The Neo ECO 620C doesn't support SLI (not enough connectors and inadequate power for 570 SLI) so you could save on the mobo, get a non-SLI board like Asrock Pro3, Pro3 Gen3, Asus P8Z68-V LE, or a cheaper Gigabyte.

Everything else looks good to me.

 

[Ken g6]

- That RAM will not work. You need 1.5V RAM. Here's some for $45. You can get cheaper with 1333MHz, and it wouldn't hurt more than a couple percent, but $45 ain't bad.
- Your case has USB 3.0 front-panel ports that your mobo can't use. This ASUS P8Z68-V LE can if you're interested in such things.

 

[fffblackmage]

To be technically correct, 1.65V ram is "fine." Intel states ram voltage shouldn't be higher than 1.65V when you're pairing them with their CPUs, however, most, if not all of us, frown at any ram that requires a voltage greater than the standard 1.5V for DDR3.

Why?:
Lower quality ram chips, because a higher voltage than normal is needed to drive them.
Higher power consumption and dissipation.
Shorter lifespan.
Poor reliability.
Long-term damage to Intel CPU.

I've seen 1.65V DDR3 ram on sale for less than normal 1.5V DDR3 on occasion, but this is a case where "you get what you pay for" is probably true.

 

[trexpesto]

Be aware that the ECO's say: Power cord not included

 

[mfenn]

That RAM is 1.65V, you need 1.5V. Here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416.

You could get a 6950 2GB and unlock/OC it to a 6970. MSI Twin Frozr II, Twin Frozr III, Sapphire Dirt3 Edition and Club3D CoolStream can all be unlocked (not 100%). This'll save you $100 over that 570 and perform about the same. If you get a 570 anyway, get the Galaxy 570 $290 AR or Gigabyte 570 for $325 AR. What games are you going to play?

The Neo ECO 620C doesn't support SLI (not enough connectors and inadequate power for 570 SLI) so you could save on the mobo, get a non-SLI board like Asrock Pro3, Pro3 Gen3, Asus P8Z68-V LE, or a cheaper Gigabyte.

Everything else looks good to me.

:thumbsup: to this.

Also, depending on how big your codebase is, you may not see any benefit in going for the 2600K over the 2500K.

 

[Ariste]

Yikes, thanks for that catch with the RAM. That would have sucked.

Made some of the changes you guys suggested. Also switched over to a modular 650W PSU. I'll be ordering either tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for the help, guys.

 

[lehtv]

Which modular PSU?

 

[Ariste]

Which modular PSU?

This guy. Maybe a little expensive, but seems to be high quality.

 

[lehtv]

Yeah... expensive. I'd rather get XFX 750W XXX edition for $90 after rebate: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=622...anufacture=XFX

You get more power for $39 less (free shipping from ncix). It'll be more comfortable to run a dual-GPU setup on that one. Plus it's made by Seasonic instead of CWT, though in this case the PSU quality is comparable. And the efficiency is 80+ silver instead of bronze. The only downside is that it has "only" 5 year warranty compared to 7 for the HX.