My first "scratch" build

[FaalKorum]

Hey everyone. Stumbled upon this forum while researching my new computer build and thought it'd be a good place to get a critique and opinions of what I had in mind.

My purpose going in is for this to be a pure gaming PC. I'm done with school, so I don't need any kind of fancy-schmancy productivity applications outside of maybe Word. Second, while I know that "future proofing" a gaming PC is an exercise in futility, I would like this comp to maintain at least operable performance for a few years, as it will likely have to last me a good long while. As such, I've been looking at/for parts that favor overclocking, as I'll probably have to be winding things up as the years go on. Budget-wise, I'm looking at anything south of $2300.

I've dabbled in my older PC's before (dropping in a new video card, transposing cases), but this will be my first build from scratch.

Now for the parts:
CASE: Antec Three Hundred Illusion
CPU: i7-2600k
CPU FAN: Scythe Mugen 2 (SCMG-2100)
MOBO: Asus P8P67 WS Revolution
GPU: 2x XFX HD697A-CNFC
RAM: 2x 4gb G.Skill RipJaws X F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
HDD: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD600BLHX
OPTICAL DRIVE: Lite-On iHBS112
PSU: Seasonic SS-850HT
I use my LG 47" as my monitor, so 1080p is going to be my maximum resolution.

 

[zi0n.]

Now for the parts:
CASE: Antec Three Hundred Illusion
Case is fine but you should go bigger imo if you plan on SLI/Xfire.
CPU: i7-2600k
Drop down to a 2500k, since you're just gaming.
CPU FAN: Scythe Mugen 2 (SCMG-2100)
Just grab a hyper212+
MOBO: Asus P8P67 WS Revolution
any particular feature you're gonna use? if not this is just a waste. Get a Gigabyte UD3 instead and call it a day.
GPU: 2x XFX HD697A-CNFC
Any particular reason for Xfire? I would much rather grab a single/better gpu which means you could drop down the psu too
RAM: 2x 4gb G.Skill RipJaws X F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
Fine.
HDD: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD600BLHX
Not worth it, with all the savings grab an SSD instead with a Samsung F3 for storage.
OPTICAL DRIVE: Lite-On iHBS112
Fine.
PSU: Seasonic SS-850HT
Read GPU^
I use my LG 47" as my monitor, so 1080p is going to be my maximum resolution.

Answers in bold

 

[dma0991]

Welcome to Anandtech, FaalKorum.

If this is a gaming PC then get the Core i5 2500K instead. The extra paid for the Core i7 2600K is not worth it if you are not using thread heavy programs. As for future proofing, the Core i5 2500K is also capable of that by bumping the clock speed of your CPU to 4Ghz+ in a few years time should you need the extra performance.

For the motherboard you can settle for something that is cheaper like the Asus P8P67 Pro which works just as well as the one that you mentioned together with 2 GPU. Another option is to wait for the Z68 boards to be released in May.

The Velociraptor is not worth the money nowadays. I suggest that you get a 60GB or ideally 120GB SSD instead as it offers way better speed than a 10kRPM HDD.

 

[Doclife]

1). For gaming, your CPU selection is overkilled. The i5-2500K is best bang for your bucks.

2). I'd pick a SSD drive for OS/Application storage and a 7200RPM HD for data combo over a single 10K RPM HD drive. Besides, 10K RPM HD will most likely have lower life span (less reliable) than a 7200RPM due to wear and tear (higher motor spin speed, heat etc...)


3). You could save some money by going with cheaper memory, since memory don't impact CPU performance. On sale for $69.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416


4). Sandy Bridge CPUs are running cool enough that you don't need a monstrous cooler in order to achieve good OC. Besides, big coolers (like Scythe Mugent 2) take up space and might interfere with your memory. Get the COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

 

[FaalKorum]

Thanks guys, just the input I'm looking for.

Okay, i7 swapped for the i5, opted for the P8P67 Pro (or UD3, gonna do a price comparison here in a bit), switched to the G.Skill Sniper, and swapped the cooler to the 212+.

New questions:
To Crossfire or not to Crossfire? As mentioned above and by a more savvy friend, I'm probably overkilling it on the dual GPU's. By the same token, I've heard that they work better for large displays than a single card.

Second: cases. I had heard that the Three Hundred was too cramped and was a little cautious of it. Then again, I'm not in any hurry to replace a 4-fan mid tower with a 7-fan full tower monster like I did in the past. I've heard a few other options around the boards here:
Fractal B3
Antec 193 or 182
Coolermaster HAF 912
Ideally, I'd like one relatively quiet.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I will echo what the others have said. Don't get the Velociraptor, get a decent SSD, like a 120GB or 160GB Intel model 320 unit. Then get a 2TB 7200RPM or even 5400RPM HD for storage. (7200 if you plan on installing games to the HD)

The 2600K is really only useful if you can explicitly benefit from 8 threads. For gaming it is overkill, and the 2500K is a much better value as far as price/performance goes. (2600K is useful for Folding@Home, they have these "bigadv" WUs that require 8 threads to process.)

The Antec 300 Illusion is a fine case, don't worry about that poster that said to get a bigger case for CF/SLI. I have a rig with FOUR graphics cards in it, in an Antec 300, and if you add all of the fans, it keeps it plenty cool.

 

[Doclife]

If you want a better quality, quiet, minimum dust in the case, and good airflow case, take a look at Antec P183. This case will last and last until you are tired of looking at it.

It does not matter if the screen is 47" or 23", the gpu (single or crossfire) will drive the same number of pixels at 1080P. Crossfire will increase the FPS over a single gpu but you won't get double the performance, yet you pay twice the price. Besides, you can lower the PSU power requirements by going with single GPU like Zi0n mentioned.

 

[Bryf50]

If you want a better quality, quiet, minimum dust in the case, and good airflow case, take a look at Antec P183. This case will last and last until you are tired of looking at it.

It does not matter if the screen is 47" or 23", the gpu (single or crossfire) will drive the same number of pixels at 1080P. Crossfire will increase the FPS over a single gpu but you won't get double the performance, yet you pay twice the price. Besides, you can lower the PSU power requirements by going with single GPU like Zi0n mentioned.

That's becoming less and less of an issue as crossfire is scaling great with the 6000 series cards, sometimes getting damn near 100%. That said, I think 2x6970's in crossfire is overkill for 1080p. If the op really wants to go crossfire go with 6950's, if not a single 6950 will still max out almost every current game at 1080p.

 

[FaalKorum]

Hmmm... seems I'm stuck on my own preconceived notions. I understand that the resolution is dependent on the monitor over the GPU, so what *appreciable* difference would Crossfired cards make anyway? Framerate only, right? Probably not going to be able to tell much of a difference between 60 and 120fps at this point...

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Hmmm... seems I'm stuck on my own preconceived notions. I understand that the resolution is dependent on the monitor over the GPU, so what *appreciable* difference would Crossfired cards make anyway? Framerate only, right? Probably not going to be able to tell much of a difference between 60 and 120fps at this point...

No, you'd need a 120Hz monitor for that. Your TV will only display 60 fps. Dual GPU might allow you to run games with ridiculous levels of AA if you're into that. And it would be more "future proof," although most people around here recommend you get the card you need now and then sell it and buy a better one once it is no longer sufficient. Get a single 6970, or a 580 if you really want to spend your budget.

 

[FaalKorum]

Yeah, I opted for just the single -70. Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, I opted for just the single -70. Thanks everyone for the help!

You've gotten some good advice so far in this thread. Feel free to update the thread with any more questions or if you run into any problems during the build process.

 

[Fenix793]

A lot of comments in this thread are suggesting you downgrade components which makes sense for a lot of people on this forum because they upgrade constantly. If you plan on upgrading this rig over the years then all of these suggestions make sense. You can use the money you save to upgrade. If this is a one shot build that needs to last I might be inclined to move back to something closer to your original build.

 

[Bryf50]

A lot of comments in this thread are suggesting you downgrade components which makes sense for a lot of people on this forum because they upgrade constantly. If you plan on upgrading this rig over the years then all of these suggestions make sense. You can use the money you save to upgrade. If this is a one shot build that needs to last I might be inclined to move back to something closer to your original build.

If you can build a computer, you have the ability to swap or add another graphics card at a later date. Every other suggestion in the thread is more about getting the same performance for less money i.e. 2500k, cheaper memory and motherboard.