New Gaming PC Build

[theattrox]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming ( Starcraft 2, Team Fortress 2, Battlefield 3, Diablo 3, etc)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

Price isn't much of an issue, but I don't want to go overboard.

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

USA (Los Angeles)

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Intel-Fanboy

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
DVD Drive/Burner, Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default speeds
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
I'm going to be ordering a Dell U2410 (1920x1200) tomorrow but from time to time I'm going to use my 1080p Samsung LCD HDTV.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
This week


After looking at similar threads and doing some of my own research I've come up with a build, but still unsure about some parts and was hoping maybe some of you know of some better deals.

I'm willing to order from NewEgg or Amazon.

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Motherboard:
????? Not sure what to get!

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

Video Card:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

CPU:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231422

HardDrive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185


Any suggestions will be much appreciated!

 

[mfenn]

The stuff you have listed all looks good to me. The changes I would make are:
- The i5 2500 is available for $195 after promo at Newegg right now.
- Since you aren't planning to overclock, I'd check out the ASRock H67M as an example of a nicely equipped H67 board.
- There's nothing wrong with the 650TX, but time has passed it by. The XFX Core 550W has more than enough power, costs less, and is more efficient.

 

[theattrox]

Any other mobo options? I don't have a problem with the one you chose but I'd just like to see what else is available. I've also noticed you've recommended a sapphire 6950 to a couple of people, whats the difference from the xfx? In the future I may plan on over clocking but as of now I'm not, I just like having room to upgrade if needed. Better to be safe than sorry. If I were to switch the 6950 with a nvidia 570 later would the XFX 550W have enough power?

 

[mfenn]

Well, if you plan to overclock later, you would need to buy a different mobo (Z68 or P67, ASRock Z68 Pro3 for example) and a different CPU (i5 2500K).

As for the GPU, no there isn't much difference between the Sapphire and XFX other than the cooler. The dual-cooler Sapphire should run quieter (theoretically) but they will both function the same otherwise. I can't imagine a situation where upgrading from a 6950 2GB to a GTX 570 woulkd make sense, even assuming you could sell your 6950 for a decent price.

To put 550W in perspective, here is a chart of the total power draw of systems with an overclocked Bloomfield i7 and various GPUs. As you can see, 550W is plenty for any single GPU and some Crossfire/SLI configs.

 

[theattrox]

Ok, I've decided I will not be overclocking. Are there any other mobos (asus, gigabyte) you recommend besides ASRock? I've never heard of that company before so I feel kind of sketched out.

 

[theattrox]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131711

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131710

How about these? Which one is better? What if I want to run wireless internet, are there mbs that come with that option or do I have to get a seperate chip?

Edit:
Also what is the difference between the i5-2500 and the i5-2500k (before oc)? Is there any advantage even if I won't be overclocking? It's only a $20 difference.

 

[rdukeman]

I am from Los Angeles as well, and I purchased a 2500k for 179.99 from Microcenter (which is in Tustin). It's a good deal because if you purchase a MB along with a processor you get -40$ off instantly. I grabbed a GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 for 60$.

 

[theattrox]

Wow, thats a good deal but I'm too lazy to drive out to microcenter, it's like a 2 hour drive for me.

 

[Patrese]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131711

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131710

How about these? Which one is better? What if I want to run wireless internet, are there mbs that come with that option or do I have to get a seperate chip?

Edit:
Also what is the difference between the i5-2500 and the i5-2500k (before oc)? Is there any advantage even if I won't be overclocking? It's only a $20 difference.

You'll need a PCI or PCI-E wireless card... don't know if a motherboard with it bundled it worth it cost wise, but I'd have to check it out.

The more expensive Asus (H67 EVO) you chose has firewire, eSATA and is Crossfire capable (2 PCI-E 16x slots), although at an 16x/4x configuration. If you're not going to use any of it, save the money.

The K series processors have the faster version of the Intel HD graphics (3000). The vanilla (non K) ones have more stuff suited for corporate use, but I can't remember exactly what.

 

[Cannibalskunk]

You'll need a PCI or PCI-E wireless card... don't know if a motherboard with it bundled it worth it cost wise, but I'd have to check it out.

The more expensive Asus (H67 EVO) you chose has firewire, eSATA and is Crossfire capable (2 PCI-E 16x slots), although at an 16x/4x configuration. If you're not going to use any of it, save the money.

The K series processors have the faster version of the Intel HD graphics (3000). The vanilla (non K) ones have more stuff suited for corporate use, but I can't remember exactly what.

If you're looking for a wireless NIC, I'd strongly suggest getting a USB adapter instead of a PCI or PCIe internal card. I'm running the Z68-UD4, and my PCI wireless card was causing massive stuttering in Windows as well as games. After disabling the card and running some cat-5 into the room, it went away. So I ordered a mid-priced ($20) USB wireless-n adapter and that's been working flawlessly.

Windows 7 itself has been hinky about PCI wireless cards. When the OS first came out I had a hell of a time trying to find a card that actually had working drivers for W7. Then that card worked with my X58 board until I upgraded to this Z68 board, and now I've had to abandon the card completely in favor of this USB adapter. Kinda frustrating for those of us who don't want to try and install cat-5 3 rooms away in an apartment we don't even own...

 

[theattrox]

I'm still stuck on which MB I should go with, not so sure about MicroATX. What's wrong with getting one like this? I've also decided since I don't use up too much space I may go with a SSD instead of the samsung hd. I like having room if I feel like upgrading in the future without having to change the mobo etc.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128502

 

[mnewsham]

It is basically the ATX version of this mATX motherboard.

 

[mfenn]

I'm still stuck on which MB I should go with, not so sure about MicroATX. What's wrong with getting one like this? I've also decided since I don't use up too much space I may go with a SSD instead of the samsung hd. I like having room if I feel like upgrading in the future without having to change the mobo etc.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128502

There's nothing wrong with the GA-Z68A-D3H per se. In fact, I recommend it a lot. However, for someone who doesn't overclock, I don't really see the need to get a Z68 or P67. Sure, it's only $40 more than the ASRock (a spinoff of ASUS by the way), but $40 here and there really adds up.

ATX boards have more PCI(e) slots than MicroATX, but that's about it. I don't remember the last time that I needed more than a few slots since mobos have everything and the kitchen sink integrated these days.

 

[theattrox]

Well can you recommend me another motherboard? I want something mainly for gaming, these mobos with built in videocards are meant for media centers and kind of lack usb ports, but thats not too important. I'm going to be using a dedicated video card and want extra sound ports so I can add a good speaker system.

 

[mnewsham]

If you have a decent sound system it should be using TOSLINK anyway... (which they have) and you have got it all wrong you seem to take the first thing you see as fact and everything else isnt important. What is it exactly you find wrong with buying a cheap motherboard? It will do EXACTLY what you want...EXACTLY it will add NOTHING for you (unless you have a good sound system (with no digital (TOSLINK) connector) It has PCIE ports (for your GPU) it has HDMI output if you wannt to use integrated graphics (for i dont know...trouble shooting if your GPU dies?) It also has 4 RAM slots for all your RAM, a CPU socket for your CPU, all other odds and ends. What do you THINK you need that the Gigabyte board doesnt?

 

[theattrox]

Nothing is wrong with the board, once again I just like having space to upgrade if I want to. I want to know all my options before making a purchase, thats all.

 

[mnewsham]

Then get the ATX version it has two PCI slots two PCIE x1 slots and 3 PCIE x16 slots (x16, x8, and x4) That is plenty of room for add on cards.

 

[theattrox]

Is there another one without the built on video card you know of?

 

[mnewsham]

Is there another one without the built on video card you know of?

Why does it matter? It only adds to your ability to trouble shoot if you cant use your GPU. It doesnt do anything negative

 

[theattrox]

It just seems unnecessary, I'd like to see my other options.

 

[mnewsham]

Your other options are more expensive or you lose other features (besides the onboard video)

 

[Patrese]

It just seems unnecessary, I'd like to see my other options.

I see where you're coming from, but nowadays it is not that important. Since the IGPs are on the CPUs themselves, it is only a matter of having the connectors on the motherboard. I think the board below may be a great pick for you: it is ATX, cheap and you'll be able to overclock later if you want.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138319

Edit: I missed the part about the "good speakers", and that BIOSTAR board I picked will suck for that (only 3 audio connectors). You may pick an ASUS Xonar for 44 bucks and solve that, though... It's up to you really.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132013

 

[mfenn]

It just seems unnecessary, I'd like to see my other options.

I'm really having a hard time figuring out what you're getting at. I think we've laid out the options that make sense for you pretty well:

H67 like the ASRock H67M ($80) if you don't want to overclock.
Z68 such as the GA-Z68A-D3H ($123) along with the i5 2500K if you want to overclock.

There is no performance difference (beyond the margin of error) between the Sandy Bridge chipsets. Sandy Bridge CPUs come with integrated graphics whether you want them are not. Sure, you can get a less featureful board or a "gamer" board that lets you pay for the privilege of removing them, but why?