12 replies to this topic

[MadMan]

So I have been looking into upgrading my computer.  This kinda falls into the new build category due to im planning on going with a new case, mobo, cpu, ram, and ssd. Out of the current system I will only be taking along the gtx 660, rosewill 550w modular power supply, and the 2 500gb drives.

 

For the new case I was looking to go with: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811345008

For a cpu I went with a 3570k http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819116504

For cooling http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835181032

For ram I picked http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231589

For SSD http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820147193

 

Now for the mobo...I can't exactly pin point my finger on one.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157295

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128583

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157344

 

seem to be the 3 I like.  The gigabyte board I can't find a review on but does have what I want in a board.  As far as the AsRock ones go I like them too because they have what I want again but ones a bit cheaper and the other just has dual thunderbolt...which I was wondering if  I would ever use that. The main purpose of this computer is going to be for college work/gaming....mainly gaming lol...however that is why I decided on a 3570k instead of a 3770k. Read around here to save a few go for a 3570k. I wanted superb cooling as I want to OC this to 4.5 and beyond if possible....wouldn't mind seeing 5ghz but im doubting it lol...but a solid 4.5 or more would be sweet.  As far as the ram goes they are super fast for a decent price. Like dominators ran nearly twice as much with same specs.  Also with 2x8gb I can upgrade later on to 32gb.  For the SSD I want the fastest one I can find....samsung 840 pro has the speed im looking for without having to get a pci-e one. Later on I want to get another and put it into raid for faster speeds.

 

Aside from that one of the questions I have are is the 550w ps going to be able to hold the new system (3570k oc'd, h100i, ssd, 2 hdds, gtx660) or should I consider going SLI and adding a http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817104054 that way then the vid cards would be on a separate power source. Only downfall is this adds like 300 to my build....doable seeing how I may sell whats left over for about that amount. This way also gaming wise I won't have a problem playing games at high settings.

 

Anyways input on a mobo would be great...mainly looking for a z77 chipset, SLI capable, 4 sata III 6gb/s ports (want it for speed for SSD's).  Kinda looking for a black mobo or dark colors...as with my new case its going to be black and green...I will be adding green lighting inside the case and also 2 120 green led fans and 2 140 green led fans to brighten it up a bit too.  Also I have had my fair share of problems with asus boards so now im kinda looking for something new hence looking at AsRock and Gigabyte boards...also read alot of good things about these boards.

 

[Razor1112]

Hi!

 

I would go with the ASRock Z77 Extreme6, and for the power, i'd just get a good 700 watt psu.

 

Also, check this:

 

Later mate!

[Black64]

Looks good, I would get the Gigabyte board, as ASrock is a cheaper brand and you should upgrade your PSU, rosewill is not known for quality.

[El_Capitan]

You fall into the same trap many people fall for. Paying for all the "options" you don't need, and not putting money into the components you should get.

 

Main point: You want it to be for college work and gaming, but mostly gaming. Your first item of consideration should be a graphics card.

 

Helpful hints:
1. Buy used. An i5 2500K will set you back $140 - $150, instead of $230. An i5 3570K at 4.5GHz will perform the same as an i5 2500K at 4.7GHz. You can get an i5 2500K at 4.7GHz easily with a Corsair H80 with good temps. Or possibly even with a CM Hyper 212 EVO for $20. You don't need a Corsair H100i to cool an i5 2500K at 4.7GHz.

I've seen many high-end Z68 motherboards like the ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe for $110, and micro-ATX Z68 motherboards for $75. With the money saved on the CPU, MB, and CPU Cooler, you can get a GTX 680 insted of a GTX 660.

 

2. Too much for a case. There are plenty of great cases from $30 to $65 (mostly after MIR). I would never spend more money than that on a case anymore. I've had 20 different cases, all from $30 to $500, and I much preferred the cheaper costing ones below $100 than needless expensive ones $100+.

 

3. Buy extra memory only when you need it. For gaming and general activities, you don't need more than 4GB. You can buy Samsung Extreme Low Voltage 2x4GB's for only $40, or $32 when on sale. They can overclock to 2400MHz @ 10-11-11-28-1T at 1.59V's. You don't need that speed of memory, either, especially not for gaming. The only benefit with faster memory is if you have quad channel available, and you're heavily overclocking your CPU. Otherwise more memory and faster timings is generally better.

 

4. SSD Performance is relatively the same for everyday activities. You don't have any specific need of fast SSD performance. You're gaming! For God's sake, don't spend $240 on a 240GB SSD when you can get an asynchronous or toggle NAND 240GB for $120 that will give you all the speed you need for what you need. And please, don't RAID your SSD's. The only reason to do so is to increase your capacity to be shown on 1 drive, and for quicker sequential read/writes for file transfers.

 

Do all of this, you end up saving ~$525 on your build. That alone with the money you wanted to use for the GTX 660 can get you two used GTX 680's in SLI.

 

[wevsspot]

Cappy brings some great reasoning to the table.....................  

[Shurman292]

Cappy brings some great reasoning to the table.....................  

I agree, except the OP already has the GTX 660.  If he wants to sell the 660 and upgrade to a 680 he could.  Otherwise, the 660 should be plenty of horsepower for running games at 1080p if that's what he's using.

 

He might just get away with a build that's half the price of his original!

[Mercman]

Hi!

 

I would go with the ASRock Z77 Extreme6, and for the power, i'd just get a good 700 watt psu.

 

Also, check this:

 

Later mate!

this was quite a interesting watch  

[Shurman292]

You should probably look into a Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, or a Corsair PSU between 700 and 800 watts.  Those brands offer very reliable PSUs.  I've had personal experience with the Corsair TX and AX series, as well as the Seasonic M12II 620w and they've given me zero problems.

[El_Capitan]

I don't think the OP is around anymore.

[Speedway]

I don't think the OP is around anymore.

 

The OP disappears and Speedway reappears to add his 2 cents.  I guess my 2 cents are 2 late lol

[Shurman292]

 

The OP disappears and Speedway reappears to add his 2 cents.  I guess my 2 cents are 2 late lol

 

It's too bad really, there's some good advice in this thread

[MadMan]

My appologies, the day after I posted this my roommate moved out and took the phone and dsl with him.  Today is my first day back to college so now I will be coming online mondays and wednesdays...this is until I can get my taxes back and take care of some bills so I can have the internet back in my name....anyways after reading your post captain I like your thoughts.  But after watching that video about the amd vishera would it be worth to spend $50 more (over a used 2500k) for a http://www.newegg.co...82E16819113284? Out of the box its clocked at 4ghz....Ive never had an AMD system but im always up for something new...and if it performs the way the video shows vs a 3570k or 3770k wouldn't it be worth it to get that instead? As far as the video card goes I do already have a 660...I intend on gaming on a 24" asus for now...maybe in a year or so i'll upgrade to a 27" for 2560x1440...was thinking of getting another 660 for sli or is 1 for now alright and when i decide to go for the monitor upgrade get another then? As far as the case goes I was looking for a full tower case for extra room and went with that case for looks..I know extra $ spent on uselessness lol...my current case http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811146025 has the PSU on the top...wanted a new case for the psu on bottom and have the radiator on top...I didn't find many full tower cases I liked under $150 on newegg and after reading reviews that case stood out from the rest when it came to cable management and ease of installing drives. As for the SSD after reading your post I was looking at http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820147189 its a samsung 240gb for 180...anyways I will be back on monday and if possible I'll go over to a friends over the weekend to see what you guys have to say....im more of a lurker around here than a poster...but I am here