Build Review!

[thisperishedmin]

Hey guys, was hoping that someone would be willing to review what I've thrown together...

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, work from home (nothing complex - SSH Telnet MS Office suite, Visio, etc.), average web browsing, light VM use on occasion for learning / work reasons (nothing more than 1-2 VMs. I am aware that even 2 VMs may call for additional memory, but thats something I'm willing to do down the road a bit).


2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$850 max all said and done. Regardless, the cheaper the better. I'm fairly set on i5 2500k and 6950. The rest can change if theres a better buy. I dont count "after rebate" price, only the current cost to buy.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

Morrisville NC 27560

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
As listed in cart, CPU, CPU cooler, RAM, MB, Vid Card, Case, Optical, Sound Card (reasoning = headphone amp), PSU (sort of, see below)

I have a SSD and 1TB HD I will be reusing.

Odd consideration - I am looking to swap PSU from my own build. I currently have an Antec Neopower ( https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...Auk/Mfyf_JXaAB0/s1024/IMG_20111012_014038.jpg and https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_TlENk2HriM/TpUooQKGK5I/AAAAAAAAAuM/ZOgZpD78Uv0/s1024/IMG_20111012_014112.jpg for reference). I replaced the original PSU in my old computer with this NeoPower. From what I understand, this should power a 2500K and 6950. Is this accurate? If so, the PSU in my cart will be used in my "current PC" to replace the Neopower. My current PC is a core duo e6320 and ATI 4850, will have 1HDD and 2 optical. Is there a better PSU to put in here to keep this sytem going?

The PSU issue is where I'm most unsure of my selection / decision making.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Please see above in regards to PSU. Pictures included as the online versions seem slightly diferent. Sticker on PSU matches the box in above pictures.

HDD and SSD will be reused as stated.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes, I plan to do some overclocking, but nothing too crazy. A quiet cool PC still wins it for me.

7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
23.6 monitors x 2. 1080P on both. Plan to only game on one monitor.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Tonight? Tomorrow? This week for sure.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
Would like SATA 6....USB 3.0 and eSata cant hurt. Onboard sound/video non essential. Crossfire cant hurt, but dont require it.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Win 7 x64.


Thanks a million...appreciate any review, confirmation, or suggestions.

EDIT: oops, forgot newegg links. In bound in a second...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112237

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138319

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Promo codes: LLSneakOct11 EMCJKJG34 EMCJKJG28

Total with shipping: 814.59

Thanks again!

 

[xBanzai89]

I would switch the 6950 to a XFX one, unless you are looking for a better cooler.

Bump that power supply to at least 600W if you are considering overclocking.

Bring that 1600MHz to 1333MHz if you want to save a few bucks.

I would probably switch out that mobo for an MSI, Asus, or Gigabyte.

 

[thisperishedmin]

I would switch the 6950 to a XFX one, unless you are looking for a better cooler.

Bump that power supply to at least 600W if you are considering overclocking.

Bring that 1600MHz to 1333MHz if you want to save a few bucks.

I would probably switch out that mobo for an MSI, Asus, or Gigabyte.

Thanks for the suggestions. Will the i5 2500K exceed the capability of 1333 RAM for OC, or will a decent 1333 kit keep up?
EDIT=========
Did some reading and it seems that i5 isnt too picky about memory at all. Would I be just as well served with a budget 1333 kit as a performance 1333/1600 kit, even considering overclocking? Bit out of the loop.. My last build, memory speed was a great way to crank out some performance for a few bucks...just unsure how important it is today.
END EDIT=====

I missed getting this picture in the OP...that is what the 550w PSU has on each rail:

Would it still be advised to bump to a 600w+ PSU? If so, any recommendations? This is the area I know the least about.

That vid card was selected as all research indicated it should unlock shaders to a 6970...and was the cheapest option I found that SHOULD do so. I'm still debating if its necessarily worth it.

 

[Dangman]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will the i5 2500K exceed the capability of 1333 RAM for OC, or will a decent 1333 kit keep up?

Any decent 1333 kit will keep up. Remember that overclocking the 2500K doesn't require you touching the RAM at all. You could OC that 2500K to 5Ghz and still be fine with DDR3 1333 RAM. So something like this would work:
$42 - G.Skill Value Series F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

Though if you want the heatsinks, by all means stick with the RAM you chose.

I missed getting this picture in the OP...that is what the 550w PSU has on each rail:
Would it still be advised to bump to a 600w+ PSU? If so, any recommendations? This is the area I know the least about.

If you don't do any overclocking and no unlocking, it should be fine althought just a tad close. Though I'd get a larger PSU in general for piece of mind:
$73 - Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W PSU

That vid card was selected as all research indicated it should unlock shaders to a 6970...and was the cheapest option I found that SHOULD do so. I'm still debating if its necessarily worth it.

Well up to you if a short warranty and poor customer support is worth the higher chance of unlock. Personally, unlocking isn't worth it to me so I'd go with these cards:
$270 - MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6950 2GB PCI-E Video Card
$280 - XFX HD-695X-CDFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB PCI-E Video Card

Go with this DVD burner instead since it's actually $8 cheaper once you factor in shipping:
$18 - Samsung SH-222AL/BSBE SATA DVD Burner

If you do stick with DDR3 1600 RAM, personally I'd spend the extra $20 for this higher quality MSI mobo + Corsair DDR3 1600 RAM combo instead:
$180 - MSI Z68A-GD55 Intel Z68 Motherboard + Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B 4 x 4GB DDR3 1600 RAM Combo

 

[thisperishedmin]

SNIP

Thanks...might make sense to just grab that PSU and be done with it. I know the one I have works great in the system its in. Might make sense to just let it be and get something more future proof.

Good call on the DVD burner...just kind of auto piloted to Lite On for whatever reason haha.

Lastly, good to know about the RAM. Used to adjustable memory timing - but it almost makes life easier to not even have to touch that. Thanks again! Much appreciated.

 

[HardwareGuru]

Let's go with this.

Case - LIAN LI Lancool First Knight Series for $59.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112323
Or, stick with the LIAN LI case you have for $70

PSU - Antec NEO ECO 620C for $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031

Mobo + Ram combo - MSI Z68A-GD55 (B3) LGA 1155 + CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 both for $179.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.742465

Cpu + Video Card - Intel Corei5 2500K + MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB both for $446.98 w/free shipping ($20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749718

Optical - Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151243

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus for $25.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Total: $803.82 w/shipping

The issue you may have is with the RAM heatsinks installed on Bank 1. The Coolermaster Hyper HSF may hit the heat-spreader is the RAM is installed nearest to the cpu socket.

 

[thisperishedmin]

Let's go with this.

Case - LIAN LI Lancool First Knight Series for $59.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112323
Or, stick with the LIAN LI case you have for $70

PSU - Antec NEO ECO 620C for $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031

Mobo + Ram combo - MSI Z68A-GD55 (B3) LGA 1155 + CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 both for $179.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.742465

Cpu + Video Card - Intel Corei5 2500K + MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB both for $446.98 w/free shipping ($20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749718

Optical - Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151243

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus for $25.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Total: $803.82 w/shipping

The issue you may have is with the RAM heatsinks installed on Bank 1. The Coolermaster Hyper HSF may hit the heat-spreader is the RAM is installed nearest to the cpu socket.

Thanks for the feedback... I decided to go with that CPU/Vid card combo. Was originally going to go with the ATI, but after some research the cards are so equivalent, any difference was negligible. If at some point the video card becomes a problem, I can always bump it up - no big.

As for the case - After the coupon code, the case I had listed worked out to be a bit cheaper. Either way, both are nice and either works for me =D

Decided to jump on the MSI board and RAM...for the slight increase over the Biostar board and even the cheaper memory, it seems like it would be worth it. You are correct on the heat spread height being a problem. A newegg review indicated the problem with it - but apparently the fan can be moved up just slightly to allow every to work.

I think I'm all set! Thanks again to everyone for chiming in - I appreciate it tons and tons