Building a gaming computer need some advice.

[Deleted]

Hello,

So I have been reading a lot on the forums and checking also other sites (newegg etc, for reviews) and decided on this build only I am still not sure on a few things, so would be great if you can give me some advice.

So I do mostly gaming and want to play on ultra with 60 fps, with about 1980 x 1080 resolution.
Games like WoW, SC2, GW2, BF3 (perhaps).
For the rest I sometimes do edit small movies or photo's but it is not very often.


CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504
I decided to choose this one over the 2500k, it looks to be a bit better for just a small amount of money. (will only oc till 4.5 I think).
CPU cooling: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099
or there might be some better one (no water cooling) which I have not found. (some said the Corsair CAFA 70 or so)
MoBo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157293
or some ASUS MoBo, but I find it hard to choose since some people rate the ASrock good and other bad. While with ASUS I also heard some bad story's. But everyone has different luck, I just look for a good quality one which I plan on using for 3 years. Prefer 2 or more USB 3, also 2 PCI 3 slots and 4 x Sata 6gb. (for the near future).
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145345
or the G.Skill one but they are identical (sort of). But I will go for 16GB, I know it is overkill but on my old computers I always had problems with Memory so I just want to be safe this time. Also will it fit with the Fan? some people say that there is not enough room on most Mobo's with a big fan for 4 sticks.
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136533
So far looks the best HDD I could find.
SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148442
Also looks like the best SSD I could find
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139021
or the 650W version, not sure if I need this much Watt or if there is a better PSU. I want to add later a second GPU.
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121446
or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130787
Could get one GTX 670 and in a year or 1-2 another. Or perhaps 2x GTX 560 will be much better at the moment? But it is cheaper to buy. So help me choose.
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160
Heard also bad story's from it, but it looks to be good.
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236049
I heard 2ms is best for gaming and I am fine with one 24 inch screen, perhaps there is a better/nicer one.

Also the GTX 660 TI will come soon I reckon? But planning on playing GW2 so perhaps not enough time.

Thanks!

Woodspirit

[Biernot]

Good choices.
Can't say much about the monitor, but they are pretty much all good enough for normal use.
As for the video card: Do not buy the GTX560 (non-ti). In that price range, the Radeon 6870 is better. And also try to avoid SLI/CrossFire. Better to buy one better card than two slower ones, even if the two slower ones seem to offer more power.
Looking at the games you want to play, i would suggest a card in the $200-$300 range. On the lower end that would be a GTX560 Ti or a Radeon 7850. On the upper end a GTX570 or Radeon 7870. You can also get a GTX670 or a Radeon 7950 if you want to have a high performance for a bit longer.

[Deleted]

Thanks for responding.

I had bad experience with the Radeon in the past so I now buy Nvidea and happy so far.
So I should buy the GTX 670 since it looks like a great card for a doable price.
EVGA is a good brand?

What about the rest of the computer? Everything fine or are there some things I could improve like the case, mobo?

Thanks

[vesseblah]

Get low profile RAM instead of those silly decoration heatsinks, as those might get in the way when you're installing stuff. Here's an example of 16GB kit, same one as I use (with same mobo and cpu). Comes also in different colors if you want.

If you want to invest more on better CPU cooler, NZXT Havik is pretty much on the top of the list in value for price. Advantages over CM Hyper 212+ is much easier installation and slightly better performance. CM Hyper 212 is recommended over it because once you get it installed, there's no practical difference unless you're aiming for very high overclocking, and it costs half.

Definitely go for GTX670 instead of 560SLI. Single 670 will have better performance even on games that fully support SLI.

[Deleted]

There is a Shell-Shocker deal (limited time) at NewEgg right now for 16GB low profile RAM.

G.SKILL Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) - $90

For the CPU heat sink I'd recommend the Havik that Vesseblah mention or the cheap alternative (quieter and slightly better than the CM) XIGMATEK Gaia - $30

[Deleted]

Thanks for telling me that, wouldn't be fun to find it out when you put your computer together.
I do not mind the installing part much, did repair and install a few electronic devices (mostly computer related) and I do not mind doing a bit of extra work.
So the Havik is better but just by a fraction? And what about the corsair a50 or a70 I heard good storys about them (if you can still buy them).
For the RAM I am leaning towards the Corsair they look nice and a good company.
Also for the PSU 650W is enough for this build and later for another vid card perhaps?
Also the ASrock mobo is good enough quality or should I take an ASUS?
The Case itself I heard a lot of different opinions, some say the CM HAF932 is good, others say some cable management sucks, others recommend Corsair D600 or something like that, Just need a big enough case with nice cable management, do not mind too much about the looks.
Well thanks again!

[Deleted]

The Havik 140 is is better than any of those yes. Xigmatek Gaia and A70 is around the same level, A70 comes with 2 fans in the box but the Gaia is cheaper.

Corsair, G.Skill, Mushkin and I'm sure others are fine brands for RAM, mainly what you're looking for is low profile so you're sure it fits with any big CPU heat sinks.

Yes 650W is enough for SLI/CF with any of the newer cards 7xxx and 6xx.

Personally I prefer Asus boards over Asrock both they're both solid brands, look for which features you want and pick a board that fits your needs.

Corsair 650D or even the Corsair 500R (see my signature, also comes in black) are great choices, they have really good cable management, removable drive bays, tool-less etc.

[vesseblah]

So the Havik is better but just by a fraction? And what about the corsair a50 or a70 I heard good storys about them (if you can still buy them).

At normal-ish 4.5GHz overclocking of the i5-2500K we're talking about roughly 10C difference between best air cooler (Noctua NH-D14) vs CM Hyper 212+ so the differences are going to be fractions regardless. A70 and Havik falls about 3C short of the NH-D14 which is already pretty close, but if you want the best, you'll have to pay whole lot more for it.

CM Hyper 212+ is totally fine at 4.5GHz speed and single graphics card, but where you'll start having notable differences between good and mediocre coolers is if your computer runs at very high ambient temperature place (35C or more outside during summers) or you have multiple graphics cards inside the case heating things up.