13 replies to this topic

[TheEigengrau]

Good day,

I would like a review on my pc build + extras.
If you have an opinion on something, please share it!

Benchmark: Synchronous gameplay at 60+ FPS in all/most modern games on their maximum settings at a 1920x1050 resolution on a single monitor.

Case: Silverstone Raven RV02-EW with Window = $199.00

PSU: Silverstone ST75F-P = $138.00

Mobo: Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 = $149.00

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K = $235.00

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO = $39.00

RAM: G.Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1333 = $49.00

GPU: Asus GF GTX670 DirectCU II = $559.00

Sound Card: Asus Xonar Essence STX PCIE Soundcard = $187.00

SSD: Intel 330 Series SSD 120GB = $145.00

ODD: LiteON SATA DVD-RW 24X Black = $32.00

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 = Already purchased.

Build Total: $1732.00


Keyboard: Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent = $139.00 [+Postage]

Mouse: Logitech G400 = $35.00

Gamepad: Logitech F710 = $44.00

Headphones: Audio Technica M50 = $165.00 [+Postage]

Speakers: Logitech Z506 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers = $79.00

Microphone: Blue Yeti = $229.00 [+Postage]

Pop Filter: MS048 = $24.00 [+Postage]

Monitor x3: LG IPS231P-BN = $195.00 each, $585.00 total

Extras Total: $1300.00


Grand Total: $3032.00 [Est. $30 for Postage]


I intend to overclock, but not by much. I'm not incline to take great risks with my first build ever.

Well ladies and gents, have at it. Any advice, opinions, exclamations, criticisms and/or berating is entirely welcomed and encouraged.

Edited by TheEigengrau, 10 June 2012 - 12:51 AM.

[TheEigengrau]

Updated shopping list:

Benchmark: Synchronous gameplay at 60+ FPS in all/most modern games on their maximum settings at a 1920x1050 resolution on a single monitor.

Case: Silverstone Raven RV02-EW with Window = $199.00

PSU: Corsair HX-650 = $129.00

Mobo: Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 = $149.00

CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K Ivy Bridge = $255.00

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO = $39.00

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4GB) 1600MHz DDR3 = $139.00

GPU: Asus GF GTX670 DirectCU II = $559.00

Sound Card: Asus Xonar Essence STX PCIE Soundcard = $187.00

SSD: Intel 330 Series 120G = $155.00

ODD: LiteON SATA DVD-RW 24X Black = $32.00

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 = Already purchased.

Build Total: $1843.00


Keyboard: Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent = $139.00 [+Postage]

Mouse: Logitech G400 = $35.00

Gamepad: Logitech F710 = $44.00

Headphones: Audio Technica M50 = $165.00 [+Postage]

Microphone: Blue Yeti = $229.00 [+Postage]

Monitor x3: LG IPS231P-BN = $195.00 each, $585.00 total with HDMI to DVI cable = $22.00

Peripherals Total: $1197.00


Grand Total: $3040.00 [Est. $30 for Postage]

Edited by TheEigengrau, 10 June 2012 - 10:21 PM.

[TiggerK]

Hi there, and welcome aboard!

Looks like a pretty good spec. Only things I would change are as follows...

Not a fan of the cheap Asrock brand. I would go for Gigabyte or Asus over Asrock anyday.

SSD is good, but I'd recommend spending a bit more for the 180GB version, you'll never regret it.

Seem a few too many Silverstone power supplies fail too early. I'd go Corsair personally. CX, TX or HX, all are quality solid units (esp HX). 650W would be plenty for that system, no harm in going higher if you feel like it, but not necessary.

The Logitech Z series speakers are quite weak and pathetic, I was very unimpressed. Try Creative, Microlab etc instead.

Personally, I'd get a Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3-1600 kit over the GSkill 8GB, (or just get a GSkill 16GB kit if you like the brand), why not it'll only be $70 more! A bit over the top perhaps, but RAM is so cheap at the moment!

And you'll need a HDMI to DVI cable for the third monitor in case you'd overlooked it.

Have fun and good luck!

Cheers
TiggerK

[TheEigengrau]

Not a fan of the cheap Asrock brand. I would go for Gigabyte or Asus over Asrock anyday.

Any suggestions?

SSD is good, but I'd recommend spending a bit more for the 180GB version, you'll never regret it.

Seem a few too many Silverstone power supplies fail too early. I'd go Corsair personally. CX, TX or HX, all are quality solid units (esp HX). 650W would be plenty for that system, no harm in going higher if you feel like it, but not necessary.

The Logitech Z series speakers are quite weak and pathetic, I was very unimpressed. Try Creative, Microlab etc instead.

Personally, I'd get a Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3-1600 kit over the GSkill 8GB, (or just get a GSkill 16GB kit if you like the brand), why not it'll only be $70 more! A bit over the top perhaps, but RAM is so cheap at the moment!

I would, but I've reached the budget limit of $3000.

Anywhere you see I could downgrade without sacrificing much?

And you'll need a HDMI to DVI cable for the third monitor in case you'd overlooked it.

Whoops, forgot about that. Thanks!

[Martin24]

I would not worry about the RAM - it will be fine


I don't understand buying a $187 sound card and a $229 mic and low quality speakers - just use the motherboard Realtek sound, it's more than adequate for headphones and computer speakers


I've got the Sennheiser 333D G4me headphones and Auzen X-Fi Bravura 7.1 sound card, I read all the reviews, how you can tell the direction gun fire is coming from, it's a load of crap, they sound nice but not worth the money, but I do like them for VOIP as the mic is built into the headset

[TheEigengrau]

SSD is good, but I'd recommend spending a bit more for the 180GB version, you'll never regret it.

I've been told that "The Intel 330 series was made to be a cheaper, slower SSD. But because Intel charges a premium for their drives, its not actually cheaper." so, if there's any truth to that, I'll be swapping it for another. Any ideas you could give me?

Personally, I'd get a Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3-1600 kit over the GSkill 8GB, (or just get a GSkill 16GB kit if you like the brand), why not it'll only be $70 more! A bit over the top perhaps, but RAM is so cheap at the moment!

I may do that. There are a few RAM demanding programs/games (Indie games) that I intend to play, it may be worth it to be safe?

I've got the Sennheiser 333D G4me headphones and Auzen X-Fi Bravura 7.1 sound card, I read all the reviews, how you can tell the direction gun fire is coming from, it's a load of crap, they sound nice but not worth the money, but I do like them for VOIP as the mic is built into the headset

I believe the error was made when you bought a headset - not actual, proper headphones.

[TiggerK]

No complaints from me on your proposed audio setup (other than the speakers as mentioned). As a former audio engineer, I know it's money well spent if sound quality is important to you.

The Intel 330 series are marginally slower than their premium 520 series, but not much slower, and still faster than many other drives out there. The main point is that the Intel drives are the most reliable and stable, no ifs or buts, they're just solid. The 520 series are nice if your budget can stretch, plus they have a five year warranty vs 3 years. But not a big deal, both great drives, and the way SSD's are advancing, in three years time, get a new one! I've had bad experiences with the OCZ SSD's and the Corsair drives, so I just stick with Intel, and so far no issues at all.

Cheers
TiggerK

[TheEigengrau]

Thank you for the tips, they've been very helpful.

One last thing though, what motherboard would work well with the setup?

Also, I've edited/updated my second post.

[TiggerK]

Spec is looking good!

Mainboard is tricky. I always use Intel mainboards for my customers. They're solid, well made and have good support. They used to be 'stable but boring', although nowdays they're embracing more of the overclocking mentality, looking great, full spec sheet and the latest BIOS'es have a top class graphical interface.

I would have recommended Asus, as per my previous post, but in all honesty, I'm not a huge fan. Massive brand, fair enough, and their notebooks and video cards are great, but my past experience with their MB's has put me off. I only said it as a viable alternative to AsRock.

I would have recommended Gigabyte, but a revisit of their latest Z77 MB specs show they've moved away from the tried and tested Realtek Audio and Realtek LAN to the (IMHO) sheite VIA Audio and Atheros LAN, throughout the entire range! Not impressed at all. OK it still works fine, but reeks of cheapness,and really, VIA audio is a bit crap (not that it would matter for your audio over-rides, so if you really want Gigabyte, try the G1.Sniper 3)

Overall, I'd not hesitate to recommend either the Intel BOX-DZ77-SL50K or the BOX-DZ77-BH55K mainboards. I've used both with that RAM, that power supply and that SSD (although I still say go for the 180GB!!) and they work well. Update to the latest BIOS after you've loaded Windows 7, and experiment with overclocking at your leisure. They also have the Intel Gigabit LAN which is superior to Realtek and Atheros.

The BOX versions have a three year warranty, the BLK version have only one year. Worth the extra 10-20 bucks or so.

Yeah, forget the speakers for now, crank up the headphones big time. Check out the Shure SRH840 headphones too, very nice, and superior to the M50's in many ways for not much more $$. I'm a Sennheiser guy personally, but their current range lacks a specific gaming high power long weartime model around that price point.

Cheers
TiggerK

[TheEigengrau]

Updating the BIOS would be one of the Windows 7 updates, would it not?

Those headphones look amazing. How does the bass fair? I want to -feel- it.

[TiggerK]

No, the BIOS has to be downloaded from Intel's website. Quite painless, runs as an .exe file.

The Shure headphones are great, plenty more bass compared to the M50's and probably the best all round sound for the price, IMHO. Well of all the ones I've known anyway.

The Sonar EssenceSTX should do well as it's a proper headphones oriented card, with a proper headphone amp. I've personally only ever used them with proper Hi-Fi Amplifiers (Harmon Kardon etc), but you'll be happy.

Cheers
TiggerK

[TheEigengrau]

All right then, easy enough.

I was wondering about thermal paste, specifically whether or not it comes pre-applied to that CPU? If not, will paste come with it? If so, should I use the stock paste or get something like the 'arctic silver 5'?

[philjones]

hey, just wondering, what games do you play? Might have some peripheral suggestions depending on the type of game you play...

Other than that spec looks good.... asrock is actually not as cheap as it sounds... they work well and last pretty long imo

[keithh]

I'm a competitive fps gamer who builds gaming PC's for people and these are my observations based on experience.

First point, a 650W power supply is potentially going to be right on the edge with high res, high framerates and multiple monitors. Suggest at least 750W. Not sure why you would spend so much on a mic either. I'm using Creative fatality1 usb headset works just fine for less than $100-00. Something like that cuts a couple of hundred dollars out of your build. If gaming is your thing, buy a decent gaming headset rather than audio cans and a separate mic.

Standard build for gaming here for some time is i5 2500 with standard cooler (not K - no need to overclock), gigabyte boards, 8G RAM, 6870 or 6950 vid, OCZ SSD for the boot drive and usually a HAF case, 912, 922 or 932. I like the Raven case but its is gigantic and expensive. I prefer the 912 for its compact size, I'm not sure why a bigger case is needed to be honest. I'm using a 922 and it barely fits under the desk. also have a machine here in a 932 case which has wheels and its own postcode.

This basic setup has more than enough grunt for the games I play and I do run multiple monitors. Good stable power is the important thing to keep the vid card happy and have settled on Antec power supplies, either 650W or 750W depending on the vid card used. A build like this with SSD, keyboard and mouse is about $1200-00. As sound is a personal preference I leave it up to the individual but the Plantronics gaming headsets are not too bad either I am told by those who use them. I have never been asked to supply a fancy audio card ever.

Have built a lot of gaming PCs in this general config and they work well and have been bulletproof.



Here's my own machine below running an unknown motherboard, 6 core AMD processor, 6G of unmatched RAM (4 installed when I took the pic) and a powercolour 6870. It chews up and spits out everything thrown at it (BFBC2 and BF3 at full quality settings for example) which suggests that you don't need the latest and greatest hardware but you do need to pay attention to ensuring you have enough grunt in the power supply. Note I've got a 750W PS which is enough for this configuration and 650W is enough for 6870 and i5. I'm using an Arctic Cooling CPU fan because the standard AMD cooler was far too noisy. Games don't use as much RAM as you might think, 8G is plenty and I'm getting by fine with 6 in this box. I'm pretty sure fancy overpriced RAM is some sort of a scam as well. I use the cheapest available for myself and GSkill for others like this for example, G Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1600MHZ PC3-12800 CL9(8GBXL) - $60-00.

Keyboard is a sidewinder X4, mouse is a G500. You don't want to skimp on those important elements but you don't need to go over the top either. Normally I supply G510 keyboards for gaming rigs and I have no idea what a gaming pad is all about, I've never seen one used. It looks like it has a lot of macro keys as well as an LCD display. Check out the G510 and see if you still need the gamepad. I'm using Dell 23" monitors @ about $150-00 each. Dell offer discounts its always wise to check and see if you qualify as you can save a bundle.



Let us know how you get on with your build.

Edited by keithh, 14 July 2012 - 07:41 AM.