First build: $1100 CAD budget, need help cutting corners and with some questions

[wickedplayer494]

Here's a list I put together so far:

[url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb/benchmarks/]Benchmarks[/url]

[b]CPU:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k]Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor[/url] ($229.99 @ NCIX)
[b]CPU Cooler:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-cwch80]Corsair H80 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler[/url] ($91.99 @ Newegg Canada)
[b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4]ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard[/url] ($149.99 @ Canada Computers)
[b]Memory:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/gskill-memory-f310666cl9d8gbrl]G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory[/url] ($45.79 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Hard Drive:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1002faex]Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($99.79 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Hard Drive:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128m4ssd2cca]Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[/url] ($130.59 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Video Card:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/evga-video-card-01gp31561ar]EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card[/url] ($204.99 @ NCIX)
[b]Case:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-case-500rwt]Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case[/url] ($119.99 @ NCIX)
[b]Power Supply:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu650hx]Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply[/url] ($104.99 @ Memory Express)
[b]Total:[/b] $1178.11
[i](Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)[/i]
[i](Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-29 22:03 EDT-0400)[/i]

Some important things to note:

- Currently over budget by [del]~$200[/del] ~$70 CAD
- [b]All parts will be bought locally: Nearest Microcenter (in Minneapolis) is an 8-hour drive, not able to get the CPU+mobo combo[/b], won't be buying online because I'd need an asston of prepaid cards, prices WILL vary from where I go locally, will update as necessary, but due to the personal nature, won't be giving out where I go
- No, I won't be switching the PSU out with some crap brand
- Keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor will be salvaged from another computer
- Would like to play most games at high quality, but not max everything out
- Would also like to stream some games too
- May be used for video editing
- May involve CAD later down the road with a course I'll be taking
- May SLI with 670s later down the road, but not at the moment
- May probably want to OC a slight bit/moderately

Now for all the questions:

CPU:
1. Sandy Bridge vs. Ivy Bridge: I've heard that Ivy Bridge has a negligible overall performance benefit except for graphics. As such, should I stick with SB or go IB?
2. i5 vs. i7: I've also heard performance benefits with the i7 over the i5 are negligible unless you're doing video editing, which is what I've noted. I've also heard the i5, particularly the 2500k model, is best for overclocking. Stick with i5 or go i7?

Mobo:

1. Will this be a good enough mobo or should I go with something else?

RAM:

1. I've outlined possible CAD and video editing as uses. Is 8 GB good enough for me? Hesitant to go 16 GB as that'd be in definite overkill territory.

SSD/hard drive:

1. A person on another forum said the Crucial M4's are the best out there, but I don't really have much more money for a SSD let alone a 2 TB hard drive. Stick or switch when I can?

GPU:

1. Would a 560 ti bottleneck with the 2500k I have listed now? Currently doubt it, but want to make absolutely sure.
2. How well would it perform in more recent games from the last 4-5 years on high settings (and maximum with and without AA out of curiosity)?

PSU:

1. As stated, I may want to SLI down the road. Is 650w good enough for a 2-670 SLI setup or should I switch down the road?

In general:

1. What things should I cut corners on to meet the $1100 CAD budget?

2. How good is this build compared to others with around the same budget?

[Evilan]

Cut down the case cost: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/rosewill-case-blackhawk[/url] (-$40)
Cut down SSD cost/size: [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct064m4ssd2[/url] (-$110)
Cut down HDD cost/size:[url]http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-hd103sj[/url] (-$90)

Also I highly recommend going with current z77 board you have, but getting an i5-3570k instead of the 2500k you currently have. I think it's only $10 more.

[wickedplayer494]

[QUOTE=Evilan;36894044]
Cut down HDD cost/size:[url]http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-hd103sj[/url] (-$90)
[/QUOTE]

Hot damn, I was looking for a Spinpoint F3! Couldn't find one in 2 TB though (only Spinpoint in 2 TB I could find was a F4, which is when Seagate bought out Samsung's HD department). Guess I could get 2 to replace the 2 TB CB, but I'd need to do that later. Thanks for that find!

I'm hesitant on a 64 GB SSD as that'd be just barely enough for a Windows install and a few games. If that's my only choice, then I guess I'll go with it.

I'll see if anyone else has other suggestions for the SSD and case though.

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

[url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834[/url] $30 more, and as is pointed out to me anytime hard drives are brought up, Seagate makes good drives now. They had a bunch of fuckups with an older series called the 7200.11 or whatever.

[editline]23rd July 2012[/editline]

Also, Rosewill cases have the cooling capability of a Venezuelan garden shed grow op in the dead heat of summer. Not very good.

[wickedplayer494]

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;36894339][url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834[/url] $30 more, and as is pointed out to me anytime hard drives are brought up, Seagate makes good drives now. They had a bunch of fuckups with an older series called the 7200.11 or whatever.

[editline]23rd July 2012[/editline]

Also, Rosewill cases have the cooling capability of a Venezuelan garden shed grow op in the dead heat of summer. Not very good.[/QUOTE]

I'll consider a Barracuda as even more suggestions come in. Even then, as I said, I could simply get another F3 (but that'd be more expensive in the long run).

And I was also hesitant on a Rosewill case as you pointed out, they don't make the greatest stuff. Definitely even more of a concern as I live in the Canadian prairies, where the temperatures are bipolar (-30 C in winter, 30 C in summer with humidex/WC at -40 to 40). Even then, I have air conditioning.

[Evilan]

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;36894339]Also, Rosewill cases have the cooling capability of a Venezuelan garden shed grow op in the dead heat of summer. Not very good.[/QUOTE]

Way to generalize for the entire company. The Blackhawk is Rosewill's flagship case and it gets great reviews from almost every aggregator.

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

I'm not saying it's a bad case, I'm saying there are [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352010]better[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011]cases[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196]for[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233]the[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216]money[/url].

[wickedplayer494]

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;36894709]I'm not saying it's a bad case, I'm saying there are [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352010]better[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011]cases[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196]for[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233]the[/url] [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216]money[/url].[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the bunch of links for cases. I noticed that all of them were mid towers. Other than increased air volume for better airflow and size for longer GPUs while still having plenty of space, is it really necessary to get a full tower instead of a mid?

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

Most new graphics cards are short enough that getting a full tower for a long one isn't really a valid point anymore, and the better full tower cases are pretty much for water cooling. You have to spend a lot on fans to get good airflow in most full tower cases. Mid towers are pretty standard.

Usually I go by not spending more than 1/10th of my budget on something that's mostly aesthetic, while still keeping airflow in mind. The Corsair 300R is on an amazing deal right now, that'd be top choice as of now, but if you want to throw a little more into it the CM 690 II is also very good.

[editline]23rd July 2012[/editline]

There's also a windowed 300R for like $15 more if you're into the kinky shit

[wickedplayer494]

Alright, I'll take the cases you linked into consideration. I'll put the HAF 922 from CM into the OP for now. The reason I decided to go 922 instead of 912 for now is the GPU space issues with the 912. Don't want to have to remove that cage.

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

The first one I linked can hold ones up to 11" without removing the top cage, and is very good with airflow.

[wickedplayer494]

Been going through some of the reviews, and some of the 1-2 egg rates for stuff I have in the OP are terrifying (15%+ for 1 egg, after verified owner filtering). I'll do some more reading and will update the OP in the morning instead.

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

You also have to remember that Newegg reviewers are the vocal minority. How many times have you gotten good service and called to praise a company over bad service and called to tell them off? People are much more inclined to share a negative experience than a positive one.

[wickedplayer494]

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;36895914]You also have to remember that Newegg reviewers are the vocal minority. How many times have you gotten good service and called to praise a company over bad service and called to tell them off? People are much more inclined to share a negative experience than a positive one.[/QUOTE]

True, I guess I should take the negatives with a grain of salt.

I'll swap out what's obviously going to screw me over in the next year or two to something that won't for a long time (I'm already eyeing that Spinpoint...).

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

Prime example, I just bought [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817116014&Tpk=nzxt%20650[/url] and it works perfectly fine, but people get turned off from it because it only has 3 eggs. It is also a great deal, $50 after rebate, is modular, very efficient and it should be 80+ silver, looks fucking smooth, and has 4 pci-e connectors.

[wickedplayer494]

Updated the OP again. Replaced the Spinpoint back with a WD CB 1 TB. I also found out I could get a Crucial M4 with 8 more GB than the Kingston HyperX 120 GB for less.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to access the site for ~2.5 days as I'll be at my dad's place. Please do keep on suggesting things.

[fixture]

I think you should consider other mid tower cases. my experience with Cooler Master is that all the stock fans that come in the case are quite noisy. consider the NZXT source 210 elite, Fractal Design Core 3000, and the corsair 300r

[wickedplayer494]

Alright, I'm back.

The 300R's build quality is freaky, especially for a Corsair product, but you pay for what you get. I'll have a look through the other two cases fixture suggested.

If anyone else has any other suggestions, please suggest.

One thing to note: I [b]might[/b] be able to spend up to $1300. More likely $1.2K, but I'll see if I have enough for even more. I'll let everyone know if this is the case.

[wickedplayer494]

Apologies for the double post (if the automerge died, which it likely has).

I decided to go for the 500R instead. Only a few bucks more than the 400R.

[url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb/benchmarks/]Benchmarks[/url]

[b]CPU:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k]Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor[/url] ($229.99 @ NCIX)
[b]CPU Cooler:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-cwch80]Corsair H80 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler[/url] ($91.99 @ Newegg Canada)
[b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4]ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard[/url] ($149.99 @ Canada Computers)
[b]Memory:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/gskill-memory-f310666cl9d8gbrl]G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory[/url] ($45.79 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Hard Drive:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1002faex]Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($99.79 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Hard Drive:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128m4ssd2cca]Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[/url] ($130.59 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Video Card:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/evga-video-card-01gp31561ar]EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card[/url] ($204.99 @ NCIX)
[b]Case:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-case-500rwt]Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case[/url] ($119.99 @ NCIX)
[b]Power Supply:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu650hx]Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply[/url] ($104.99 @ Memory Express)
[b]Total:[/b] $1178.11
[i](Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)[/i]
[i](Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-29 22:03 EDT-0400)[/i]

Won't be buying for about another ~2 weeks, so that'll give some room for prices to fluctuate. Any thoughts or am I good to go?

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

Looks good man, there's no optical drive though

[wickedplayer494]

Yeah, I'll probably try the install of Win7 from a USB stick and add the OD later. Even then, it's a negligible difference anyways not to have an optical drive.

[validusername]

[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;36893560]Here's a list I put together so far:

[url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb/by_merchant/]Price breakdown by merchant[/url] / [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/dnFb/benchmarks/]Benchmarks[/url]

[b]CPU:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k]Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor[/url] ($229.99 @ NCIX)
[b]CPU Cooler:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-cwch80]Corsair H80 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler[/url] ($91.99 @ Newegg Canada)
[b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4]ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard[/url] ($149.99 @ Canada Computers)
[b]Memory:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/gskill-memory-f310666cl9d8gbrl]G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory[/url] ($45.79 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Hard Drive:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1002faex]Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive[/url] ($99.79 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Hard Drive:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct128m4ssd2cca]Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[/url] ($130.59 @ DirectCanada)
[b]Video Card:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/evga-video-card-01gp31561ar]EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card[/url] ($204.99 @ NCIX)
[b]Case:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-case-500rwt]Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case[/url] ($119.99 @ NCIX)
[b]Power Supply:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu650hx]Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply[/url] ($104.99 @ Memory Express)
[b]Total:[/b] $1178.11
[i](Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)[/i]
[i](Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-29 22:03 EDT-0400)[/i]

Some important things to note:

- Currently over budget by [del]~$200[/del] ~$70 CAD
- [b]All parts will be bought locally: Nearest Microcenter (in Minneapolis) is an 8-hour drive, not able to get the CPU+mobo combo[/b], won't be buying online because I'd need an asston of prepaid cards, prices WILL vary from where I go locally, will update as necessary, but due to the personal nature, won't be giving out where I go
- No, I won't be switching the PSU out with some crap brand
- Keyboard, mouse, speakers, and monitor will be salvaged from another computer
- Would like to play most games at high quality, but not max everything out
- Would also like to stream some games too
- May be used for video editing
- May involve CAD later down the road with a course I'll be taking
- May SLI with 670s later down the road, but not at the moment
- May probably want to OC a slight bit/moderately

Now for all the questions:

CPU:
1. Sandy Bridge vs. Ivy Bridge: I've heard that Ivy Bridge has a negligible overall performance benefit except for graphics. As such, should I stick with SB or go IB?
2. i5 vs. i7: I've also heard performance benefits with the i7 over the i5 are negligible unless you're doing video editing, which is what I've noted. I've also heard the i5, particularly the 2500k model, is best for overclocking. Stick with i5 or go i7?

Mobo:

1. Will this be a good enough mobo or should I go with something else?

RAM:

1. I've outlined possible CAD and video editing as uses. Is 8 GB good enough for me? Hesitant to go 16 GB as that'd be in definite overkill territory.

SSD/hard drive:

1. A person on another forum said the Crucial M4's are the best out there, but I don't really have much more money for a SSD let alone a 2 TB hard drive. Stick or switch when I can?

GPU:

1. Would a 560 ti bottleneck with the 2500k I have listed now? Currently doubt it, but want to make absolutely sure.
2. How well would it perform in more recent games from the last 4-5 years on high settings (and maximum with and without AA out of curiosity)?

PSU:

1. As stated, I may want to SLI down the road. Is 650w good enough for a 2-670 SLI setup or should I switch down the road?

In general:

1. What things should I cut corners on to meet the $1100 CAD budget?

2. How good is this build compared to others with around the same budget?[/QUOTE]

[HolyCrapAWalrus]

I'm sorry but what was the point of that