PC Overhaul - Hardware & Software

Hey FP, just need some help putting together a new build for my tower. Will be buying the parts in early September. [b]What I got:[/b] HAF932 case, 850W CM Gold Certified PSU, i5-3570k cpu, keyboard, mouse, monitors [b]What I'm replacing:[/b] Cfx 5850s, i7-975X, LGA 1336 mobo, 6gb memory, HDD [b]What I need:[/b] Operating System, graphics card (only 1 if best option), HDD, SSD boot drive, memory, z77 mobo, heatsink [b]What I plan to do with it:[/b] Games, little-moderate video editing, college work [b]Finally the budget:[/b] $800-$1200

Just a question, whats the upcoming builds color scheme? [editline]30th August 2012[/editline] Well until then, I've put together this build for you. - MSI 660TI- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127696[/url] - ASUS Z77- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819[/url] - Windows 7- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716[/url] - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186[/url] - Western Digital black (2tb)- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136792[/url] - Hyper 212- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099[/url] - Samsung 60gb SSD- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147162[/url] - It comes out just over 1000$ In total. But if I had 800-1200 to spend on a computer, this would be what I picked, Now if your color scheme is red instead of blue, Tell me and I can replace the GPU and Mobo. - I know this doesnt mean much coming from someone with under 50 posts, but hey, Here you go. EDIT: Heheh, I'm retarded, I thought you needed a CPU too, I'll take that out.

I really don't have a color scheme in mind. I'm not planning to leave my case open on display all day, but the LEDs on the fan lights are red if that makes any difference. I'm just trying to fill my pc with the best parts for the budget I am working with. [editline]30th August 2012[/editline] Although I should mention that I do plan to overclock both the cpu and the graphics card, so I do want to have good coolers on both.

Ah, ok, well cool. - Well just incase, heres a red version. - GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121656[/url] MOBO: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131830[/url] - There you go, tell me if it works out / what your conclusion might be, but I really recommend the Gtx 660Ti As the GPU, its bang for buck is amazing. - EDIT: The hyper 212 is an amazing quality air cooler for its price, and Msi's (or) Asus's Fans on the GPU Are Very decent. But if you're looking for a little better cooler, I would recommend one of Corsairs H series all in one water cooling CPU coolers.

Don't buy closed loop watercooling. Stick with the Hyper 212 Evo or the Noctua NH-D14 if you wanna spend that much. You should be fine overclocking with the stock cooler on the 660 Ti if you go with a 2 fan model.

[QUOTE=d3v1n816;37472552] MOBO: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131830[/url] [/QUOTE] While I do like the specs on that M-ATX, I can't see myself using an m-atx mobo in a full size case. I just wouldn't be using the space to its full potential. [QUOTE=Angry Pineapple;37474170]Don't buy closed loop watercooling. Stick with the Hyper 212 Evo or the Noctua NH-D14 if you wanna spend that much. You should be fine overclocking with the stock cooler on the 660 Ti if you go with a 2 fan model.[/QUOTE] I've heard people say that the closed loops aren't as good, when the rest of the system is air cooled. I've never checked for any specifics on that point, but I am definitely interested in the Noctua and the Hyper 212 EVO.

If you're interested in aesthetics, check out Phanteks for the cooler. On par with NH-D14 and much nicer looking imo [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709001[/url] The white, red, or blue ones with black fans would look pretty nice for a color scheme [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] Hadn't read the part where you said red led fans, [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157298[/url] would look nice, other than that any asrock extreme or gigabyte one that's black would look good.

Ahaha, sorry about that, I wasnt paying attention when I posted that Micro ATX board, I thought it was regular sized. Sorry. But yes, I agree with the guy above me on the mobo, although, for my upcoming build I'm putting in a h100 but everything else is air cooled, I diddnt know that closed loop cooling in a mostly fan cooler computer would effect it, thanks, something I'm going to look into.

Closed loop cooling is a waste of money. If you want watercooling, go and do a proper custom made loop. You can probably get a block for your 660ti and do full watercooling. [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] I bought a closed loop cooler, yes it is quieter (If you don't use the shite stock fans) but it doesn't perform much better than my old freezer 7 pro v2

Alright so my final build will be something like this: CPU: i5-3570k Heatsink: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709001[/url] ($90) Mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506[/url] ($160) Memory: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180[/url] ($50) GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125414[/url] ($330) HDD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533[/url] ($110) SSD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163[/url] ($100) OS: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986[/url] ($100) PSU: 850W Cooler Master Case: HAF 932 red LEDs Total: $940 1. Decided to reduce 2TB hdd to 1TB and get a larger SSD 2. Taking your advice on sticking with a red/black build 3. Did some research on the 660ti and 7950, figured I'd get a 7950 if the difference was only $20-$30.

[QUOTE=Evilan;37486755]Alright so my final build will be something like this: CPU: i5-3570k Heatsink: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709001[/url] ($90) Mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506[/url] ($160) Memory: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180[/url] ($50) GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125414[/url] ($330) HDD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533[/url] ($110) SSD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163[/url] ($100) OS: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986[/url] ($100) PSU: 850W Cooler Master Case: HAF 932 red LEDs Total: $940 1. Decided to reduce 2TB hdd to 1TB and get a larger SSD 2. Taking your advice on sticking with a red/black build 3. Did some research on the 660ti and 7950, figured I'd get a 7950 if the difference was only $20-$30.[/QUOTE] Please don't buy that motherboard, not only expensive, but it's also an old chipset. Get a z77 motherboard with full support for your ivy bridge i5. Possibly something like this: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293[/url] And you could even use the extra bucks from the cheaper motherboard and go with a 7970. Oh, and.. the memory modules you found won't fit with your current cpu cooler, and unless you choose to do some heavy overclocking 4.5ghz+ on that i5 (I believe that's the limit before you have to increase voltage beyond what the 212 can cool alone), so I would suggest you go with the 212, and save some additional bucks or throw them towards the 7970.

[QUOTE=Median.J;37486976]Please don't buy that motherboard, not only expensive, but it's also an old chipset. Get a z77 motherboard with full support for your ivy bridge i5.[/QUOTE] Woops, normally I don't make that mistake when looking at mobos. Totally forgot I was looking for z77 chipset. [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Median.J;37486976]Oh, and.. the memory modules you found won't fit with your current cpu cooler, and unless you choose to do some heavy overclocking 4.5ghz+ on that i5 (I believe that's the limit before you have to increase voltage beyond what the 212 can cool alone), so I would suggest you go with the 212, and save some additional bucks or throw them towards the 7970.[/QUOTE] You bring up another point I failed to consider. I didn't realize just how large that cpu cooler was alongside the heat spreaders on the memory. I thought a full size ATX mobo would allow for both heatspreaders and a larger than average heatsink? [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] CPU: i5-3570k Heatsink: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099[/url] ($35) Mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293[/url] ($115) Memory: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180[/url] ($50) GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125413[/url] ($440) HDD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533[/url] ($110) SSD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163[/url] ($100) OS: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986[/url] ($100) PSU: 850W Cooler Master Case: HAF 932 red LEDs Total: $950 Fixed the list I had above for any discretions. How does it look now? Also I should also mention I have a 2560x1600 resolution, so a higher bandwidth is a necessity on a card.

[QUOTE=Evilan;37487023]Woops, normally I don't make that mistake when looking at mobos. Totally forgot I was looking for z77 chipset. [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] You bring up another point I failed to consider. I didn't realize just how large that cpu cooler was alongside the heat spreaders on the memory. I thought a full size ATX mobo would allow for both heatspreaders and a larger than average heatsink? [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] CPU: i5-3570k Heatsink: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099[/url] ($35) Mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293[/url] ($115) Memory: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180[/url] ($50) GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125413[/url] ($440) HDD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533[/url] ($110) SSD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163[/url] ($100) OS: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986[/url] ($100) PSU: 850W Cooler Master Case: HAF 932 red LEDs Total: $950 Fixed the list I had above for any discretions. How does it look now? Also I should also mention I have a 2560x1200 resolution, so a higher bandwidth is a necessity on a card.[/QUOTE] Uhm, about that 7970. Just went over a few benchmarks, and the 670 might be/is probably a better option for the same price (You'll have to decide for yourself, go look). Can't really say anything about the ssd but I generally have little knowledge about ssds as they seem to get better all the time (Maybe someone else could guide you there if needed). Other than that I can't see any compatibility issues.

[QUOTE=Median.J;37487284]Uhm, about that 7970. Just went over a few benchmarks, and the 670 might be/is probably a better option for the same price (You'll have to decide for yourself, go look). Can't really say anything about the ssd but I generally have little knowledge about ssds as they seem to get better all the time (Maybe someone else could guide you there if needed). Other than that I can't see any compatibility issues.[/QUOTE] I think you are right. It seems like the GTX 670 and the HD7970 go back and forth, but overall the 670 is the winner. [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/508?vs=598[/url]

Ahaha, sorry I couldn't be of much assistance but I'm still learning and haven't even done my first build yet. - And yes, I plan on doing a real water cooling system in the future, but for my first build I just know I'll fuck something up trying to do it. - Thanks for the information though, although I think I'm going to stick with the h100 personally.

[QUOTE=d3v1n816;37487949]Ahaha, sorry I couldn't be of much assistance but I'm still learning and haven't even done my first build yet. - And yes, I plan on doing a real water cooling system in the future, but for my first build I just know I'll fuck something up trying to do it. - Thanks for the information though, although I think I'm going to stick with the h100 personally.[/QUOTE] The H100 is a waste of money, get a hyper 212+ or evo if you want something temporary and put the saved money to a better GPU.

[QUOTE='[EG] Pepper;37488509']The H100 is a waste of money, get a hyper 212+ or evo if you want something temporary and put the saved money to a better GPU.[/QUOTE] Just incase you're curious about my upcoming build, I don't need a better GPU and to be honest I don't want a big bulky air cooler in my build which is based half on aesthetics. - Case: NZXT Switch 810. Mobo: Sabertooth z77 GPU: Evga gtx 680. CPU: intel i7 3770k. RAM: 16gb corsair vengeance (tall) - I need Intel's hyperthreading for rendering videos and I'm going to record various games and I need 60+ fps while recording with Fraps. - The reason I suggested a 660ti was because its a great budget GPU and not because I have one :P - Thanks for your concern though, I'm trying to not sound like a dick as much as possible. EDIT: Oh yeah and, I plan to overclock my CPU to 4.6 GHz, the h100 will help get me there, and its not all bulky and it is aesthetically pleasing

[QUOTE=Evilan;37487675]I think you are right. It seems like the GTX 670 and the HD7970 go back and forth, but overall the 670 is the winner. [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/508?vs=598[/url][/QUOTE] 7970's have a tendency to be able to be hugely overclocked, much more so than the 670. And I'm pretty sure AMD cards can handle higher resolutions better than Nvidia.

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;37489482]7970's have a tendency to be able to be hugely overclocked, much more so than the 670. And I'm pretty sure AMD cards can handle higher resolutions better than Nvidia.[/QUOTE] Tom's Hardware backs up this claim. They show the new Ghz 7970 vs the 670/680/690. [url]http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232-10.html[/url] Seems like the extra bandwidth pushes it past the 670 and the 680 in high resolution cases. I might go with the Ghz version of the card over the standard version. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=Gigabyte+7970&x=0&y=0[/url] [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] Here are some basic overclock results I was also looking at for the 7970, it is really a generous card. [url]http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-overclock-review,3186-10.html[/url]

Why are you so intent on Gigabyte? Sapphire is an excellent company as well [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001[/url] not to mention their cooler looks nicer imo and probably has the same cooling capability as the Gigabyte. [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] Plus, I like saving money where I can :v: [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] Oh it seems the Gigabyte has a slightly better cooler than the Sapphire, my bad on that assumption

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;37490318]Why are you so intent on Gigabyte? Sapphire is an excellent company as well [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001[/url] not to mention their cooler looks nicer imo and probably has the same cooling capability as the Gigabyte. [editline]31st August 2012[/editline] Plus, I like saving money where I can :v:[/QUOTE] I was just using it as a price differential, but overall I appreciate the quality products that Gigabyte makes. Still, I won't pass up a better part due to the company who makes it, and I was looking at the same Sapphire you linked when I posted up the other links.

A bit louder though as well, and sorry for all the automerging goin on

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;37490390]A bit louder though as well, and sorry for all the automerging goin on[/QUOTE] No problem, I appreciate any input.

I've been reading that Ivy Bridge runs quite a bit hotter than Sandy Bridge does when it is overclocked. Will I be able to run a 3570k at at least 4.2ghz with a Hyper 212 EVO safely? None of the guides I've been looking through offer an explanation with anything less than an H60 or an equivalent air cooler.

There's not a huge difference, you'll be able to get to 4.2 easily

Alright, so it has come time to order my parts. Here is what the final order looks like. Memory: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233202[/url] GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125439[/url] Mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293[/url] HDD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533[/url] SSD: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163[/url] Heatsink: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029[/url] My total is well within my budget so I do have one quick question. Should I keep using my HAF 932 or should I opt to go with a smaller case that manages airflow better?

Wouldn't think it would matter too much. I will say this though. H212 evo is way adequate in my experience with ivy bridge CPUs. The chips handle heat well, and you hit the limit on what it is capable of long before heat becomes a concern. Might I ask why you are doing this now as opposed to waiting it out to see if haswell is worthwhile? Those bloomfields were unbelievable processors for the time. I know a couple of people who simply bought water coolers and ratcheted them up another 250Mhz. SATA III support on those motherboards is hard to come by, as is USB 3, but you can get it.

[QUOTE=Evilan;37671041]Alright, so it has come time to order my parts. Here is what the final order looks like. Heatsink: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029[/url] [/QUOTE] Just a comment on that particular cooler cause I was looking at it months earlier. All black cooler> Rainbow wire. - I found this funny.

[QUOTE=Zephyrs;37671223] Might I ask why you are doing this now as opposed to waiting it out to see if haswell is worthwhile[/QUOTE] It's mostly because I need a working desktop before the month of April. But also because I already have the cpu and I've had it for a few weeks, but I did not have the funds to create a build around it. I might upgrade to Haswell down the road, but Ivy Bridge will suffice just fine for now and I can wait for the first price drop to do that upgrade.

Makes sense, and seems quite reasonable. That's a chip that will endure quite nicely. The only thing I could really have a concern about (besides the cooler which is more of a quip), is the AMD vs Nvidia, but the card you picked is better for anything that isn't photoshop related, and you clearly know what you are doing there. [img]http://merage.uci.edu/ResearchAndCenters/Beall/Images/knowledgebase-fund.jpg[/img]