Friend's PC Build Plan === (US)

[Hobox]

New thread: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/22414-final-plan-for-friends-gaming-pc-us-looking-for-last-minute-advice/

 

 

Edit: Looking for comments/suggestions for different parts for SSD/Case/PSU/Sound card/Cooling specifically

 

So I'm gonna help my friend build a gaming rig for his birthday, and the budget is $2000 max.

Here's what I have so far:

CPU: Core i7 3770K ***
Graphics: GTX 680 ***
Motherboard: P8Z77-V PRO ***
Sound: Xonar DGX
RAM: Vengeance LP 2x8GB 1600
Cooling: H220
SSD: 840 Pro 128GB
Case: Storm Stryker Chaser A71 (Brand new case, will wait for reviews, etc)
PSU: HX850 850W XFX 850W 80+ Gold Fully Modular
HDD: Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache Already has HDD's, perhaps a 10K RPM if the cost is cut enough, or just in the future
CPU Fans: NF-F12 x2
Case Fans: Helix fans that come with CPU Cooler + NF-P12 or NF-S12A (Not sure how many or/of which) Now I'm thinking we'll probably get some AF120's as they will look a lot nicer as case fans with the black color/colored rings and perform pretty well without breaking the bank just for fans like the Noctuas do.

 

*** These parts will change, they are included for a rough estimate on the total price, as the goal is to use Haswell CPU's as they are just around the corner, and get a GTX 780 for the graphics card. If we have to downgrade to a GTX 770 in the end we will, but the idea is that the 780 is nearly a Titan for almost half the price.



I'm looking for suggestions in all aspects of the build. I know that the Core i5 series of CPU's is generally cosidered more than enough for gaming but we like to have the extra power as programs advance, for emulation, and anything he might be interested in in the future.

The total for that stuff is $2,153.87 and that's not including shipping or case fans. I can cut down around $100, maybe more but I'm not totally sure how much yet, just by buying some parts from places other than Newegg.

Specific questions:

• Any personal experience/opinions on the sound card?

• Anyone know if the included thermal paste for the CPU cooler is good/great/mediocre?

• Noise on the GTX Titan? Coil whine? Since the 780 will basically be the same card, it might be pretty similar.

 

I would much rather the AX860i for PSU as a fully modular one would be nice (more efficient too) but it's $60 more. I'm pretty nervous when it comes to PSU's so any help on a good choice for this is greatly appreciated. I believe 850W would be enough to run two 780's if he decided to do so at a later date, which I want to leave the option open for. So if there's any PSU's as reliable as Corsair's that are fully modular and of similar capacity, let me know.

Since the SSD will be mostly used for OS and daily-use programs, and maybe a game or two, would the 840 Pro really make that much of a difference compared to a lower end SSD like the Crucial M500? I'd rather keep it at the 120GB bracket instead of dropping to 60GB since it is much easier to work with having the OS on it and still having room for other things he wants there as he goes.

The cooler is also quite expensive. It is ideal to get that and I would much rather get the H220, but if I had to lower the cooler I was thinking the de facto choice would be the Noctua NH-D14. Thoughts on that? I think it should fit in that case just fine.


I'll post other questions and such as I think of them! Thanks!

 

Edit: Sigh... using the quick editor completely messed up the styling of the post...

 

 

 

[Hobox]

I feel like I'm forgetting some part but can't put my finger on it.

 

On top of that, I did forget to mention that this LG Blu-ray burner was in the original plans too and if anyone else uses blu-rays some feedback on burners and their speed would be great. Would the 8MB cache ones be better over the 4MB cache ones? We may end up cutting out the burner just for now to get the cost down though.

 

Edit: I'm also not very keen on the case after looking into it. Would love suggestions for nice expansive Full Tower cases that don't cost too much. I would go with the 800D (900D Really) but it is just so damn expensive...

[YouRezz]

Unless your friend is an audiophiliac a sound card is a waste of money(the card isnt even that good, u got a better one one the mobo itself). Get a bigger ssd for that money or just cut down on the buget. :D

[Hobox]

Unless your friend is an audiophiliac a sound card is a waste of money(the card isnt even that good, u got a better one one the mobo itself). Get a bigger ssd for that money or just cut down on the buget. :D

I can tell you right now a sound card is not a waste of money. Passed that, however, why isn't the card very good? I think I should have mentioned it will probably be mostly used for headphones which apparently the card is pretty good with.

[Raptus]

I think what YouRezz means is that for MOST people an extra soundcard is not really necessary. If his friend is accustomed to soundcards and the better sound they output then I understand it. If not, you could easily spend money on something else. Mechanical keyboard if he doesen't have one maybe? There are loads of other things to use money on. Maybe save on the soundcard and get the 860i if you really want a fully modular PSU with somewhat better efficiency and better features?

Otherwise I like the build, looks good. AF120/140's are good from what I've heard. Already got some to go into my new build. 

 

On the SSD the Samsung 840 Pro is one of the best, but would some other low-end options work just as good for that kind of use? Sure. I don't know about the pricing in your area, so it's hard to say what to go with. Here in Norway both the Kingston HyperX SSD's and some of the Corsair SSD's are somewhat cheaper than the 840 Pro. 

[YouRezz]

If the headphones or speakers he is gonna use arent 200-1000 usd lvl he should be good with the quality realtek sound he has on. My friend also owns this mobo and the sound is really good ( waaaaay better than asrock fm2a85x extreme4-m that i use for my media/home server/lan pc) he has no issiues with it and he has custum 7.1 surround sound( yes the board has it and the card doesent) and it sounds amazing(we compared the two)

 

Anywho if you have $50 too much to spend than ok buy it :D  

 

[ERSCreeper]

I would swap the motherboard for a Z77A-GD65 and get a HD 7970 with a good aftermarket cooler.

[Hobox]

I would swap the motherboard for a Z77A-GD65 and get a HD 7970 with a good aftermarket cooler.

I'm not actually getting that CPU, Motherboard, or video card, as I'm waiting for the Haswell/700 series release which is less than a month away.

[ERSCreeper]

Fair argument. :)

[Hobox]

Fair argument. :)

Yeah it was just meant to act as a similar price placeholder for the total price of the build. Any personal case recommendations?

[ERSCreeper]

Well I am loving my HAF-XB but that's a very wide case. Scout 2, R4, arc midi R2, 650D, storm trooper, gz-x1 (old school). That is my line up of favorite cases.

[Hobox]

I supposed the 650D is an option, we could look into mid tower cases but I generally only stick with Full Tower. Still looking for lots of other feedback/suggestions guys, thanks.

[Blade of Grass]

For a PSU, save some money and get an XFX Pro Series PSU. They're 80 Plus Gold, Fully modular, and they are cheaper than Corsair AX PSUs. They're OEM SeaSonic X-Series (top of the line) PSUs, just re-branded and cheaper.

I have one and I love it. Also its the PSU that Linus is using.

[Hobox]

Awesome thanks for the suggestion. How are the cable lengths on it? Not too short for big cases? Also do you think 850W would be enough for two GTX 780's when they are out?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207028

That's the PSU I found that I believe you are talking about, correct? There's 1 review about coil whine on the page, have you experienced any yourself? Then again if Linus is using it I'm sure it's dead quiet.

[Blade of Grass]

Correct, that's the one I'm using. Linus is using the 1Kw variant.

I happily have no coil wine, but with most components, their's the possibility that you get one with it (it's also a common issue with alot of PSUs including AX series).

The wire length is more than enough for my Corsair C70, so I think it should be good for most cases.

[Hobox]

Correct, that's the one I'm using. Linus is using the 1Kw variant.

I happily have no coil wine, but with most components, their's the possibility that you get one with it (it's also a common issue with alot of PSUs including AX series).

The wire length is more than enough for my Corsair C70, so I think it should be good for most cases.

Coil whine isn't something that they would issue an RMA for, is it? I'm guessing not. :'( Thanks again for the suggestion though I'm really liking the PSU and think it'll be great.

[Blade of Grass]

Coil whine isn't something that they would issue an RMA for, is it? I'm guessing not. :'( Thanks again for the suggestion though I'm really liking the PSU and think it'll be great.

Depends on how bad the coil wine is.

[Hobox]

Really hope it won't have any then.

[Hobox]

Still looking for any feedback on the parts and for alternative part suggestions. Once Haswell/700 series is out I'll be making a new clean thread with the new build plan for last minute ideas.

[Masfiras]

i would a mobo, sound card and memory more high-ended.