Summer build ideas help please

[GoldenTree]

Hey guys i'm planning to do a build in the summer and i would like to know what i can change what i could do better. My budget is about 1000-1500 Canadian dollars and i'm going for quite and looks. Oh i'm going to start pc gaming. For part list 3 i'm not sure if i should go with the performance fans or not or should i go for performance fans for all lists or not at all. All input would be taken with appreciation and gratitude.

Part list 1 (In case i do not have enough money)

Corsair Obsidian 550D (139.99) discount (119.99)

Intel Core i5-3570k (234.99)

Corsair Air Series Af140 Quite Edition (19.99)

Corsair Air Series AF120 Quite edition, Twin Pack (34.99)

Patriot Viper 3 Mamba Black 8GB 2x4GBDDR3 1866MHz (64.99)

Asus Sabertooth Z77 1155 Socket(229.99)

Seasonic Platinum-660 Fully Modular 80 Plus Platinum 660W PSU (154.99)

Sub-total $859.93 CAD

Part list 2 (If I have a good amount of money)

Corsair Obsidian 550D (139.99) discount (119.99)

Intel Core i5-3570k (234.99)

Corsair Air Series Af140 Quite Edition (19.99)

Corsair Air Series AF120 Quite edition, Twin Pack (34.99)

Patriot Viper 3 Mamba Black 8GB 2x4GBDDR3 1866MHz (64.99)

Asus Sabertooth Z77 1155 Socket(229.99)

Seasonic Platinum-660 Fully Modular 80 Plus Platinum 660W PSU (154.99)

Asus GTX 660ti Direct CO2 (319.00)

Sub-Total $1,178.93 CAD

Part list 3 (If I have a lot of money)

Corsair Obsidian 550D (139.99) discount (119.99)

Intel Core i5-3570k (234.99)

Corsair Air Series Af140 Quite Edition (19.99)

Corsair Air Series AF120 Quite edition, Twin Pack (34.99)

​Corsair Air Series AF120 Performance Edition, Twin Pack (34.99)

Patriot Viper 3 Mamba Black 8GB 2x4GBDDR3 1866MHz (64.99)

Wd Black 1TB Sata 3 7200RPM (94.99)

Asus Sabertooth Z77 1155 Socket(229.99)

Seasonic Platinum-660 Fully Modular 80 Plus Platinum 660W PSU (154.99)

Asus Xonar Essence Stx (199.99)

Samsung 840 Series 120GB (94.99)

Asus GTX 660ti Direct CO2 (319.00)

Sub-Total with both twin packs $1,698.88

[Guest]

Well firstly I'd drop all the fans out of the equasion - add them later once you're built and you figure out what temps you're not happy with. Secondly, I really wouldn't bother with the Sabertooth. Yes, the aesthetics are nice but what does it offer that an ASrock Extreme 4 or Asus P8Z77-M Pro for about $80-$100 cheaper doesn't? I would then spend the money saved on an upgrade in GPU to either a 670 or 7850 or 7870. My personal preference is for the MSI cards because they're quiet and pretty cold. If it's just PC gaming, drop to 1600Mhz C9 RAM - there's only about 3-5% increase between that and 2400 and you won't notice it for gaming.

[GoldenTree]

Well firstly I'd drop all the fans out of the equasion - add them later once you're built and you figure out what temps you're not happy with. Secondly, I really wouldn't bother with the Sabertooth. Yes, the aesthetics are nice but what does it offer that an ASrock Extreme 4 or Asus P8Z77-M Pro for about $80-$100 cheaper doesn't? I would then spend the money saved on an upgrade in GPU to either a 670 or 7850 or 7870. My personal preference is for the MSI cards because they're quiet and pretty cold. If it's just PC gaming, drop to 1600Mhz C9 RAM - there's only about 3-5% increase between that and 2400 and you won't notice it for gaming.

Alright thanks for your input will look it over again and i will post new list when I can, appreciat it

[WitzTech]

Yeah, the cosair fans are not a great value at all, so I'd forget about em'. I would also shift some money towards a 7950 or 66ti. The 550D is a decent case but I would also check out the Fractal Design Define R4 and Arc Midi, as they are less money and typically do very well in both acoustics and cooling performance.

Bear in mind that summer is a long way away, so a lot of things can change. I recommend using PCpartpicker to keep track of price drops, as well as find the best deal on things such as RAM and GPU vendors. It also looks like you are only using the stock CPU cooler, which is borderline terrible, especially if you are going to use the 3570k, which is very easy to overclock.. I recommend looking at a Xigamatek Gaia on the low end, or a Noctua cooler on the higher budget builds.

[iTonyy]

I'd recommend getting a more consumer orientated PSU. You can get a decent 650W for 1/3 of the price and you can put the savings into some noctua fans that will really improve overclocking performance. Also since you said you were really going for a stylish build, I'd recommend getting the 650d as opposed to the 550d but if you don't plan to dress it up with LEDs then the 550d is fine

[GoldenTree]

Yeah, the cosair fans are not a great value at all, so I'd forget about em'. I would also shift some money towards a 7950 or 66ti. The 550D is a decent case but I would also check out the Fractal Design Define R4 and Arc Midi, as they are less money and typically do very well in both acoustics and cooling performance.

Bear in mind that summer is a long way away, so a lot of things can change. I recommend using PCpartpicker to keep track of price drops, as well as find the best deal on things such as RAM and GPU vendors. It also looks like you are only using the stock CPU cooler, which is borderline terrible, especially if you are going to use the 3570k, which is very easy to overclock.. I recommend looking at a Xigamatek Gaia on the low end, or a Noctua cooler on the higher budget builds.

Thanks I will consider a different case and summer is a long ways away I just love the planning part gets me hyped. Oh yeah I forgot that the cooler, I may use the NZXT Havik 140 but I will look around more and may use pc part picker. All my prices came from Canada computers.

[GoldenTree]

I'd recommend getting a more consumer orientated PSU. You can get a decent 650W for 1/3 of the price and you can put the savings into some noctua fans that will really improve overclocking performance. Also since you said you were really going for a stylish build, I'd recommend getting the 650d as opposed to the 550d but if you don't plan to dress it up with LEDs then the 550d is fine

Thanks for the thought. I'm more of a lover of sleek and elegant things and the 650d just does not do it for me. I like how you do not see the vent holes and the no window look.

[Willson94]

I'd recommend getting a more consumer orientated PSU. You can get a decent 650W for 1/3 of the price and you can put the savings into some noctua fans that will really improve overclocking performance. Also since you said you were really going for a stylish build, I'd recommend getting the 650d as opposed to the 550d but if you don't plan to dress it up with LEDs then the 550d is fine

I'd grab an R4 dont you think the 550D is just ugly? well obviously not seeing as you've picked it out what is it that made you pick it over other cases out there out of interest?

[GoldenTree]

Hey guys I took your current input and I went back to my original plan to build in a Tj08-E and like before it will be split into 2 different lists at 2 different prices. I would like to know what kind of fan you would use for the back 120mm space. Also a good adapter bracket for the two 5 and a half inch drive bays i want the hard drives to be there so it can look good with a lot of air flow. All the money is in Canadian and from Canada computers. This is a edit i'm going with the cpu cooler

List 1 (If I have a lot of money)

Silverstone Temjin Evolution TJ08-E (109.00)

Intel Core i5-3570K (234.99)

Phanteks PH-TC12DX (64.99)

Patriot Viper 3 Mamba Black 8GB 2x4GB 1600MHZ (54.99) Took your input and lowered memory speed

WD Black 1Tb x2 72000RPM (189.98)

Asus Maximus V GENE 1155 Intel Z77 Chipset (199.00)

Seasonic Platinum-660 Fully Modular 80 Plus Platinum 660W (154.99)

Asus Xonar Essence Stx (199.00)

Samsung 840 120GB SSD (109.00)

Asus GTX 660ti Direct CO2 (319.00)

Sub-Total $1631.94 CAD

List 2 (Good amount of money)

Silverstone Temjin Evolution TJ08-E (109.00)

Intel Core i5-3570K (234.99)

Phanteks PH-TC12DX (64.99)

Patriot Viper 3 Mamba Black 8GB 2x4GB 1600MHZ (54.99)

Asus Maximus V GENE 1155 Intel Z77 Chipset (199.00)

Seasonic Platinum-660 Fully Modular 80 Plus Platinum 660W (154.99)

Asus GTX 660ti Direct CO2 (319.00)

Sub-Total $1136.96 CAD

[GoldenTree]

I'd recommend getting a more consumer orientated PSU. You can get a decent 650W for 1/3 of the price and you can put the savings into some noctua fans that will really improve overclocking performance. Also since you said you were really going for a stylish build, I'd recommend getting the 650d as opposed to the 550d but if you don't plan to dress it up with LEDs then the 550d is fine

I donno I saw the R4 and I just do not like it and the the vent thing. I want to not see anything I want it to look sleek with no blemishes and I like the front door on the 550D

[GoldenTree]

I'd recommend getting a more consumer orientated PSU. You can get a decent 650W for 1/3 of the price and you can put the savings into some noctua fans that will really improve overclocking performance. Also since you said you were really going for a stylish build, I'd recommend getting the 650d as opposed to the 550d but if you don't plan to dress it up with LEDs then the 550d is fine

Oh and my next pick is the Tj08-E it is so good that is what my improved list is

[GoldenTree]

Hey guys I took your current input and I went back to my original plan to build in a Tj08-E and like before it will be split into 2 different lists at 2 different prices. I would like to know what kind of fan you would use for the back 120mm space. Also a good adapter bracket for the two 5 and a half inch drive bays i want the hard drives to be there so it can look good with a lot of air flow. All the money is in Canadian and from Canada computers. This is a edit i'm going with the cpu cooler

List 1 (If I have a lot of money)

Silverstone Temjin Evolution TJ08-E (109.00)

Intel Core i5-3570K (234.99)

Phanteks PH-TC12DX (64.99)

Patriot Viper 3 Mamba Black 8GB 2x4GB 1600MHZ (54.99) Took your input and lowered memory speed

WD Black 1Tb x2 72000RPM (189.98)

Asus Maximus V GENE 1155 Intel Z77 Chipset (199.00)

Seasonic Platinum-660 Fully Modular 80 Plus Platinum 660W (154.99)

Asus Xonar Essence Stx (199.00)

Samsung 840 120GB SSD (109.00)

Asus GTX 660ti Direct CO2 (319.00)

Sub-Total $1631.94 CAD

List 2 (Good amount of money)

Silverstone Temjin Evolution TJ08-E (109.00)

Intel Core i5-3570K (234.99)

Phanteks PH-TC12DX (64.99)

Patriot Viper 3 Mamba Black 8GB 2x4GB 1600MHZ (54.99)

Asus Maximus V GENE 1155 Intel Z77 Chipset (199.00)

Seasonic Platinum-660 Fully Modular 80 Plus Platinum 660W (154.99)

Asus GTX 660ti Direct CO2 (319.00)

Sub-Total $1136.96 CAD

For the cpu cooler should I go for the Phanteks PH-TC12DX instead it will lower the price a bit i will not be a tight squeeze in the Tj08-E

[GoldenTree]

Yeah I watched some reviews and read up on the Phanteks PH-TC12DX so i'm going to use that as my cooler most likely

[GoldenTree]

So I went on PcPartPicker and I redid some builds and I got amazing prices and i got to add a lot more things. I really thank you WitzTech or telling me about it i took a bunch of screen shots of my builds I made so I would not have to type it out. As you can see there is a lot of versions they are all labeled in the photo so when referring to them use the title of the photo so there is no confusion. Tell me what you think. Also thanks all I will make sure to do a build log and menchon everyone that helped remember this forum thread will not die until the summer so keep em thoughts coming.

[GoldenTree]

I could only upload 5 at a time so here are the rest

[iTonyy]

First off I think you forgot your SSDs

There are single 2TB Cavier Blacks that are cheaper than 2 1TB (unless u plan on doing raid in which case caviar black is horrible choice)

Also in terms of performance, Caviar Blue or Seagate Barracude are nearly identical and cost much less

and I still think you should get a cheaper psu and put that money towards a better gpu or cooler, maybe liquid AIO (H100i decent price right now)

[Guest]

First off I think you forgot your SSDs

There are single 2TB Cavier Blacks that are cheaper than 2 1TB (unless u plan on doing raid in which case caviar black is horrible choice)

Also in terms of performance, Caviar Blue or Seagate Barracude are nearly identical and cost much less

and I still think you should get a cheaper psu and put that money towards a better gpu or cooler, maybe liquid AIO (H100i decent price right now)

Personally I wouldn't touch WD blues with a 40 foot pole. I've seen about 1 in 5 to 6 netbooks that have WD Blues having to have the drives replaced after failure in an IT department that has about 1100-1200 of those netbooks. That's from mechanical failure, not user error.

[GoldenTree]

First off I think you forgot your SSDs

There are single 2TB Cavier Blacks that are cheaper than 2 1TB (unless u plan on doing raid in which case caviar black is horrible choice)

Also in terms of performance, Caviar Blue or Seagate Barracude are nearly identical and cost much less

and I still think you should get a cheaper psu and put that money towards a better gpu or cooler, maybe liquid AIO (H100i decent price right now)

Nah I chose not to get a ssd right away yeah I think it will be best to wait while the prices go down unless I only get 1 WD black. The reason is i'm on a pre built right now and i'm planning to planning to keep on using the hard drive unless maybe I do get only l WD black and get the ssd and put the os on that right. Am I allowed to do that, I was planning to do that want I heard the ssd comes with software for that. This is my first build i'm kinda noobish. I will post new list torrmow

[Wats]

Dang it. Do not spend more than 150 bucks on a mobo unless you're going to do some sub zero cooling. It is not worth it to spend more than that.

Always throw tons of cash at the video card! (even more cash if you're gaming)

What are you going for in OC terms? A measly 4.5GHz? Get any motherboard if that's all you're aiming at.

[GoldenTree]

Dang it. Do not spend more than 150 bucks on a mobo unless you're going to do some sub zero cooling. It is not worth it to spend more than that.

Always throw tons of cash at the video card! (even more cash if you're gaming)

What are you going for in OC terms? A measly 4.5GHz? Get any motherboard if that's all you're aiming at.

I'm also going for looks sorry that is out of the question.

[GoldenTree]

Hey guys I spent some time today and I had done some different things to the lists and I have noticed that I made a mistake with all the lists 2 all versions so I fixed that and saved some money and also I changed the psu and the ssd.

[GoldenTree]

And the last picture

[ZombifiedPyro]

Any reason you need the sound card? The maximus has awesome on-board sound and the sabertooth has above average on-board sound.

[GoldenTree]

Any reason you need the sound card? The maximus has awesome on-board sound and the sabertooth has above average on-board sound.

Oh no reason I changed the build plans though I will post them now

[GoldenTree]

Here is the new plan prices will be different the the future