When using this resource, please read FragKrag's opening post. The Tech Support forum regulars have helped create countless of desktop systems without any compensation. The least you can do is provide all of the information required for them to help you properly.
What is your budget? 1500ish (-100 already order NZXT Phantom White Case from newegg.com) an additional 500 for peripherals so about 1900
What is your resolution?
Typically I run the resolution where I get the best performance but I haven't had an up to date gaming rig in about 10 years. With the new computer I aim for best resolution for performance on a 22-24 inch Flatscreen Monitor (Open for suggestions on what monitor to purchase)
What are you using it for?
#1 Gaming, #2 Streaming, #3 Photoshop, #4 Possibly 3dsmax, #5 Porn, #6 other various software.
What is your upgrade cycle?
I'd like this computer to be sufficient and perform very well for up to 2 1/2 years to 3 years, but now that I have steady income the upgrade cycle may be shorter.
When do you plan on building it?
As soon as possible.
Do you plan on overclocking?
I do plan on overclocking an i5-2500k, but not to an extreme extent, I will purchase an aftermodel heatsink/fan for it.
Do you need an Operating System?
I have XP readily available, and will probably purchase windows 7 with a friends student discount.
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
I think 1 GPU will do it for me, heard good things about the 6970.
Where are you buying your parts from?
Mostly newegg.com and open to suggestions on other reliable sites with good deals (Tigerdirect?).
Parts already ordered/available NZXT Phantom White Case(ordered) 750W Corsair PSU (In current computer, will transfer to new build)
I'm also looking to upgrade most/all peripherals that includes: Monitor Keyboard Mouse Sound System
I know nothing about SSD's but would like to purchase one for this build (So advice with that is appreciated)
Everyone says bang for buck is i5-2500k CPU sandy bridge (Correct me if i'm wrong)
I need a compatible motherboard for these units and also advice on which HDD to get during the tsunami crisis, I do have a 7200 500gb Western Digital available, but I will order a new HDD for the new computer.
Advice on a soundcard as well, I've had nothing but trouble with creative sound cards in the past, but willing to give them another shot if the product has enough positive reviews.
Sorry but why are you interested in 2133MHz memory when the performance difference you gain from it over a $40 1333MHz kit is negligible:
You can waste money on 2133MHz cas9 but financially speaking and even you mentioned bang for the buck, it's better to get 1600MHz and overclock them yourself to ~1866MHz.
If you were to waste money, you wouldn't even look at the core i5 2500k. You would be getting a $300 X79 motherboard and a core i7 3930k for $550 along with that $200 4x4GB 2133MHz memory.
You'll want an IPS panel since you're serious about editing. The Dell Ultrasharp U2412M is probably one of the best options atm with a 1920x1200 resolution.
If you actually have an older HDD to use as a storage drive, the only reason to purchase an HDD right now with the absurd prices is the fact that you desperately need space or not getting a SSD.
Getting a flagship card for a ~1080p resolution isn't necessary unless you play on max settings - in which case a CrossfireX or SLI configuration would be a better idea unless you have plans to do Eyefinity down the road and are going to add another 6970 at that point in time.
You have a HX750, TX750, or AX750 which is capable of a multi-GPU configuration so it's probably in your best interest to get a board capable of CrossfireX.
The Dell U2410 ( can Dither for 10bit ) is a 8 bit H-IPS panel and the Dell U2412 is a 6 bit E-IPS panel. There's also a Asus PA246Q ( 10 bit panel ) P-IPS panel ( like the U2410, both are wide gamut ). The Asus one came out later and is slightly less expensive.
What is your budget? 1500ish (-100 already order NZXT Phantom White Case from newegg.com) an additional 500 for peripherals so about 1900
What is your resolution?
Typically I run the resolution where I get the best performance but I haven't had an up to date gaming rig in about 10 years. With the new computer I aim for best resolution for performance on a 22-24 inch Flatscreen Monitor (Open for suggestions on what monitor to purchase)
What are you using it for?
#1 Gaming, #2 Streaming, #3 Photoshop, #4 Possibly 3dsmax, #5 Porn, #6 other various software.
What is your upgrade cycle?
I'd like this computer to be sufficient and perform very well for up to 2 1/2 years to 3 years, but now that I have steady income the upgrade cycle may be shorter.
When do you plan on building it?
As soon as possible.
Do you plan on overclocking?
I do plan on overclocking an i5-2500k, but not to an extreme extent, I will purchase an aftermodel heatsink/fan for it.
Do you need an Operating System?
I have XP readily available, and will probably purchase windows 7 with a friends student discount.
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
I think 1 GPU will do it for me, heard good things about the 6970.
Where are you buying your parts from?
Mostly newegg.com and open to suggestions on other reliable sites with good deals (Tigerdirect?).
Parts already ordered/available NZXT Phantom White Case(ordered) 750W Corsair PSU (In current computer, will transfer to new build)
I'm also looking to upgrade most/all peripherals that includes: Monitor Keyboard Mouse Sound System
I know nothing about SSD's but would like to purchase one for this build (So advice with that is appreciated)
Everyone says bang for buck is i5-2500k CPU sandy bridge (Correct me if i'm wrong)
I need a compatible motherboard for these units and also advice on which HDD to get during the tsunami crisis, I do have a 7200 500gb Western Digital available, but I will order a new HDD for the new computer.
Advice on a soundcard as well, I've had nothing but trouble with creative sound cards in the past, but willing to give them another shot if the product has enough positive reviews.
Sorry but why are you interested in 2133MHz memory when the performance difference you gain from it over a $40 1333MHz kit is negligible:
You can waste money on 2133MHz cas9 but financially speaking and even you mentioned bang for the buck, it's better to get 1600MHz and overclock them yourself to ~1866MHz.
If you were to waste money, you wouldn't even look at the core i5 2500k. You would be getting a $300 X79 motherboard and a core i7 3930k for $550 along with that $200 4x4GB 2133MHz memory.
You'll want an IPS panel since you're serious about editing. The Dell Ultrasharp U2412M is probably one of the best options atm with a 1920x1200 resolution.
If you actually have an older HDD to use as a storage drive, the only reason to purchase an HDD right now with the absurd prices is the fact that you desperately need space or not getting a SSD.
Getting a flagship card for a ~1080p resolution isn't necessary unless you play on max settings - in which case a CrossfireX or SLI configuration would be a better idea unless you have plans to do Eyefinity down the road and are going to add another 6970 at that point in time.
You have a HX750, TX750, or AX750 which is capable of a multi-GPU configuration so it's probably in your best interest to get a board capable of CrossfireX.
For an i5-2500k CPU, a 560 Ti, and an XFX 450W PSU, what would be a good mobo? I don't have plans for SLI (yet at least) and hope/expect the board to last for at least 5-6 years.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 was suggested by skyr to the guy mentioned above and it looks like a good board. However, some of the reviews said the board was a little thin/fragile and that there were space issues with the ram and CPU/fan. People also said there were some OC issues being hit or miss entirely. How much of all that is true? As a first time builder, would I be better off with a more normal sized ATX board? Any other suggestions? My price range is flexible since this is the foundation of my entire build. ~$110-150 I'd say. Thanks.
Cmon now, doubting is always good, it's the way to improvement. Just following people blindly is never a good idea.
Extreme3 is basically a budget board and yes it has some space issues if you occupy nearly all the slots it has. Extreme4 would be a better option in that case.
That mobo also isn't suggested if you're not planning to SLi, which you definitely aren't with that PSU. By the way I'd prefer to get XFX 550W or similiar just to have more overclocking headroom without the PSU fan trying to break the sound wall.
For a decent budget board for that build, I'd say either Asus P8P67 / P8Z68 or Asrock P67 Pro3 or Z68 Pro3 or Z68-M Pro3 should fulfill your needs quite nicely - get the cheapest one out of those.
I don't think the XFX 450W would get that loud on just a i5-2500k and GTX 560 Ti, even overclocked. You're not going to draw over 300W in any kind of game with all of that overclocked. KitGuru shows the unit ramping up somewhere between 250W and 350W, but that's at 35C ambient (yours will be lower, particularly if intaking from outside of the case). And 250W average or lower in a game is probably more realistic anyway.
Though actually, if you don't already have the XFX unit, I'd just get the Antec Earthwatts Green 650W even if you'll never need that much power (unless you're concerned at losing maybe just a little bit of efficiency at idle), since it's only $52.46:
If you don't need a second PCI Express 16x slot, I'd just get the AsRock Z68 Pro3 since that's significantly cheaper than the Extreme3, at $100. Just don't expect to set OC records.
Unfortunately I already bought the 450W unit since it came with a MIR making it $30 total. I don't plan to really overclock much. I mainly got the 2500k because it was on sale for 190$ (same as a normal 2400) and just configured everything to fit that now, just in case that I do decide to in the future.
Well that's not very unfortunate since the XFX is a good unit, no worries there (all the above was also assuming overclocking the graphics card, so you should be running lower than estimated). Just get the Z68 Pro3 if you won't overclock a lot.
With the above processor, you'll want a H61 or H67 motherboard such as the Gigabyte H67M-D2 for $84.99: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=59419 If you don't want SATA3 because you have no intention of getting an SSD later down the road on this platform than you can get a H61 motherboard instead which would take $20 off the total.
This turns out to be around $655 before mail in rebates.
What if I keep CPU/mobo but swith Graphics card to GTX 560Ti. I'm kind of on a tight budged, already taking $5 out of weekly food budget/cutting down cigarettes... to finance this. Also isn't the 1600>1333 for RAM?
With the above processor, you'll want a H61 or H67 motherboard such as the Gigabyte H67M-D2 for $84.99: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=59419 If you don't want SATA3 because you have no intention of getting an SSD later down the road on this platform than you can get a H61 motherboard instead which would take $20 off the total.
This turns out to be around $655 before mail in rebates.
What if I keep CPU/mobo but swith Graphics card to GTX 560Ti. I'm kind of on a tight budged, already taking $5 out of weekly food budget/cutting down cigarettes... to finance this. Also isn't the 1600>1333 for RAM?
Well the difference between 1600 MHz RAM and 1333 MHz RAM is maybe 0-2% in real applications (generally closer to 0% for things that people care about), whereas the difference between a i5-2400 and Phenom II X4 955 is as much as maybe 60%, and consistently higher all around. In games that are CPU limited, it'll be on the upper end of the range.
The main deal is that the 1600 MHz kit is 1.65V where 1.5V is recommended for the platform.
If you're concerned about price, I think it makes more sense to cut the GTX 560 Ti to a normal GTX 560 at $180 - $20 MIR (honestly, it's not that much worse than a GTX 560 Ti, certainly not like $60-70 worse): http://ncix.com/products/?sku=61236&promoid=1282
On November 14 2011 06:23 Myrmidon wrote: Well the difference between 1600 MHz RAM and 1333 MHz RAM is maybe 0-2% in real applications (generally closer to 0% for things that people care about), whereas the difference between a i5-2400 and Phenom II X4 955 is as much as maybe 60%, and consistently higher all around. In games that are CPU limited, it'll be on the upper end of the range.
The main deal is that the 1600 MHz kit is 1.65V where 1.5V is recommended for the platform.
If you're concerned about price, I think it makes more sense to cut the GTX 560 Ti to a normal GTX 560 at $180 - $20 MIR (honestly, it's not that much worse than a GTX 560 Ti, certainly not like $60-70 worse): http://ncix.com/products/?sku=61236&promoid=1282
Yes. The main difference between H61 and H67 is that H61 doesn't have native SATA3. Since you're not getting an SSD, that doesn't matter to you. Any H61 board should work fine.
Edit: I was assuming you were going to buy a USB wireless device. If you already have a wireless network card you need to fit on the mobo, make sure to get one that has a PCI or PCI-E slot (whichever your existing card is), not all the H61 boards have both types. If you don't have a wireless network card yet, go wired or buy a usb thing you can wave around for best reception.
On November 14 2011 06:23 Myrmidon wrote: Well the difference between 1600 MHz RAM and 1333 MHz RAM is maybe 0-2% in real applications (generally closer to 0% for things that people care about), whereas the difference between a i5-2400 and Phenom II X4 955 is as much as maybe 60%, and consistently higher all around. In games that are CPU limited, it'll be on the upper end of the range.
The main deal is that the 1600 MHz kit is 1.65V where 1.5V is recommended for the platform.
If you're concerned about price, I think it makes more sense to cut the GTX 560 Ti to a normal GTX 560 at $180 - $20 MIR (honestly, it's not that much worse than a GTX 560 Ti, certainly not like $60-70 worse): http://ncix.com/products/?sku=61236&promoid=1282
Both have similar connectivity. Every LGA 1155 motherboard is going to work with the CPU and video card. Almost every one, barring some occasional weird compatibility issues (which is unrelated to being H61 or not), will work with any modern power supply and DDR3 RAM. Though with H61, you can't run RAM above 1333 MHz anyway btw.
For the wireless network card, it depends. Ones with external antennas that are not affixed to the back of the computer case are preferred, and most of those are just USB. If you want to use a PCI one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI slot. If you want to use a PCI Express one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI Express slot (the short 1x kind is okay). Keep in mind that midrange gaming graphics cards and higher will use the 16x PCI Express slot and block the slot below it. Occasionally a few will block the one two slots down too. With the Gigabyte, this means you have a PCI and PCI Express 1x free. With the MSI, this means you have two PCI Express 1x slots free.
Both only have four USB 2.0 ports. No USB3 at this price range, and just four ports is not high. But you can always get a USB hub later.
As mentioned earlier, only 4 SATA ports on both motherboards, and they are of the slower SATA2 variety. This will bottleneck modern high-performance SSDs but will not bottleneck any mechanical hard drive.
That's faster than the Phenom II X4 955 in most tasks including games, and slightly slower at some other things. That's with lower power consumption, a few extra instructions that may make the performance gap larger in some applications in the future, and with a motherboard that allows you to upgrade to a significantly better CPU in the future (next year's Intel quad cores, for example).
On November 14 2011 06:47 Myrmidon wrote: For the wireless network card, it depends. Ones with external antennas that are not affixed to the back of the computer case are preferred, and most of those are just USB. If you want to use a PCI one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI slot. If you want to use a PCI Express one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI Express slot (the short 1x kind is okay). Keep in mind that midrange gaming graphics cards and higher will use the 16x PCI Express slot and block the slot below it. Occasionally a few will block the one two slots down too. With the Gigabyte, this means you have a PCI and PCI Express 1x free. With the MSI, this means you have two PCI Express 1x slots free.
Sorry, I don't think I understand this. MSI= 2 PCI Express 1x slot free Gigabyte= 1 PCI free and 1 PCI express 1x free
Wireless Card this is PCI express so either of these motherboards will fit?
Anyways, thank you guys very much for taking so much time to help me with my 1st gaming build.
On November 14 2011 06:47 Myrmidon wrote: For the wireless network card, it depends. Ones with external antennas that are not affixed to the back of the computer case are preferred, and most of those are just USB. If you want to use a PCI one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI slot. If you want to use a PCI Express one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI Express slot (the short 1x kind is okay). Keep in mind that midrange gaming graphics cards and higher will use the 16x PCI Express slot and block the slot below it. Occasionally a few will block the one two slots down too. With the Gigabyte, this means you have a PCI and PCI Express 1x free. With the MSI, this means you have two PCI Express 1x slots free.
Sorry, I don't think I understand this. MSI= 2 PCI Express 1x slot free Gigabyte= 1 PCI free and 1 PCI express 1x free
Wireless Card this is PCI express so either of these motherboards will fit?
Anyways, thank you guys very much for taking so much time to help me with my 1st gaming build.
Any reason you're not using USB? Usually are preferred and get better reception.
On November 14 2011 06:47 Myrmidon wrote: For the wireless network card, it depends. Ones with external antennas that are not affixed to the back of the computer case are preferred, and most of those are just USB. If you want to use a PCI one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI slot. If you want to use a PCI Express one, you need a motherboard with a free PCI Express slot (the short 1x kind is okay). Keep in mind that midrange gaming graphics cards and higher will use the 16x PCI Express slot and block the slot below it. Occasionally a few will block the one two slots down too. With the Gigabyte, this means you have a PCI and PCI Express 1x free. With the MSI, this means you have two PCI Express 1x slots free.
Sorry, I don't think I understand this. MSI= 2 PCI Express 1x slot free Gigabyte= 1 PCI free and 1 PCI express 1x free
Wireless Card this is PCI express so either of these motherboards will fit?
Anyways, thank you guys very much for taking so much time to help me with my 1st gaming build.
Any reason you're not using USB? Usually are preferred and get better reception.
O really? USB>>>PCI? Wireless so I should get this?
I was told to come here for exceptional help with my build that I'm working on and close to ordering (1/2 days). Was wondering if I could get your input; I am transferring my old SATA drive and optical drive over so I won't need those, the main idea is an i5 2500k system with 2 x MSI 6850 Crossfired, here are the links below:
Again my other main concern is how thing's will actually fit, if the motherboard will fit the case will the 2 graphics cards fit in crossfire on the motherboard etc. If you could give me some guidance that would be great!
What is your budget? around 1300-1500$ without monitor/keyboard/headset/mouse/os(basically just the comp), i can go over my budget if needed
What is your resolution? 1440x900, i also have a 1920 x 1080 monitor but id rather play on my old monitor
What are you using it for? mainly streaming, i want to be able to stream in 1080p without experiencing any lag at all
What is your upgrade cycle? ideally 2-3years +
When do you plan on building it? right now
Do you plan on overclocking? no
Do you need an Operating System? no, i already own a win7 pro 64bit
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire? i have no idea what this means , if its recommended then sure
Where are you buying your parts from? newegg.ca, NCIX
Parts already ordered/available or interested in none, id also like to head towards the intel CPU's if possible(currently own an AMD build)
Conclusion the main thing i want is to be able to stream on 720p-1080p for long periods of time(8-10 hours) without experiencing any lag, ill have a company assemble the parts
EPT
, if its recommended then sure
