i5 2500k Build (My First Build)

[EvolutionarySleeper]

First off, hi everybody

So I'm finally ready to take the plunge and build my own rig. I've settled on an intel based build and I've picked out just about all of my components. I'm fairly confident with most of my choices but seeing as this is my first time I'd like some confirmation that they are good choices. This is what I've picked out (keep in mind I have a $1000 (USD) budget):

* i5 2500k CPU $230
* ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $130
* COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $90
* Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM 1333 $50
* ASUS Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $180
* Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $70
* LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive $18
* Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $95

And there's like 50 bucks in MIR there so I may add another 4 gigs of RAM or wait and see CPU tempts with stock heatsink and possibly get an aftermarket cooler with the rebate cash.

These are the PSUs I'm looking at. I've been doing some research on PC building tips and whatnot and "Don't skimp out on the power supply" always makes the list, so I'm doing my best to pick a good one.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply $109.99

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply $89.99 ($20 MIR)

Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply $89.99

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $144.99 ($20 MIR)

I really like that last one cause it's modular.. But I'm loving the price tag on that second one and the third has a nice price and is packaged with 3dMark Advanced at no extra charge. Anyway, I'm not sure what to look for when picking out a PSU (other than wattage) so is the second powerful enough to run all of my components? Also, how complicated do all the wires get for a first time builder?

Anyway, any comments on this build would be great, I wanna make sure I get the best quality/performance outta my money

EDIT: Damn, just noticed that MOBO's socket is 1156 . Has intel even fixed the problem with the chipsets? At first I heard the CPUs were defective, then I hear it's the chipsets, then I hear everything's fixed, I dunno what's goin on... Would much appreciate if someone could explain the Sandy Bridge issue to me... I can't even find a motherboard with an 1155 socket.

EDIT 2: I'm kinda talkin to myself at this point, lol. Better wastin my own time than any of yours though, I suppose. Did a bit of research and some sources say the new MOBOs will be available fairly soon. I hope so, I didn't expect my first build would give me such a headache before I even ordered my parts..

Annnyway, if you bothered to read through all that mess, thanks, and I'd still appreciate any comments regarding the rest of my build, minus the mobo.

[glc]

Either wait for the improved P67 motherboards (mid-April?) or do a 1156 build. The 650TX is best for the money right now. If you want an inexpensive modular, look at the Antec BP550 Plus. Replace the Blue hard drive with a SATA 6.0 Black.

[EvolutionarySleeper]

Hmmm, April.. I think I'll go with an AMD build, then. Probably x4 955 or 965. I could save some cash, and I heard the new Bulldozer chips will probably support AM3 motherboards, so I could upgrade later on without the need for a new MOBO. <- Just looked up some recent info and that's wrong apparently, meh, I'll still go AMD, good price/performance ratio.

Which would you suggest when choosing between the 955 and 965? Would there be any noticeable differences? (this will be primarily a gaming rig)

Also, thanks for the reply.

[glc]

Someone else is going to have to help you - I don't do AMD builds so I don't know what to recommend.

[Extremerc12]

If your looking AMD, you could do something such as this:

Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard
CPU
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Ram
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9
Updated Harddrive with 6.0 GB/s
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6402AAEX 640GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

The mobo, cpu and ram run you $280 (ultimately $270 with a rebate on ram). The hard drives are the same cost, so there is no change.

[EvolutionarySleeper]

Looks great man, thanks! One thing though, would it be worth it to wait for them to get this board in stock: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

Only real difference (considering I'll only be running one video card) seems to be the north bridge chipset, which I don't know much about; Comes down to 870 vs 890GX.

EDIT:

I came across this one and decided to go with it (also had the best reviews of any board I've looked at): ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

So my final build is:

Case
* COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
GPU
ASUS Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
CPU
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
MOBO
ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Ram
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9
Hard drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6402AAEX 640GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Optical drive
LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive
PSU
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Thanks for the help fellas.

[Extremerc12]

Either board is perfectly fine. I chose the 870 Evo because it didn't have onboard video, but it will work no differently than the board you chose. They are basically the same boards with different chipset variations from what I can tell.

[glc]

Replace that rom drive with a DVD burner. Same price.

[EvolutionarySleeper]

Okay, cool, thanks for the suggestion.

Also, that PSU is powerful enough to run everything right? I won't be doing any overclocking (if that makes much difference).

[David M]

That PSU is enough for that card.

[EvolutionarySleeper]

Okay, great! Looks like I'm ready to order then, thanks for the help guys

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by EvolutionarySleeper Okay, cool, thanks for the suggestion. Also, that PSU is powerful enough to run everything right? I won't be doing any overclocking (if that makes much difference).

If your not doing any overclocking then why are you buying the K series CPU that is more expensive because its unlocked for overclocking?

[glc]

Better read the whole thread, birddog - it's now an AMD build.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by glc Better read the whole thread, birddog - it's now an AMD build.

LOL oops. With the AMD chips the black edition is only 20 buck more so it really doesn't matter.

[EvolutionarySleeper]

Yeah, heh, sorry this thread's so damn confusing. Basically, I was confused about the Sandy Bridge problem, and I'm too impatient to wait for the new boards so I went AMD instead.