some pro advise or recommendations for this build

[sakis]

Ηi everyone,

need some pro advise or recommendations in choosing a case for this built, my budget is up to $185 and because i will probably upgrade later on was considering going for a full case for better air flow and for the longer graphics cards.

Also looking for a case with SATA and USB 3 and with good cooling.

The 4 cases iv come up with are,

prices are in Aus $

:Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition, USB3 and Twin HDD Dock $129
not shore if this one will be big enough to fit my XFX Radeon HD6970 2GB.

:Thermaltake Black Chaser MK-I Full Tower $179
this is the one im leaning towards.

:CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced $179

:Silverstone Raven RV03 with Window $159

Guys any advice or some other recommendations will be good.

the case is for this build i have decided and gone for.....

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K – $225.00
RAM: G.Skill Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 – $99.00
GPU: XFX Radeon HD6970 2GB – $379.00
SSD: Crucial M4 SSD 128GB – $279.00
Case: ??????????????
Cooling: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ CPU Cooler – $33.00
Hard Drive: Western Digital Green 2TB WD20EARX – $85.00
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Motherboard B3 – $205.00
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW – $29.00
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 850W – $169.00
TV Tuner: Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS Dual HD Tuner – $59.00
Software: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit with SP1 OEM – $105.00
MONITOR: Samsung BX2450 24" LED Full HD Widescreen $299

Total: $1966

PS Iv gone for the XFX Radeon HD6970 2GB becose the PC will be used for some gaming, watching movies online and connecting my PC to my plasma and watching live stream TV through my PC on my plasma, I was told the HD 6970 will be easier to set-up dual monitors (well TV+Monitor) and the extra vRAM will be good for the plasma.

[jdeb]

CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced $179

This is the best RAM for Sandy Bridge
Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Unbuffered Venge Memory
Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Unbuffered Venge Memory for AMD, Intel Dual Channel DDR3, and upcoming 2nd Generation Intel Core??? platforms.

This is the best SSD for the Z68 Chipset
Intel SSDSC2MH120A2K5 INT.2.5" 510series
Intel SSDSC2MH120A2K5 INT.2.5" 510series MLC/ 120GB/ RD 450MBs, WR 210MBs/ ST3/ 3.5"RDY

Go with the caviar black, faster and better warranty
Western Digital WD2002FAEX 3.5" CAVIAR BLACK, 2TB
Western Digital WD2002FAEX 3.5" CAVIAR BLACK, 2TB, 7200RPM, 64MB, SATA3, 5 YRS

I would not use an ASRock board, for a little more money, you get higher quality components and greater stability
Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset
Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset, HDMI, DVI, RGB, SLI, CrossFireX, SATA2, SATA3, RAID, GbLAN, BT v2.1, 8 CH, USB3.0, ATX

That is a good power supply but you can get great quality at a lower price
Antec 620W High Current Gamer Power Supply
Antec 620W High Current Gamer Power Supply, 80 PLUS Bronze, 135mm fan, High Current +12V rail (s), 2x PCI-E, 6x SATA, 6x Molex

[sakis]

Originally Posted by jdeb CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced $179 This is the best RAM for Sandy Bridge Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Unbuffered Venge Memory Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Unbuffered Venge Memory for AMD, Intel Dual Channel DDR3, and upcoming 2nd Generation Intel Core??? platforms. This is the best SSD for the Z68 Chipset Intel SSDSC2MH120A2K5 INT.2.5" 510series Intel SSDSC2MH120A2K5 INT.2.5" 510series MLC/ 120GB/ RD 450MBs, WR 210MBs/ ST3/ 3.5"RDY Go with the caviar black, faster and better warranty Western Digital WD2002FAEX 3.5" CAVIAR BLACK, 2TB Western Digital WD2002FAEX 3.5" CAVIAR BLACK, 2TB, 7200RPM, 64MB, SATA3, 5 YRS I would not use an ASRock board, for a little more money, you get higher quality components and greater stability Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset, HDMI, DVI, RGB, SLI, CrossFireX, SATA2, SATA3, RAID, GbLAN, BT v2.1, 8 CH, USB3.0, ATX That is a good power supply but you can get great quality at a lower price Antec 620W High Current Gamer Power Supply Antec 620W High Current Gamer Power Supply, 80 PLUS Bronze, 135mm fan, High Current +12V rail (s), 2x PCI-E, 6x SATA, 6x Molex

The only reason I am thinking of going for the ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Motherboard is because a friend told me it's good to overclock and this board is good for overclocking, but I'm not shore if I should overclock a system like this, What do you think?. Apart from this and the rest of your recommendations how do you find this build before I go ahead with it.

[David M]

Be sure to have a look at some of the Corsair cases as well.

Corsair PC Cases

[Khalil]

XFX video card are a big NO, those are lemons mate, buy Asus, HIS, Sapphire or Diamond. In that order!

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by sakis The only reason I am thinking of going for the ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Motherboard is because a friend told me it's good to overclock and this board is good for overclocking, but I'm not shore if I should overclock a system like this, What do you think?. Apart from this and the rest of your recommendations how do you find this build before I go ahead with it.

The Asus is fine if you want to overclock, actually I would feel safer OC the Asus board if your into that sort of thing. Personally, I am not an overclocker, my hardware has always been fast enough for me, I think it is more of an enthusiast or gamer thing.

Forgot to address your video card but Khalil has you covered, follow his advise.

[David M]

2500K's are really easy to overclock. How Intel CPU's are overclocked now is different in a few ways. They do not require any sort of "Extreme" motherboard to do this. Your overclock will be more dependent on the heat sink you purchase.

[sakis]

Originally Posted by Khalil XFX video card are a big NO, those are lemons mate, buy Asus, HIS, Sapphire or Diamond. In that order!

What about this one same price as the XFX...... HIS ATI HD 6970 Fan 2GB GDDR5 256-bit, 880/ 5500 MHz, Dual-Link DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, DP, DX11, Fan
HIS ATI HD 6970 Fan 2GB GDDR5 256-bit, 880/ 5500 MHz, Dual-Link DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, DP, DX11, Fan. Also about the Motherbord should I go for the, Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset, HDMI, DVI, RGB, SLI, CrossFireX, SATA2, SATA3, RAID, GbLAN, BT v2.1, 8 CH, USB3.0, ATX or should I go for the pro For a little bit extra and what's the difference between these too, Asus P8Z68-V PRO Z68 4xDDR3 2xPCI-E16 GBL RAID USB3.0 SATA3 1394a HDMI VGA DVI

[David M]

What I do when comparing boards or other parts that are close is to go to the relevant manufacturer's website and bring up the specs in side by side windows. It makes it really easy to see the similarities and differences.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

[Deathdiesel]

Originally Posted by David M 2500K's are really easy to overclock. How Intel CPU's are overclocked now is different in a few ways. They do not require any sort of "Extreme" motherboard to do this. Your overclock will be more dependent on the heat sink you purchase.

Just figured id input on this part. Using a sabertooth asus board, i go from 3.7ghz on my cpu, to 4.2 in one click, and thats without any setting up beforehand. And yes again, dont cheap out on video cards, buy a good brand like the ones listed above.

Heres a good link for SSD options.
Best SSDs: $200 To $315 : Best SSDs For The Money: July 2011

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by sakis What about this one same price as the XFX...... HIS ATI HD 6970 Fan 2GB GDDR5 256-bit, 880/ 5500 MHz, Dual-Link DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, DP, DX11, Fan HIS ATI HD 6970 Fan 2GB GDDR5 256-bit, 880/ 5500 MHz, Dual-Link DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, DP, DX11, Fan. Also about the Motherbord should I go for the, Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset Asus P8Z68-V MB, Socket 1155, Intel Z68 Chipset, HDMI, DVI, RGB, SLI, CrossFireX, SATA2, SATA3, RAID, GbLAN, BT v2.1, 8 CH, USB3.0, ATX or should I go for the pro For a little bit extra and what's the difference between these too, Asus P8Z68-V PRO Z68 4xDDR3 2xPCI-E16 GBL RAID USB3.0 SATA3 1394a HDMI VGA DVI

HIS make great ATI cards, they are fast, very quite and stay nice and cool so go for it.

[sakis]

OK this is my new build after everyone's recommendations, so please tell me what use think.

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K – $225.00
MSY Online

RAM: Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Unbuffered Venge Memory $96.00
Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Unbuffered Venge Memory for AMD, Intel Dual Channel DDR3, and upcoming 2nd Generation Intel Core??? platforms.

GPU: Asus ATI RADEON 6970 - $389.00
Asus EAH6970DCII2DI4S2GD5 - $389.00 - Centre Com

SSD: Crucial M4 SSD 128GB – $279.00
Crucial M4 SSD 128GB [CT128M4SSD2] - $279.00 : PC Case Gear

Case: CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced - $179.00
CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced [RC-932-KKN5] - $179.00 : PC Case Gear

Cooling: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ CPU Cooler – $33.00
CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ CPU Cooler [RR-B10-212P-GP] - $33.00 : PC Case Gear

Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Green 2TB WD20EARX – $85.00
Western Digital Green 2TB WD20EARX [WD20EARX] - $85.00 : PC Case Gear
Hard Drive 2:Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200RPM 64MB SATA3/2 - $87.00
Western Digital WD1002FAEX - $87.00 - Centre Com

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V-PRO – $237.00
Asus P8Z68-V-PRO - $237.00 - Centre Com

Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW – $29.00
Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW [IHAS324(BLACK)] - $29.00 : PC Case Gear

Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 850W – $169.00
Silverstone Strider Plus 850W [ST85F-P] - $169.00 : PC Case Gear

TV Tuner: Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS Dual HD Tuner – $59.00
Leadtek WinFast DTV2000DS Dual HD Tuner [LT-DTV2000DS] - $59.00 : PC Case Gear

Software: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit with SP1 OEM – $96.00
MSY Online
MONITOR: Samsung BX2450 24" LED Full HD Widescreen $293.00
Computers & Laptops Samsung MON 24IN 1920X1080 2MS MEGA DCR - The Good Guys, Thomastown, Victoria

Total: $2256

the monitor,tv tuner, Western Digital Green 2TB, i have already purchased so minis $437

Total: $ 1819

[sakis]

Any recommendations for a good sound card around $60-70?

[David M]

Try the onboard sound first before purchasing a sound card. Onboard sound has improved dramatically over the past few years. It has put a dent in Creative's individual card sales.

I would swap out the Silverstone for a Corsair 750 watt HX. If you plan on getting two graphics cards eventually then get the 850 watt version.

I would swap out the Green for a WD Black 6Gb/sec, 64 meg buffer memory.

For the money, Asus is making some really nice monitors as well. I don't know if you also looked at those. Samsung though is an excellent brand for monitors.

[sakis]

Originally Posted by David M Try the onboard sound first before purchasing a sound card. Onboard sound has improved dramatically over the past few years. It has put a dent in Creative's individual card sales. I would swap out the Silverstone for a Corsair 750 watt HX. If you plan on getting two graphics cards eventually then get the 850 watt version. I would swap out the Green for a WD Black 6Gb/sec, 64 meg buffer memory. For the money, Asus is making some really nice monitors as well. I don't know if you also looked at those. Samsung though is an excellent brand for monitors.

Yes i might actually swap the Green for a black WD.
The one thing Im not 100% shore yet is the GPU, which GPU do you think is best to set-up your dual monitors on (well TV+Monitor) Asus ATI RADEON 6970 or HIS ATI HD 6970 Fan 2GB , Im leaning towards the Asus ATI RADEON 6970 but i dont know much about video cards so bit un shore.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by sakis Yes i might actually swap the Green for a black WD. The one thing Im not 100% shore yet is the GPU, which GPU do you think is best to set-up your dual monitors on (well TV+Monitor) Asus ATI RADEON 6970 or HIS ATI HD 6970 Fan 2GB , Im leaning towards the Asus ATI RADEON 6970 but i dont know much about video cards so bit un shore.

Go for the black. Asus is the better card here. Better warranty, slightly overclocked, runs cooler.

[David M]

The Asus card although it is a close call with the brands.