Custom Gaming PC gelp needed

[afs189]

Trying to put together a custom PC specifically for gaming over at CyberPower, price right now is 945, not including tax and shipping. I think I've got everything in order, but I'm no expert, so I'd like to have other people take a look at it. Anything you could tell me would be appreciated. Anything I should invest more money in, or anything I'm already putting money into that I don't need to, etc. I'm particularly wondering about Dedicated PHYSX, whether 1 GB on the video card is enough, and I'm not sure if the motherboard having on board graphics is going to be a problem.


Specs:



Case: Raidmax Blade Mid-Tower Gaming Case w/ Side-Panel Window (Yellow/Black Color)
Internal USB Extension Module: NZXT Internal USB 6-PORT Expansion Module [+19]
Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Default case fans
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2500 3.30 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 Cooling Fan: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) (Single Standard 120MM Fan)
Motherboard: Biostar H61MH Intel H61 Chipset DDR3 mATX Mainboard w/ Onboard Video, HDMI, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB 2.0, SATA-II, 1 Gen2 PCIe, 1 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI [B3 Stepping]
Intel Smart Response Technology for Z68: None
Memory: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 2GB 16X PCIe Video Card (Palit Powered by NVIDIA) Freebies: FREE Game - Dungeon Siege 3
Video Card 2: None
Video Card 3: None
Dedicated PHYSX Card: None
Multiple Video Card Settings: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
Power Supply Upgrade: 700 Watts - XtremeGear SLI/CrossFireX Ready Power Supply
Hard Drive: 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)
Data Hard Drive: None
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
External Hard Drive (USB3.0/2.0/eSATA): None
Optical Drive: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
Network: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
Network Switch: None
Gaming Gear: None
Extra Thermal Display: None
Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: None
External Wireless Network Card: None
Wireless 802.11 B/G/N Access Point: None
Bluetooth: None
Flash Media Reader/Writer: None
IEEE1394 Card: None
Internal USB Port: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
Operating System: * Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)
Office Suite: None

[Khalil]

Are you at your budget cap with what you listed?

I recomend you read this http://www.pcmech.com/forum/build-yo...rig-101-a.html I would also consider building your own (we can help you how to) or finding a local reputable shop to build you one over buying it from Cyberpower!

[birddog_61]

Need your budget, also you can build a better system for less money. I really don't like when builders post things like "Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)" what other major brands are they using? It could be kingston or crucial and you would be fine, or it could be gskill and you could end up with problems. I also don't like that they are using a 16mb cache sata II 1tb drive (no make listed), when they should be using a 32mb cache sata III drive. I don't like palit video cards, I would much rather give my money to a trusted company like evga or asus. Biostar makes a good low budget board, but you should have a better board for nearly a grand, also a gaming rig should be using either the z68(preferred) board or the p67(only if going sli/crossfire). I don't like the Asetek 510LC cooler its basically a corsair h50 with a less efficient water block, if I was going to do heavy overclocking I would go with a good air cooler or the corsair H100. There are a lot of things about that rig I don't like, and first and foremost is the ridiculous price for what your getting.

[afs189]

OK, after all the advice I've gotten here and elsewhere, I've all but abandoned that setup. Someone else put this list together for me:

i5 2500K $220
ASRock Z68 Pro3 $120
G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB $55
6950 2GB $265
Samsung F3 1TB $60
Samsung DVD Burner $19
XFX Core 550W $70
Three Hundred Illusion $60
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $95

Total $978 with shipping, after rebate.

I was also told that if I plan to overclock, to throw on this for 20 bucks after rebate:

CORSAIR CAFA50 120mm CPU Cooler

Once again, anything you could tell me...

[Hippo08]

Okay, so, we definitely got some modifications to make.

Don't get that asrock motherboard - get this one instead: Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Don't get that G.skill RAM - get this instead: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

If you plan on getting a custom CPU cooler in the future, get the low profile version: Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

Don't get that XFX PSU - get this instead: Newegg.com - Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-620 620W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Don't get that Samsung hard drive - get this instead: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Don't get that Samsung disc drive - get this instead: Newegg.com - LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - CD / DVD Burners

Hope this helps, the reason why I say all of these things is due to reliability and quality of components. I realize they are more money, but you truly do get what you pay for.

EDIT: Also, to save some money you can ditch the CPU cooler and lower the processor to an i3-2100. It is a gaming machine and it will be plenty of processor for you. Unless you absolutely want the quad-core and ability to overclock. Here is the i3-2100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115078

EDIT2: May want one of the mods to check off on my components, I think they might have some ideas for you as well.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by afs189 OK, after all the advice I've gotten here and elsewhere, I've all but abandoned that setup. Someone else put this list together for me: i5 2500K $220 ASRock Z68 Pro3 $120 G.Skill DDR3 1333 8GB $55 6950 2GB $265 Samsung F3 1TB $60 Samsung DVD Burner $19 XFX Core 550W $70 Three Hundred Illusion $60 Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $95 Total $978 with shipping, after rebate. I was also told that if I plan to overclock, to throw on this for 20 bucks after rebate: CORSAIR CAFA50 120mm CPU Cooler Once again, anything you could tell me...

On the motherboard stay away from asrock, go with asus or gigabyte.

Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Stay away from gskill ram, go with crucial, corsair, kingston, or adata.

Newegg.com - ADATA 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333C4G9-2

The samsung drives are ok, I still prefer the western digital caviar black.
Don't skimp on PSU it can fail and take all your shiny new parts with it.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Case is personal preference so get what you want from a reputable company.

On the cooler run the stock cooler until you decide you want to OC then go with a cooler like a nocua or a thermalright silver arrow for air cooling or a corsair H70 or h100 for water.

BTW the if you sub the parts I listed for the parts you listed I am $11 more at $989

[jdeb]

Definitely go with the Corsair Vengeance memory, it supports XMP. Great, stable memory.

Follow Hippo's lead on the parts, he hits the nail on the head. ASRock are a watered down Asus boards. You want the High quality caps and manufacturing process. If you have ever sat down and compared the two side by side, you would see a noticeable difference in the quality.

[birddog_61]

If you are worried about xmp support and are thinking of OC I would still not get the vengeance ram because the ridiculous heatsink they stick on it usually hits an aftermarket air cooler.

[David M]

This can depend on if you need the RAM slot closest to the cooler. I managed to get two sticks in the two blue slots of Vengence on my board with a Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU cooler.

(Not a pic of my rig)...
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=silve...w=1256&bih=922

[glc]

Originally Posted by birddog_61 If you are worried about xmp support and are thinking of OC I would still not get the vengeance ram because the ridiculous heatsink they stick on it usually hits an aftermarket air cooler.

They have low profile Vengeance now that takes care of that issue.

[Bronxbomber90]

Question, is it possible to run 2 different sets of RAM one Low profile to fit on the slot close to the after market cooler and the other set would be the non low profile with the heat sink to cover the slots that wont be interfering with the cooler for example.

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

Im assuming as long as is the same spec ther shouldnt be a problem right? Which it would also bump it from 8GB to 16GB

[Khalil]

You are always best running identical kits.

[Bronxbomber90]

That sucks I wish they had RED low profiles as well.