New Build

[next-apex]

Hey, this new build will find its home next to the big screen in the living room. Not required to be excessively powerful but fancy looking and quality components are a must!....

This is my list so far, any thoughts & opinions welcome.

Case - Lian Li PC-A04
Not sure if i want to go for a full HTPC case. I really like the look of this one.

MoBo - Asus P8Z68-M Pro m-ATX

CPU - Intel Core i5-2500k 3.3GHz Quad Core Processor

CPU Cooler - Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H40

RAM - Corsair 2x2GB(XMS3) 1600MHz

PSU - Corsair 650W "Corsair" HX-650 ATX Power Supply, 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified, Modular Cabling.

SSD - OCZ Vertex 3 120GB

HDD - WD Caviar Blue 1TB

Sound Card - Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCIe

ODD - LG SATA Blu-ray Combo Drive

Fans & Lighting - Blue 120mm LED fans x3 & Blue internal NEON light

All that will cost me about $1300. Would it be worth while to spend more for an "Ivy Bridge" system?

Feedback very welcome!

Thanks

[glc]

If you want a micro-ATX board, get a P8Z77-M and an Ivy Bridge i5-3570K.

Don't get XMS3 - get Vengeance low profile.

650 watts is about twice the power you need - but that's an excellent unit. If you want QUIET, Seasonic makes a couple fanless modular units you may want to look at.

Get an Intel 520 SSD and a WD Black.

Why do you need a sound card?

[next-apex]

Originally Posted by glc If you want a micro-ATX board, get a P8Z77-M and an Ivy Bridge i5-3570K. Don't get XMS3 - get Vengeance low profile. 650 watts is about twice the power you need - but that's an excellent unit. If you want QUIET, Seasonic makes a couple fanless modular units you may want to look at. Get an Intel 520 SSD and a WD Black. Why do you need a sound card?

Thanks for the advice glc,

I have changed the MOBO and CPU to Z77 Ivy Bridge.

Just wondering... is there any disadvantage/advantage to using a micro-ATX over a standard-ATX?

I changed the RAM from XMS3 to Vengeance low profile. May i ask the reason?

I am going to keep the 650W Corsair PSU as i will no doubt be getting a strong GPU or 2 down the track, AND, i can't find Seasonic units on the site i am using to purchase the parts.

On SSD choice - I have had a OCZ Vertex 3 120gb as a boot drive and cant fault it over the past 12 months. Can i ask the reason i should get an Intel 520?

I have read that sound cards are better for home theatre level sound production than standard MOBO Audio out, but if its only marginal, I won't bother. Do you know?

Thanks for your help!

[glc]

The PC-A04 will not hold a full ATX, it's a micro-ATX case. Only disadvantage to micro-ATX is less slots. If you plan on using 2 video cards at any time, you will need the P8Z77-M Pro, the standard board doesn't have 2 full speed slots.

Vengeance is proving to be the most reliable fast ram for the Z-series chipsets, and low profile is recommended in case you ever add an aftermarket CPU cooler.

For Seasonic PSU's, look on mwave.com.au. That's the site I use for researching parts in Oz.

Intel 520 recommended for reliability reasons.

Try it without a sound card first, you can always add one later.

The Intel 4000 integrated graphics on the Ivy Bridge "K" are actually quite good - it *IS* gaming-capable to a point and it's all you will ever need for anything else.

Make sure you replace that Blue with a Black - WD is having a quality issue with the 1Tb Blues right now. We have a member who ordered 6 of them for a RAID for his server, 3 were DOA, and 2 of the 3 RMA replacements were DOA.

[next-apex]

Originally Posted by glc The PC-A04 will not hold a full ATX, it's a micro-ATX case. Only disadvantage to micro-ATX is less slots. If you plan on using 2 video cards at any time, you will need the P8Z77-M Pro, the standard board doesn't have 2 full speed slots. Vengeance is proving to be the most reliable fast ram for the Z-series chipsets, and low profile is recommended in case you ever add an aftermarket CPU cooler. For Seasonic PSU's, look on mwave.com.au. That's the site I use for researching parts in Oz. Intel 520 recommended for reliability reasons. Try it without a sound card first, you can always add one later. The Intel 4000 integrated graphics on the Ivy Bridge "K" are actually quite good - it *IS* gaming-capable to a point and it's all you will ever need for anything else. Make sure you replace that Blue with a Black - WD is having a quality issue with the 1Tb Blues right now. We have a member who ordered 6 of them for a RAID for his server, 3 were DOA, and 2 of the 3 RMA replacements were DOA.

Thank you again.

Can I also ask your opinion on Seagate drives Vs WD Black?

[glc]

I do not trust Seagate/Samsung drives. I was okay with HGST (Hitachi) but it looks like they are also having a quality control issue now, the reviews on the 7K1000.D drives are terrible - massive DOA's.

I think I can possibly attribute the current issues to the manufacturers playing "catch-up" after last year's floods in Thailand that closed several factories.