Hi everyone :)

[mike0brien]

Hi my name is mike, currently I am running a very old dell xps 630i and would like to build a new PC specifically for gaming and I need some help.

I tried to go out on my own and look up a build and I was hoping for some feedback, here it is.

Tower
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Upgraded USB 3.0 - Newegg.com
Graphics Card
EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-2662-KR GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Newegg.com
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K - Newegg.com
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z77-V LK ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - Newegg.com
RAM
G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Model F3-2400C10D-8GZH - Newegg.com
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Newegg.com
Power Supply
CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

I know I am missing somethings, would also like some input on that as well if at all possible.

If you would prefer I move this question to the proper forum section and leave this just an intro just say so.

Thanks again.

[glc]

Welcome!

Moved to BYOPC.

[glc]

Everything you listed looks great except for the ram. G.skill is not reliable ram and you will never justify the cost of 2400 speed. We recommend 1600 speed Corsair Vengeance low profile (CML series).

You are missing HDD/SSD and optical drives.

[Jbc223456]

Welcome to PCMech!

Glc is spot on with the recommendations. I just thought I'd give you thoughts on that case you chose. The Antec 900 is a great case with plenty of room. However, I will warn you about the LEDs. If this pc is going into a bedroom where you will be sleeping (because mine is), I would strongly suggest looking at a case that doesn't contain LEDs. Sure, it looks cool for about 2 weeks, then I got tired of it. If you'll be okay with that, then go ahead. I personally need absolute darkness in order to fall asleep.

On the other hand, if I had it in a media room/pc room, then I'd have no problem with the LEDs. I eventually got tired of the LEDs and cut the leads that went to the lights.

Just my two cents.

[mike0brien]

Originally Posted by glc Everything you listed looks great except for the ram. G.skill is not reliable ram and you will never justify the cost of 2400 speed. We recommend 1600 speed Corsair Vengeance low profile (CML series). You are missing HDD/SSD and optical drives.

Did you mean this for the ram? CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9 - Newegg.com

As for a HDD/SSD I was hoping to keep this build within 800, I already broke that point and am nearing 900 and I will deal with that but I'd like to stay 900 or less.

I really like the idea of putting my OS and games on a solid state drive and everything else on a HDD but how costly is that? my friend was telling me it is way over my budget, also I have no idea how it works entirely.

So any advice or recommendations on what drives to get?

As for the LED's they don't bother me, I don't leave my Pc running when I don't use it, so they shouldn't be on. but thanks for the tip.

Oh and heat sinks and such for say my CPU, do I have to buy them separately? If so, again please, recommendations?

Oh and my power source, does anyone have experience with that type? and do you think I really need the 850W? If you think something out there would be better let me know.

Lastly, as I said I raised my budget to 900 already, but I would like to keep it low, any advice on anything else that would be a bit cheaper?

[Jbc223456]

You could get by with a 650W Corsair of that same series (the HX series). You could also look at SeaSonic, but I believe they may be a little more pricey.

That RAM is exactly what glc was talking about. As for HDD/SSD, we recommend the Intel 330 or 520 series as they are the most reliable and stable. HDD would be a Western Digital Caviar Black.

To cut some costs, you could look at getting an i5-3350P, and an ASUS B75 board. The heatsink comes with the CPU, you do not have to buy them separate.

[glc]

If you can do without modular cables:

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply - Newegg.com

I wouldn't cut back to the B75 board, the LK you chose is on sale right now and highly recommended. It will support SLI in the future if you ever wanted to do it.

If you have a Microcenter near you, you can get the processor cheaper.

[mike0brien]

Originally Posted by glc If you can do without modular cables: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply - Newegg.com I wouldn't cut back to the B75 board, the LK you chose is on sale right now and highly recommended. It will support SLI in the future if you ever wanted to do it. If you have a Microcenter near you, you can get the processor cheaper.

Alright, time for a stupid question, modular cables, what is that? I am not so good with terms yet. mainly just what it looks like. and I am not certain if there is a microcenter near me... I live in central new jersey. could I just google that and possibly find one?


Wooo shopping cart is already up to $941.93..... Eh I saw this coming. lol

[jdeb]

modular means you plug in only the cables you need. There are semi and full modular. Basically semi has the powers connects hard mounted in the unit and the rest of the cables are added as needed. Full modular enables all cables to added as needed. Both help in making the build tidy inside the case.

[glc]

Modular power supplies only have the main 24 pin cable and the 4/8 pin CPU cable built in, all other cables for your drives, etc. plug into sockets on the PSU so you only connect what you need. This makes for a lot less cluttered installation, you don't have to bundle and tie off all the unused cables. Here is a decent modular:

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M 650W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Semi Modular High Performance Power Supply - Newegg.com

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

Don't forget that if you live in NJ, Newegg charges sales tax. You may want to look at other vendors for all those items. Amazon.com doesn't charge sales tax in NJ - *YET*. They will be starting to on July 1. Another good vendor that doesn't charge NJ sales tax is mwave.com.

The only Microcenter in NJ is in Paterson. If you are close to Philly, there's one in St. Davids. Their in-store price on the 3570K is $190 plus tax.

[glc]

Modular power supplies only have the main 24 pin cable and the 4/8 pin CPU cable built in, all other cables for your drives, etc. plug into sockets on the PSU so you only connect what you need. This makes for a lot less cluttered installation, you don't have to bundle and tie off all the unused cables. Here is a decent modular:

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M 650W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Semi Modular High Performance Power Supply - Newegg.com

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

Don't forget that if you live in NJ, Newegg charges sales tax. You may want to look at other vendors for all those items. Amazon.com doesn't charge sales tax in NJ - *YET*. They will be starting to on July 1. Another good vendor that doesn't charge NJ sales tax is mwave.com.

The only Microcenter in NJ is in Paterson. If you are close to Philly, there's one in St. Davids. Their in-store price on the 3570K is $190 plus tax.