New i5 IVB build results; time to tweak

[mindcrime]

Sorry for cross-post. Currently my original post was accidentally posted in AMD motherboards, I've flagged it to be moved 2 days ago.

About to pull the trigger on a new build. This would be my first intel build. And this would be my first complete from scratch build since '06. I've replaced most of this opteron build except ram.

So have a look, check for newbie oversights please, and I know the h100 is more than i need its more there for uniqueness and coincides with my air flow plans. Also I chose GTX 560 cause I can always add another, I think it can do everything I want, and has a bit of future longevity in functionality/features.

Newegg wishlist

Fractal Design Arc Midi Black High Performance PC Computer Case w/ USB 3.0 and 3 x Fractal High Performance 140mm fansModel #:FD-CA-ARC-BLItem #:N82E16811352007 <-- anyone have experience with this case?

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard Model #:SABERTOOTH Z77Item #:N82E16813131821 <--- 5yr warranty and all the features I need

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1463-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...Model #:01G-P3-1463-KRItem #:N82E16814130664 <-- see above

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570KModel #:BX80637I53570KItem #:N82E16819116504 <--- Unlocked i5, right?

SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model MV-3V4G3D/USModel #:MV-3V4G3D/USItem #:N82E16820147096 <--- out of stock, I've read great things

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)Model #:MKNSSDCR120GBItem #:N82E16820226236 <--- Intel Smart Response SSD + a little extra

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare DriveModel #:ST1000DM003Item #:N82E16822148840 <--- storage/pron

CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU CoolerModel #:CWCH100Item #:N82E16835181017

Pioneer Black Internal BD/DVD/CD Writer SATA BDR-207DBKSModel #:BDR-207DBKSItem #:N82E16827129067

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEMModel #:FQC-04649Item #:N82E16832116992 <--- this is fully patchable gets updates free etc?

OCZ ZT Series 650W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 ...Model #:OCZ-ZT650WItem #:N82E16817341051

[Dholby5150]

That Midi case is awesome.

Crucial M4 is a more reliable SSD.
I have the chronos deluxe it is a good drive though. No problems yet. Also if you game and want fast load times you might consider a 240gb drive if you have the budget.

I would also get the H100 somewhere local if you can. I had problems with 2 of them on a Arc Midi build I did a couple months back.

Other than that the system looks good.

[kow_ciller]

I'm a big fan of the pr0nz drive.

[DC]

Originally Posted by mindcrime

Sorry for cross-post. Currently my original post was accidentally posted in AMD motherboards, I've flagged it to be moved 2 days ago.

About to pull the trigger on a new build. This would be my first intel build. And this would be my first complete from scratch build since '06. I've replaced most of this opteron build except ram.

So have a look, check for newbie oversights please, and I know the h100 is more than i need its more there for uniqueness and coincides with my air flow plans. Also I chose GTX 560 cause I can always add another, I think it can do everything I want, and has a bit of future longevity in functionality/features.

Newegg wishlist

Fractal Design Arc Midi Black High Performance PC Computer Case w/ USB 3.0 and 3 x Fractal High Performance 140mm fansModel #:FD-CA-ARC-BLItem #:N82E16811352007 <-- anyone have experience with this case?

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard Model #:SABERTOOTH Z77Item #:N82E16813131821 <--- 5yr warranty and all the features I need

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1463-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...Model #:01G-P3-1463-KRItem #:N82E16814130664 <-- see above

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570KModel #:BX80637I53570KItem #:N82E16819116504 <--- Unlocked i5, right?

SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model MV-3V4G3D/USModel #:MV-3V4G3D/USItem #:N82E16820147096 <--- out of stock, I've read great things

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)Model #:MKNSSDCR120GBItem #:N82E16820226236 <--- Intel Smart Response SSD + a little extra

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare DriveModel #:ST1000DM003Item #:N82E16822148840 <--- storage/pron

CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU CoolerModel #:CWCH100Item #:N82E16835181017

Pioneer Black Internal BD/DVD/CD Writer SATA BDR-207DBKSModel #:BDR-207DBKSItem #:N82E16827129067

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEMModel #:FQC-04649Item #:N82E16832116992 <--- this is fully patchable gets updates free etc?

OCZ ZT Series 650W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 ...Model #:OCZ-ZT650WItem #:N82E16817341051

Ok - a few thoughts:

1 - The case: I have it, its good, build quality could be better though. It IS good if you want a small form factor AND watercooling.

2 - The GPU: Get an ATI 7850. They'll be sub $200 and they can overclock like a champ. Best bang for buck going.

3 - H100: If you're set on an H100, look at a Corsair case, they're really well built and premade for the H series. If you want to tinker with some water cooling, go a XSPC Rasa kit for $20, WAY better performance that an H100 but you will have to maintain it/build it.

4 - The SSD: Get an M4 or a Samsung 830 - the 128 gig drives can be had for as little as $89 for the M4 (Price match Staples from Amazon.com and use a discount coupon).

5 - Win 7 pro - Why the need for Pro? Only does networking better, Home will do everything you need unless you have a network.

6 - PSU - Nope - OCZ low end just is bad news waiting to happen. Look for a Corsair, XFX or Seasonic.

This: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139020
This: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139021
This: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207015 (or for $5 more you can get an 850W)
This: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151095

7 - Pron storage: Only 1T? Thats not enough pron!

[Dholby5150]

Microcenter has that chip for $189 right now.

[mindcrime]

Originally Posted by Dholby5150

Microcenter has that chip for $189 right now.

In Portland OR. Last time I checked no Microcenter near me. Ill shop around once I feel the list is finalized.

Additional Comment:

Originally Posted by DC

Ok - a few thoughts:
1 - The case: I have it, its good, build quality could be better though. It IS good if you want a small form factor AND watercooling.

Don't want to deal with water cooling maintenance and the changes that go with future upgrades.

Originally Posted by DC

2 - The GPU: Get an ATI 7850. They'll be sub $200 and they can overclock like a champ. Best bang for buck going.

Ill check it out.

Originally Posted by DC

3 - H100: If you're set on an H100, look at a Corsair case, they're really well built and premade for the H series. If you want to tinker with some water cooling, go a XSPC Rasa kit for $20, WAY better performance that an H100 but you will have to maintain it/build it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp6r4QRmIXE
Description says perfect case for h100, also there are a few other videos that mention the case/cooler combo working well together.

4 - The SSD: Get an M4 or a Samsung 830 - the 128 gig drives can be had for as little as $89 for the M4 (Price match Staples from Amazon.com and use a discount coupon).

Originally Posted by DC

5 - Win 7 pro - Why the need for Pro? Only does networking better, Home will do everything you need unless you have a network.

As long as I don't get all the cheesy "I see you're writing a resume, can I help you with that?" or the dumbed down menus/interfaces.

Originally Posted by DC

6 - PSU - Nope - OCZ low end just is bad news waiting to happen. Look for a Corsair, XFX or Seasonic.

I've currently got a corsair its been good to me, I'll look a bit more but fully modular is a requirement. None of the PSUs you mentioned are modular.

Originally Posted by DC

7 - Pron storage: Only 1T? Thats not enough pron!

I delete it regularly out of paranoia.

[DC]

Case:

Its a good case - just more so giving some alternatives.

True, they can and do work well together - and as I said (and check my sig) I OWN the case - the only reason I'd say consider a Corsair case is that they're the same price - I got my Midi for $60 on a NewEgg sale, so that made the choice easier.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139008

or if you want something a smidge bigger:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139009

And if you want to keep the budget down this is also a great alternative:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119216 (usually these are like $60).

My ONLY complaints of the Midi are:

1 - Only 2 5.25 drive slots. True most are moving away from optical media, but my watercooling took up both so now, no optical drive.

2 - More serious: The locknuts were/are a REAL pain and they're ALL over the case. Difficult to undo and cheap, you'll strip a few and have a few cuts by the end of the build I can assure you!

3 - Side fan: Its vacant with slots for a 140mm or 180mm - not 200mm.

PSU:

All those corsairs I linked you are available for $5 more in a modular version (denoted by M):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139030

Really cant go wrong with a good Corsair PSU.

Windows:

The old "Office Assistant" is what you're referring to - haven't seen that since Office 2003! That's not part of the OS - so don't worry, Win 7 is pretty slick and refined, there's no real advantage of using pro in the home environment so save yourself some bucks (maybe even get a 3 licence Win 7 upgrade kit for about $99 if you have other PC's about, very cost effective).

GPU: Read and learn:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...8389760&page=1

[kow_ciller]

That OCZ PSU is solid. I wouldn't bother changing it.

Its highly reviewed everywhere and at a good price.

[DC]

Originally Posted by kow_ciller

That OCZ PSU is solid. I wouldn't bother changing it.

Its highly reviewed everywhere and at a good price.

I wouldn't say that....

http://hardocp.com/article/2011/12/2...upply_review/9

[kow_ciller]

Looks like they just got unlucky and got a bad review sample.

http://www.funkykit.com/component/co...er-supply.html



Not even going to touch on the fact that [H] opens test units before doing actual testing.

[DC]

Why risk it when there's mixed reviews AND it's an OCZ product? Just get something you know works and that's proven.

And whats your issue with opening a PSU prior to testing? You think by opening the PSU case you'll affect the performance?

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...print&reid=262

Guru recommends it - at the price and the fact that OCZ has a warranty - but again - build quality has been brought to question.

Personally I'd spend more to get something more proven - its for the OP to decide.

Also - didn't go fishing for a particular bad review - that was the first that came up on google and usually H does quite solid reviews.

[kow_ciller]

By opening the unit before testing it you run the risk of damaging something on the inside of the unit. This can easily skew results. I wouldn't doubt it if this was the case in the hardocp review.

[DC]

Originally Posted by kow_ciller

By opening the unit before testing it you run the risk of damaging something on the inside of the unit. This can easily skew results. I wouldn't doubt it if this was the case in the hardocp review.

But the HardOCP review isn't the only one out there that criticizes the internal build quality and its ability to meet the power rating its marked as.

OP - make your own decision here but I know what I'd do.

[mindcrime]

Well its been about a week since the system has been assembled. I thought I owed the people who took time to post some followup at the least.

So the finalized build was:
Asus Sabertooth z77
i5 3570k
Samsung DDR3 (stock) MV-3V4G3/US<-- Newegg.com link
GeForce GTX 560 on GF114 GPU (@925core and 2150mem)
SSD Crucial M4 128gb
Seagate Barracuda 1tb
Corsair H100
Corsair AX650

http://s5.postimage.org/47himmwxz/3dmark11_stock.png Pretty stock fiddling with GPU

http://s5.postimage.org/6q37nbio7/step2.jpg CPU up a bit just the bios OC profile. GPU about the same as above.