New build advice/critique

[The_Bishop]

Thinking about building a new system, what are your thoughts?
Upgrading from a watercooled Q6600 @ 3.6, looking to leave the watercooling maintenence behind. Video will be my existing EVGA GTX 470, current power supply is a Thermaltake Toughpower 650. Boot drive will be a Sandisk Ultra 120GB with a WD 640 gig data drive. Open to suggestions on case and power supply.

Components are:

MSI Z77A-GD65 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Model #:Z77A-GD65
Item #:N82E16813130643
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$189.99 $189.99

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
Model #:BX80637I53570K
Item #:N82E16819116504
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$229.99 $229.99

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
Model #:CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
Item #:N82E16820145345
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$54.99 -$1.00 Instant $53.99

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
Model #:RR-B10-212P-G1
Item #:N82E16835103065
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$34.99 -$5.00 Instant $29.99

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound
Model #:MX-2R
Item #:N82E16835186020
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$8.99 $8.99

[OS-Wiz]

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
$209 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131819

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
$40 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced
$155 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160

Antec High Current Gamer Series 750W
$110 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371049

SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB
$130 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
$12 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

[DC]

I'd suggest changes to what OS recommended in the following areas:

SSD - Would go a Crucial M4 or a Samsung 830 over his choice - they've been going for the sub $100 mark of late (128 gig) and they're more reliable and faster, not to mention non Sandforce. The 256 gig variants have been showing up at $150-$170 also, so just a matter of watching the deal sites.

PSU - Again, not a bad choice, but you can do better for the money. This was going for $119 last week:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...37&SID=rewrite

Again, just a matter of checking the deal sites.

Thermal Paste - I would have said AC5 too - but this is now "old school" and there are significantly better out there now, I only just recently found this out.

Deal sites to check:

www.slickdeals.com
www.techbargains.com

and check the deals section in this forum and hardforum.com and overclock.net - you'll see loads of daily deals.

[hostage67]

Originally Posted by DC

I'd suggest changes to what OS recommended in the following areas:

SSD - Would go a Crucial M4 or a Samsung 830 over his choice - they've been going for the sub $100 mark of late (128 gig) and they're more reliable and faster, not to mention non Sandforce. The 256 gig variants have been showing up at $150-$170 also, so just a matter of watching the deal sites.

PSU - Again, not a bad choice, but you can do better for the money. This was going for $119 last week:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...37&SID=rewrite

Again, just a matter of checking the deal sites.

Thermal Paste - I would have said AC5 too - but this is now "old school" and there are significantly better out there now, I only just recently found this out.

Deal sites to check:

www.slickdeals.com
www.techbargains.com

and check the deals section in this forum and hardforum.com and overclock.net - you'll see loads of daily deals.

I would second the M4 for the SSD, I have several and love them. As for the thermal paste, I just wanted to point out that after having read several studies on the thermal pastes that AS5 is still one of the top performers with most not too far behind. While it may be possible to find a better thermal paste than AS5, there's not really any reason to bother with it. Stick with the trusted AS5 and know exactly what you are getting and be content knowing that it is still one of the top performers even today.

[OS-Wiz]

Gentlemen, I have two M4s and luv 'em, but they are a little slow on writes.

[The_Bishop]

On the thermal compound, I used to use AS5 exclusively. I have found that MX-2 is easier to apply consistently, and doesn't require any 'setting'. I can live with a 1 degree temp difference for the ease of repeat-ability, as well as it being non-conductive.

I wasn't planning on buying a new SSD, as I currently have the Sandisk SSD. I know a different drive will give me somewhat better performance, but I can't justify spending another $120 or so for a minor performance difference. Maybe later, when I have some more funds available...

Why the Asus over the MSI mobo? The MSI has better reviews. Other than that I don't see much of a difference.

Is there anything *wrong* with what I'm currently using as a PS? So far, it's been working flawlessly, and according to the PS calc (http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine) I'm still within range.

Additional Comment:

After looking at specs, I'm going with the Corsair. Almost twice the performance... Well it's only money. Besides, I can stick the Sandisk in my laptop.

[DC]

Originally Posted by OS-Wiz

Gentlemen, I have two M4s and luv 'em, but they are a little slow on writes. That's why I recommended the Corsair.

How do they compare vs the 830?

From what I understand that's pretty much the fastest on the block - even when compared against the Sandforce offerings - plus it's as reliable as the M4.

The 830 used to be a little cost prohibitive, but with the M4 prices we've seen of late, Samsung had to come to the party - I got a 256gig 830 for $189 shipped last week.

Even Intel is having issues with the Sandforce - they had to issue a recall of late as Sandforce won't do 256-bit encryption.

No matter what they say about fixing the Sandforce, there's ALWAYS another problem to be found.

That Crucial your recomending is a Sandforce - so that's my only criticism.

Also - given the OP wanted to get away from water cooling - while the HAF 932 is a great case (I own one too) - it's a big case - and it's a big case thats great for nearly all kinds of cooling, water included. If the OP wants to go just air, they could consider a smaller form case (mid tower etc) - Corsair make some really nice ones.

Here's a head to head of the SSD's:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/533?vs=409

And remember - the Corsair is a Sandforce, so it has a lot more baggage than the 830 does in regards to reliability.

MB - I'm no longer a fan of ASUS, but I haven't really kept up with the new Chipsets. I do like Gigabyte, they tend to offer a no fuss MB that is solid and reliable - not to mention a little cheaper than ASUS.

[OS-Wiz]

Oops, yes, I should have recommended the Samsung 830. Dunno what the h3ll I was thinking, LOL!

SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB
$130 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Additional Comment:

Originally Posted by DC

MB - I'm no longer a fan of ASUS, but I haven't really kept up with the new Chipsets. I do like Gigabyte, they tend to offer a no fuss MB that is solid and reliable - not to mention a little cheaper than ASUS.

Hi DC, I've probably built ~100 systems for clients, friends, and myself. I use ASUS mobo's unless Gigabyte is insisted upon by a customer or friend. I've used nearly every brand of mobo for my own builds and ASUS has proven itself more reliable and more over clockable than the others. I shed a tear when ABIT quit making consumer mobo's -- they were great! And nothing, but nothing beat the DFI LanParty in its day.

[The_Bishop]

Ok, so the Corsair has been scrapped, and the Samsung 830 is now in place.

For the case, how about this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139008

The Corsair Carbide 400. Anyone use one?

[DC]

Originally Posted by OS-Wiz

Oops, yes, I should have recommended the Samsung 830. Dunno what the h3ll I was thinking, LOL!

SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB
$130 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147163

Additional Comment:

Hi DC, I've probably built ~100 systems for clients, friends, and myself. I use ASUS mobo's unless Gigabyte is insisted upon by a customer or friend. I've used nearly every brand of mobo for my own builds and ASUS has proven itself more reliable and more over clockable than the others. I shed a tear when ABIT quit making consumer mobo's -- they were great! And nothing, but nothing beat the DFI LanParty in its day.

Oh I miss my LAN Party Ultra -D too mate!

You're probably right in regards to ASUS, though my experiences have been getting worse and worse with them, I'd built 5 or 6 of my last systems with an ASUS board, though my last was with the Rampage 3 GENE and I seriously have not experienced such headaches with a MB.

After my ASUS G53 laptop decided to get buggy, I've had no end of frustration dealing with their customer support which, to put bluntly, has completely gone to sh!t.

ASUS used to be like Toyota to me, reliable and well built. Now it feels more infinity than it does Lexus.

So I've jumped to Gigabyte and havent looked back.

Again, just my experience, though I wish DFI still made MBs. Much like I wish OCZ still made products like they used to make their Platinum DDR ram....!

[OS-Wiz]

Originally Posted by The_Bishop

Ok, so the Corsair has been scrapped, and the Samsung 830 is now in place.

For the case, how about this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139008

The Corsair Carbide 400. Anyone use one?

Given no long gaming sessions and little or no OCing, I like it, but would add one top panel fan as exhaust.
Have fun with your new build!

[The_Bishop]

Thanks, OS, and everyone else for your input. Probably ordering tonight.

[DC]

Bishop - if you can wait a day or 2, deals for the 830/M4 etc have just been popping up all over, NewEgg had the the 128 830 for $99 and similar prices on the M4.

Case wise the Carbide is nice, I like it - well built and good to work with, but as OS said, no large cooling fan (which is awesome btw on the HAF932).

Here are some ideas for you:

Old faithful Antec 902 ($69 after rebate/discount): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Coolermaster 690: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119216

Fractal Design Arc Midi: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352007

[The_Bishop]

DC, the more I look at the HAF932, the more I like it. If I ever decide to WC again, it's a great case for it. It also has great airflow, which will be pretty important with me aircooling now.

I'm going to hold off on the SSD for now, I think. My Sandisk Ultra 120 works fine, and I already overshot my budget. I can always clone in another SSD later.

[DC]

Originally Posted by The_Bishop

DC, the more I look at the HAF932, the more I like it. If I ever decide to WC again, it's a great case for it. It also has great airflow, which will be pretty important with me aircooling now.

I'm going to hold off on the SSD for now, I think. My Sandisk Ultra 120 works fine, and I already overshot my budget. I can always clone in another SSD later.

That's what I like about the HAF 932 - it lets you do EVERYTHING you want and doesn't limit you in any way, shape or form.

Honestly, it's pretty hard to differentiate between SSD's these days in regards to actual day-to-day use. I'm only hard on the Sandforce drives as they have reliability issues - and hard drives are the last thing I want to have those type of issues with!

The 932 has a nice big top fan and also easily accommodates side ventilation also.

[BasketballJones]

MSI Z77A-GD65 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

I am running the board. Solid...this time. The first one had a bad ram slot. Overclocks well. Just that whole RMA thing ya know.

[The_Bishop]

DC: I'm jittery in general about SSD drives, that's why I have Acronis making backups of it every day to my data drive. If it craps out, I won't lose much. I also back up my data drive once a month to another drive, so then there's *that* data redundancy. I'm a bit jumpy about data loss.

Basketball, Good to hear it's running well. Hopefully I avoid out-of-box issues.

Everything is ordered except for the SSD drive. If I can land some extra cash I'll pick up a newer generation one, and clone my existing drive right onto it. Then I can pop the Sandisk one into my laptop, which should make a huge difference from the 5400rpm wonder that I have in that.

[BasketballJones]

You will be pleased with the board. I am. The initial being PO'd over the RMA is almost forgotten.

[Enigma_AMDboy]

Originally Posted by DC

How do they compare vs the 830?

From what I understand that's pretty much the fastest on the block - even when compared against the Sandforce offerings - plus it's as reliable as the M4.

I just built a rig with an 830 in it. Couldn't be happier.

18 Second boot time

[The_Bishop]

Up and running (mostly) on the new board. Haven't OC yet, still in the setup and update stage. Holy hell is the HAF case big. It's roomy enough to live in.

Also: Holy crap, this thing's a lot snappier than my Q6600 @ 3.6. Can't wait to see what it does once I OC a bit.

Quick question, is there any issue with plugging the HAF case's ceiling-fan sized fans into the mobo fan headers? I did it figuring I could set up some fan management so it's quiet when it needs to be, and ramps up as needed.