Computer upgrade help

[CheeZeX]

I'm building a PC for PS2. Purchasing all the parts this coming thursday.

PLEASE tell me if the specs will be enough for PS2 I played PS1 for YEARS and I want a great experience with 2. I don't want to buy a bunch of things only to find out it didn't work in my favor...

Intel Core i5 2500k 3.3 -> 3.7 turbod (may OC this going forward)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

8Gig gskill ripjaw ddr3 ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231468

ASRock Extreme4 Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813s157293

Nvidia GTX 570 Superclocked 1280mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130622

750w PSU

60gbSSD discretely for games, 1tb HD for everything else

Thanks fellas!

[Rbstr]

If you're buying it for PS2 alone, wait until the beta is out, at least.
Don't buy fancy RAM. DDR1600 is plenty. RAM overclocking doesn't get you much at all.
Your motherboard link was removed from Newegg.

I like the GTX570, but the GTX660 is going to be released soon and, given the 670's performance, you probably want to wait and see how it stacks up.

[CheeZeX]

If you're buying it for PS2 alone, wait until the beta is out, at least.
Don't buy fancy RAM. DDR1600 is plenty. RAM overclocking doesn't get you much at all.
Your motherboard link was removed from Newegg.

I like the GTX570, but the GTX660 is going to be released soon and, given the 670's performance, you probably want to wait and see how it stacks up.

Here's a new link to the motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

See Higby said the Beta will be out in the next couple/few (id say 2-4) weeks. I'm looking to purchase everything on thursday, and by the time its all shipped here and put together / tested properly then I think the beta should be out.

Noted on the ram I won't go for anything crazy in that department then.

CPU good? PSU should be perfect.

GPU: Is the 660 going to be any way different price wise? I'm looking to spend around 1k and I'm getting pretty close as it is.

Thanks for the reply!

[CheeZeX]

Actually I think I'm going to buy everything BUT the GPU and wait until PS2 Beta is announced, (they usually start it a week after announcement) and based on that time frame order my GPU. Supposedly the 660 will be out late june and thats like a week and a half away.

[Vancha]

I think you could probably knock down the PSU to a 500-600w and mobo to something cheaper to make room for a 670 or at least a 120GB SSD.

Which SSD are you planning on getting, by the way?

[CheeZeX]

I think you could probably knock down the PSU to a 500-600w and mobo to something cheaper to make room for a 670 or at least a 120GB SSD.

Which SSD are you planning on getting, by the way?

Vancha! long time no see :D

Well when I tallied up the wattage of each part it came out to be 660 minimum, so I figure a 750 will be a good amount of leeway.

60gig SSD (dedicated for games and the OS): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725

[Rbstr]

The CPU is fine...Depending on how much you want to overclock you might go with an Ivy Bridge chip instead. They put out less heat, but run hotter because they're more dense so overclocking isn't as easy...but you net like 10% performance a stock speeds.

Waiting on graphics is the right choice...you might still go with the 570, but who knows. (the 660 could end up anywhere from like $300 to 350 I think, hard to say)
If the GTX660 is good, you'll probably save a good amount of power again. Which might make a 650w PSU usable.
I tend to see more recommendations for the Crucial M4 SSD's because they're owned by Micron, who makes their chips and they don't use the Sandforce controler (I have their 50gb cache drive, works pretty well)

[Goku]

Answer these questions (http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=37183) please.

[CheeZeX]

Woops sorry Goku.

1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?
Not including monitor: $1000

2. Where do you live (Please list if possible town, state, and country)?
Rochester NY, USA

3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?
Gaming.

4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically.
Everything, brand spanken new.

5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts.
V-V-N

6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?
24inch, 1920x1080 Asus glossy black

7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit?
Legit Windows 7 pro 64bit

8. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on.
SLI, USB 3/2.0, Sata 6.0

9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?
Possible CPU, not GPU

10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?
2-3 weeks.

[Vancha]

Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352010) / Bitfenix Shinobi (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345012)
CPU: i5 3570k (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504)
Mobo: Wait...
RAM: G.Skill Value 8GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422)
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 670 OC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423)
SSD: Crucial m4 128GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148529)
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185) (Sata cables come with the mobo)
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 620w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031)

Total: $1099.92

That's as cheap as I could tolerate making it, however I know micro center has some crazy CPU+Motherboard deal that'll knock a bit off the extra $100. I suppose you could bump the SSD back to 64GB, but with your OS and the size of games these days that just seems too small to me.

[CheeZeX]

Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352010) / Bitfenix Shinobi (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345012)
CPU: i5 3570k (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504)
Mobo: Wait...
RAM: G.Skill Value 8GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422)
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 670 OC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423)
SSD: Crucial m4 128GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148529)
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185) (Sata cables come with the mobo)
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 620w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031)

Total: $1099.92

That's as cheap as I could tolerate making it, however I know micro center has some crazy CPU+Motherboard deal that'll knock a bit off the extra $100. I suppose you could bump the SSD back to 64GB, but with your OS and the size of games these days that just seems too small to me.

I like this very much, however i have a question regarding the i5 3570k. I heard the 2500k was much easier to overclock because of sandy bridge runs cooler than ivy bridge. if this is true shouldn't i use the 2500k over the 3570?
I may just buy this setup like you posted!

[Vancha]

I like this very much, however i have a question regarding the i5 3570k. I heard the 2500k was much easier to overclock because of sandy bridge runs cooler than ivy bridge. if this is true shouldn't i use the 2500k over the 3570?
I may just buy this setup like you posted!
Depends if you're just looking for a decent gaming OC or if you have a thing for overclocking things to their limits. To my understanding, IB wouldn't be harder to overclock, it just wouldn't OC as far...but even that would be somewhat mitigated by the fact that IB is faster clock for clock.

Edit: Also, that $1099 included a motherboard, but it didn't support SLI so I went to find something different. Turns out the cheapest SLI board is about $30 more expensive, but again that shouldn't matter if you can do the micro center thing.

[CheeZeX]

Depends if you're just looking for a decent gaming OC or if you have a thing for overclocking things to their limits. To my understanding, IB wouldn't be harder to overclock, it just wouldn't OC as far...but even that would be somewhat mitigated by the fact that IB is faster clock for clock.

Edit: Also, that $1099 included a motherboard, but it didn't support SLI so I went to find something different. Turns out the cheapest SLI board is about $30 more expensive, but again that shouldn't matter if you can do the micro center thing.

Unfortunately I don't live near a microncenter and it seems like their deals are in-store only. I'll double check though.

Ya doesn't look that promising since I live basically next to canada. Is there a mobo you recommend and I look around for the best price? I may have some friends able to stop by a microcenter and pick one up for me.

[Vancha]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128542

You might not get the best overclock on it, but it's imo the cheapest mobo with SLI capability. If you can get a friend to do the micro center thing, you can get that motherboard for $89

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130647
There's also this one for $10 cheaper at Newegg, but for SLI it'd starve the top card of air and that's assuming the top card's cooler wasn't blocking the second x16 slot.

[Rbstr]

The issue with IB vs SB is that IB is on a smaller process. That means it puts out less heat but it's packed more closely together. This means it hits higher temps.
If I were you I'd not care about the OC that much and just go IB. It's not like you're going to get a bazillion FPS from the overclock.

I wouldn't worry about an SLI capable board if you're looking at SLI capability in the future vs getting a 670 today.
Also, if you're scrounging for cash, drop the SSD.

[Goku]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128542

You might not get the best overclock on it, but it's imo the cheapest mobo with SLI capability. If you can get a friend to do the micro center thing, you can get that motherboard for $89

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130647
There's also this one for $10 cheaper at Newegg, but for SLI it'd starve the top card of air and that's assuming the top card's cooler wasn't blocking the second x16 slot.

Bad options for mobos. Should be looking at this ASUS Z77 with the 3570K combo discount (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.959055). Comes with SLI, ATX, plus all the other features. Between the discount and MIR its even cheaper then those mobos you linked.

You still need a heatsink to overclock. You can get this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099) for cheap that is a really good cooler.

[CheeZeX]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128542

You might not get the best overclock on it, but it's imo the cheapest mobo with SLI capability. If you can get a friend to do the micro center thing, you can get that motherboard for $89

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130647
There's also this one for $10 cheaper at Newegg, but for SLI it'd starve the top card of air and that's assuming the top card's cooler wasn't blocking the second x16 slot.

Vancha, is the first mobo this one from microcenter?
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387326

Trying to find it, Computerz is going to stop by Microcenter for me.

[CheeZeX]

ok well now i'm extremely confused as to what mobo i should be getting.

microcenter is selling the 3570 for 190, so it makes sense to get that there, what about the mobo?

[Goku]

Cheeze how sure are you that you will be going SLI? If you are planning on doing this you will have to look into another PSU probably.

[CheeZeX]

Cheeze how sure are you that you will be going SLI? If you are planning on doing this you will have to look into another PSU probably.

I'll probably SLI in a year or so, and by that time funds won't be an issue.
So I can upgrade my PSU at the same time.

Reason why I'm on a budget now is because someone hit and run my car and now I have to pay 500 to repair it. My original budget was 1500.

[Goku]

Seems like a waste dumping $70 now and getting a PSU later on that you will not be using. What about getting the PSU now and holding off on the SSD? In the next 6 months you will be looking at sub $150 256GB SSD. Thats is a far better option than a 128GB in my opinion.

This 850W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=kW6ifLf1EeGg3QIYg_Islg0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16817207011) is on sale right now if you can order it. Its $80 after a $15 promo code XFXPS612 and $25 MIR. In the end $10 more than the Antec PSU. Promo code ends tomorrow. Review here of the unit (http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=217), 9/10 from a trust PSU reviewer.

[Vancha]

Bad options for mobos. Should be looking at this ASUS Z77 with the 3570K combo discount (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.959055). Comes with SLI, ATX, plus all the other features. Between the discount and MIR its even cheaper then those mobos you linked.

You still need a heatsink to overclock. You can get this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099) for cheap that is a really good cooler.
Hey, I'm the UK sites guy. I didn't know Newegg's combo deals were even worth looking at. :p

I've said before I'm not great with mobos. Why are the other two bad? Would they not be the best choice if the Newegg combo didn't exist?

Edit: Wait, that Newegg deal is still more expensive than the Gigabyte from Micro Center.

[Goku]

The MIR on the mobo makes it cheaper first off. Even with out the MIR better off spending the extra money and proper placement for air flow doing SLI imo.

Cheeze what MC is your friend going to? The stores selection vary.

[Vancha]

The MIR on the mobo makes it cheaper first off. Even with out the MIR better off spending the extra money and proper placement for air flow doing SLI imo.
$144
-$25 combo
-$20 rebate
= $99

Both motherboards have one slot for airflow between the GPUs (Gigabyte board uses top and bottom-most slots)

[Goku]

Still ATX>mATX. I avoid telling people to get mATX at all costs most of the time. You never know if you need the extra expansion slots. Between sound cards, wifi, and other possibilities its worth having.

[CheeZeX]

I'm not sure, I asked and am waiting a response. Is there a model in general that you think would be better? of Mobo and PSU, originally I planned to get a 750W

[Vancha]

Form factorist.

Edit: Goku, want to move this to the Coal forums? That way everyone involved can see what's going on. :p

[Goku]

I'm not sure, I asked and am waiting a response. Is there a model in general that you think would be better? of Mobo and PSU, originally I planned to get a 750W

I would recommend one of the name brands like ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte if you have the money. Looked like the Gigabyte Z77 UD3H (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387556) or this Asrock (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387554). I would do the Gigabyte personally.

The PSU? Currently that one is on sale making it cheaper than the other 750W PSUs and its easily as equal quality as those. I would go for the XFX. Never hurts to have more power either.

Coal? I haven't been there in like a month lmao.

[CheeZeX]

I would recommend one of the name brands like ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte if you have the money. Looked like the Gigabyte Z77 UD3H (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387556) or this Asrock (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387554). I would do the Gigabyte personally.

The PSU? Currently that one is on sale making it cheaper than the other 750W PSUs and its easily as equal quality as those. I would go for the XFX. Never hurts to have more power either.

Coal? I haven't been there in like a month lmao.

that ASRock mobo was the original mobo I expected to get actually.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

[Vancha]

Coal? I haven't been there in like a month lmao.
Wow, okay. There's just a thread going there too is all.

670 SLI works out at about 90% capacity of an 80+ Gold 650w PSU, I can't find a 750w on sale though. You got a link?

[Ieyasu]

Bitfenix Shinobi.

great case. I have 4 local friends whos current rigs are all in Shinobi Cases.

I won a Colossus last fall and since then have been telling people about the quality of Bitfenix. hell even the low budget cases like the Merc give you great bang for your buck.

[CheeZeX]

The fractal design case however seems to have alot more functionality (removable / washable screen, 6 fan support etc.). It may not look nice but This thing isn't for eye candy, thats why I bought a nice car. But I do like the look and feel of the shinobi

[CheeZeX]

Ok. I think this is what I'm settling on.

Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352010&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=5414526&SID=skim19668X770041X6a8d7e474d0fdc6b314e6033cdc0f 474

CPU: i5 3570k 190$ http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577

Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $134 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293 - 134$

RAM: G.Skill Value 8GB $40 http://go.ps-universe.net/?id=19668X770041&site=planetside-universe.com&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduc t.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16820231422&xguid=63b671d8b5524e572a4ba5862d3f0ef0&xcreo=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetside-universe.com%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D43159

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 670 OC $400 http://go.ps-universe.net/?id=19668X770041&site=planetside-universe.com&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduc t.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16814125423&xguid=63b671d8b5524e572a4ba5862d3f0ef0&xcreo=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetside-universe.com%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D43159

SSD: Crucial m4 64GB $44 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

PSU: Rosewell 750w $90 (want to SLI going forward)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182067

Total: $1001

After Tax & Shipping: approx $1100 (Newegg will ship all of that for 11$ can you believe that?)

If anyone has anymore comments PLEASE speak up so I know what I'm getting into.

[Vancha]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

What about this PSU instead?

[Goku]

Do not get that Rosewill. The XFX I linked is cheaper then both those, better quality, and 100W more. Seems like a no brainer. Just do not get that Rosewill.

[CheeZeX]

Yea he's right actually, with a 15$ coupon and 25$ rebate it is considerably different. I'm sold on Gokus PSU.

[Goku]

You are good to order!

Don't forget that coupon expires tomorrow. If you are waiting to order the build later then that I suggest just getting the PSU now to not miss out on the deal.

[CheeZeX]

One last question.

The ram linked above sits at ddr3 1333

Should i be getting 1600?

[Goku]

Doesn't really matter either way to be honest. If you want higher speed ram and good overclocking set get this for $7 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147096) more. I just found out about this set, it a hidden gem from what people say.

[CheeZeX]

By 'this set' do you mean the ram currently in my list?

[Goku]

Nope, sorry this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147096&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=5414526&SID=skim19668X770041X0ba618cf07dc82e42949863bb161e 055

Sorry if you didn't notice the link.

[CheeZeX]

Thanks for your help today Goku!

[Goku]

You're welcome. Cheeze why aren't you getting the mobo from MC too? You get $50 off when you buy it with the 3570K making it $90 vs $133 on newegg. Just FYI. If you didn't realize this you can probably still cancel your newegg order and just leave out the mobo.

[CheeZeX]

well basically it came down to being able to return it or not.

MC is really far from me so I won't be able to return it to the store I got it from.
I expect the i5 to work, but there's a chance everything won't fit etc. with the mobo. I'd rather have the ability to RMA if needed.

And it came w/ a free 1 yr warranty.

Those options were worth it to me tbh

[Goku]

Understandable. Just wanted to make sure you knew. GL with the build.