First PC!

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

Hey guys,

It would seem that after 4 years, my PC that was originally built to run Crysis at a solid FPS, has given in, and slowly all the parts are starting to die (I've put my GPU in the oven 3 times now to solder it back together). So I decided to make my first ever PC. I have decided on the parts I am going to use, and I was just curious about what you guys thought.

The vision I went with for my machine, was a complete gaming rig, inside and out, but I also wanted headroom for future improvement. I also wanted really intense cooling, as I wanted to prolong the life on my hardware as much as possible, not to mention how hot it gets over here in Australia without air-con. As much as I am a fan of water-cooling, I really don't have the money, and I figure fans would be enough for me. My price range was 2k-2.2k.

THE PARTS

HARDWARE

CASE: Cooler Master HAF-X

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS Sabertooth P67

CPU: 2500k

PSU: Corsair AX850

RAM: G-Skill Ripjaws (2x4gb @ 1600Mhz)

RAM COOLER: G-Skill Turbulence II

GPU: ASUS 560 Ti DirectCU II

DRIVE 1: Corsair Force 60GB SSD

DRIVE 2: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB

OPTICAL DRIVE: Samsung Blu-Ray 12x

BAY DEVICE: Scythe Kaze Master Ace

The store I'm purchasing from is here: PC Case Gear

I also plan to get extra fans for the HAF-X, mostly for aesthetic features. I've chosen to go with 3x MegaFlow Red 200mm, for the side panel, and the two top spaces. Now, I honestly feel like this meets my requirements, both looks and performance, but I'd like to know what you guys think, as I really have just been researching parts the last month to fine-tune it. Remember this is my first time making my own PC, so go easy!

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

That looks like a nicely thought out parts list. I like it. That will make a great rig.

The only things I want to make sure of is (since you said it is your first)

1 You know you need a face down CPU cooler like the NH-C12 for the Sabertooth right? http://www.techpower...12P_SE14/6.html

2 Do you know the memory doesn't need a cooler? If you just want the cooler for the RAM because it looks cool then hey, I'm all for that

You probably know both these things cus it really looks like you've done your homework. Sorry but I just thought I should ask.

Really like the looks of that rig.

 

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

That looks like a nicely thought out parts list. I like it. That will make a great rig.

The only things I want to make sure of is (since you said it is your first)

1 You know you need a face down CPU cooler like the NH-C12 for the Sabertooth right? http://www.techpower...12P_SE14/6.html

2 Do you know the memory doesn't need a cooler? If you just want the cooler for the RAM because it looks cool then hey, I'm all for that

You probably know both these things cus it really looks like you've done your homework. Sorry but I just thought I should ask.

Really like the looks of that rig.

Yeah I am deciding to get the extra 50mm fan for that. And yeah I am certainly getting the cooler for looks! One thing I still wasn't sure of, was cable sleeving. Now, the stuff I can get is UV reactant, but how exactly does that work? Do I just place a Cool Cathode kits around the case and it should light the sleeving up?

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Yeah I am deciding to get the extra 50mm fan for that. And yeah I am certainly getting the cooler for looks! One thing I still wasn't sure of, was cable sleeving. Now, the stuff I can get is UV reactant, but how exactly does that work? Do I just place a Cool Cathode kits around the case and it should light the sleeving up?

No mate, a normal cathode kit wont do it. You need a UV light like this http://www.pccasegea...roducts_id=6489

The site you said you where going to use looks like it does a 30, 20 and 10mm sets which gives you lots of options on where you want to put them in your case. In the better halfs case she has a mixture of UV and cathode lighting just to make sure you have a proper epileptic so feel free to mix and match if you want.

Thought you must already know about the CPU and RAM coolers but just wanted to check since you hadn't listed the CPU cooler you intended to use. Like I said, it really looks like you've been doing your homework but thought that there was no harm in checking

 

[Pat123]

Could you definitely not afford a GTX570, because you'd see a big improvement in fps i'd imagine. And theres the option to add a second which with a bit of overclocking could be a rocketship.

 

[SieB]

You could save a bit more if you get a Samsung F3 1TB instead of the WD as well.

 

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

Could you definitely not afford a GTX570, because you'd see a big improvement in fps i'd imagine. And theres the option to add a second which with a bit of overclocking could be a rocketship.

I was considering a Gainward 570 Phantom, but the price difference is a fair bit and I wasn't sure my PSU would safely have enough room to run 570s in SLI, with a bit of overclocking on both cards + my CPU, which I am hoping to get a 4.8Ghz stable out of. Wouldn't that be hitting the 800 mark under a reasonable load, thus not really making it a safe decision for long gaming?

 

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

You could save a bit more if you get a Samsung F3 1TB instead of the WD as well.

I was considering going a Samsung, but I had just read so much positive feedback on the quality of the WD Blacks that I figured what the hey. Though I have also read the cache doesn't really help that much, and it's better to go with the cheaper option of the same size. But on that note, what kind of performance difference will I see with the Sata III connection compared to the F3s II? I don't know too much about drives, but double the Gb's sounds pretty nifty to me for an extra 50!

Also, does anyone know of any good tutorials/showcases on setting up UV lights and cable management? I generally watch Linus Tech Tips and of course OC3D

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

I was considering a Gainward 570 Phantom, but the price difference is a fair bit and I wasn't sure my PSU would safely have enough room to run 570s in SLI, with a bit of overclocking on both cards + my CPU, which I am hoping to get a 4.8Ghz stable out of. Wouldn't that be hitting the 800 mark under a reasonable load, thus not really making it a safe decision for long gaming?

I'd have thought a AX 850 was more than enough for two 570's even with increased voltage but you might want to consider something other than the Gainwood Phantom (maybe the MSI twin Frozr?) as from what Tom said in his video review of the 570 Phantom, although its not imposable, gainwood don't actually give you the option to tweek the voltage on the 570 Phantom.

Tom's review: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/gpu_displays/gainward_phantom_gtx570_review/1

 

[Grizzly]

I was considering going a Samsung, but I had just read so much positive feedback on the quality of the WD Blacks that I figured what the hey. Though I have also read the cache doesn't really help that much, and it's better to go with the cheaper option of the same size. But on that note, what kind of performance difference will I see with the Sata III connection compared to the F3s II? I don't know too much about drives, but double the Gb's sounds pretty nifty to me for an extra 50!

Also, does anyone know of any good tutorials/showcases on setting up UV lights and cable management? I generally watch Linus Tech Tips and of course OC3D

That's the rated speed the connection can handle, the drive won't actually get you that speed unless you got a solid state drive.

 

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

That's the rated speed the connection can handle, the drive won't actually get you that speed unless you got a solid state drive.

So what's the point of having the 6gbs connection if it can't get that speed on a normal HD?

 

[DragonPC]

I was considering going a Samsung, but I had just read so much positive feedback on the quality of the WD Blacks that I figured what the hey. Though I have also read the cache doesn't really help that much, and it's better to go with the cheaper option of the same size. But on that note, what kind of performance difference will I see with the Sata III connection compared to the F3s II? I don't know too much about drives, but double the Gb's sounds pretty nifty to me for an extra 50!

Also, does anyone know of any good tutorials/showcases on setting up UV lights and cable management? I generally watch Linus Tech Tips and of course OC3D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERhxmzQR6xA ncix cable management tut.

And if you are gonna use uv lights you need something thats uv reactive like fans, watercooling tubes or sata/24pin uv cables!

 

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

I'd have thought a AX 850 was more than enough for two 570's even with increased voltage but you might want to consider something other than the Gainwood Phantom (maybe the MSI twin Frozr?) as from what Tom said in his video review of the 570 Phantom, although its not imposable, gainwood don't actually give you the option to tweek the voltage on the 570 Phantom.

Tom's review: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/gpu_displays/gainward_phantom_gtx570_review/1

Yeah I hear lots of good things about the MSI card, but I really hate the look of it. Apparently the new Afterburner allows for unlocking the voltages though? I could be wrong. The Phantom cooler just looks so intense

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Yeah I hear lots of good things about the MSI card, but I really hate the look of it. Apparently the new Afterburner allows for unlocking the voltages though? I could be wrong. The Phantom cooler just looks so intense

Not sure. Not used afterburner.

Don't get me wrong, if it was my money then I'd defiantly be buying the Phantom over the twin frozr cus the Phantom looks sick! Its just that you mentioned voltage tweeking so I just wanted to point out that it can be a problem with the Phantom. Also bare in mind that you need 3 slots for a Phantom when planning your layout including any future upgrades.

But yeah, I lay asleep at night imagining a Phantom and a ASUS Essence mounted to a UD7 with a 2500K and a Titan Fenrir Evo cooler on top all inside a Raven 3.

 

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

Not sure. Not used afterburner.

Don't get me wrong, if it was my money then I'd defiantly be buying the Phantom over the twin frozr cus the Phantom looks sick! Its just that you mentioned voltage tweeking so I just wanted to point out that it can be a problem with the Phantom. Also bare in mind that you need 3 slots for a Phantom when planning your layout including any future upgrades.

But yeah, I lay asleep at night imagining a Phantom and a ASUS Essence mounted to a UD7 with a 2500K and a Titan Fenrir Evo cooler on top all inside a Raven 3.

Oh wow, I didn't realise they took 3 slots, but that's actually cause problems! The Sabertooth can fit 2x3 slot GPUs but then there isn't room for any air to really flow. Though from further looking into it, it's apparently 2.5 slots? I guess the air flow should be enough.

 

[Stryker64]

For the cooler get the Thermalright Archon. Hate how PCcasegear stopped stocking Mushkin RAM

 

[rwiuviberwVFIUBER]

For the cooler get the Thermalright Archon. Hate how PCcasegear stopped stocking Mushkin RAM

Nah I'm set on getting the H70. It's well received and keeps the case looking clean, not to mention it has amazing cooling. I was originally going to get the Corsair Vengeance RAM, them things look intense!

 

[Stryker64]

Nah I'm set on getting the H70. It's well received and keeps the case looking clean, not to mention it has amazing cooling. I was originally going to get the Corsair Vengeance RAM, them things look intense!

H70 doesn't cool as well as the Archon, but on 1155 heat shouldn't be too big of an issue. What about getting one of those XSPC Rasa kits? You can get a 240mm Radiator and everything except the liquid for $159 ($10 more than the H70!). 40 degree days can make high overclocks unstable unless you have a really good cooler.

Also the H70 has loud fans when running at full speed, so you might want to consider replacing them since they'll be running fairly high during Summer.

EDIT: Also the Phantom is a 2.5 slot card, so they will have a bit of room to breathe.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Oh wow, I didn't realise they took 3 slots, but that's actually cause problems! The Sabertooth can fit 2x3 slot GPUs but then there isn't room for any air to really flow. Though from further looking into it, it's apparently 2.5 slots? I guess the air flow should be enough.

Like you say, its actually 2.5 spaces so I don't expect this will course a problem. Tbh you can run 2 cards bang next to each other without a problem as long as you have a well ventilated case.

Tbh though if your thinking about running a second Phantom later down the line I'd be more bothered about covering any headers you may need down at the bottom of the board. Take a look at the board layout on Toms review and you'll know what I mean. If your not planning on using them it wont be a problem.

If your sticking with the half-X then this wont matter but bare in mind that if your thinking about changing cases you might be better with a case with 8 slots.

All food for thpugh but also bear in mind how cool the Sabertooth would look with a Phantom

Toms review of the Sabertooth: http://www.overclock...67a_b3_review/2

Toms review of the Phantom: http://www.overclock...gtx570_review/2

Totally different review of the Phantom in Dutch but with pictures of it mounted: http://tweakers.net/...mb-phantom.html

Edit: P.S. (Whisper) If your dead set on the H70 then I'd keep your voice down about it. They don't take kindly to the H70 around these parts

 

[Grizzly]

So what's the point of having the 6gbs connection if it can't get that speed on a normal HD?

TBH, there is no point, I assume it must be a marketing ploy. The equivalent SATA II WD drive will be just as fast.