First Work/Gaming Rig

[ExpertLayman]

My purchase has been delayed for month. So I thought at least let me generate a possible purchase list and get some feedback and good advice, that should encourage me to purchase it.

I want to make sure that everything is compatible and if the fan and memory will fit the BitFenix case, and also that I am not missing anything.

• Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail
• BitFenix Shinobi Black with Window Midi Tower Chassis
• Asus GeForce GTX 560Ti DirectCU II 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
• ASUS Sabertooth Intel P67 (REV B3) Socket 1155 DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard
• 16GB Corsair Vengeance Black (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit - CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9 (It may sound a lot but I intended to run multiple virtual machines concurrently)
• Samsung S222AL/RSMS SATA Lightscribe 22x DVDRW with Black , Silver, Beige Bezel - Retail Box
• Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator and Fan CPU Cooler
• 1TB Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 3.5" SATA III Hard Drive

Do I need anything else to build my system?

If not the Sabertooth motherboard I am thinking of. Sabertooth got good reviews from Tom, and not sure if he did a review of the one below.

ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Intel P67 (REV B3) Socket 1155 DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard

I am going to use my old PSU unless someone tells me otherwise with reason.

http://www.play.com/...=8284362&r=PCSH

Items I am not sure about are the graphic card, memory or motherboard. Though I am on the edge of my budget, I don't mind forking out a little more if it is worth it in the long run.

I am also thinking of getting a new Monitor. I would like high resolution 1920-1200 or around that, I have looked but I am still unsure of what to get. Thinking second hand from ebay is best

Image of items with all the prices listed:

 

[kilobravo]

The vengeance rams wont fit under the nh-d14 unless its the new LP(low profile) version,would suggest gskill ripjaws x or mushkin or kingston hyperX grey series rams.And the bitfenix shinobi may not be wide enough to fit the nh-d14.I dont know the psu you have linked,but it looks like a cheappo one,corsair tx 750 v2,or better.

 

[sgunnery87]

Are you choosing the 2500k because of cost or because of your needs do you not need extra power that you could get from the i7-2600k??

 

[GODuk]

16Gb RAM...You'll never need all that!

 

[ExpertLayman]

The vengeance rams wont fit under the nh-d14 unless its the new LP(low profile) version,would suggest gskill ripjaws x or mushkin or kingston hyperX grey series rams.And the bitfenix shinobi may not be wide enough to fit the nh-d14.I dont know the psu you have linked,but it looks like a cheappo one,corsair tx 750 v2,or better.

Are these better:

8GB Patriot G2 Division 2 Edition (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 'SandyBridge' 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

What case would you recommend or should I replace the NH-D14? OC3D has praised this so much, that I would hate to let it go, though it size is daunting.

Are you choosing the 2500k because of cost or because of your needs do you not need extra power that you could get from the i7-2600k??

Well money is a good reason and also no need. The i7-2600K is an overkill for games and not really need for my line of work. Nice to have but money is a bit much ^^.

16Gb RAM...You'll never need all that!

You would think that. But I will be running 3-4 virtual machines and even more if the CPU can handle it (which I think it can), each running its own OS. The more memory I have the less paging I need.

16GB might be a bit much for gaming but not for VM. I think 12 is ok, but due to duals I have to get 16GB. 8GB is not enough.

 

[kilobravo]

If you can wait these are better in my opinion,they are running at 1.5v,and should be able to run 1866mhz with some tweaking.

https://www.aria.co....productId=44825

or

https://www.aria.co....productId=45511

If you cant wait

https://www.aria.co....productId=43446

Never had any patriot rams,but they seems to be fine.

Fractal design Define R3 is a good case or Cm storm enforcer,they should be at same pricing as the shinobi case.

For best cooling solution,i would hold at the nh-d14 at all cost.

EDIT: These are in stock and cost a little more

https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR3/Dual+Channel+1600MHz/8GB+Corsair+Vengeance+Blue+LP+%282x4GB%29+DDR3+PC3-12800C9+1600MHz+Dual+Channel+Kit+-+CML8GX3M2A1600C9B+?productId=45510

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

Always have a raid array of decent size drives for a work machine - you'd be suprised how fast you can fill up 1TB

 

[alienware]

1900x1200 I wouldn't use the TI. I would go 570.

 

[Rastalovich]

Or try and massage a 580 into the plan.

Make it the 1st item on the list and botch the rest imo.

 

[AMDFTW]

ive been looking at that case of the haf 912

 

[ExpertLayman]

The price of the CPU has gone up by 30 squids O.O. What a bummer.

Fractal design Define R3 is a good case or Cm storm enforcer,they should be at same pricing as the shinobi case.

For best cooling solution,i would hold at the nh-d14 at all cost.

EDIT: These are in stock and cost a little more

https://www.aria.co....productId=45510

I plan to hold on to the NH-D14. This site is an unofficial sponsor for that model

I looked at the Fractal Design Define R3 but its £30 more than the BitFenix Shinobi.

Can you recommend another case for less? If not, would the similar priced (to the Fractal Case) BitFenix Survivor be a better and compatible option or even the the more expensive Colossus?

I am pretty much sold on BitFenix due to the coating gimmick and if I have to pay more for a case that fits the NH-D14 I might as well go for them. It also seems like a quality case that will outlast the components inside.

Always have a raid array of decent size drives for a work machine - you'd be suprised how fast you can fill up 1TB

I have 3.5TB of external storage and also have a new 2TB drive that will go in the new system and if I need more I can take out the two 500GB non-system drives from my old system.

1900x1200 I wouldn't use the TI. I would go 570.

Or try and massage a 580 into the plan.

Make it the 1st item on the list and botch the rest imo.

You do know that the GTX580 cost £370 while the GTX570 £270. A bit of a jump in price. Wouldn't it be more cost effective to by two GTX560 and put them in SLI. Surely that will achieve results close to the GTX580.

From what I read the EVGa GeForce TX 560Ti DS (Superclocked) it should surpass the GTX570 and at a £190, it is £70 cheaper.

ive been looking at that case of the haf 912

Nice looking case and price is not that bad. Couldn't find a review on it in OC3D but by any chance do you know if it will fit the NH-D14. Not sure if I want it though.

I really wanted the BitFenix rubber like coating. All my previous cases have looked cheap or felt rubbish.

Anyone have any advice on the motherboard?This is one component that I really have zero knowledge about. I am not even sure if the P67 chipset is the right chipset for me, not that I know what the heck a P67 is.

 

[kilobravo]

The survivor is 230mm wide,and should fit the nh-d14

,but it has some mixed reviews.

For the bling factor,why not go all the way up to the bigtower.Its in your mind.

For a new build,why not follow your heart, and buy a good new case, that dont feel cheap.

 

[AMDFTW]

sorry i meant to say ive ben looking at the shinobi OR he haf 912

altho i am leaning towards the shinobo

and regarding the GPU 2 560's overclocked will poo on a 580 no?

 

[ruthless_villain]

sorry i meant to say ive ben looking at the shinobi OR he haf 912

altho i am leaning towards the shinobo

and regarding the GPU 2 560's overclocked will poo on a 580 no?

But arent you meant to buy the best singlecard you can and add another in the future

 

[AMDFTW]

But arent you meant to buy the best singlecard you can and add another in the future

thats true and if you have enough for 2 560's then yes i guess you could get a 570 or a 580

but then the whole single card vs dual argument has been going on for ages even tho it is sometimes cheaper and better to get 2 cards

 

[alienware]

You do know that the GTX580 cost £370 while the GTX570 £270. A bit of a jump in price. Wouldn't it be more cost effective to by two GTX560 and put them in SLI. Surely that will achieve results close to the GTX580.

I was aware of the prices yes.

If you want trouble free computing and gaming then it's one card. If you want hassles, driver issues, waiting on driver updates and so on, go SLI. Just know the caveats.

A 570/580 is enough for 1900x1200. I guess it's just a case of "want" over "need".

That pair of 560s will cost you nearly four hundred quid. This, however, is as fast as a 580.

https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Com...R5+PCI-Express+Graphics+Card+?productId=45349

And damn sexy to boot.