So I've wanted to build a new PC for about three years now and earlier this year I was able to finally set aside $1,500 USD for it. I purchased a nice new 1920x1080 LCD flat screen for $200 a few months ago to replace my arcing twelve year old CRT monitor, dropping my budget for the machine to $1,300 which is still very generous in my book. I spent the past three months mulling over specific components and I think I can now say with some confidence I'm ready to place the orders, however I would still like some critique of my selections just in case I've missed something in the details. Suggestions on alternatives, component reviews from owners, and assembly tips are also appreciated. This is my first build so I'll take all the info I can get. Case: Corsair Carbide 400R Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V LK CPU: Intel Core i5 3750K CPU Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212+ Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-4 RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 (2x4GB) GPU: EVGA GTX 560 Ti HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 750GB SSD: Intel 520 Series 120GB Disc Drive: Samsung Internal DVD Writer PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro 800W - Changed to Corsair HX750 This will be primarily a gaming rig, though the possibility for future use as a CAD workstation with a change of the graphics card exists. I know "future-proofing" is futile though I've tried to select components that would allow for easier upgrading a few years down the road. Having a CPU and mobo that supported PCIe 3.0 were at the top of that upgrade-minded priority list, with an oversized PSU being second. I'm not planning to overclock right now, however I wanted the ability to reasonably do so, hence the non-stock CPU fan and paste. Plus I'm still a bit leery of Ivy Bridge's heat issues. I'm also not planning to make use of dual graphics cards with SLI just yet either though the motherboard and PSU would support it. Given the power requirements and heat output I'm more inclined to just buy 1 top of the line card in the future instead of another GTX 560 Ti. I'm going with the slightly pricier Intel 520 Series SSD for its synchronous NAND flash memory and supposed Intel SSD reliability. 120GB will be plenty for the OS (Windows 7 64 bit) plus major programs. As for the Western Digital hard drive the 750GB version was only 2 bucks more than the 500GB version at $87 which had 3 additional years on its labor and parts warranty (5 years). I've never had any hard drive problems, heck my current 228GB one has worked flawlessly in its 12 years of existence, but what do you guys think of this trade off? 500GB and 5 year parts and labor warranty, or 750GB and 2 year parts and labor warranty for just 2 dollars more. 500GB is more than plenty for my current and foreseeable storage demands. I keep my files backed up on an external drive and I print photos I really want to keep so I'm not sure I'd see any use in trying to repair a faulty hard drive. To make matters more complicated a 1TB version is just 12 bucks more than the 750GB version. I can't see myself ever using more than 500GB, but who knows. I'm sticking with the 750GB version for now since it sounds like a better deal. I'm fairly certain I'm good to go with that Cooler Master Silent Pro PSU and Asus mobo as far as wires and pins go but would appreciate someone more experienced double check that for me. The mobo supports 3 4-pin fans so I intend to wire the case's 3 120mm fans there instead of the PSU. The Corsair Carbide 400R Case has a nice looking back panel for easy wiring and I shouldn't have any clearance issues with the CPU fan and GPU. I wish those 3.5 inch trays up front were removable for improved airflow, but I don't think they'll pose a problem. A couple of these components just went on sale yesterday so I would like to order within the next day. I can get all the above for $1,190 (before mail-in rebates), which saves me $100 I can put toward a new mouse, keyboard, and speakers, which if anyone has any recommendations that fit that budget I'd like to hear.
Catch, You have a good build. Solid for sure. I have some personal preferences im linking because ive had great luck with them. But, to each their own, so its all good either way. For a case, ive become a huge fan of aluminum and like Lian Li brand cases. Here is one of many possibilities, and the cost is virtually the same for most of them. Also have good internal layout for working inside. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099 Another of my preferred brands for power supply. I had horrible luck with my old Cooler Master PSU, it went out and took everything else with it a few years back. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371050 Huge fan of Zalman aftermarket fans (Pun intended). Of all types, CPU, case, etc. Currently running http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019 It works with your current MB choice as well. Ive had great luck with WD hard drives, but I haven't dabbled into SSD yet, but im sure someone else here can throw out some thoughts. Im looking at upgrading to the same graphics card as well. Solid RAM choice, with room to upgrade in the future. Make sure when you put it all together you make sure your BIOS is running the correct voltage to your RAM. I had an issue and had to change the voltage on my Corsair ram with my current motherboard. Nothing major, but something to note at least. For mouse, keyboard and speakers i run Logitech for all 3. Good luck and have fun.
Thanks for the reply Valhalla. That aluminum Lian Li does look nice, but I'm sold on the Corsair Carbide 400R, figuratively and now literally, primarily for its removable side panels and bottom-mounted PSU. I haven't seen too many negative reviews of the Cooler Master Silent Pro PSU I was looking at, however after doing some research into its parts quality and reading your comment, I've decided to switch to another PSU, the Corsair HX750. Corsair was widely regarded as among the best PSU manufacturers in online customer reviews I could find, and I was fairly impressed with this model, which even turns out to be about 15 USD cheaper than the Silent Pro. I ordered the case and graphics card last night as they were on sale and effectively locked in for this build, but I've held off on the rest for a bit longer to double check some details. I read a review that the Asus mobo might not be compatible with the Corsair Vengeance RAM and after re-checking Asus's motherboard memory compatibility list I did not see my selected Western Digital hard drive listed either. I'm currently trying to find reports that might have tested these components together already since the official compatibility list has not been updated in almost two months.
Sounds good Catch. If your looking for a good board with compatibility, check out possibly what EVGA has for MB. Its a brand I tend to lean on pretty heavily. And I agree with the removable panels and bottom mounted PSU. After getting my current case, im not sure I want to go back to top mounted.
Intel SSDs are rock solid.. been rocking this one for a few years now and have had no problems, ever with it. Wife has a newer one in hers, also no problems. All in all, I approve of your computer build Sir! Good work! Btw, I also run mostly ASUS motherboards and Corsair memory, and never had any compatibility issues. I think in my history of making computers I've had 2 bad sticks, but not the fault of the MB.
Good to hear you've had reliable performance with Intel SSDs Overdrive. That's one more reassuring review of them I've read. Seems the review I read of the Asus P8Z77-V motherboard's incompatibility with Corsair Vengeance RAM was an isolated case, probably a mistaken result of what seems to be an error in the manual that has been directing owners to install their RAM sticks in the wrong slots. Checking the official memory compatibility list did show Corsair Vengeance to be compatible, however it only lists the 8GB sticks, not the 2x4GB sticks I was planning to use. After reading a bunch of other reviews that posted their build, it appears lots of people are using RAM and hard drives that are not listed on the official compatibility list and not having any problems, so I'm not worried anymore. I went ahead and ordered everything last night and it should arrive on Monday or Tuesday. It took newegg and UPS only a day and a half to deliver my case and graphics card as they're shipping out of New Jersey, fairly close by. I'm currently working to clean out my old PC and getting files and drivers set for transfer. Hopefully I'll have everything up and running by the end of the week.
So far so good! Everything but the OS arrived back on Tuesday and I immediately went to work putting the machine together. After a successful POST test I installed everything in the case and ran through the BIOS settings. Windows 7 arrived earlier today and I've just spent the last 12 hours installing it, organizing settings, updating drivers, transferring files, and installing main programs. I ended up spending an additional few hours reworking cabling in the study to accommodate both the old and new computers. The only slight snag I've encountered along the way was a loud clicking noise coming from the bottom-mounted PSU fan, which I've determined to be caused by either one slightly bent blade hitting the protective grill or possibly the fan bearing. Turning the PSU so the fan is on top, drawing air from inside the case, has eliminated the clicking noise fortunately. I'm currently studying the awesome Asus AI Suite II software that came with the motherboard, finding ways to fine tune fan speeds. Will begin installing games shortly. Thanks again to Valhalla and Overdrive for the input.
The PSU doesn't sound like it is operating correctly.. I would try contacting Corsair and see what they have to say. Mine is mounted down to draw fresh air from outside and it does not make any extra noise.
As far as I can tell the PSU seems to be working fine, no power issues at least. The fan hardly runs, usually about twice an hour it spins up for a minute or two whenever the PSU crosses its no-fan temperature threshold, though I will contact Corsair if I start to hear it again.
Sounds like a faulty fan. Which means that it most likely will have a reduced lifespan as a result. Contact Corsair for a warranty exchange, or you may still have the option for a return via the store or website you purchased it from?.
