New Build

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit --- Carried Over

CPU
Intel Core i7-2700k
$367

Motherboard
ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z
$419

Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-17000CL11D-8GBXL
$92

Graphics Card

MSI GeForce GTX 580 Twin Frozr II Overclocked
$499

Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio (Integrated)

Monitor Displays
CHIMEI CMV 221D 22" --- Carried Over

Hard Drives
Crucial M4 SSD 256GB
$425
&
Seagate Barracuda LP Green 3.5'' 2TB Internal HDD 5900RPM --- Carried Over

PSU
Corsair AX850 Gold
$245

Case
CoolerMaster HAF X
$209

Cooling
Corsair Hydro Series H100
$165

Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 1000 --- Carried Over

Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000 --- Carried Over

Speakers
Logitech Z506 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers
$79

My budget is $3000 and the total cost of the build equates to $2700. Well that's about it... Any advice would be appreciated.

This post will be continually modified.

While it looks like pretty nice components, IMO the thing that's really going to give instant gratification in responsiveness is having that SSD. The build sans SSD is kind of akin to having a Jaguar - being pulled along on ropes by a snail.

Airbot said:

While it looks like pretty nice components, IMO the thing that's really going to give instant gratification in responsiveness is having that SSD. The build sans SSD is kind of akin to having a Jaguar - being pulled along on ropes by a snail.

Fair enough. From the MSY site, what would be the best SSD? Or even another site, as long as it ships to Australia. I've never had one before and therefore have no experience in such matters.

For online, you can't really beat PCCG. Better range, better service. Worth the extra few dollars.


https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index

or alternatively:

Umart Computer Notebook&PC Parts - Umart online® Your one stop Computer Shop for computer parts,notebook and new system

smarteyeball said:

For online, you can't really beat PCCG. Better range, better service. Worth the extra few dollars.


https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index

or alternatively:

Umart Computer Notebook&PC Parts - Umart online® Your one stop Computer Shop for computer parts,notebook and new system

Thanks, but it seems MSY is still cheaper.

On average, MSY is a little cheaper. But the range/stock issue is a bit of a concern. YMMV at your local MSY. (Mine rarely has my third choice, let alone my first in stock. That's why I use PCCG. A little more expensive, but at least they have want I need)

I'm not sure whereabouts you are in Vic, but PCCG also have shop front.

Perhaps source the main bits from MSY and instead of settling for the rest (ie SSD), order one or a few components that you want elsewhere. I'm not a fan of settling, so I pay the premium - but Ça plane pour moi.

If you want to stick with MSY, but don't want one of the Kingston or Patriot SSD's, at least grab a couple of 1TB Samsung F3's for RAID 0. It's a cheaper compromise for price vs performance.

Intel Core i7-2600k good choice.

ASUS P8Z68-M-Pro good choice.

The Ripjaws and the Snipers are almost exactly the same, both 1.5v. The Snipers are slightly taller. I'd pick whichever you like the looks of best, they will both perform the same.


The Coolermaster PSU looks to be better, no experience with Shaw.

The Coolermaster HAF 912 would be my pick, although it is out of stock, as was your 2nd choice. Antec makes great cases, but I haven't seen much on that case, looks real good though Antec Dark Fleet DF-30 ATX Case Review | PC Perspective

Cooling will be important, and depend on your selection, and cost. I use the Coolermaster Hyper 212+

A Guy

smarteyeball said:

On average, MSY is a little cheaper. But the range/stock issue is a bit of a concern. YMMV at your local MSY. (Mine rarely has my third choice, let alone my first in stock. That's why I use PCCG. A little more expensive, but at least they have want I need)

I'm not sure whereabouts you are in Vic, but PCCG also have shop front.

Perhaps source the main bits from MSY and instead of settling for the rest (ie SSD), order one or a few components that you want elsewhere. I'm not a fan of settling, so I pay the premium - but Ça plane pour moi.

If you want to stick with MSY, but don't want one of the Kingston or Patriot SSD's, at least grab a couple of 1TB Samsung F3's for RAID 0. It's a cheaper compromise for price vs performance.

It seems I didn't look at PCCG. It has the same sort of prices. Thanks, I'll have more of a look there.

A Guy said:

Intel Core i7-2600k good choice.

ASUS P8Z68-M-Pro good choice.

The Ripjaws and the Snipers are almost exactly the same, both 1.5v. The Snipers are slightly taller. I'd pick whichever you like the looks of best, they will both perform the same.


The Coolermaster PSU looks to be better, no experience with Shaw.

The Coolermaster HAF 912 would be my pick, although it is out of stock, as was your 2nd choice. Antec makes great cases, but I haven't seen much on that case, looks real good though Antec Dark Fleet DF-30 ATX Case Review | PC Perspective

Cooling will be important, and depend on your selection, and cost. I use the Coolermaster Hyper 212+

A Guy

Thanks, Bill. I'll probably go with the Ripjaws. And it looks like PCCG has better prices and range so I'll probably buy from there. Also, what would be the difference between this memory and this one? I can't see much difference but it doesn't hurt to ask.

From what I read, the F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL were introduced first and designed as a broadrange set for AMD and Intel chipsets, the AMD 790/890 and Intel P55, X58, (and at the time the upcoming P67 and variants H67/Z68).

The F3-12800cl9d-8GBXL series were designed specifically w/ the latest P67 and variants in mind, (though they also seem to work equally well across the board w/ all AMD and Intel.

Some people have issues with F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL on P67, so if you have the newer Intel chipsets, F3-12800cl9d-8GBXL is preferred.

A Guy

P.S. People should know you modified your 1st post, so my 1st answer might be confusing

I might go with the XL then. Would it be worth going from the P8Z68 to the P8P67? Z68 chipset is newer than the P67 but apparently the P67 motherboard I've chosen has more 'features'.