A New (*upgrade) System Build, Components and Case Questions

[YoYo155]

Hello world,
I'm looking to considerably upgrade my current system, which will become essentially a new system overall.

I was looking into something along these lines:
[Key: Currently Own | Looking To Buy]
Motherboard- Asus Sabertooth Z77.
CPU- Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4Ghz s1155 6MB.
Cooling- Corsair Hydro H100i.
RAM- Kingston HyperX Beast 2x8GB DDR3 1600MHz (x2= a total of 32GB).
GPU- GeForce GTX 460 (768MB).
PSU- Corsair GS600 80PLUS. (is it enough?)
HDD/SSD- *.*
Monitor- *.*
Peripherals- *.*
Case- Open for suggestions!

The rest is less of an issue.

What do you guys think?

 

[TwoCables]

The PSU is definitely enough. You could even have two GTX 670s with this PSU.

32 GB would be about 28 GB more than I would ever need, but hey.

 

[Britton30]

With that high end board I would use 2133 RAM. Some i5s won't run RAM faster than that, but you could try 2400.
For a Case, the HAF-X is a nice roomy case with good cable management.

 

[YoYo155]

With that high end board I would use 2133 RAM. Some i5s won't run RAM faster than that, but you could try 2400.
For a Case, the HAF-X is a nice roomy case with good cable management.

Does really make much of a difference?

I've also looked into the i7 3770K and it to supports DIMM's as fast as 1600MHz as well, the one i've found that supports 2133+ is an 2011 socket 2nd Gen i7.

 

[Layback Bear]

>This might help.<
ASUS - - ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77


4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 1866/1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
------------------------
ARK | Intel® Core

Memory SpecificationsMax Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
32 GBMemory Types
DDR3-1333/1600# of Memory Channels
2Max Memory Bandwidth
25.6 GB/sECC Memory Supported

No

 

[Layback Bear]

The HAF-X is a great choice but another one to look at.
Obsidian Series® 800D Full-Tower Case - Obsidian Series - Cases

I would go for a Gold or Platinum certified power supply and modular.
they are a little more money but a lot more power supply.
Some to look at.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E16817139016&gclid=CPGp6u72k7UCFQf0nAode0gA2g

http://www.corsair.com/en/power-supply-units/ax-series-power-supply-units.html

http://www.seasonicusa.com/Platinum_Series_XP2.htm

Quality power supplies and towers are the roots of a quality computer tree.

 

[YoYo155]

>This might help.<
ASUS - - ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77


4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 1866/1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
------------------------
ARK | Intel® Core

Memory SpecificationsMax Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
32 GBMemory Types
DDR3-1333/1600# of Memory Channels
2Max Memory Bandwidth
25.6 GB/sECC Memory Supported

No

But is investing in a MB/CPU that supports up to 1600MHz nowadays worthwhile?
I mean won't it get old fast with all the latest already present higher frequencies?

 

[YoYo155]

The HAF-X is a great choice but another one to look at.
Obsidian Series® 800D Full-Tower Case - Obsidian Series - Cases

I would go for a Gold or Platinum certified power supply and modular.
they are a little more money but a lot more power supply.
Some to look at.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Corsair AX Series Power Supply Units

Welcome to Seasonic USA

Quality power supplies and towers are the roots of a quality computer tree.

I actually looked at the 800D, it looks to be the one I might choose eventually.

Hmm my GS600 is relatively new, do you think I can't get away with it?

 

[Layback Bear]

Those are the specs from the choices you made in your first post.
The specs for the motherboard you chose.
The spec for the cpu you chose.
Those specs just show what the manufacture of your motherboard and cup recommend.
I have cheated my system specs with faster ram but I have my 2000 ram at 1700. You gain very little in real would use of a computer with faster. When you go out of the range of what is recommended by the manufacture (many of us do) you are always risking the chance that things won't work together properly. That doesn't mean you can't make it work; it just means their is a chance it won't without a lot of fiddling around.
Figuring out what hardware to buy is a long drawn out affair if done correctly. Then you have to decide whether or not you want to go outside the box and give something else a try.
To answer your question. I don't think 1600 speed ram is going out of style for a long time. I bought my ram when the price was high. If I had to start from scratch today with my system I would choose 1600 speed and as much as I could afford. The amount of ram means a lot more to the way your system works than the speed difference between 1600 and 2000.

 

[TwoCables]

Your GS600 is way more than enough and its quality is just fine (I'm not saying this just because it's a Corsair PSU). It also has enough power to even handle two GTX 680s in your build:

GeForce GTX 680 SLI review - Power Consumption

With two GTX 680s under full load in their system, their PSU pulled 473W from the wall outlet. Their CPU was idling, so I'll add 150W for an overclocked 3570K at 5 GHz (I can prove it). With a simultaneous full load on the overclocked 3570K and the two GTX 680s, the PSU would then be pulling about 623W from the wall outlet (this is a very extreme situation, mind you). So, if the PSU is 85% efficient while pulling 623W from the wall outlet, then that means the system is pulling about 530W from the PSU. A more realistic power draw while gaming would be about 425-450W, maybe 475W at times.

Now here's what a single GTX 460 is:

GeForce GTX 460 review (roundup) - Setup | Noise | Power consumption | Heat levels

They reviewed 8 different GTX 460s. I'll go with the one that had the highest power draw. That particular GTX 460 caused their PSU to pull 325W from the wall outlet. For the sake of comparison, the weakest 460 caused the PSU to pull 291W from the wall outlet. Their CPU was idling, so I'll add 150W again for an overclocked 3570K at 5 GHz. So 150+325=475, and so if the PSU is 85% efficient while pulling 475W from the wall outlet, then that means the system is pulling about 404W from the PSU. If I take 150+291 and multiply that by .85 for 85% efficiency, then it comes out to be 375W being pulled from the PSU. A more realistic gaming power draw would be about 275-300W.

So yeah, keep your PSU.

 

[Britton30]

With that high end board I would use 2133 RAM. Some i5s won't run RAM faster than that, but you could try 2400.
For a Case, the HAF-X is a nice roomy case with good cable management.

Does really make much of a difference?

I've also looked into the i7 3770K and it to supports DIMM's as fast as 1600MHz as well, the one i've found that supports 2133+ is an 2011 socket 2nd Gen i7.

The figures you're seeing is what the board would set your RAM to automatically if you make no adjustments. Intel boards have a XMP profile if enabled will adjust the RAM to its specs.

The 3770K may even run RAM as high as 2800. It's the strength of the CPU's memory controller that determines that.

 

[Layback Bear]

Can you get away with the power supply you chose. YES
It's a hard choice between the HAF-X and the 800d.
Their are thousands of choices for computer towers. Spend some time doing your home work and the good results will float to the top.
My method for shopping.
1. Start with tower.
2. Search many many brands
3. Every one you think you might want do a print out and save.
4. Then go through the print outs and make little notes of the plus and minus. Make note of size, weight, wire harness routing, cooling it has now and possible upgrading for the future. Also take note of the access to the back of the cpu for cooler insulation.
5. Then decide and go to the power supply and do the same thing and so on down the line.
It will take some time but it can be quiet enjoyable learning of all the new things on the market. We can make suggestions until the cows come home but the real homework and decisions are yours.

 

[Wrenches]

I always overrate the PSU and the rams. If your system draw 450 watts then get a 600-700 watt PSU. If you run your mems at 1333 then get 1600s. Gives you room for upgrades. Even if you don't upgrade at least they're stout.

 

[Layback Bear]

I buy power supplies not only to meet my need but also to exceed my needs. Reasons.
1. Give my room to grow my computer later down the road.
2. A power supply that doesn't have to work hard runs cooler, quieter and longer.
3. A power supply that doesn't have to work to hard put out a more smother and constant supply of amps and volts.
4. Their isn't much of a cost difference when you buy the right one first.
---------------------
Britton is correct you can set your ram to various specs like I did mine.
My post was just to show you what the manufactures of your cpu and motherboard recommend. NOT to tell you what you must use. This is the specs of my cup and I have my 2000 ram at 1700.
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
24 GBMemory Types
DDR3-800/1066# of Memory Channels
3Max Memory Bandwidth
25.6 GB/sPhysical Address Extensions
36-bit

 

[TwoCables]

Why replace the GS600 if you already own it?

 

[Layback Bear]

Check this puppy out. The Spider by Lian Li


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://benchmarkreviews.com/images/articles/2008_International_CES/Lian_Li_PC-P80_Angled.jpg&imgrefurl=http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D141%26Itemid%3D99999999%26limit%3D1%26limitstart%3D10&h=727&w=600&sz=73&tbnid=0LcWYmg1A_OsEM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=77&zoom=1&usg=__A8HDTlI3nXmmox71Lva5orJK4ys=&docid=ZaTzt7neNBMa3M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vC8LUanaDsS20QGFlYHgDg&ved=0CDsQ9QEwAg&dur=592

 

[bobkn]

What are your intended uses for the PC?

The GTX460 seems like a relatively feeble component compared to the rest of the system. I'd suggest a GTX680 or Radeon HD 7970.

As for RAM, I never rely on the XMP settings. I set the frequency and timings manually in the BIOS (UEFI, more recently) to the manufacturer's specs. That may be necessary to get stable operation with 4 DIMMs. (Or not.)

If you wish to play it safe, use RAM from the Asus QVL (qualified vendors list). You will find a limited selection of kits based on 8GB DIMMS, but I spotted at least one (Corsair, in the DDR3 1866 page).

ASUS - - ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77

 

[YoYo155]

Can you get away with the power supply you chose. YES
It's a hard choice between the HAF-X and the 800d.
Their are thousands of choices for computer towers. Spend some time doing your home work and the good results will float to the top.
My method for shopping.
1. Start with tower.
2. Search many many brands
3. Every one you think you might want do a print out and save.
4. Then go through the print outs and make little notes of the plus and minus. Make note of size, weight, wire harness routing, cooling it has now and possible upgrading for the future. Also take note of the access to the back of the cpu for cooler insulation.
5. Then decide and go to the power supply and do the same thing and so on down the line.
It will take some time but it can be quiet enjoyable learning of all the new things on the market. We can make suggestions until the cows come home but the real homework and decisions are yours.

Thank you for breaking down how you would decide what to buy
it makes sense to do it that way, pros vs cons.

Why replace the GS600 if you already own it?

I'm reluctant to do so, I will only if I find it's too marginal.

What are your intended uses for the PC?

The GTX460 seems like a relatively feeble component compared to the rest of the system. I'd suggest a GTX680 or Radeon HD 7970.

As for RAM, I never rely on the XMP settings. I set the frequency and timings manually in the BIOS (UEFI, more recently) to the manufacturer's specs. That may be necessary to get stable operation with 4 DIMMs. (Or not.)

If you wish to play it safe, use RAM from the Asus QVL (qualified vendors list). You will find a limited selection of kits based on 8GB DIMMS, but I spotted at least one (Corsair, in the DDR3 1866 page).

ASUS - - ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77

I intend to use it for some not so heavy gaming as well as 3D work and stills/video editing.

I already Own the GTX460 that's why it's on the list.

 

[Layback Bear]

You are welcome YoYo155. As you have found out to choose the proper hardware is like work and fun at the same time. Take your time going through many reviews and specs. I enjoyed looking through all the Towers (cases) that are available before I made my choice.

 

[YoYo155]

I made some (which I think are the final decisions) changes from my original post.

For the CPU I've upgraded to: Intel Core i7 3770K 3.5Ghz.
The Motherboard will be: Asus P8Z77-V PRO.
The system Memory I've dialed down to: Corsair 4x4GB DDR3 1600Mhz Vengeance Dual Channel CL9-9-9-24.

I've also decided to stick with my GTX460 as well as my GS600.

What what are your thoughts?

Edit:
Where can I see a specification on a case that it can support the H100i?

Corsair:
"Hydro Series H100i requires a case with dual 120mm fan mounts
with 15mm spacing for a 240mm radiator"

Edit v2:

I think I've found a case.
What do you guys think about the Antec P280?