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

[Britton30]

That all looks like a good setup although I would still go with some higher frequency RAM, especially with the 3770K and the board supporting up to 2600 (expensive stuff). http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006050%20600311420&IsNodeId=1&name=DDR3%202600%20%28PC3%2020800%29

I like the case a lot other than it has no side window to show off the clean cabling you can do with it. It's the same size as many full tower cases.

 

[YoYo155]

The Antec P280 does have a windowed version.

I've been doing some reading online and I came across, on a lot of sites, that the 3570K is better than the 3770K
for gaming is that true?

 

[TwoCables]

The Antec P280 does have a windowed version.

I've been doing some reading online and I came across, on a lot of sites, that the 3570K is better than the 3770K
for gaming is that true?

Usually because having HyperThreading enabled has a history of causing "jittery" gaming performance. Not only that, but HyperThreading results in higher temps, and it reduces your maximum potential overclock.

 

[YoYo155]

The Antec P280 does have a windowed version.

I've been doing some reading online and I came across, on a lot of sites, that the 3570K is better than the 3770K
for gaming is that true?

Usually because having HyperThreading enabled has a history of causing "jittery" gaming performance.

Yep following up that I've decided to go with the 3570K instead due to the above and reading about "coding pitfalls" over at Intel's website.


I can't really see much advantage to Memory frequencies such as 2400Mhz over say 1600Mhz
and it costs nearly twice as much, can some one enlighten me please?

 

[YoYo155]

This upgrade will run me around 1750$, is that reasonable?

 

[YoYo155]

Sorry for triple posting ..

Update v3 - the buying list so far:

Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4Ghz s1155 6MB
Corsair Hydro H100i
Asus P8Z77-V PRO
Corsair 2x8GB Vengeance DDR3 1600MHZ Dual Channel CL10-10-10-27
SeaSonic 1000W Platinum-Series
Corsair Vengeance C70 Gunmetal Black Case
Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24'' With LED IPS

So?

 

[Layback Bear]

As you can see by my specs I'm a Corsair person but in the price range I would choose the P280 case. I would like it better if the hard drive bays were moveable. Personal choice. From what I seen the P180 is made for 240 radiator with 120 mm fans. A H100i should be no problem. Using my 3 brain cells it looks like it could be push pull also, but a push pull only helps about 3 C. The P280 has many option for adding fans so you could change/adjust air circulation any way needed. I have watched videos on the Corair 500R, 500D, and the 650D and I would choose the P280. The P280 is also very quiet. Just my thoughts.
---------------------
http://youtu.be/gIwvek4tDf8

 

[YoYo155]

As you can see by my specs I'm a Corsair person but in the price range I would choose the P280 case. I would like it better if the hard drive bays were moveable. Personal choice. From what I seen the P180 is made for 240 radiator with 120 mm fans. A H100i should be no problem. Using my 3 brain cells it looks like it could be push pull also, but a push pull only helps about 3 C. The P280 has many option for adding fans so you could change/adjust air circulation any way needed. I have watched videos on the Corair 500R, 500D, and the 650D and I would choose the P280. The P280 is also very quiet. Just my thoughts.
---------------------
Antec P280 Silent Case Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips - YouTube

I read some user reviews about the legs breaking off too easily as well The C70 seems to have an over all
better build quality.
What do reckon of the Fractal Design Define R4 (it's at about the same price point) ?

I have another query:

I've seen benchmarks and compared the Asus P8Z77-V Pro and the non Pro version (P8Z77-V)
very very similar the one "major" thing I've noticed is that it has 12 phase rather than 8 on the non pro.
Is it going to play much of a factor?, I'm looking to lightly OC my CPU (around 4.2 / 4.5).

 

[TwoCables]

Sorry for triple posting ..

Update v3 - the buying list so far:

Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4Ghz s1155 6MB
Corsair Hydro H100i
Asus P8Z77-V PRO
Corsair 2x8GB Vengeance DDR3 1600MHZ Dual Channel CL10-10-10-27
SeaSonic 1000W Platinum-Series
Corsair Vengeance C70 Gunmetal Black Case
Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24'' With LED IPS

So?

Not bad, but the PSU is a waste of money unless you want to have like 3-4 7970s or 3-4 GTX 680s.

As you can see by my specs I'm a Corsair person but in the price range I would choose the P280 case. I would like it better if the hard drive bays were moveable. Personal choice. From what I seen the P180 is made for 240 radiator with 120 mm fans. A H100i should be no problem. Using my 3 brain cells it looks like it could be push pull also, but a push pull only helps about 3 C. The P280 has many option for adding fans so you could change/adjust air circulation any way needed. I have watched videos on the Corair 500R, 500D, and the 650D and I would choose the P280. The P280 is also very quiet. Just my thoughts.
---------------------
Antec P280 Silent Case Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips - YouTube

I read some user reviews about the legs breaking off too easily as well The C70 seems to have an over all
better build quality.
What do reckon of the Fractal Design Define R4 (it's at about the same price point) ?

I have another query:

I've seen benchmarks and compared the Asus P8Z77-V Pro and the non Pro version (P8Z77-V)
very very similar the one "major" thing I've noticed is that it has 12 phase rather than 8 on the non pro.
Is it going to play much of a factor?, I'm looking to lightly OC my CPU (around 4.2 / 4.5).

For that kind of an overclock, the 8-phase design is enough.

 

[Britton30]

I would much rather have more power available than I need, than to need more and not have it and damage components.

 

[TwoCables]

Fair enough.

YoYo155: what video card or cards do you plan on having?

 

[Layback Bear]

Your question on phases, Well the more phases give better voltage control and a cleaner volts, (less ripples). I took that into account when I chose my board.
Looking at Asus boards for my use would be the P8Z77-V Deluxe.
The Pro has many things I would not use and don't want to pay for.
The Pro board means that, Pro. For a new person to O/C it would be a mess.
The reason I chose my motherboard the P6X58D-E over the P6X58D pro was value and the P6X58D had things I didn't need or want, and wasn't going to pay for. You have to make that choice yourself.
The Pro board I call a tinkers board. Those that constantly tinker with the O/C just because that is their thing. They will post their results on some O/C Forum and go back to changing things again getting ready for their next post. The Deluxe board is for those that want to O/C and get the best O/C and still be reliable and then leave it alone. Don't get the impression that their isn't a gazillion of things you can't set/change with the Deluxe board. There are more that can be changed than most people will ever use or know how to use. Every system O/C different. I don't see any reason why both boards wouldn't do a 4.2 to 4.5. Your choice of CPU is 77W so I don't think their will be a temp problem with the H100i. One never knows until they try.

I would not choose the C70. To many reason to list. I recommend choosing a case that is bigger than you need. They make it easier to work inside and you can add things later down the road. Give us a price range for towers. That will help lower the search. I don't know how one would break the leg off a computer tower of any of the major brands. Then again their people that can break a pet rock.

Seasonic is a excellent choice in power supplies. A 1000W is a bit high but you should get reliable use for many years no mater what you through at it.

 

[YoYo155]

Fair enough.

YoYo155: what video card or cards do you plan on having?

It's a tough decision I would like to get a GTX680 from Asus but on the other hand I can live
with my GTX460, what it comes down to is that the 680 is expensive.

Your question on phases, Well the more phases give better voltage control and a cleaner volts, (less ripples). I took that into account when I chose my board.
Looking at Asus boards for my use would be the P8Z77-V Deluxe.
The Pro has many things I would not use and don't want to pay for.
The Pro board means that, Pro. For a new person to O/C it would be a mess.
The reason I chose my motherboard the P6X58D-E over the P6X58D pro was value and the P6X58D had things I didn't need or want, and wasn't going to pay for. You have to make that choice yourself.
The Pro board I call a tinkers board. Those that constantly tinker with the O/C just because that is their thing. They will post their results on some O/C Forum and go back to changing things again getting ready for their next post. The Deluxe board is for those that want to O/C and get the best O/C and still be reliable and then leave it alone. Don't get the impression that their isn't a gazillion of things you can't set/change with the Deluxe board. There are more that can be changed than most people will ever use or know how to use. Every system O/C different. I don't see any reason why both boards wouldn't do a 4.2 to 4.5. Your choice of CPU is 77W so I don't think their will be a temp problem with the H100i. One never knows until they try.

I would not choose the C70. To many reason to list. I recommend choosing a case that is bigger than you need. They make it easier to work inside and you can add things later down the road. Give us a price range for towers. That will help lower the search. I don't know how one would break the leg off a computer tower of any of the major brands. Then again their people that can break a pet rock.

Seasonic is a excellent choice in power supplies. A 1000W is a bit high but you should get reliable use for many years no mater what you through at it.

The price range I'm willing to get a case for is 150$-160$ max.

 

[YoYo155]

My current case dilemmas are:

Corsair Vengeance C70
Fractal Design Define R4
Antec P280

a penny for your thoughts?


BTW, I'm also looking into good ol' air cooling.
Any good suggestions for a heat-sink to replace the H100i?
I'm currently interested in the Noctua NH-D14.

And will I be able to OC it to very much the same extent?

 

[Layback Bear]

The cases you have posted I still like the P280. Take a look at the Corsair 600t. It is a tight fit for a H100I but a H80I works with ease. Noctua makes nothing but quality. (Look at my Specs) The Noctua NH-D14 is big and bulky like most quality air coolers. The NH-D14 is a great air cooler. It might inter fear with things on the motherboard such as ram ect. You wouldn't know unless you try or find a video where someone has already done a installation with similar hardware that you will be using.
The fan controller on the T600 is useless. Many have installed a H100 in the 660T but it's very tight. You will not be able to have push/pull fans on the 600T with the H100. Not enough room. You could use push/pull with a H80.

http://youtu.be/kLCwBkf4o94

Another good choice in my opinion for about $50.00 more.

http://youtu.be/jLFbjR97moM

 

[TwoCables]

Fair enough.

YoYo155: what video card or cards do you plan on having?

It's a tough decision I would like to get a GTX680 from Asus but on the other hand I can live
with my GTX460, what it comes down to is that the 680 is expensive.

What I'm really wondering is, why did you go with the 1000W power supply? You could be spending a whole lot less by keeping the GS600. I see no reason to replace it.

 

[YoYo155]

The cases you have posted I still like the P280. Take a look at the Corsair 600t. It is a tight fit for a H100I but a H80I works with ease. Noctua makes nothing but quality. (Look at my Specs) The Noctua NH-D14 is big and bulky like most quality air coolers. The NH-D14 is a great air cooler. It might inter fear with things on the motherboard such as ram ect. You wouldn't know unless you try or find a video where someone has already done a installation with similar hardware that you will be using.
The fan controller on the T600 is useless. Many have installed a H100 in the 660T but it's very tight. You will not be able to have push/pull fans on the 600T with the H100. Not enough room. You could use push/pull with a H80.

Corsair Graphite 600T Video Review - YouTube

Another good choice in my opinion for about $50.00 more.

Cooler Master HAF-X Video Review - YouTube

Too much to choose from

Fair enough.

YoYo155: what video card or cards do you plan on having?

It's a tough decision I would like to get a GTX680 from Asus but on the other hand I can live
with my GTX460, what it comes down to is that the 680 is expensive.

What I'm really wondering is, why did you go with the 1000W power supply? You could be spending a whole lot less by keeping the GS600. I see no reason to replace it.

What it really comes down to is I have it for almost two years now and I know the efficiency degrades over time, with that in mind I don't want to harm a component unintentionally which will then may cost even more.

Is my logic correct on this one?

 

[YoYo155]

Update No. 4 (I believe, I've lost count )

Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4Ghz
‏Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler‎
‏Asus P8Z77-V PRO
‏G.Skill 2x8GB Ripjaws-X DDR3 1600Mhz PC3-12800 Kit CL9-9-9
‏SeaSonic 1000W Platinum-Series Active PFC 12cm Fan Modular Platinum-1000 (Retail)‎‏
Fractal Design Define R4
Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24'' Monitor With LED IPS‎
Going to add to the R4 two Zalman ZM-F3 120mm, at the top and one on the side.

 

[bobkn]

The Noctua NH-D14 is good. I have one. I'm a little disappointed that they don't offer a variant with the same PWM fans used in the NH-D14 SE2011 (strictly for Socket 2011). A competitor that has PWM fans by default is:

Newegg.com - Phanteks PH-TC14PE 140mm UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) CPU Cooler

(Phanteks PH-TC14PE) I've seen reviews that put its performance as slightly better than the NH-D14.

I'm not sure which would be better for clearing RAM. I have no interference with the NH-D14 and my Gskilll F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH RAM kit, but the NH-D14 would have to be removed to access the RAM.

 

[YoYo155]

The Noctua NH-D14 is good. I have one. I'm a little disappointed that they don't offer a variant with the same PWM fans used in the NH-D14 SE2011 (strictly for Socket 2011). A competitor that has PWM fans by default is:

Newegg.com - Phanteks PH-TC14PE 140mm UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) CPU Cooler

(Phanteks PH-TC14PE) I've seen reviews that put its performance as slightly better than the NH-D14.

I'm not sure which would be better for clearing RAM. I have no interference with the NH-D14 and my Gskilll F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH RAM kit, but the NH-D14 would have to be removed to access the RAM.

What is PWM fan good for / better at than a non PWM fan?

Is the RAM under the fan or the tower?