Solved Building a gaming computer.....need input

My components list as it stands now:

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1

Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core

GPU: Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 GC

Sound Card: ASUS Xonar DSX 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Audio Card

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2x4GB)

PSU: Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS

Optical: LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM

Hard Drives: SAMSUNG 830 Series 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
&
SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 ST2000DL004 2TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
or
Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Cooling: Antec Kuhler H2O 620 Liquid Cooling System

Case: Antec Twelve Hundred V3

Monitor: ASUS VS248H-P Black 24" 2ms HDMI LED

Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER ULTIMATE

Mouse: Ergoguys XL-750F Black 7 Buttons USB Wired Laser 2500 dpi A4 Tech 3xfire Oscar

Not sure if I should go with the Samsung or Western Digital HD, any suggestions?

The only recommendation I can make is for a higher wattage PSU...you should be ok with that 620 watt psu but you might be pushing the limits of it. I would start out with a minimum of a 750 watt psu. Here is a PSU calculator you can use to give you an idea of what your needs would be. Don't forget to pad it for future upgrades.

Thermaltake Power Supply Calculator

WD costs almost double, doesn't it? Just go with the Samsung.

My system is running on an Antec 650 watt and gaming I am pulling about 350watts from the wall, so less than 400 at the DC side of the PSU since the 350watt draw includes my 3 monitors, speakers, router, modem, switch, and my HTPC in sleep mode.


My green Samsungs get around this speed, which is pretty good for a 5400rpm drive,



The OS partition of my 1TB Black is this fast,

Would this be better?
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

As for the Hard Drive, I don't mind spending the extra $60 if there is a noticeable boost in performance.

solomonkane said:

Would this be better?
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

As for the Hard Drive, I don't mind spending the extra $60 if there is a noticeable boost in performance.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure how much to over-rate the power supply. eVGA recommends a 500W PSU with at least 30A available at +12V for use with a single 670. If you never plan to go SLI, the 620W Antec (48A at +12V) ought to have enough margin.

As for the case, you may want to consider the Cooler Master HAF 932 or, if you'd really like something different,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163185

(Silverstone Raven 3. MB rotated 90° from the usual. Vertical air flow.)

Unless you are running more than one video card, these days 600+ is more than enough. I would look for one that will facilitate efficient cable management, and is 80+ Bronze or better. Shop around and you will find some good deals, even if it is more than what you actually need.

As far as the HDD....this is what I use. Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive It is WAY faster than needs to be for a storage/data drive. It is the new 7200.14 Barracuda "Power of One" drives, and performs flawlessly!

The only other components that stick out are the CPU cooler and the case. That particular CPU cooler, I've heard, is an absolute pain in the ass to install, along with the 920. There are plenty of closed-loop systems out there....might look into getting one that has a thicker RAD though. Corsair, Intel, Zalman, and Thermal Take are all available on NewEgg, check them out.

The case part is more of a question for you.......the Antec series of cases are great. I have a 900 and now an 1100. The question is, do you need a full tower case? The 1100 is branded as a "Super" Mid tower case, and the P280 is based on the same chassis design, and let me tell you, the 1100 is massive! Just a thought

I think that will be a really nice gaming PC when you get it up and running. Keep us posted!

My revised components list:

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1

Mobo: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core

GPU: Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 GC 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

RAM: G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE

Optical: LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM

Hard Drives: SAMSUNG 830 Series 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive
(SSD)
&
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Cooling: Thermaltake WATER2.0 Pro Closed-Loop All In One Liquid CPU Cooler

Sound Card: ASUS Xonar DSX 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Audio Card

Case: Antec Twelve Hundred V3

Monitor: ASUS VS248H-P Black 24" 2ms HDMI LED

Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER ULTIMATE

Mouse: Ergoguys XL-750F Black 7 Buttons USB Wired Laser 2500 dpi A4 Tech 3xfire Oscar