Building a new computer, lets get some input!

[briantheman890]

So currently, I have a 2.7ghz 3gb ram, 750gb HD and nvidia 9600 512mb card.

It is not enough to play battlefield 3 like I am going to want it to.. so its new computer time.

Im re-using my power supply, because I just got it a bit ago, and my hard drive.

currently I am looking at:

gskill PC3-12800 DDR3 2x4gb (8gb ram).. contemplating getting 16GB

The computer store in my city where im buying my parts has a deal. the processor and motherboard for 300$.
Intel® Core™ i5-2500K processor 3.3ghz quad core with a max frequency of 3.7ghz

ASUS P8Z68-V LE motherboard


and for the video card im thinking EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti.

I want the NZXT Phantom full tower case, but my store is out of stock. Im contemplating ordering it if I cant find a good case.

I just want to know some input from people that know more about what works well then me.
Im not looking to build some 2000$ top fo the line machine, just something that will run current, and near future games well.. and a machine that will be a big step up from my current one.

Thanks a lot guys



http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX33234(ME).aspx

 

[DeaconFrost]

I wouldn't go ith 16 GB unless you had a specific reason for doing so. 8 GB would be plenty for a gaming system. You'll have to slots to add more later on, if needed. As for the rest, it seems like you'd have no trouble playing BF3 with that system. Just make sure your choose a quality PSU with enough juice for the system, and you'll be fine.

 

[pparks1]

Anything more than 4GB of RAM won't benefit your gaming experience. Unless you are running virtual machines, I wouldn't go with any more than 8GB of RAM.

 

[Skulblaka]

I'll just repeat what others have said just to emphasize, you don't need 8GB of RAM for gaming, 4GB is enough. You can get 8GB if you wish to spend money.

As for the case, I'd recommend "Cooler Master HAF" from "Newegg.com" for great airflow and a different CPU cooler from the one included with your CPU. Those aren't very reliable.

 

[pparks1]

I'm one of the few who has owned nearly a full tower and would not recommend it. It's just too big and takes up too much space. Unless you are going to run more than 2 Video cards in SLI, I just don't think it's necessary. But that's all that I will say about it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I went with a HAF912. Good size, but not overwhelming, low cost, and performs very well.

 

[briantheman890]

Yea i was told by my brother and a friend dont bother going over 8gb. for ram.
I will definitely have to look at the cases you guys mentioned.
I was told I should look at getting a full case, just for the airflow. A few people told me a mid sized one may be a bit clustered and not recieve enough air to keep it cool.
Someone also mentioned a corsair H50 or H70 for the CPU, they said giving it the liquid cooler piece would help keep it cool and run better.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I went with a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ for around $20. It doesn't cool down as much as a liquid cooler, but it comes close. A small mid-sized case could be cramped, and a larger full size could have too much space, leading do lesser airflow. Check out the HAF912s. I have two of them and can fit tons of hardware, but have plenty of cooling as well. You're wiring job can also affect the airflow, so having places to hide and pin back cabling is important, too.

Attached is my case before I added the SSD drive.

 

[briantheman890]

That case looks nice, yea i was told the wires could block the flow.. your set up looks very tidy.
Also what about video card, I would love to spend little as possible obviously. But dont want to spend 80$ on a crappy card. What are some recommendations?

I looked at the corsair h60, its about 65$. You would recommend the hyper 212+? I will take a look at that. If it cools as well as the liquid cooler at 1/3 the price, I will grab the 212+.

 

[bigmck]

One thing you might consider on your case is a clear side panel. Last Christmas I got a NZXT Silver Apollo case with the clear side panel. I put some blue lights in it and it really looks good.

 

[pparks1]

I was told I should look at getting a full case, just for the airflow. A few people told me a mid sized one may be a bit clustered and not recieve enough air to keep it cool.

Some people assume that much bigger cases universally means better airflow. I agree that a poorly wired case can impede airflow.

Personally, i think many are obsessed with airflow and cooling to the point where they will go to any length to lower temps regardless of whether it's of any real benefit. If a CPU is safe to 72C, and you are running at 58C....adding 4 case fans and a new CPU cooler to just get to 52C just doesn't seem worth it. If you are going to overclock it, or overclock it more and you need the 6C, then it makes sense. But a lot of us, who don't push this hard, often don't need it...but we read and value the opinions of the obsessed who make it seem utterly necessary.

Unless you plan to overclock big time, the Hyper 212+ cooler is more than enough. Going the corsair H50/60/70/100 route is likely unneeded.

I'm an enthusiasts and work on servers for a living, but I tend to go the KISS route (Keep it Simple Stupid).

 

[briantheman890]

Ya i agree, some thing ive been told just seem like over kill. I know wa bit about computers but i enjoy coming to this site because most people seem to be very educated.
I think i may keep my case, Its fairly decent and will save me 100$. So with that im going to get the i7.

My new plan is get the -
intel Core™ i7-2600K Processor
Asus P8P67 Deluxe Rev 3.0 Motherboard
Patriot G2 Series, Division 2 Edition DDR3 8GB PC3-12800 Enhanced Latency Kit

Now the only other thing i need to look at is getting a new video card.
Im not lookin to spend 400$ on a card, preferably 150-250. I know it probably wont be the best card out, but im sure there is something decent for the price.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I don't overclock, but for the cost of the Hyper 212+, it was worth it to run the processor cooler. It isn't the easiest to install, but it doesn't take long and works very well...and it's quiet.