New Gaming Build - Need some advice

[WhiteFlare]

I have replaced parts, and upgraded computer hardware, but have never started from scratch and built on.

The BIG question I have is what motherboard to get that will be best compatible with these parts, and what power supply to get.

Current parts:

-------
EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti // Should I get it superclocked or not? Same price without superclocked.
Newegg.com - EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
-------
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) // Never clocked a processor, but may want to try, so Ill get the "K"
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
-------
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 // 12GB is a lot, just want to prepare for the future.
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-12GBRL
-------
Antec Nine Hundred Two V3 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097
-------

QUESTIONS:
1. I need some advice on the motherboard and power supply to get that will work best with these parts.

2. Also, would there be a big difference in performance getting the GeForce GTX 560 Ti, or the GeForce GTX 570 for the extra $100 or so?

3. Any advice on a heatsink to buy for the Intel i5?

All feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Shaynk]

Look for a P67 or Z68 motherboard, Asus, Gigabyte, Asrock, and Msi are all reliable brands. Newegg.com - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard is a wonderful motherboard with really good features at it's price point. For gaming 8GB of Ram is plenty, and using three dimm slots is sub-optimal.

What resolution monitor do you use, and what games are you looking to play? Both the 560 ti and 570 cards are great, but depending on resolution and such the 570 could be overkill for you. As far as a cooler, since it's your first time OCing you won't want to go to extreme. Newegg.com - CORSAIR CAFA70 120mm Dual-Fan CPU Cooler can easily handle taking the 2500k to about 4.5ghz and is very affordable.

 

[Sean W.]

first of all, get ready for a ear full, you striked a pet peve of mine.... DO NOT GET THE ANTEC 300 case.... it is a GARBAGE case, it can barley be considered a case. there are SO many better cases at the same price range +/=/- $10.

the 300 has zero cable management, horrible ventilation, poor design, poor construction, its an eye sore...all around BAD... anyone of these are a better alternative from order least-most expensive, all of which are a better case in EVERY way:

NZXT Gamma
Newegg.com - NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

NZXT M59
Newegg.com - NZXT M59 - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

NZXT Source
Newegg.com - NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black “Aluminum Brush / Plastic” ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Rosewill Challenger
Newegg.com - Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3 Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, front mounted dual USB 3.0

Cooler Master HAF 912
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Rosewill Future
Newegg.com - Rosewill FUTURE Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,come with Four Fans-2x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan,1x Top 120mm Fan,1x Rear 120mm Fan,Support up to 7 Fans

Xigmatek Utgard Mesh
Newegg.com - Xigmatek Utgard Mesh CPC-T90DB-U03 Black Steel / Aluminum and Mesh Bezel Computer Case

GTX 560Ti is an awesome card, arguably the best bang for your buck card on the current market.

here are some of my favorite mother boards:

Newegg.com - MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - MSI Z68A-GD55 (G3) LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Newegg.com - ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.1) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

the new generation of i5 processors from intel LOVE being over clocked, these are som e really good coolers from order of least-most expensive:

this is hands down THE undisputed bang for your buck CPU cooler on the market
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

Newegg.com - XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler bracket included I7 i5 775 1155 AMD and dual fan push pull compatible

Newegg.com - XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V REV.W with ACK-I5361 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler I7 i5 775 1155 and AMD compatible

my favorite CPU cooler on the market, basically the same design as the 212 plus, just beefier everything
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CAFA70 120mm Dual-Fan CPU Cooler

Newegg.com - XIGMATEK Aegir SD128264 Mega Killer Double HDT 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler Dual Fan I7 i5 775 1155 1156 and AMD compatible

dont get 12 gigs of ram, get 8 gigs, first, the 1155 platform is ment to use 2 or 4 sticks of ram, not 1 or 3, second, you wont need more than 8 gigs... get this:

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

and finally get this power supply

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

 

[WhiteFlare]

Thanks for all the details.

I plan on buying a new monitor also after building the computer. All I have ever had is a laptop, so I get to buy a new monitor for sure with 1920 x 1080 resolution.

I plan on playing Battlefield 3 for sure on this computer.

 

[Trotter]

I like my 300 Illusion (five fans) but Sean is right about cable management. My case is solid so I disagree with his opinion on that.

The main thing with a case is to find a)something you like the look of, b)something that fills the needs you have, and c)something that furthers your build (wire management, air flow, other "goodies", etc.

I will put in a plug for Antec power supplies, though. Rock solid and usually cheaper than Corsair. Antec has been around a long time and have proven themselves with PSUs.

 

[WhiteFlare]

Thanks for the fast and helpful replies everyone, thats why I love these forums.

Will a 650W power supply be enough for the build? Even if I do end up overclocking and everything in the future?

 

[Sean W.]

I like my 300 Illusion (five fans) but Sean is right about cable management. My case is solid so I disagree with his opinion on that.

The main thing with a case is to find a)something you like the look of, b)something that fills the needs you have, and c)something that furthers your build (wire management, air flow, other "goodies", etc.

I will put in a plug for Antec power supplies, though. Rock solid and usually cheaper than Corsair. Antec has been around a long time and have proven themselves with PSUs.

might have gone a little overboard with the " lousy construction "... i just wanted more commas in my list of negative things about the case... but with out a doubt the Antec 300 is my LEAST favorite case on the market, at $60 its a horrible case... its a $20 case in my mind, if that was the MSRP id like it a LOT more...

A 650W power supply is more than enough for your needs, unless you plan on adding a beefier/second graphics card down the line, 650 will do just fine.

i am biased towards corsair power supplies, the 2 year year warranty is what i like... and their customer service is top notch, with corsair you arnt just buying the product, but the support thats behind that product, thats why i only build computers with corsair power supplies. /infomercial

 

[WhiteFlare]

What kind of difference will I see with getting the GTX 560 Ti 'superclocked' over the one that's not superclocked? Is there any risk of it dying sooner? Its the same price as the one thats not superclocked, but I just want to make sure its the better choice.

Also, on some of those mother boards Sean recommended, will a PCI express 3.0 x16 work when the graphics card is PCI express 2.0 x16?

Sorry about the double post, but no one else has posted in awhile.

This is my finalized list thanks to all that have given their input.

-------------
Xigmatek Utgard Mesh CPC-T90DB-U03
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...815008&Tpk=Xigmatek Utgard Mesh CPC-T90DB-U03
-------------
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
-------------
EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
-------------
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
-------------
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
-------------
ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.1) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.1) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
-------------
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
-------------
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7
-------------

I ended up having to go with the GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB isntead of the superclock because the superclock is now out of stock. I can still overlock this one to the same speeds as the superclock card though, it should work well since they are both the same card.

Any last comments before I go ahead and put the order in?

 

[Sean W.]

MuCH MuCh mUcH MUCH better!

my only concern is that you said you are going to be building this computer to play BF3, and the 560ti just barley scarps by at playable FPS on all high settings for BF3...

watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ib_AJQRWdE&feature=feedu

 

[WhiteFlare]

Nice video.

He does say at the end that all of them above the 550 ti are smoothly playable at high settings. I'll even settle playing with some settings on medium if it means the extra $100 saved. Some people have said its unnoticeable going from the 560 ti to the 570.

Thanks for all your help with this project Sean.