Planning new build - input appreciated

[Highlander]

Hi. First I should say that although I've been tinkering with 'puters since the 80s I've never actually built a full system. My uses will include gaming, mainly RPGs and strategy titles - e.g. Skyrim and Total War series - as well as photo editing and probably some video editing in the future. The other important point is that funds are very tight so I may stage the build over a couple of months or so. The specs/components that I have in mind so far are:

Case: Fractal Designs R3
Processor: Intel i5 2500k
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 (or 13?)
Mobo: Asus P8Z68-V LX - open to suggestions
Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz - any major make (?)
SSD: Crucial M4 64GB (already owned)
HDD: Ideally a min 1TB but prices are still a problem
PSU: 650w modular - open to suggestions
GPU: Radeon 6850 - open to suggestions
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Other bits'n'bobs will be added in time but I already have a WLAN dongle and external optical drive that will help keep initial build costs down.

My goal is a system that I can comfortably overclock to c. 4.5GHz but has upgrading possibilities, probably in 2-3 years time. The SRT option of the z68 chipset looks attractive to me but I gather from other forums that opinions are divided on it, and the imminent arrival of z77 mobos has thrown me a little as I can't see many (any?) relevant advantages to me. Crossfire/SLI hasn't really figured in my plans but I'd like to keep as many options open as possible - as long as it doesn't add a lot to the build cost.

I recognise that my goals and system specs are quite common but input on current trends etc will be gratefully received. Thanks!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I know that SB is quite energy efficient when overclocked,but I still would suggest getting a motherboard with a beefier VRM section,if you intend to maintain a 4.5GHZ(or above) overclock for around three years or more. OTH,I do tend to not like pushing motherboards too much as I like to keep my builds as long as possible,so your YMMV.

[Bambooz]

I'd replace the cooler with a Coolermaster Hyper 212+ or 212 Evo.
The AC stuff is overrated. They used to be good, but that was well over 5 years ago.

As for the PSU.. depends on your budget.

Some suggestions:
- OCZ ZT Series 550W
- FSP Aurum Gold 550W
- BeQuiet Pure Power L8 630W
- PC Power & Cooling Silencer MKIII 600W
- OCZ ZT Series 650W

A good 550W would be plenty for that setup as long as you don't plan on Crossfire/SLI

Graphics card.. bump it up a notch to the HD6870 if it's within your budget.
About the board.. I'm no fan of Asus at all (too many RMAs for customers.. I call it the ASDS (Asus Sudden Death Syndrome) by now) so no clue on that. I'd get a Gigabyte or MSI instead.
Heck.. by now I even grade ASRock above Asus.. even though ASRock is a daughter company of Asus

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

ASRock were spun off from Asus a while back so are separate entities now.

[Highlander]

Thanks guys, feedback on reliability and effectiveness is just the sort of advice I need!

The tech area I'm weakest in is probably PSUs, plus the choice and variations are mind-boggling these days. My reason for picking on 650w was simply to allow a healthy margin for possible additions and expansion in future. The price point I was looking at was circa £55. Point taken on the GPU as well. 6850s seem to be popping up at well under £100 atm, but I'll be leaving that till last and scouring the web for better options as well.

On mobos, I noticed the first z77 being advertised earlier today, the MSI Z77A-G43 Gen3, but I haven't seen any reviews from the usual suspects yet. In layman's terms, does it offer any real benefits over the z68 chipset?

Finally, a silly question. I don't see a button or any way to register a quick 'Thanks' to fellow posters here. Am I missing something?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Its most likely the Z77 based motherboards will start to push the Z68 based motherboards downwards in price IMHO.

[Bambooz]

My reason for picking on 650w was simply to allow a healthy margin for possible additions and expansion in future. The price point I was looking at was circa £55.

Nothing wrong with a bit of headroom, but 55 pounds (I don't have the pound sign.. kinda annoying) for a modular PSU? You'd get a mediocre brand name one at best (Antec Neo Eco 620W for example). Most of the ones I found after a quick search were noname china firecrackers (EZCool, Rasurbo, Powercool .. you get what I mean.. overrated junk)

[Highlander]

The PSU I was last looking at is the Coolermaster GX 650W, at £57.18 inc VAT, but on checking I see it has a single +12volt rail. As I say, PSUs are my techie weak spot but given the make and the 80plus bronze efficiency rating, plus a 5 year warranty, I thought it looked good value. There are so many manufacturers now I honestly don't know which are worthwhile.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The PSU OEM and model range is more important.

[Bambooz]

The Coolermaster GX650 (and the 450-750) are Seventeam PWL series OEM. Budget models, but not too bad.
The GX series aren't modular though..

The GX650 should be 99% identical to the original Seventeam
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...-Review/1194/1

The 750W seems to be a dud though (out of spec at 600W, with the efficiency taking a nosedive. Sadly an overrated PSU (can do maybe ~500W ?))
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...y-Review/917/1

[nickchong]

gpu maybe the new hd7870? or 7850? should come in at similar price range with more power.

[Highlander]

OK, I'm revising my PSU budget to £70+ based on your recommendations. Now looking at the OCZ 650W ZT and the Corsair Enthusiast Series TX650 V2, best prices of £69.99 and £73.49, respectively.

I need to look into the HD78XX series GPUs, only seen reviews on the 79XXs so far and they're very nice but waaaaaaay beyond my budget.

What are people's thoughts on HDDs? When will prices drop significantly? Surely they must have got production at/near pre-flood levels by now...