My first build, any suggestions?

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Brylord

New Member
I've wanted to do this for a while but never had the extra cash to do it but I'm finally ready to build my first pc. I'm trying to stay around $800 if I can and I want it to be able to play modern games at decent quality graphics. Here's the list I've made so far:

MOBO: Biostar TZ77XE3
CPU: intel core i5-2500k (3.7 Ghz turbo boost)
Graphics: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti (1GB)
RAM: G Skill Ripjaws 1333 8GB (2x4GB)
PSU: Corsair profession serries HX650 modular PSU
HDD: Wester Digital 500GB 7200RPM
Case: Antec three hundred, ATX mid tower case

The MOBO and GPU and PSU are all SLI ready so I'm thinking about adding a second graphics card eventually.

My main concerns are whether or not everything is compatible or are there any suggestions on changes?
 
I would change out the mobo for a better quality one. Something like a gigabyte, asrock, MSI, even Asus would be better.

Look for 1600mhz RAM. Shouldn't be too much more.

And if you can stretch the budget, I'd get a better graphics card. One powerful card would be better than two 550tis.
 
I added some 1600 hz ram, only 4 dollars more :)

For the MOBO I was looking at an MSI Z77A-GD65, is at suitable?

And do you have any suggestions on a GPU?
 
The ASUS boards are good! :) But I like Gigabyte's and ASRock's boards too. Any Z77 board from one of those three manufacturers that fits your budget would be good.

Ditch the 550 Ti and go for a 6850 or 6870 as Claptonman said. Yeah the 'plain' GTX 560 would also be an upgrade but I'd still recommend the Radeon 6870 over the 'plain' GTX 560 (note, not the 560 Ti). The 6870 is slightly faster.
 
Sorry it's been a while since I updated my build list but I just recently had time to look over everything and change some parts.

MOBO: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
CPU: Intel i5 3570k 3.4 Ghz
Graphics: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 ti x2
RAM: GSkill Ripjaws 1600 8gb(4gbx2)
PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850w modular
HDD: Western Digital 500gb 7200RPM
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922
Fans: 3 x 200mm, 2 x 120 mm
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212+

I realize it's not really close to my original budget but I'm ok with that :)

With this set up will I need any more cooling or will the 5 fans and CPU cooler be enough?
 
Get a Z77 Board or else you won't be able to make full use of Ivy Bridge. Get the Extreme4 Z77 board for $135. Spend the difference and get a Hyper 212 EVO. Drop the PSU down to 750W for 2x560ti.
 
Get the 212+, evo just adds lga2011 and fm1 support, nothing in terms of performance.

Get a corsair, xfx, nzxt, silverstone, seasonic, antec, or pc power & cooling power supply.

Although the 560ti's might get slightly better fps, the added heat, driver issues, and such make the GTX680 a better choice, and with it a 700w should do fine, maybe 650
 
The only reason I had the 850w was because newegg had a combo for it, the i5, and a fan controller. So is there any danger in having too many watts or is it fine like that?
 
Brylord said:
is there any danger in having too many watts or is it fine like that?
Click to expand...
The computer will only draw as much power from the wall as it needs, so no, it isn't dangerous. Just a waste of money if you're never going to utilize 850W.

Can you buy the CPU and the PSU separately?
 
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