2.5k gaming build

[Soundaholic92]

Hi guys. I'm building a mid tower gaming desktop with occasional photo/video editing and programming for school. I'll also need to use it for 3Ds Max or other modelling/animation modules later on.
I have a budget of around 2.5k, I'm not looking to squeeze every last bit of value out of my money and I don't mind paying a little extra for the brands and aesthetics that I prefer. I was going to wait until Haswell and the next generation of GPU but my previous computer (a laptop) broke down almost completely and I need a computer for work so I decided to just go get it in the coming week or so. So here's the build that I'm planning

Asrock Z77 Extreme4 with 3570k
Asus GTX670 DCII 2GB (non-OCed)

Corsair Force GS 180GB (for OS and a few games and programs. 120GB is too small and 256GB is too big for me and no other brands seen to offer 180GB)
WD Caviar Red 2TB (general storage, mainly raw photos and videos)
Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz 8GB

Corsair Carbide 500R
Corsair TX650M
Corsair H80i/H100i

Asus VS239H-P

Keyboard - not sure yet, budget floating around $150 for a mechanical one
Mouse - already have
OS - already have a legal digital copy I plan to install from a thumbdrive, not too sure how to do it on a completely new drive though

From the prices from Fuwell, the total is around $2350 as of right now. The main questions are whether a 650W PSU is enough as I plan to OC both the CPU and GPU, and also add another GTX670 for SLI later on. Also. how effective are the water cooling solutions from Corsair? I prefer them also because Carbide cases seem to have spaces on top that fit them perfectly. I plan to LED and fan controllers and audio cards later too but they're not included in the current budget

 

[w4rr3n]

here's my 2cents

nothing wrong with thinking 180gb but if i were you i'd go 256, never know when you need that extra space intentionally or not.

WD Caviar Red 2TB (general storage, mainly raw photos and videos), since its a storage drive a green one is pretty good enough imo save the 50 dollars! And reviews for reds are pretty bad.

650W should be able to cope with sli and OC

water cooling solution wise since you're using a IVB you probably need to delid to get it's full potential.

 

[skyline72]

Would rather you get 256GB instead.

 

[nippp0n]

CPU & Mobo: i5-3570k & Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 @ $480
Ram: Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz 2x4GB @ $95
ODD: Liteon DVD RW @ $25
HDD: Toshiba 2TB @ $118
SSD: Plextor M5S 256GB @ $249
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 670 Windforce @ $589
Case & CPU Cooler: NZXT Phantom 410 & Corsair H80i Cooler @ $269
PSU: Seasonic M12 750W @ $139
Monitor: Dell U2312HM @ $250
Assembly fee: $10

Total: $2224
Buy and build at PC Themes.

 

[Soundaholic92]

Thanks for the suggestions, I think saving on the HDD and using that money towards a 256GB SDD is a good idea. I think I'll go with the Phantom 410 too since it supports 240mm on top. I'm still inclined to get a H100i over the H80i though because the benchmarks and tests I've seen show a pretty clear difference.
@W4rr3n what do you mean by deliding? Do you mean fixing the poor heat conduction on the cap of the chip? I remember reading about it a while back but not sure where and how much and how safe to get it done by local shops

 

[bhtan83]

Get Thermaltake water 2.0 extreme its better than H100i.

 

[Soundaholic92]

I see. It seems to have a thicker radiator though. Will it fit into the space on top of the Phantom 410?

 

[w4rr3n]

@W4rr3n what do you mean by deliding? Do you mean fixing the poor heat conduction on the cap of the chip? I remember reading about it a while back but not sure where and how much and how safe to get it done by local shops

[Official] Delidded Ivy Bridge Club
i did it myself, relatively safe imo if you do your homework but it voids the warranty so think twice (did it cause im hungry for OC, shooting for 5ghz stable once i'm free from commitment)

 

[Soundaholic92]

Yeah I've watched a few videos on it. I like to DIY things so I'm comfortable with opening it up but what I'm concerned with is that local retailers only seem to sell mobo and CPU together as a combo and not separately? Just in case I screw up the CPU for good I want to know if I can buy the CPU separately

 

[bhtan83]

I see. It seems to have a thicker radiator though. Will it fit into the space on top of the Phantom 410?

ya i mount the water 2.0 extreme on the roof of phantom 410.

 

[bhtan83]

Yeah I've watched a few videos on it. I like to DIY things so I'm comfortable with opening it up but what I'm concerned with is that local retailers only seem to sell mobo and CPU together as a combo and not separately? Just in case I screw up the CPU for good I want to know if I can buy the CPU separately

they selling it as a combo discount la. both cpu and mobo are separate and u need to put the cpu into the socket urself.

 

[terence52]

I think it's better to get someone to delid for you imo.. A trace off the PCB = GG to chip.
PM spyboy48. He charges a pretty reasonable fee (IMO) to delid the chip.
Or if you don't mind second hand I am actually letting go of my I7 3770k + Fat Pro M.

 

[Soundaholic92]

How much is that reasonable fee you mentioned ? I build plastic models and I'm comfortable with using my modelling knife (sort of like a surgical scalpel with replaceable blades) and from the videos it doesn't look that difficult. If it costs a lot then I'd rather take the risk

 

[sdhdaniel]

I think it's better to get someone to delid for you imo.. A trace off the PCB = GG to chip.
PM spyboy48. He charges a pretty reasonable fee (IMO) to delid the chip.
Or if you don't mind second hand I am actually letting go of my I7 3770k + Fat Pro M.

Delidding CPU ain't a need right? So why go void the warranty?

 

[Override2Zion]

Yeah I've watched a few videos on it. I like to DIY things so I'm comfortable with opening it up but what I'm concerned with is that local retailers only seem to sell mobo and CPU together as a combo and not separately? Just in case I screw up the CPU for good I want to know if I can buy the CPU separately

Are you aiming to do some hard OCing? If not I would advice you to leave the chip intact and keep the warranty. The 3770k overclocks over 4.5Ghz quite easily. With a ThermalTake Water 2.0 or Corsair H100i, I don't foresee that load temperatures being a big issue here.

 

[terence52]

How much is that reasonable fee you mentioned ? I build plastic models and I'm comfortable with using my modelling knife (sort of like a surgical scalpel with replaceable blades) and from the videos it doesn't look that difficult. If it costs a lot then I'd rather take the risk

He charged me $32 with a application of Liquid Pro ($30 with liquid ultra) but that was 3 months ago. Not sure now but I suppose you can ask him.

Delidding CPU ain't a need right? So why go void the warranty?

Void by right, by left....

Are you aiming to do some hard OCing? If not I would advice you to leave the chip intact and keep the warranty. The 3770k overclocks over 4.5Ghz quite easily. With a ThermalTake Water 2.0 or Corsair H100i, I don't foresee that load temperatures being a big issue here.

How much is your load temps? I don't suppose yours is close to mine even if I am on just a megahalem and am @ 4.5ghz.

 

[Soundaholic92]

Ooh that sounds reasonable, I think I might get him to do it after all. I do plan to OC to 4.8~5.0 so yes I want to delid. And even if I don't, it would lower the load temp by ~20C as what I've seen from benchmarks and that would mean more stability and less noise. A successful delid would benefit me in one way or another

 

[Override2Zion]

...Are you aiming to do some hard OCing? ...I don't foresee that load temperatures being a big issue here...

How much is your load temps? I don't suppose yours is close to mine even if I am on just a megahalem and am @ 4.5ghz.

I think you've missed my point here, what I meant is if he ain't aiming for extreme OCs, no issues running without delidding. I've done delidding and lapping on several of my own rigs and I know the gains, but the risk and effort involved may not be for everyone.

...Ooh that sounds reasonable, I think I might get him to do it after all. I do plan to OC to 4.8~5.0 so yes I want to delid....

Well, you've stated your requirements. Very well then, good to pay a little more and look for someone experienced to get it done for you