May 2012 Mid-Range Gaming PC
Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 12:00 pm
Hey guys, this is my first post at SPCR, but I've been reading tons of articles and reviews and posts over the past few weeks trying to decide on components for my new rig.
My goals are to get the most performance for around $1k ($1,200 is fine), packed into a small, quiet case. I don't plan on upgrading for the next few years, except perhaps the graphics card if I want to seriously game in 3D. I do want to play around with overclocking.
Here's my list so far.
Case: SilverStone Temjin TJ08B-E
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=303
Best quiet micro-ATX case I could find that has enough external bays for my needs
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K
http://ark.intel.com/products/65520/Int ... _80-GHz%29
Sweet overclocking capability, new ivy bridge
CPU Cooler: Either Noctua NH-U12P SE2 (preferable, as long as it fits in the case with both fans, because I hear the i5-3570K gets pretty hot when overclocking) or Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (thinner heat sink) with 2 quieter fans
http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=prod ... =31&lng=en
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product ... 0212%20EVO
I compared pictures of the below motherboard and the one used in the Temjin TJ08-E review on SPCR. The CPU position on board below seems to be about 15mm further away from the side of the board with the RAM slots. This should allow just enough space for the NH-U12P with fans on both sides, although I am going to buy the case and motherboard first and measure myself.
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-M
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_ ... 55/P8Z77M/
ASUS is on top of their game, chipset allows for full overclocking, S/PDIF audio output, USB 3.0, SATA 6GB/s, legacy PCI slot is in the most usable position furthest from the primary PCIe x16, guaranteed to have enough 4-pin fan connectors and software features to regulate everything once I figure all that out
Graphics Card: HIS IceQ X Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-592.shtml
Going with AMD for their open source driver philosophy, right price point, cool and quiet without custom fan and heat sink, I can upgrade to the next generation PCIe 3.0 series in a year or two
Power Supply: SeaSonic X650 Gold
http://www.seasonicusa.com/X.htm
Modular, quiet, efficient
RAM: Mushkin 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 9-9-9-24
http://www.mushkin.com/Memory/Blackline/996988.aspx
Low base voltage, overclockable, heat sinks should fit under the CPU cooler
Other TBD based on reliability (suggestions welcome):
SSD 128GB
HDD 1TB+
Blu-ray burner
3.5" Memory card reader
5.25" drawer (must have, love these things)
All comments appreciated!
My goals are to get the most performance for around $1k ($1,200 is fine), packed into a small, quiet case. I don't plan on upgrading for the next few years, except perhaps the graphics card if I want to seriously game in 3D. I do want to play around with overclocking.
Here's my list so far.
Case: SilverStone Temjin TJ08B-E
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=303
Best quiet micro-ATX case I could find that has enough external bays for my needs
Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K
http://ark.intel.com/products/65520/Int ... _80-GHz%29
Sweet overclocking capability, new ivy bridge
CPU Cooler: Either Noctua NH-U12P SE2 (preferable, as long as it fits in the case with both fans, because I hear the i5-3570K gets pretty hot when overclocking) or Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (thinner heat sink) with 2 quieter fans
http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=prod ... =31&lng=en
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product ... 0212%20EVO
I compared pictures of the below motherboard and the one used in the Temjin TJ08-E review on SPCR. The CPU position on board below seems to be about 15mm further away from the side of the board with the RAM slots. This should allow just enough space for the NH-U12P with fans on both sides, although I am going to buy the case and motherboard first and measure myself.
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-M
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_ ... 55/P8Z77M/
ASUS is on top of their game, chipset allows for full overclocking, S/PDIF audio output, USB 3.0, SATA 6GB/s, legacy PCI slot is in the most usable position furthest from the primary PCIe x16, guaranteed to have enough 4-pin fan connectors and software features to regulate everything once I figure all that out
Graphics Card: HIS IceQ X Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-592.shtml
Going with AMD for their open source driver philosophy, right price point, cool and quiet without custom fan and heat sink, I can upgrade to the next generation PCIe 3.0 series in a year or two
Power Supply: SeaSonic X650 Gold
http://www.seasonicusa.com/X.htm
Modular, quiet, efficient
RAM: Mushkin 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 9-9-9-24
http://www.mushkin.com/Memory/Blackline/996988.aspx
Low base voltage, overclockable, heat sinks should fit under the CPU cooler
Other TBD based on reliability (suggestions welcome):
SSD 128GB
HDD 1TB+
Blu-ray burner
3.5" Memory card reader
5.25" drawer (must have, love these things)
All comments appreciated!