Looking at building a new rig

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Snipermonkey2

I want to order all this stuff but I'm still unsure on a case.

Edit: I really want a HTPC case that fits all that stuff.

These HTPC cases are decent quality- just give them a good look over for CPU cooler and GPU size issues.

Thermaltake Black SECC Japanese steel LANBOX Lite ...

SILVERSTONE Black 8.0mm aluminum front panel, 0.8m...

*Note- decent HTPC cases run a little higher in price than a regular cases

[Snipermonkey2]

So I decided on a new case, mobo, and ram.

NZXT Source 210 It is the same case design as Solaris recommended but it all black.


ASRock P67 PRO3 - I picked this mobo vs the Biostar once because the P67 chipset is much better for overclocking than the H67 chipset.

Samsung 8gb (2 x 4gb) DDR3 1600 - AsRock caught my attention to this ram and after reading the thread on it I couldn't resist trying it out which also fueled my choice of the new mobo above.

[Snipermonkey2]

I took the leap I ordered it all. Total cost $644.92 which was under my $700 limit which I'm happy about and it still offers me chances for OC'ing and upgrades.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Snipermonkey2

So I decided on a new case, mobo, and ram.

NZXT Source 210 It is the same case design as Solaris recommended but it all black.


ASRock P67 PRO3 - I picked this mobo vs the Biostar once because the P67 chipset is much better for overclocking than the H67 chipset.

Samsung 8gb (2 x 4gb) DDR3 1600 - AsRock caught my attention to this ram and after reading the thread on it I couldn't resist trying it out which also fueled my choice of the new mobo above.

If you can switch quick to the 210 Elite (free shipping, extra fan, tool-less bays).. only $2 more when you account for the shipping

NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel with painted int...


Otherwise- good luck with your build

Edit- I'll post up some picks of my 210 build tomorrow... providing my wife doesn't have too many honey-do's for me

[Snipermonkey2]

Originally Posted by Norton

If you can switch quick to the 210 Elite (free shipping, extra fan, tool-less bays).. only $2 more when you account for the shipping

NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel with painted int...


Otherwise- good luck with your build

Edit- I'll post up some picks of my 210 build tomorrow... providing my wife doesn't have too many honey-do's for me

The Elite looks good to but I really don't care if it is tool-less or not though the extra fan might have been nice.

Once I get all the parts in next week (I hope I do) I will be sure to take photo's of the build.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Snipermonkey2

The Elite looks good to but I really don't care if it is tool-less or not though the extra fan might have been nice.

Once I get all the parts in next week (I hope I do) I will be sure to take photo's of the build.

Only difference then would have been an added NZXT 140mm fan for $2 more than what you paid- not a really big deal

You're still getting a good deal on the case either way. Keep an eye out in your parts box for mobo standoffs & screws... I tried one of the ones that came with the case and promptly threw them out

[Snipermonkey2]

Originally Posted by Norton

Only difference then would have been an added NZXT 140mm fan for $2 more than what you paid- not a really big deal

You're still getting a good deal on the case either way. Keep an eye out in your parts box for mobo standoffs & screws... I tried one of the ones that came with the case and promptly threw them out

Damn are they really shitty?

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Snipermonkey2

Damn are they really shitty?

The only thing I liked was that they were black

Do you have a shop or a forum member close by where you can pick up a set of std brass ones and screws?

[Snipermonkey2]

Originally Posted by Norton

The only thing I liked was that they were black

Do you have a shop or a forum member close by where you can pick up a set of std brass ones and screws?

Well I'm not sure if any one else from Camp Lejeune, NC has an account on TPU.

As for a shop maybe in Jacksonville I'd have to look around.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Snipermonkey2

Well I'm not sure if any one else from Camp Lejeune, NC has an account on TPU.

As for a shop maybe in Jacksonville I'd have to look around.

You should be able to get away with them if finding better ones is difficult but you will probably want to replace them if/when you swap out your board. I had an option close at hand so I decided against using the ones it came with.....

[xenocide]

Nobody mentioned it, but you suggested a GTX560, which performs on par for an HD6870, bust costs something like $30 more. It's a waste really, unless the person is insistent on using an Nvidia card.

I would do:
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 Micro ATX Computer Case w...
CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Tur...
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 PRO3-M LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb...
RAM: SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600...
GPU: MSI N560GTX-Ti-M2D1GD5/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Ferm...
Optical Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X ...
Total Cost: $635.94


I also suggest if you do go with the Fractal Design case, get another 100mm and 92mm to fill the other slots.

[boomstik360]

Shoot, before I ever buy from newegg, I look on forums for parts.

The only thing in my sig rig that I bought that was used was the i3. Everything else I bought from here or OCN and all way new in box. I saved $200 lol. I also wait for newegg & tiger direct sales, always save a bunch. I think the only thing I have bought not on sale was something that was just released.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Norton

If you can switch quick to the 210 Elite (free shipping, extra fan, tool-less bays).. only $2 more when you account for the shipping

NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel with painted int...


Otherwise- good luck with your build

Edit- I'll post up some picks of my 210 build tomorrow... providing my wife doesn't have too many honey-do's for me

Posted my Source 210 spare PC build on Your PC ATM if you want to take a peek

Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...ostcount=19430

[Snipermonkey2]

Originally Posted by xenocide

Nobody mentioned it, but you suggested a GTX560, which performs on par for an HD6870, bust costs something like $30 more. It's a waste really, unless the person is insistent on using an Nvidia card.

I would do:
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 Micro ATX Computer Case w...
CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Tur...
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 PRO3-M LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb...
RAM: SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600...
GPU: MSI N560GTX-Ti-M2D1GD5/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Ferm...
Optical Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X ...
Total Cost: $635.94


I also suggest if you do go with the Fractal Design case, get another 100mm and 92mm to fill the other slots.

A little late on suggestion but the reason for the Nvidia card vs ATI was because more 3d rendering software is written to take better advantage of Nvidia cards.

Originally Posted by boomstik360

Shoot, before I ever buy from newegg, I look on forums for parts.

The only thing in my sig rig that I bought that was used was the i3. Everything else I bought from here or OCN and all way new in box. I saved $200 lol. I also wait for newegg & tiger direct sales, always save a bunch. I think the only thing I have bought not on sale was something that was just released.

I wanted to buy parts from TPU users but my paypal isn't setup for my new bank account. Along with that time was a factor, I didn't want to wait and shop around more.

[Snipermonkey2]

Originally Posted by Norton

Posted my Source 210 spare PC build on Your PC ATM if you want to take a peek

Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...ostcount=19430

Your rig looks good that cooler you have is a really good one I had one on my AMD Tri-Core, unlocked and OC'd stable at 3.5ghz, that cooler also kept it nice and cool.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Snipermonkey2

Your rig looks good that cooler you have is a really good one I had one on my AMD Tri-Core, unlocked and OC'd stable at 3.5ghz, that cooler also kept it nice and cool.

Thanks

That cooler is OK, real easy to install- got it at NewEgg (Shell Shocker) for like $20 a while ago... wish I had a 2nd Xig Dark Knight though

I have a Dark Knight in my main rig with the Xig kit to turn it 90 degrees and it easily beats this one by 5-6C under load. I also picked up a CM Hyper 212 Plus on Shell Shocker last month and I'm still debating about trying it in here- but I don't really like the mounting system on the Hyper 212