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Hey folks,

I'm considering pulling the trigger on the following build to replace my workstation, which I use primarily for gaming, video encoding, and occasionally work.

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz
Cooler: CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB)
GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition
SSD: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128D/AM 2.5" 128GB
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series HX750 (CMPSU-750HX) 750W
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 650D

I'm fairly confident about most of these picks, but still debating my choice of cooler and GPU.

I typically use coolers like this one, but I thought the Hydro was pretty cool. I intend to overclock, but only as far as stock voltage will carry me. Has anyone had any personal experience with the Hydro?

As for the GPU, I'm pretty sure the 7870 should be more than enough for gaming on a 1080p monitor (CS:GO, Tribes: Ascend, Diablo III, Starcraft II, etc), but there are a lot of nice video cards out right now. Would I be better off future proofing a little and going with a GTX 670? HD 7950? Gigabyte has a similar card for each for only $50 more, which I wouldn't mind spending if either of them is significantly better.

I also have a Xonar DX from my previous build (mid 2009). As far as I can tell, that card hasn't been updated since then so I'll probably use it with this build.

Thoughts?

Lonewolf08 wrote:

Cooler: CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60

After one of my Corsair Hydro H70 coolers had a pump failure after less than two months of operation, I've gone back to using large air coolers like the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo. They're cheaper and apparently more reliable than the water coolers. However, my older Hydro H70 is still going strong after 16 months in my gaming PC.

Lonewolf08 wrote:

RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB)

Have you considered getting 2x8 GiB of PC3-12800 instead?

Lonewolf08 wrote:

GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R787OC-2GD Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition

I'd be inclined to choose Radeon HD7850 ($247½) or Radeon HD7950 ($380) or GeForce GTX670 ($410) instead of Radeon HD7870 ($337½). Here's a hot-clocked (975 MHz) Radeon HD7850 for $267:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814125419

Lonewolf08 wrote:

PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series HX750 (CMPSU-750HX) 750W
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 650D

Those are fine components, but they are fairly expensive. The Antec Three Hundred Illusion + Antec EarthWatts Green EA-650 would be a much less expensive solution. The EarthWatts Green EA-430 could save you even more, as long as you don't plan on a 40nm GPU.

I'll second JAE's recommendations on the memory, GPU, case, and PSU. While I really like the style of the Corsair cases, they're needlessly large and expensive for most builds. Also, if you can stretch for the GTX670, there isn't a better value- if you can't going above the HD7850 doesn't really make sense.

For the cooler, the Hyper 212 Evo is a perfect air cooler- but I'll add that the H60 in my system has been perfect, and uses a different (improved?) pump design from the older H50/H70 coolers. I will say that I went with the integrated water-cooler due to the airflow setup in my case.

For the motherboard, I understand the sentiment behind getting a nice board, but do you really need a UD5? These new LGA1155 CPUs overclock to their limit so easily that I have a hard time understanding the need for higher end boards outside of the additional features. If you're not going with a second GPU in the foreseeable future, and if you're not gaming above 1080p, you're not likely to, then you can get away with just about anything from Asus/Gigabyte/ASRock. Asus has the best fan controls, and ASRock isn't far behind.

Lonewolf08 wrote:

$140 -20MIR CORSAIR Professional Series HX750 (CMPSU-750HX) 750W PSU (62 A @ +12 V)
$196 -10MIR Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX case
=========
$336 -30 MIR combined

$65 -10MIR Antec Three Hundred Illusion ATX case
$71 Antec EarthWatts Green EA-650 PSU (54 A @ +12 V)
or $66 SeaSonic M12II-520 Bronze (40 A @ +12 V)
or $38¼ Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430 PSU (32 A @ +12 V)
========
$136 -10 MIR combined

That's $200 that you could spend on something else (or keep in your pocket) without giving up any performance.

Those are some great points guys, thanks. I always appreciate the perspective (read: reigning me back in from overspending ).

I was looking at the 650D because the Hydro wouldn't work in my current case (140mm rear fan) and because I wanted something new. I currently have a CM HAF 932, but am fond of the idea of something a little less conspicuous. I couldn't make up my mind whether it was worth it so I think I'll stick with the 932 for a while longer and a nice air cooler instead. It's held up quite well so I might as well get more value out of it.

A 650 watt PSU should be enough for this build right (especially since I have no plans for a multi-GPU setup)? I had only selected a 750 because that's what I have in my previous build. I'll probably stick with a Corsair model because I've had good luck with them and I'd like a modular setup.

Good point on the motherboard too. I like having dual NICs, but it's certainly not a need. Plus I can always stick a second NIC in later. Maybe something like this instead? As long as there isn't a performance penalty I'm always fine with saving some money.

As for the GPU; so the 670 is the only one worth spending a extra for? Otherwise stick with a 7850? That'll work. Newegg has a nice overclocked Gigabyte 670 that looks just like the 7870 I linked that keeps selling out, but I can wait.

I hadn't really considered a 16 GB kit, I barely use 8, haha. Still though, that's an interesting idea.

I just can't go back to air cooling after picking up an H80. I lived for the past 3 years with a Zerotherm Nirvana NV120 air cooler, and while it did a great job at cooling my [email protected], it was so loud that I could hear it up the steps on the next floor.
I bought the H80 and was amazed at the difference in noise. I can now watch TV in the same room without having to turn the volume up to overpower the HSF. The stock fans weren't anything great so I replaced them with GT-1850's and its been such a blissful silence that I can't believe it took me this long to do it.

No knock against air cooling other than noise, so that was priority #1 for me.

Lonewolf08 wrote:

SSD: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128D/AM 2.5" 128GB

BuyDig has the Samsung 830 for $118 (+free shipping).

Walkintarget wrote:

I just can't go back to air cooling after picking up an H80. I lived for the past 3 years with a Zerotherm Nirvana NV120 air cooler, and while it did a great job at cooling my [email protected], it was so loud that I could hear it up the steps on the next floor.
I bought the H80 and was amazed at the difference in noise. I can now watch TV in the same room without having to turn the volume up to overpower the HSF. The stock fans weren't anything great so I replaced them with GT-1850's and its been such a blissful silence that I can't believe it took me this long to do it.

No knock against air cooling other than noise, so that was priority #1 for me.

I hear you- my Zalman 9700NT (or some-such) was extremely loud, but the Xigmatek I replaced it with is dead silent. Really, you can achieve silent CPU cooling with either air or an integrated water-cooler, and it just comes down to your cooling setup. If you have your case set with a balance of intake and exhaust fans, a regular HSF will perform better, but if you set up your airflow leaning more on the intake side, something like an H80 will probably work a little better.