[Alex4147]

So I'm finally going to try my hand at building a system for myself from scratch. Any and all feedback on the build is welcome, especially compatability, missing parts, and price alternatives.

Looking to stay under $1000, and the pc will be primarily for gaming. So here's the list.

• Gigabyte 6 Series GA-P67A-UD3-B3 Intel P67 Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA1155), Intel P67 Express, DDR3 2133MHz, SATA 6.0 Gb/s, RAID, CrossFireX Ready, 7.1-Channel HD Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0
• GIGABYTE GV-N550OC-1GI GeForce GTX 550 Ti Video Card - 1GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), Mini HDMI, Dual DVI, DirectX 11, SLI Ready, Overclocked
• Intel Core i5-2500 BX80623I52500 Processor - Quad Core, 6MB L3 Cache, 3.30 GHz, Socket H2 (LGA1155), Retail
• Corsair XMS PC12800 RAM - 8GB, DDR3, Dual Channel, Cl 9, PC12800, 1600MHz(4x2GB)
• Seagate ST3320418AS Barracuda Hard Drive - 3.5", 7200 RPM, SATA 3G, 320GB, 16MB Cache
• Ultra X4 600-Watt Modular Power Supply - 135mm Fan, ATX, Lifetime Warranty w/ Registration, 80+ Bronze, NVIDIA SLI & ATI Crossfire Certifications, Vibration Dampener Included
• Ultra U12-40670 BLACK Edition Full-Tower ATX/mATX Case (3) 120mm Fans, (7) External 5.25" Bays, (5) Internal 3.5" Bays, Front Port USB, FireWire, eSATA and Audio, Tool-Free, Lifetime Warranty w/ Reg
• Lite-On IHAS22406 Internal DVD Writer - DVD+R 24X, DVD-R 24X, DVD+RW 8X, DVD-RW 6X, SATA, Lightscribe (OEM)
• Lite-On IHOS104 Blu Ray ROM - BD-ROM 4X, DVD-ROM 8X, CD-ROM 32X
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

Copy/paste spam over. Nothing purchased yet, so any compatability issues, cable bundles I might need to purchase, and better priced components that anyone can point out would be helpful. All this stuff is off TigerDirect for a total of $1040 or so.

*Edit for the correct socket CPU and linkified everything*

Edited by Alex4147, 08 April 2011 - 06:55 PM.

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Hi mate,

You have a 1156 processor and a 1155 CPU. They do not work together! Upgrade the CPU to one of the newer 1155 socket ones, definitely the way to go.

Also I am not a fan of Ultra power supplies, I recommend you get something a bit better quality.

Cheers

[Troy]

Hi mate,

You have a 1156 processor and a 1155 CPU. They do not work together! Upgrade the CPU to one of the newer 1155 socket ones, definitely the way to go.

Also I am not a fan of Ultra power supplies, I recommend you get something a bit better quality.

Cheers

[iammykyl]

Troy is correct. The P67 boards are socket 1155 and they do not have an on board video socket so you need a graphics card. I think your selection is good.

The new Intel socket 1155 Sandy Bridge CPUs come in 2 flavours. The i5 2500K & i7 2600K which are easily overclocked on the stock coolers, (best suited to the P67 boards) and the rest like, i7 2600, i5 2400, i3 2100, best suited to the H67 boards with video output which give access to the integrated graphics, (integrated graphics is part of the CPU)
>
http://www.newegg.co...name=LGA%201155
For a gaming rig I would go with the i5 2500K. Cost $25 more.

Ultra PSU review, >
http://www.overclock...ws/ultrax4600w/

Edited by iammykyl, 08 April 2011 - 04:20 AM.

[Alex4147]

Overclocking isn't something I've ever actually done, so its not really a consideration. My concerns at the moment are simply that everything will plug in and work. Also if I'm going to need to add various cables/connectors to the list because, since its my first build, I don't know if the components will come with the required cables at all.

[Alex4147]

Found this while scratching my head about making sure I had all the proper cables to put the components on my list together.

Ultra cable bundle

That looks like it should have all the power cables I'd need, and overkill really. But what about other connectors?

So far, unless I'm mistaken, all my drives should plug in with SATA cables. But again this is my first build so I'm just trying to get all my ducks in a row for a shopping list before I go and buy anything. Don't want to open all the boxes and end up finding I can't plug in something important that I've overlooked.

[iammykyl]

hat looks like it should have all the power cables I'd need, and overkill really. But what about other connectors?

The PSU comes with all the cables you need for for installation, scroll down the whole page, > http://www.tigerdire...8897&CatId=1483

All Mobos also come with a bundle of cables for connection to HDD etc.

Graphics cards also have cables but usually not every type available so you need to find out what is included in case what you need is not there.

Other hardware like an external HDD enclosure would come with it own cables like fire-wire. So for a standard build you would be very unlucky to have to go and buy extra cables.

unless I'm mistaken, all my drives should plug in with SATA cables

Yes, providing they are SATA drive.

Overclocking isn't something I've ever actually done, so its not really a consideration.

Overclocking on the newer boards is very simple, just click and go, But if you do not think you will use it, the i would suggest the 2500 Sandy Bridge installed on a H67 Motherboard.

Review, > http://www.hardcorew...mance-review/6/

Some boards for you to look at, > http://www.tigerdire...38,Price;Price4

Newegg has a site in Canada. It may be cheaper the TigerDirect.

> http://www.newegg.ca...5^13-128-475-TS