Thoughts on my new system

[dazzazzad]

My new system (bought in November) got stolen and after a drawn out process insurance has accepted the full claim.

Here's what I have so far...

CM Storm Trooper Chassis
Vertex 4 256gb
Seagate 2tb
7870 hawk
8gb g.skill ram


Here's what I'm looking at to fill out the system. Have never owned decent headphones nor have I had a soundcard before, so any advice in that realm would be great.

XFX Core edition pro 650w
Steel Series Sensei Raw Mouse
Razer Carcharias headphones
Intel Core i7 3770K (or i5-3570k)
Asus p8z77 pro
Asus Xonar DX
Logitech z523

As for keyboard, I want my first mechanical keyboard for gaming and typing. A bit clueless here so any ideas welcome.

 

[EmileS]

Nice system you have going there. I would go with the i5-3570k and save some bucks for your awesome Mech keyboard. Also, what Z77 Pro mobo are you getting (V-Pro or M-Pro)? Sounds a bit overkill if your going for the V-Pro. Also check the ASRock Extreme 6 and Extreme 4 mobos. Maybe a better mouse, not that the mouse is bad, there are just so many options. What screen do you have?

 

[guest2013-1]

I'd up the RAM to 32gb

 

[dazzazzad]

The system that was stolen had the Asrock extreme 4, but I had some driver issues and when I tried to contact them for feedback...well I'm still waiting. Yes, was looking at the V model for the thunderbolt which may add some longevity to the system or just make selling the board later easier.

I like that the Sensei is quite clean and simple looking. Not mad about mice with tons of extra stuff going on.

Forgot to mention the monitor, already have it. 24" Samsung 370.

I'll spend a grand or a bit over on a keyboard. I just can't bring myself to spend more than that. Maybe next time around.

 

[dazzazzad]

I'd up the RAM to 32gb

Dunno about 32 but definitely considering another pair of 8gb g.skill to take it to 16.

 

[bromster]

Narce rig,

Definitely i5-3570k for gaming. And the price difference pays for your keyboard.

16gb will be enough RAM. I never see my usage above half at 1920x1080. Keep 2 slots open for future use if you can though. New games are becoming very resource-hungry.

 

[EmileS]

The system that was stolen had the Asrock extreme 4, but I had some driver issues and when I tried to contact them for feedback...well I'm still waiting. Yes, was looking at the V model for the thunderbolt which may add some longevity to the system or just make selling the board later easier.

I like that the Sensei is quite clean and simple looking. Not mad about mice with tons of extra stuff going on.

Forgot to mention the monitor, already have it. 24" Samsung 370.

I'll spend a grand or a bit over on a keyboard. I just can't bring myself to spend more than that. Maybe next time around.

They are nice and clean mice, so go for it.

Don't go for more than 16GB RAM.

You sure you want to go all-out on an expensive mobo now, with Haswell around the corner? I'll get a mobo in the R1600 range if I were you, then sell that off as soon as Haswell appears and then get a mobo with Thunderbolt. The i5-3570k will be a quicker sell also. Then you can go full out new tech! Look at my specs (my PC also got nicked), I'm waiting for Haswell, no need to go big now, those components do the job I want.

BTW, are you planning to OC?

 

[dazzazzad]

Well I'm quite lazy. The idea of replacing my mobo so soon and having to install windows yet again doesn't exactly get my psyched. So wasn't planning to change that so quick. The gpu will likely be upgraded later in the year though.

What's a decent non Asrock board that you would recommend instead. I've never had a really top mobo and am kinda curious.

Normally only OC when I feel the need to. Not something I am compelled to do just to get my system at absolute peak.

 

[EmileS]

I get your point. Hate replacing a mobo... So much hassle!

If you can provide us with a budget, there are loads of options available. NAG-Wesley can probably give you best advise on that. The Asus board you want will be very good. You can also look at these:
MSI Z77A-GD65
MSI Z77A-GD65 GAMING
MSI Z77 MPower
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H

There are loads of reviews on these mobos. Choosing the one you like will require your own research, but if Thunderbolt is important to you, go for that Asus.

 

[dazzazzad]

The budget is not specific but pretty good. I thought my insurance claim was going to be small because of a technicality so I started buying second hand parts and looking for deals. Now that I eventually got the full claim I have more leeway. Will check out reviews of those boards, thanks.

My biggest issue is finding a store that will accept that claims card that Santam loads the payment onto. It can't be used online and I just called Landmark and Wootware, who have offices down here, and neither will accept the card. Look at their list of preferred suppliers under computers.

http://www.santam.co.za/claims-services/santam-card/preferred-suppliers/computers-and-games/

As far as I can tell the only proper computer store there is Incredible Corruption. Grrrr.

 

[CataclysmZA]

I know you can't buy from Rebeltech, but I'm linking to them anyway because its easier.

XFX Core edition pro 650w

Good choice, you won't go wrong there. And the Trooper has plenty of space to hide extra cables.

Steel Series Sensei Raw Mouse

I really liked the RAW, its my favourite mouse so far. Good choice.

Razer Carcharias headphones

Ditch this bitch. Its a USB headset and stereo only. There are much better options, like the Steelseries Spectrum 7XB, Corsair's Vengeance 2000, Cooler Master's Sirius 5.1 and the ASUS Orion Pro. If you can find any one of those headphones, you'll be a much happier camper.

Intel Core i7-3770K

Hey, if its within your budget, go for it. Otherwise, the i5-3570K will do just as well for gaming, although I'm not sure what you'd spend the extra bucks on.

ASUS P8Z77-Pro

Good board. Is that the V-Pro version? If you can't find it, your best alternatives are the MSI Z77 M-Power and the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H or the ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 Professional.

I particularly like the Fatal1ty board, it's a different version and they've chucked the stupid design of the previous one.

ASUS Xonar DX

Well, its up to you, if you end up taking a headset that has good speakers and doesn't use a USB amplifier. All of the ones I recommended do use an AMP and some black magic for the surround sound, so that makes a sound card a little redundant. Still, if you're looking to have better quality music and in-game sounds, this is a good idea.

Logitech Z523

They're okay, but I'd prefer you avoid shooting yourself in the foot if you're ever playing without headphones and you discover they're not really that great. I have the X-530 set and its great. If you're every going to hook up a console to your monitor, the Z-506 is even better.

As for keyboard, I want my first mechanical keyboard for gaming and typing. A bit clueless here so any ideas welcome.

There are quite a lot of options out there. In order of awesomeness:

Gigabyte Osmium
Cooler Master Trigger
Corsair Vengeance K90
Cooler Master Quickfire Pro

 

[sybertiger]

i got roccat kave 5.1 and there awesome!
true 5.1 nice controller for R800
i got a xonar dgx it works good (Y) no complains about it
and ya save some money and go with the i5
and get a better cooler with the money u saved
so u can oc if u want to

 

[dazzazzad]

Thanks a lot Wesley. Few followups...

Can get Corsair GS600 600W second hand for R500 so will get that instead as long as there are no issues.

Thanks for headphone info. I heard the Razer's were incredibly comfortable to wear which is something that appealed to me particularly since I wear glasses. No point getting awesome cans if I want to throw them off after an hour. Will check reviews and pick one out.

Yes, it was the pro version. Quite liked the idea of thunderbolt future proofing the mobo to a certain extent.

Sound is hard to work out. So many differing opinions out there. But I will give a soundcard a bash for the first time and let's see if it it wows these virgin ears.

I don't really have a room nicely configured for a 5.1 setup. Are there any 2.1 setups that you'd recommend?

Those keyboards look ace, will check reviews. I like a keyboard that doesn't look like it was made for a 10 year old.

 

[Brawler]

Wait 1 month for Haswell? its probably only going to be 10-15% quicker than Ivy but its a new socket mobo so the 1155 socket is pretty much dead. I also need to upgrade but I can't get myself to spend that much on something that is about to be obsolete. If you can get by in the interim, then wait. Pricing will be very similar to Ivy, perhaps a few hundred more depending on the R/$

 

[dazzazzad]

I don't think I can wait. My system was stolen so it's not an upgrade, I've had no pc for a month and a half and am going insane :-D

 

[CataclysmZA]

Can get Corsair GS600 600W second hand for R500 so will get that instead as long as there are no issues.

Hrmmmm. Second-hand is not bad, but with most things you don't know what that thing's been through. When it comes to PSUs and hard drives I prefer buying new because you at least know its virgin stuff and you're the first owner. But if you know the owner and its been taken care of, its not a bad idea.

Thanks for headphone info. I heard the Razer's were incredibly comfortable to wear which is something that appealed to me particularly since I wear glasses. No point getting awesome cans if I want to throw them off after an hour. Will check reviews and pick one out.

Ah, I'm also one of the four-eyed freaks The Carcharias is comfortable but the headband makes my head itch and the cups aren't soft either, made of this felt-like material. The Siberia V2 headphones I still have with me are damn comfortable, even with glasses. Works well for hearing aids too. I think Steelseries is becoming my second-favourite brand, after Logitech.

Yes, it was the pro version. Quite liked the idea of thunderbolt future proofing the mobo to a certain extent.

Indeed, the board does work nicely for a Hackintosh. I don't see you using Thunderbolt though, USB 3.0 is more versatile. TB support in Windows 8 is also a bit spotty. But if you're going for resale value, ASUS generally holds it well.

I don't really have a room nicely configured for a 5.1 setup. Are there any 2.1 setups that you'd recommend?

If you're sticking with 2:1, the Z523 is hard to beat. Its a good choice My personal preference is just 5:1.

Which is silly, considering I'm half-deaf.

 

[NomNom]

Warning about the Kaves, they are extremely uncomfortable and flimsy, I would recommend you the Coolermaster Storm Sirus. The only real advantage the Kaves have over the Sirus is the ear pads can fold in making it easier to transport.

There are two different models you can choose from, the Cooler Master Sirus comes with a USB control center which allows you to connect the headset to your Pc via USB and gives you volume buttons.

You can also get the Cooler Master Sirus-S 5.1 that does not come with this USB control center, personally I never use it because I find the sound quality to be much better using the analog connectors than the USB ones.

Cooler Master Sirus-S 5.1 - R845

Cooler Master Sirus - R1,207

 

[Pada]

I'd go with 1x 8GB DDR3 1600MHz CL9 RAM now and just upgrade to 16GB later on, unless you have a budget to fit in another 8GB now. I have 9GB of RAM at home and it is more than enough for any kind of game at this moment. At my office I have 32GB of RAM, because I can actually make good use of 24GB of it.

For a gaming PC, I'd stick with the i5 3570k CPU, unless you're also doing heavy computational stuff with your PC, such as video transcoding.

Depending on your motherboard needs, it would also be worth while to look at the ASRock and MSI alternatives, such as the ASRock Z77 Extreme 3 Pro or MSI Z77-G43.
I don't see Thunderbolt becoming mainstream any time soon, unless you can afford the expensive Appe hardware.

If you want decent sound, ditch the stupid 5.1 gaming headphones and go for the following (which will set you back more than R1.5k):
1) Asus Xonar/Creative Soundblaster Z dedicated soundcard
2) Zalman clip-on microphone
3) audiophile class headphones (eg. Audio Technica AD700 / Sennheiser HD 595 / Sennheiser PC 350)
There are a few threads where the headphones have been discussed:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/490716-7-1-Gaming-Headsets/page4
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/203735-gaming-headsets/page3

 

[dazzazzad]

When it comes to audio I want to walk before I run. This is the first step to taking it more seriously. If I get more invested in that then I might look to go more hardcore audiophile route.

 

[dazzazzad]

Guys, any downside to mixing two different kinds of ram (same speed, same size tho)?