couple questions on my gaming build

[ianscomp]

Gaming build for mainly MMOs and RPGs:
MotherBoard: (170)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130643

PSU: (75)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

CPU: (210)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

GPU: (190)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121446

case: (100)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

memory: (47)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

SSD:(primary) (75)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725

HDD:(secondary) (80)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

DiskDrive: (18)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

OS:

w7 64bit home premium



total: 969



alternatives:

GPU: (130)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130770

CPU: (190)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

Questions:

1. Would this graphics card make a big loss in performance http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130770?

2 The tower says "micro ATX/ATX" motherboard compatible, and I do not know if my motherboard will fit with this tower.

3. Is my tower big anough for all my components?

4. I am still under budget, should I get an extra fan?

5. Am I bottle necking anywhere, assuming I am using the SSD for OS and my current favorite game?

6. Am I going overkill with my CPU?

7. Any other thoughts or comments are welcome.

Thanks, Ian

[RickyTick]

Gaming build for mainly MMOs and RPGs:

Questions:

1. Would this graphics card make a big loss in performance http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130770?

The link doesn't work, but it looks like you were referring to the GTX550Ti card. See #5 below.



2 The tower says "micro ATX/ATX" motherboard compatible, and I do not know if my motherboard will fit with this tower.

Your motherboard will fit just fine.



3. Is my tower big anough for all my components?

Yes



4. I am still under budget, should I get an extra fan?

No



5. Am I bottle necking anywhere, assuming I am using the SSD for OS and my current favorite game?

The GPU could be a bottleneck for some games. If you're under budget, I would suggest looking at the GTX560 Ti 448.



6. Am I going overkill with my CPU?

It's a perfect choice for a gaming rig.



7. Any other thoughts or comments are welcome.

Welcome to the MySuperPC forums. You've got an excellent build list.

[ARchamps]

I have a 560 Ti 448 and it does have a performance bump over the 560 Ti, esp in Battlefield 3. Good build!

[ianscomp]

Sorry about the link not working but I was referring to my alternate GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130770. It is basically the same but the core clock and shader clock speed are a little lower. Also the memory interface is 192bit where as the $190 GPU is 256bit.
Also thank you for the replies and hospitality

[zburns]

I do not see a cooler on your list (or I am just missing it). There has been a recent 'flurry' of the Cooler Master Hyper 212 being used, as well as some liquid coolers. Liquid coolers are available with the pumps (and impellers) located at the cpu BUT also the pumps (different models) can be located at the radiators. There are 'holes in the case rear, typically' to allow the hoses for liquid coolers to 'exit the case'.

There are pluses and minuses for all three type coolers. The Hyper 212 overhangs one or more of the memory sockets. In the future, if a problem occurs that requires removal of the RAM multiple times during a 'trouble shooting' sequence, the cooler will have to removed which will 'break the thermal paste seal' between the 212 heatsink and the cpu. This potentially means 'multiple' heatsink 'cleanings and then applications of thermal paste each time the cooler is removed to allow access to a the RAM slot (s) covered by the 'cooler overhang'.

The liquid coolers are more expensive. The coolers with pumps located inside the computer case increase the noise level somewhat -- See W. Stumpp's post #22 at this link: http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?4583-motherboard-question/page3

Liquid coolers can be located outside the case which may be preferable because the 'case noise' will be reduced. However, the liquid coolers with pumps and impellers on top of the cpu may have the lowest or best 'cooling' capability.

This entire topic requires some 'forum discussion', my opinion, to sort out the above 'pluses and minuses' of the various possibilities!!

[RickyTick]

Since he is not going with the "k" version of the cpu, then overclocking is out. So I didn't see any need for an aftermarket cooler beyond the stock Intel heatsink that comes with it. In fact, he should probably go with a less expensive motherboard to save enough money to put towards a better video card. IMO

[ARchamps]

If you are on a budget, I agree that you should downgrade the mobo to P67/Z68 and use the savings on a better GPU. There is no point spending that much on a motherboard if you won't overclock. The Z77 seems like it is designed for next generation hardware (IvyBridge + PCI 3.0). It has better features (more USB 3.0 slots etc) but will not give you any performance boosts. Most newer P67 and Z68 boards will have this support anyways with a BIOS upgrade.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[bighoo93]

The Hyper 212 overhangs one or more of the memory sockets. In the future, if a problem occurs that requires removal of the RAM multiple times during a 'trouble shooting' sequence, the cooler will have to removed which will 'break the thermal paste seal' between the 212 heatsink and the cpu. This potentially means 'multiple' heatsink 'cleanings and then applications of thermal paste each time the cooler is removed to allow access to a the RAM slot (s) covered by the 'cooler overhang'.

I don't think this would actually be a problem. I've installed the Hyper 212+ cooler in both my PCs with different motherboards. The only "overhang" is due entirely to the fan attached to the heat sink. If you have to remove/install RAM after installing the cooler (which I did), it is very simple to take the fan off, remove/install the RAM, and replace the fan. You never have to take the cooler out and break the thermal paste seal.

I've found that the Hyper 212+ provides a dramatic improvement over the stock cooler. You can routinely get it for $20 with a rebate, and I really can't imagine not doing that even if you aren't going to push your system to its limits (which I don't).

[zburns]

Hey bighoo93,

You are being kind in your comments. I have never had the 212 in my hands looking at it. Once I heard about the RAM overlap on the forum, I just focused on that aspect. But the same day I did that post above I did figure it out and meant to correct the post; however, I had concluded it would be so obvious to someone looking at it, I just dropped it as a concern.

But I do have one helpful comment on it. Instead of removing the fan, can you not 'just slide it up' the side of the cooler? Maybe that's easier. Removing it looks to be quite easy also!

[bighoo93]

But I do have one helpful comment on it. Instead of removing the fan, can you not 'just slide it up' the side of the cooler? Maybe that's easier. Removing it looks to be quite easy also!

Good question. I think it is harder to slide the fan because of the orientation of the "fins" of the heat sink. I had to position the fan an inch or so higher than normal in order to clear the RAM on one of my motherboards, and I found it easier to take the fan off and snap it back on than to slide it.