A teensy weensy computer question...

Hello all, I'm contemplating buying a new computer (mine's pretty old) and I need some input as to what is good and what isn't. I've done a little research and found one prebuilt that I think is a pretty good system for a good price, although I'm not exactly an expert at this so I'm not entirely sure. I would appreciate feedback from those who have anyhting to share. Here are the specs:

Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912
CPU: i7-2600k 3.4 ghz
MB: GigaByte Z68 SATA3, USB3
RAM: 8Gb DDR3 1600 Mhz
GPU: Nvidia GTX 560 1Gb
HD: 1Tb Sata3 7200 rpm
Optical: 24X DVD+-R/+-RW
Cooling: Asetek 510 LC liquid cooling system w/120mm raadiator and 120mm fan
Price: $1122 (w/peripherals and Wireless card)


I found this on cyberpowerpc.com, it seems like a pretty decent build to me. For any suggestions, keep in mind that I'd like to stick within a decent budget. I realize that building your own PC is the cheapest way to get a good computer, but I'm not too sure if I have enough tech know-how at this point to do that. :S

Anyways, feel free to add comments, questions, analyses, muffins, pancakes, Al Roker, etc., whatever.

» Edited on: 2011-09-12 20:04:21

EDIT: Updated build to a better one I found and edited for context.

» Edited on: 2011-09-13 11:15:04

» Edited on: 2011-09-13 11:34:40

EDIT: the build listed above is the finalized build, although feel free to post any advice you want about building computers and stuff. :)

» Edited on: 2011-09-13 13:34:26

I would look at cyberpower directly. Not sure how this compares Intel Core i7-2600K CPU • 8GB DDR3-PC1600 RAM • NVIDIA GTX550Ti 1GB Video • GigaByte Z68 USB3, SATA3 MB • 1TB SATA-III 7200 RPM HD • 24X DVD+-R/+-RW Drive • Thermaltake Commander Gaming Case $899

» Edited on: 2011-09-13 07:32:20

I have no experience with Cyberpower but the rig looks fine to me. Bashir's suggestion has more punch than the one on newegg and the price is better. Grats on the new system!

I went on down to CyberpowerPC.com and did a lil' searchin'. Here's what I found: Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912 CPU: i7-2600k 3.4 ghz MB: GigaByte Z68 SATA3, USB3 RAM: 8Gb DDR3 1600 Mhz GPU: Nvidia GTX 560 Ti 1Gb HD: 1Tb Sata3 7200 rpm Optical: 24X DVD+-R/+-RW Price: $1089 That was the best I found while staying around $1k-ish. Bashir, where'd you find that? I would fancy a gander meself. :)

» Edited on: 2011-09-13 08:35:14

» Edited on: 2011-09-13 08:35:41

It looks good to me man. That is a great PC you have listed that will last you a long time. Once the vid card starts falling behind, just get another and SLI it. You might consider a I7 2600-k for the unlocked multiplier, but the I-2500 is still awesome and you won't really notice to much of a difference. Those CPUs are great to overclock. My 17-2600k is at 4.4 and that is with no effort at all. If I wanted to get serious I could get it around 5ghz on air. Also, buy a different CPU heatsink. The one that comes with the intel CPU is not very good. I would also recommend getting a motherboard with one of the new UEFI Bios programs, I have the Asus sabertooth and the UEFI bios is amazingly easy to use.

@Kurtgrim, thanks for the advice, although I'm not too sure I should be trying overclocking with my limited computer knowledge. The build that I mentioned in the replies also comes with some extra cooling. Here it is: Asetek 510 LC liquid cooling system with 120mm radiator and 120mm fan I'm not sure if that's what you meant by upgrading the cooling for the CPU, but that's all I saw on the site in terms of cooling or heatsinks. The cooling system also says that it is certified for some Venom overclocking, so I think it would be alright? Anyways, thanks to all who gave advice/feedback, I really appreciate it!

@SeraphDust That liquid cooling system is exactly what was meant as far as the additional cooling. I put together a similar system for about $300 less, but it didn't have the cooling (which is almost a necessity if you're going to overclock) and I grabbed the i3-2100 instead of an i5 or i7. Not as much punch, and no real overclocking potential but a good deal nonetheless. A caution on the graphics card, though - many of the graphics cards take a single PCIe slot but occupy both slots, making SLI/XFire impossible in the future. This is especially true of the Ti designation - mine is a 550, but the 560 has the same issue. If you're seriously thinking you'll end up wanting to SLI later then make sure that there's enough room. Of course, SLI/XFire is generally more for the higher resolutions - I don't know that it would help on Rift so much.

I just found it on the front page under their specials. If I don't get the iMac, I am considering cyberpower because I just don't feel like building my next rig.

@Elsimer- Ok, thank you for the info, I'll keep that in mind. @Bashir- lol, don't know why I didn't see it. Probably gonna get that but with a few modifications. Thank you to everyone who posted above me; I really appreciate the help you all gave me! I've settled on a build for now, but if you want to post any more good advice about computers, be my guest. I'm always willing to learn! :) The build I settled on is pretty much the same as before, but instead of the Nvidia GTX 560Ti, I decided on the GTX 560. (no Ti) The Ti just seems to me to be more $$$ for not much more "Vroom!" for your computer. The end price for my build is $1122.

I hope it works out. I have been looking at the site but have never used them. Let me know how the experience goes.