Help Alien Build A PC!

[Alien]

Hello, TnB. It's about time my poor Greek ass got a new computer; and I need your help building it! I have some specs in mind, but nothing is final. There is no need to include a screen, mouse, keyboard, software or headset in the price.

I will be using the computer for mainly gaming and programming, and I need it to be easily upgrade-able: I intend to use it for a long time.

Some considerations:

I live in Greece, where we use the standard Euro and there is a 23% tax on ALL purchases.
Parts must be available in Greek retailers.
I am looking for an about 750+/- 50E (~600 without taxes) build. I will add on to it later.
I want to use an Intel CPU.
I want to use an NVIDIA Card (since their Linux support is better).
I live in Greece.

Here's the build I have in mind right now:

Case: CASE w/o PSU ASUS TA-K51 Midi BLACK
PSU: PSU 500 W ALLIED TECH PFC 12cm FAN
Motherboard: ASROCK S1155 H61M-DGS (H61) VGA/DVI/Gen3
CPU: Intel� Box s1155 Core i5-3570K Processor 3.40 GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1333 MHz Corsair Value Select CL9
GPU: 2 GB PCIE nVidia GF GTX660Ti Gainward (2746) DDR5
HDD: 1TB SATA II HITACHI HDS721010CLA332 7200rpm 32MB
DVD-RW: DVD-RW SATA SAMSUNG SH-224BB 24x Dual Layer Black

OBSOLETE
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.74 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $740.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-28 10:43 EST-0500)

I am pretty sure I can find all these parts locally, and from the reviews I've read it's got good specs. Any flaws I should be made aware of?

 

[Zombiedude101]

move to the uk

 

[Hoplite]

Why are you getting a microATX board?

 

[Alien]

Why are you getting a microATX board?

That's the point I really got lost at; which motherboard should I pick?

 

[Flare]

just steal one and stop trying to defy your ethnicity

 

[MackTheLegend]

i wouldn't say there's anything wrong with the motherboard. seems to fit your build, especially with the budget. it'll just be smaller than the tower.

 

[Alien]

After checking with a few local retailers, I had to adjust the specs.

Case: KOYTI w/o PSU ASUS TA-K51 Midi BLACK
PSU: PSU 500 W ALLIED TECH PFC 12cm FAN
Motherboard: ASROCK S1155 H61M-DGS (H61) VGA/DVI/Gen3
CPU: Intel� Box s1155 Core i5-3570K Processor 3.40 GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1333 MHz Corsair Value Select CL9
GPU: 2 GB PCIE nVidia GF GTX660Ti Gainward (2746) DDR5
HDD: 1TB SATA II HITACHI HDS721010CLA332 7200rpm 32MB
DVD-RW: DVD-RW SATA SAMSUNG SH-224BB 24x Dual Layer Black

These alright?

 

[Mister Rogers]

If I remember correctly, I have the same motherboard, RAM and CPU and maybe PSU. I'm no expert, but everything looks pretty good by my standards.

Shame about having to pay such high taxes. And to think I complained about Chicago's 9.5% sales tax when I visited compared to Ohio's 5.5%.

 

[Chad]

if you want longevity in this build aim higher in terms of wattage for your psu

rest looks fine

 

[Hoplite]

You'll probably want a higher wattage anyway, with the 660.

 

[secroduz]

Shame about having to pay such high taxes. And to think I complained about Chicago's 9.5% sales tax when I visited compared to Ohio's 5.5%.

6.75% now.

 

[Shisno]

if you want longevity in this build aim higher in terms of wattage for your psu

rest looks fine

Agreeing with this, got a 1050W PSU, and I have a good feeling it will serve me well for a good long time.

 

[Chad]

also if this build hits your wallet too hard try aiming for the i5 2500k since the performance difference is around 5% in favor of the 3570

 

[Alien]

Case: ASUS TA-K51 Midi BLACK
PSU:500 W COOLERMASTER GX Lite
Motherboard: ASROCK S1155 ZH77 Pro3 (H77) VGA/HDMI/SATA3/USB3
CPU: Intel Box s1155 Core i5-3570K Processor 3.40 GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz Corsair Value Select CL11
GPU: 2 GB PCIE nVidia GF GTX660Ti GIGABYTE N66TWF2-2GD
HDD: 1TB SATA3 WD Caviar Green WD10EZRX 64MB
DVD-RW: DVD-RW SATA SAMSUNG SH-224BB 24x Dual Layer Black
Screen: 22" SAMSUNG SM S22B150N LED VGA 1920x1080

This is what I'm probably getting. Any last comments? I plan to order the stuff in tomorrow or the day after.

 

[Zaubermuffin]

Its lack of olive oil disgusts me.

 

[Alien]

Its lack of olive oil disgusts me.

:(

Also changed to an HD7870 2GB because it's like 40E less and from what I've seen is almost the same (I am not a min-max maniac, an extra 2 FPS isn't worth 40 euros) and in the games I will be playing, it actually scored kinda better. This allowed me to get a Corsair 600W PSU.

 

[Arzalis]

You're skimping on the PSU. You may get lucky and not have any problems, but you'll probably end up regretting it. The brand is good, the wattage is going to be very close. Around half of that is going to your GPU alone. Don't even plan on overclocking anything until you upgrade the PSU.

 

[Hoplite]

I have the same CPU and GPU as you plan on getting. Both are overclocked, and I have a PSU of 650W from OCZ. You should be fine.

 

[Alien]

OPERATION ENDURING GAMING IN PROGRESS

My PC parts arrive either tomorrow evening, or Saturday noon. If I get them tomorrow, all is well, but if I get them on Saturday, I will have little time to prepare for Decaro's SRP event! I need some tips on getting essential software installations done faster. So far, I am downloading the big driver packages (GPU drivers for example) and copying my STEAM folder to an external hard drive.

Also, question! Should I go for Windows 7 Home Premium, or Ultimate? I know I won't be using Windows 8 just yet.

 

[Marstruc]

Windows 7 Ultimate 64x if you can, it'll allow you to put in quite alot of RAM (Up to 192 GBs of it), so no problems with that.