My First Build (help and comments) Please!

M

MobTownTree

New Member
I just recently decided to build a PC. I have been doing alot of research and reading reviews but I thought I would start this thread to get some feedback on where I am headed and what I could do better.

I was starting out with gaming in mind but also want the computer to be able to hold up down the road. I would also like it to handle whatever I would throw at it as far as multimedia or even basic video editing. Basically an all around performance PC.

I have narrowed down my options quite a bit but still not sure I should pull the trigger and order.

As far as my budget... I would like to spend around $1000 but thinking my build will be more $1500 - $2000 at this point. I prefer to have the better part for more money rather that sacrifice performance for money.

Here is what I'm thinking so far...



CASE

Antec Eleven Hundred Black Super Mid Tower Computer Case

11-129-178-TS


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178


MOTHERBOARD

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

13-128-545-TS


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545



RAM

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM

20-231-568-TS


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568



PROCESSOR

I am thinking i7 but not sure which one to buy just yet...

Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Intel Core i7-2700K Sandy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623i72700K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115095



VIDEO CARD

I am even further from narrowing them down. I am thinking NVIDIA and that I should take advantage of the PCI Express 3.0 slot or slots. Which leads me to my first question. What exactly should I be looking for in a card? bit? memory? also, woulld it be better to buy one monster card or run 2 not so beastly cards in SLI.



POWER SUPPLY

Will decide after other parts have been chose.

I dont want any game on the market to slow this thing down.

Once all the parts get ordered how difficult is it to get it running. Just hook it up, install OS and drivers? or am I under estimating this build?

Also, would it help to get a SSD for the slot in the motherboard? not real sure what its there for. lol

I am eagerly awaiting you guys input as this is my first build and I an kind of a noob. Thanks for your time an patients. I am sure I have and/or/ will ask some stupid questions.
 
just some examples

PROCESSOR:
3770k better/newer than the 2600k

GPU:
Nvidia 670/680 gtx when you can afford it...

PSU:
OCZ zx850w or XFX 850W XXX Edition

The gpu is pretty awesome but for what are you going to use it for?
i recommend buying one beastly one and when you have the money, go for another to make SLI;)

The SSD slot on your mobo is an intel smart cache, I think it is used to make a cache for your HDD(like hybrid HDD) but i think you can better just take a normal SSD with 120/128 gb or something.

EDIT: you better buy a cpu cooler! i like the Thermalright HR-02 Macho but it is hard to install. you can take CM hyper 212, 412, 612, V8 or a water cooler too, but just take a look at some coolers you like and post them:)

hope you like it so:)
 
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I use an overclocked 2500K for video editing and it absolutely rips through HD video, so I'd say an i5 2500K or an i5 3570K would be enough for video editing, especially once overclocked. I have my 2500K at a stable 4.3GHz using an Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 cooler.

As for graphics cards, if you want PCI Express 3.0 and NVIDIA you only have two options right now - the GTX 670 or the 680. I'd get the 670 myself. It's cheaper than the 680 and although it isn't quite as fast, it's still a bloody quick part! ;) The GTX 660 should be here with us shortly too.

Everything else looks good. You don't need an 850W PSU by the way.
 
maxxielol123 said:
for 660/670/680 SLI i thought?
Click to expand...

For 670/680 SLI an 850W would be enough, you may even be able to get away with a 700W or 750W unit, but for a single card then anything above 750W is definitely overkill. A single 670 or 680 would max any game out there anyway.

You won't need an 850W PSU for two 660s in SLI.
 
Ok, Thanks for the input guys. I am starting to get everything in order I think. Here is my cart from newegg. The 3770k is out of stock so for the sake of estimating my price tag I will use the 2700k. This is assuming it would be worth the wait and extra $30 for the 3770k.

So should I not worry about the SSD? I was wondering if I could put a drive in that slot and use it specifically for window. Would that work, or even be woth doing?

Also, any reason to go bigger than Windows 7 Home Premium?

Thanks again for the help. This is a huge investment for me and I want to make sure I get it right. Way more than I wanted to spend but as long as its worth it. seems like a beast to me. Should hold up for a few years, right?

Shopping Cart



Antec Eleven Hundred Black Super Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178
Item #: N82E16811129178
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant


$129.99
$99.99


EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-2682-KR GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130769
Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814130769
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy


$519.99


ASUS Xonar DGX 5.1 Channels PCI Express x1 Interface Gaming Audio Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132052
Item #: N82E16829132052
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$39.99


G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568
Item #: N82E16820231568
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy


$124.99


GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545
Item #: N82E16813128545
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$199.99
$189.99


Newegg Promotional Gift Card - $10.00
Item #: N82E168GC000001
Your Promotional Gift Card will be emailed 4 days after invoice.


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy


$99.99


Enermax ETS-T40 T.B.APOLLISH CPU Cooler(Side Flow) With PWM Twister Bearing Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214024
Item #: N82E16835214024
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant


$44.99
$39.99



Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136792&Tpk=Western%20Digital%20Caviar%20Black%20WD2002FAEX%202TB%207200
Item #: N82E16822136792
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 (CMPSU-850HX) 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011
Item #: N82E16817139011
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$55.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$439.98
$364.98


Intel Core i7-2700K Sandy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623i72700K
Item #: N82E16819115095
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

EA Mass Effect 3 Game Coupon Free with purchase!
Item #: N82E16800995123
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Combo


$319.99
Subtotal: $1,799.90

Grand Total:* $1,799.90
 
You need Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate if you are going to be using 16GB of RAM and then on top of that an additional 2GB for your graphics card. Home Premium is capped at 16GB, so only around 14GB of your RAM will be usable with Home, whereas the full 16GB will be usable with Pro or Ultimate. I use both (got Pro on my 2500K rig and Ultimate on the Q8300 rig), honestly there's no real difference between the two, so go for Pro. :)

The Enermax cooler looks nice, but the Cooler Master Hyper 212+ is cheaper and does an excellent job, get one of those. :) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

You can get an SSD if you want. Get a SanDisk Extreme 120GB. They're very fast. :)
 
Dont get a i7 for gaming! A i7 gives a 5 fps difference, at the most over a i5 3570. And with that saved money, get a better cpu cooler for great overclocking, unlike the one you chose, which has okay overclocking temps. Also, I think the antec 1100 is old, choose a
CPU: i5 3570k
CPU Cooler: Noctura NH D14
Case: Most cases.
 
I was wondering if an i7 was overkill but I saw a game or 2 saying that was the processor they recommended... recommended settings rather. They were probably not considering OCing Im assumeing as I type this. I was not planning on OCing right off either. Like I said I'm a noob and I want to get more familiar with my system before I start tweaking. (another thread for that) lol.

The case is old? You talking ascetically? or would it help internals in any way? I liked this case due to it being understated (not a fan of most of the crazy designs out there) I was looking for something with USB 3.0 and a side panel. Im open for suggestions. There was a Cooler Master I was looking at but I don't remember what it was off hand.
 
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maxxielol123 said:
for 660/670/680 SLI i thought?
Click to expand...

Well why would he put a GTX670 or GTX680 in SLI in the first place? 1 card will outperform a SLI 580 anyway so there is no point for SLI yet.

vistakid10 said:
For 670/680 SLI an 850W would be enough, you may even be able to get away with a 700W or 750W unit, but for a single card then anything above 750W is definitely overkill. A single 670 or 680 would max any game out there anyway.

You won't need an 850W PSU for two 660s in SLI.
Click to expand...

^this.
 
MobTownTree said:
I was wondering if an i7 was overkill but I saw a game or 2 saying that was the processor they recommended... recommended settings rather. They were probably not considering OCing Im assumeing as I type this. I was not planning on OCing right off either. Like I said I'm a noob and I want to get more familiar with my system before I start tweaking. (another thread for that) lol.
Click to expand...
A 3570 or a 3570 is fine for gaming, but you can get the i7 3770 if you want. It is overkill for gaming but it will be better at multimedia applications such as photo/video editing etc etc. I use an overclocked i5 2500K for everything and it's just fine.

MobTownTree said:
The case is old? You talking ascetically? or would it help internals in any way? I liked this case due to it being understated (not a fan of most of the crazy designs out there)
Click to expand...
The 1100 will be fine. Not sure what Byteninja was going on about there. The 300 and 900 are old cases and have no cable management features, but the 1100 is a nice case and does have cable management features. I think he got confused.
 
Otherwise have a look at Corsair's Carbide series. The 300R and 400R are the cheapest cases they have and the 300R is awesome. Cablemanagement and airflow wise. Enough room for 12" GPUs. May not have a window but the side has 2 meshed 120MM things for 2 120MM Fans so you can always look through there to look in your case.

As for CPU's, the 3770 is a good CPU and very overkill for gaming, but it is a good one too for rendering etc.
 
Thats kind of what I was thinking about the processors. Going with an i7 you think the Ivy over the Sandy Bridge, considering price and that either is probably overkill. If I can slim down the $1800 price tig I want to but not at a sacrifice of power.
 
Raz3rD said:
Otherwise have a look at Corsair's Carbide series. The 300R and 400R are the cheapest cases they have and the 300R is awesome. Cablemanagement and airflow wise. Enough room for 12" GPUs. May not have a window but the side has 2 meshed 120MM things for 2 120MM Fans so you can always look through there to look in your case.

As for CPU's, the 3770 is a good CPU and very overkill for gaming, but it is a good one too for rendering etc.
Click to expand...

Man like I said this is a huge investment for me. If i am dumping all this time and money into this PC then I want to see it. The window is a deal breaker for the case. USB 3.0 may be as well.
 
Ok, so here is what Im getting from you guys...

Video card is good
Motherboard is good
Case is good although a little "old"
Power supply is good

CPU cooler... I really liked this cooler. looks like it would look good with the other parts and it had good reviews. Anyone else think it would not be sufficient?

CPU Still going back and forth...

We on the same page?
 
MobTownTree said:
Man like I said this is a huge investment for me. If i am dumping all this time and money into this PC then I want to see it. The window is a deal breaker for the case. USB 3.0 may be as well.
Click to expand...

To be honest, why would you want a window? You look at the monitor and not the inside of the case. If you really want to put money into it, put money in to something that you know will do it well. As the 300R has USB3 and you can always mod the case to have a window.

MobTownTree said:
Ok, so here is what Im getting from you guys...

Video card is good
Motherboard is good
Case is good although a little "old"
Power supply is good

CPU cooler... I really liked this cooler. looks like it would look good with the other parts and it had good reviews. Anyone else think it would not be sufficient?

CPU Still going back and forth...

We on the same page?
Click to expand...

I still wouldn't go for that case but hey, its your pc. The window is just obsolete to me and I may say that as its a personal opinion :D. The rest is good.
 
LOL, you guys just hate this case. I still have not found a case I really like. This one seemed cheap enough, good enough and had everything I was looking for. I am still looking and will take all suggestions.

As for looking at the monitor and not the case... Really? That needs to be said? Of course the performance of the comp as a whole is what I am really care about. I will be using this setup on a 37" 1080p so that's covered. Just like having the option to look at the PC as the case has nothing to do with performance. Also when some comes over and is curious, I don't have to pop off the cover to show them.

I do feel like it is a contradiction to the understated look Im going for but I think it would be cool.

It wouldn't look like much from the front but if you peek in the window you see whats really going on.

Sorry... Sunday catching a buzz. went on a little rant.
 
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