First timer building: Guidance/a little help?

alg

New Member
Intended purposes: I don't do anything but heavy surfing (few programs, few windows, TONS of tabs (websites)). HOWEVER... there is 1 game I'd like to check out that comes out later in 2013 (Elder Scrolls Online).

I don't need to run the game at max settings (I guess?), but I'd prefer my system not to have even one hiccup while playing the game.

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Components
*** Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112300
* Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1246063
* CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1246063
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
Optical drive: [From current PC]
PSU: ???
HD(s): ???

1. I am deadlocked into the case as it's the only one that fits in the space I have for a tower. I'd prefer to keep the mobo/cpu as I think they're the best available for my budget, and it so happens there's a small-but-better-than-nothing combo deal with them (I had looked at mATX Z77 mobos first, and after winding my choices down to 2 - searched for CPU's, winded my options down... and my #1 CPU pick came with the combo deal for one of the mobos, so.)
2. Since this is my first build and am a novice (opened current prebuilt PC few times to install sound card and internal hard drive, 2-3 misc. opens), a high priority of mine is that things work the first attempt. That is why I've chosen costlier brand name things than some no-name with a high DOA rate.]
3. Know that I want 8GB of RAM (1600), but as for which kind? Don't care, as long as it works and isn't going to fail (see #2). Reusing the optical drive to cut costs. PSU... since this is an mATX case, do I need a specific sized PSU or... ? Also, is 500W enough for when the game comes out?

4. I do not have a GPU yet. This is because I do not need one until the game comes out; to cut costs for now, I am not buying one yet.

5. HD(s): I'd eventually like 3 HD's: One OS/etc. SSD, one storage hd, and one backup hd. For the time being I'm pretty sure I'll just start with 1 HD to cut costs. I know internal hd prices vacillate wildly so I'm not sure which I'll get as long as it's 1TB. This doesn't have to be from newegg.

6. Do I need any accessories, like screws, cables, cable management stuff, thermal paste, grounding bracelet/whatever, etc.? (I have a screwdriver.)

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Questions:
1. Are there enough slots/connectors on the mobo for what I want? Will I have any left/if so what can they be used for (I think I'd like a sound card in the near future)?
2. I don't know what this SATA 6 Gbs/3Gbs, SATA II/SATA III stuff is. I know the mobo has only 1 6 Gbs connector, but is there a noticeable difference for me between these things since I'll pretty much just be surfing? It'd be crummy to get a 6Gbs HD now if I plan to get a 6Gbs SSd later - the HD will get pushed down to 3Gbs, so I'll have spent the $ extra for something I won't be using.
3. The USB3.0 ports on the case's front panel: Assuming these ports hook up to the mobo... where? Again, do I have enough connectors?



Any other comments/guidance?
 
I'd like to purchase the case asap as there's a sale on it and I'd be very remiss without it... but I need questions #1 and #3 answered.

Case's front i/o ports (usb3.0 x2, audio, card reader) - where do these things plug in to? The mobo, I'm assuming? Does the mobo I have picked have enough connectors for those i/o ports + 1 sound card? If not, how much of what do I need?
 
1. You only have 2 Sata 6 connections on the motherboard. You have spots for 7 hdd's so if you want faster drives, you will need a board with more Sata 6 connections.

3. There is a blue usb 3.0 connector on the motherboard for the case usb 3.0 cable.
 
1. You only have 2 Sata 6 connections on the motherboard. You have spots for 7 hdd's so if you want faster drives, you will need a board with more Sata 6 connections.

3. There is a blue usb 3.0 connector on the motherboard for the case usb 3.0 cable.

#1: Thanks! I only saw 1 SATA 6 in the picture, but I was only looking at the marked lines. Details say it has 2, so my SSD/HD concerns are no more!

#3: Thanks again! I see it [on the mobo]. I didn't attempt to look passed the marked lines because I have no idea what I'm looking at and I erroneously thought the lines would point to everything important since they've bothered with markings in the first place. But, all's well now. :)

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Thinking about going for a 3570k and 16gb ram (8 more) for the absolute hell of it. Going to wait for a deal though (had a killer shell shocker deal today where moving up from 3350-3570 + 8gb more of less voltage ram only cost an additional $40... but paypal screwed me over :(). I think that mobo's my choice though.

For the time being, I guess this is a dead topic.
 
I do apologize for this, but I need a few simple questions answered in less than 2 hours or I will make newegg have to do another shipment (my system is already split up to 4-5 orders... long story).

My system:
case: lian li pc-v354b http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112300
mobo: msi z77-g45 matx http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130647
cpu: i5-3570k http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
hd: seagate 1tb SATA 6gbps OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840
psu: [do you need to know?] rosewill hive 750w modular
optical: lg dvd burner OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136259
ram: 4x 4gb gskill ripjaws x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
monitor: 23" hdmi-capable asus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236175

PLANS: gpu, sound card

WHAT CABLES/CORDS DO I NEED?

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Know I need an hdmi, and have 1 SATA 6gbps cable (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119273). What else?
 
Last edited:
Well your power supply should already come with the cables you need to power your PC with and connect the components of your PC to power.

Your board should come with several SATA cables.

Your monitor should definitely come with VGA and DVI cables, it may or may not come with an HDMI cable, but there is no difference in picture quality between DVI and HDMI. The only difference between the two is that HDMI can carry audio whereas DVI can't.

So you shouldn't really need to buy any extra cables.
 
Well your power supply should already come with the cables you need to power your PC with and connect the components of your PC to power.

Your board should come with several SATA cables.

Your monitor should definitely come with VGA and DVI cables, it may or may not come with an HDMI cable, but there is no difference in picture quality between DVI and HDMI. The only difference between the two is that HDMI can carry audio whereas DVI can't.

So you shouldn't really need to buy any extra cables.

Thank you very much! :)

It seems you are right about everything, but I'm getting the HDMI cable because it's only $5 or so and might come in handy for something who knows.

Again, I apologize to the board for acting like I had any right to priority over others. Wonderful website!
 
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