Building Audio Computer Myself (1st time build)

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lpg8248

New Member
Hello! I posted about a month ago concerning what parts to get for my audio editing/recording computer and I'm pretty sure I've got it all figured out (specs below). The main reason for this post is just to ask if there are any good tutorials for building computers. I'm reading the stickied post on here but I'd like to read through a few different ones just to feel more comfortable with it since it's my first build. Also, if anyone has any tips for a first timer, i'm all ears! Oh, and I also realized that I forgot about wireless internet for it. I'm guessing I just need to get a pci wireless internet adapter? Thanks!


Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423

CPU:
Intel Core i7-930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

Memory:
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600 C8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145236

Hard Drive:
2 x Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

Graphics Card:
SAPPHIRE Ultimate Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102902

Power Supply:
Nexus 630W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817610006

Case:
Antec Sonata Elite Black ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129057

DVD Writer:
LITE-ON 24x DVD Writer Black SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

Dual Monitors:
HP 2210m Black 21.5” 2.5ms Widescreen Full HD LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176158

Hanns G HC194D 19” LCD Monitor (I already own this)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254004

Aftermarket Cooling:
Case fan: Noctua NF-S12B FLX 120mm SSO Bearing
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608009

CPU fan: Noctua NF-P12-1300 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608004

Scythe KQ01-BK-3.5 "KAZE Q" Fan Controller
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998065

Heatsink: Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001
 
 
I actually don't want a dedicated soundcard because I have an external audio device for recording inputs and outputs to studio monitors. I probably should have mentioned that ;)

Thanks for the response though!
 
Also, if you're working in audio creation the STX would be a poor choice.

I'd personally go with this board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188068

This power supply is plenty powerful, outputs better quality power than that Nexus, and is just as efficient:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

and this memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

Cooling wise....get scythe gentle typhoons, better, cheaper, pretty much as quiet:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185092

Personally, i'd go with this display:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001417

GPU Wise....If you aren't gaming, this is more than sufficient:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102877

If you're looking for a "quiet" case, i would highly suggest one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146035

Otherwise it looks good.
 
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thanks for the response bomberboysk. Is there any reason why that mobo would be better? They seem pretty similar to me. Same for the memory...that mushkin memory has nearly the exact same specs but it has 4 eggs from 44 reviews while the corsair has 5 eggs from 101 reviews.
 
lpg8248 said:
thanks for the response bomberboysk. Is there any reason why that mobo would be better? They seem pretty similar to me. Same for the memory...that mushkin memory has nearly the exact same specs but it has 4 eggs from 44 reviews while the corsair has 5 eggs from 101 reviews.
Click to expand...

Spec wise, the boards are pretty much identical. The EVGA board is just $10 less, and has EVGA's top notch warranty and customer support. Just trying to help you save a couple bucks there;)

As far as memory, the Corsair has higher timings(8-8-8-24 vs 7-8-7-20 on the mushkin), and you're paying mainly for the corsair name. Secondly, never rely on newegg reviews when deciding whether or not to purchase a product, i generally would suggest not even considering the reviewers on newegg, as a majority don't know what they are talking about.

Also, depending on your location, you can get the i7 950 from microcenter for $229 if you have one close:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0346210
 
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oh ok, thanks. I'll check it all out. Also, I think I got my power supply recommendation from the recording forum I post on. One of the big factors for audio workstations is that is has to be quiet because it's often in the same room that you'll be using large diaphragm condenser mics in which will pick up loud fans and such. So, I heard that this Nexus is pretty quiet and I think he also recommended it for the modular cabling. Would it still be better to get another power supply that outputs better quality power?
 
lpg8248 said:
oh ok, thanks. I'll check it all out. Also, I think I got my power supply recommendation from the recording forum I post on. One of the big factors for audio workstations is that is has to be quiet because it's often in the same room that you'll be using large diaphragm condenser mics in which will pick up loud fans and such. So, I heard that this Nexus is pretty quiet and I think he also recommended it for the modular cabling. Would it still be better to get another power supply that outputs better quality power?
Click to expand...

The S12II line is relatively quiet, and better value for money. So i would say so, let me grab some exact noise figures on the S12II for you.

Jonny tested the 520W, he doesn't make any complaints about the noise, which makes sense since it is using an ADDA 120mm fan, especially at the lower load level (sub 400W) you will be pulling on it, plus you should pull some good efficiency numbers at that load(86-87%):
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=185

That nexus unit is using a generic fan from a chinese company, so you should have a less audible unit with the seasonic, especially combined with a low noise case.
 
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lpg8248 said:
hmm, i just noticed that the i7-950 is only $6 more than the 930 so i guess i'm gonna go with the 950...
Click to expand...

Yeah, intel dropped the MSRP on the 950 somewhere around a month ago, the 930 is pretty much being phased out.

Did you check if you have a microcenter locally?
 
oh, also, I use photoshop from time to time so that's why I wanted a better graphics card originally. Would the one I chose still be overkill?
 
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