Building my desktop, does everything look in order?

[EvanK]

Hey, everyone,

After many months of saving, I've finally come up with enough money to put together my rig. I'm going to go pick up the parts from my local retailer in a day or two, and would like an opinion or two on the parts, and if I should change anything around.

I've already picked up a case (Phantom 410), a modular PSU (Corsair HX650), a Blu-Ray burner (LG BH14), and a 3rd partty CPU heatsink (Cooler Master 212) at superb prices as part of a boxing day sale, so I'm set for a few parts already.

-For a CPU I'm set on the 3770k, it's exactly what I need for video editing.

-I'll pick up an Intel 520 120GB SSD for a boot drive. I was initially going to pick up a Crucial M4, but I'm more comfortable buying Intel because of their proven reputation, and because it has a longer warranty.

-For a mobo, I'm stuck between either the Asus P8Z77-V Pro, a variation of the Gigabyte D3H, or even an ASRock Extreme4. Any recommendations? I'm not too picky on specs, but I'l like to at least have 2-4 USB 3.0 ports , 2-4 SATA3 (ideally 4 or more), decent integrated graphics and audio, and it's worth mentioning that I only need one PCIe slot, and no Firewire/Thunderbolt. WiFi and Bluetooth aren't necessary, but a nice addition.

-For RAM, I'm deciding between 16GB of G.SKILL, or pay a bit more and get Corsair or Kingston. Any brand recomendations for RAM?

-Finally, I'll grab a copy of Windows 8 64 bit. I don't think that I'll need the Pro version, so I'll save $50 and grab the standard.

I didn't include a HDD in the build, simply because of a) I'm on a limited budget, and b) I already have a small, albeit functional SATA1 250GB Drive. Not ideal, but it'll do until I can afford a Caviar Black or maybe even a Velociraptor.

I also didn't include a graphics card, which is why I'd like a mobo with at least decent onboard graphics. I'd like to throw one in eventually in a few months, but because of my budget, I won't pick one up just yet. Besides, a graphics card in my build would see most of its use in Adobe CS, which I can't afford either. So in the mean time, I'll get by with Adobe Photoshop/Premiere Elements along with Lightroom, which don't use GPU acceleration.

Any tips or recommendations? Does everything look to be in order? Thanks for the thoughts and opinions!

-Evan

 

[wolfeking]

-For a mobo, I'm stuck between either the Asus P8Z77-V Pro, a variation of the Gigabyte D3H, or even an ASRock Extreme4. Any recommendations? I'm not too picky on specs, but I'l like to at least have 2-4 USB 3.0 ports , 2-4 SATA3 (ideally 4 or more), decent integrated graphics and audio, and it's worth mentioning that I only need one PCIe slot, and no Firewire/Thunderbolt. WiFi and Bluetooth aren't necessary, but a nice addition.

Do not for any reason get the ASrock Extreme 4. The Extreme 6 is the bare bottom of their quality boards (and even it can not live up to its marketed specs).
The Asus is a great board. You could also look at a UD5H or UP5 from Gigabyte also. The GD80 from MSI is also an okay board. Would not really suggest ASrock at all.

-For RAM, I'm deciding between 16GB of G.SKILL, or pay a bit more and get Corsair or Kingston. Any brand recomendations for RAM?

G.Skill is an okay brand. As is Geil, Kingston, Patriot, and Corsair. Anything you get from them will serve you well. With the current prices, do not go below DDR3-1866 speeds (only dollars more than 1600). I personally would recommend DDR3-2133 from Kingston http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104288 or http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104371 (you will have to choose weather you want 4 Dimms or 2 Dimms. The 2 Dimm will allow you to add more later should you discover you need more.)

I didn't include a HDD in the build, simply because of a) I'm on a limited budget, and b) I already have a small, albeit functional SATA1 250GB Drive. Not ideal, but it'll do until I can afford a Caviar Black or maybe even a Velociraptor.

Unless you restart 5+ times a day, just grab a WD black, Samsung F3/F4, or Seagate Barracuda now. The SSD is not really needed, and adds very little to the performance of the computer after you boot.

I also didn't include a graphics card, which is why I'd like a mobo with at least decent onboard graphics. I'd like to throw one in eventually in a few months, but because of my budget, I won't pick one up just yet. Besides, a graphics card in my build would see most of its use in Adobe CS, which I can't afford either. So in the mean time, I'll get by with Adobe Photoshop/Premiere Elements along with Lightroom, which don't use GPU acceleration.

The HD4000 iGPU of the 3770k should do well for you. It is equal more or less to the lowest end dedicated GPUs on the market. If you are not gaming, and not doing Cuda/DirectCompute functions, then you will likely not notice the difference.

 

[EvanK]

Thanks for the quick reply, Wolfeking!

Do not for any reason get the ASrock Extreme 4.

Okay, I'll probably end up going with the P8Z77-V Pro. I feel as if I can justify its cost over the P8Z77-V with it only being ~$15 more, the extra two USB 3.0 ports alone make it worth it to me.

Any last words on the Gigabyte? I can find it almost $60 cheaper here in Canada, and it also looks like a solid performer. What's your opinion on Asus vs Gigabyte?

With the current prices, do not go below DDR3-1866 speeds (only dollars more than 1600). I personally would recommend DDR3-2133 from Kingston

I'm still a little leery about buying the higher clocked RAM for a couple of reasons. First of all, selection is limited and the prices are a fair bit higher, not to mention I'd end up grabbing 4x 4GB sticks as opposed to 2x 8GB with 1600MHz.

Secondly, based on what I've read online and heard from the local shops, the differences between 1600 and 1866 aren't at all noticable outside of benchmarks, and I'd imagine that in real world use it can't be too huge with 2133 either. Is there really enough of a speed difference to justify it, especially with video editing?

Finally, I've also heard of some stability issues. Apparently Intel doesn't recommend anything over 1333, but I'd say it's safe to go up to 1600 or even 1866 in some cases, but anything higher than that and I'd be worried. Besides, underclocking RAM isn't always as stable as overclocking either.

The SSD is not really needed, and adds very little to the performance of the computer after you boot.

To an extent I think that's true, but for me it's crucial (no pun intended ) to have fast application loading speeds, as well as fast boot up times. Depending on what I'm doing, I do restart 4-5 times a day on occasion. Besides, if I go with a spinning drive and decide to upgrade to an SSD boot drive one day, it's a pain to move an entire OS and all my software.

The HD4000 iGPU of the 3770k should do well for you. It is equal more or less to the lowest end dedicated GPUs on the market. If you are not gaming, and not doing Cuda/DirectCompute functions, then you will likely not notice the difference.

That's good to know, thanks I really don't game at all, and I'd grab a card if I do decide to one day. The only place where having a high number of CUDA cores would come in handy for me is rendering video (but again, only with Adobe CS which at the moment I can't afford) or burning a disc, which isn't a huge deal.

 

[wolfeking]

Okay, I'll probably end up going with the P8Z77-V Pro. I feel as if I can justify its cost over the P8Z77-V with it only being ~$15 more, the extra two USB 3.0 ports alone make it worth it to me.

Any last words on the Gigabyte? I can find it almost $60 cheaper here in Canada, and it also looks like a solid performer. What's your opinion on Asus vs Gigabyte?

Within the same price range they are pretty equal. If you need the extra features, either the UD5H or the P8Z77-V Pro will do about equal.

I'm still a little leery about buying the higher clocked RAM for a couple of reasons. First of all, selection is limited and the prices are a fair bit higher, not to mention I'd end up grabbing 4x 4GB sticks as opposed to 2x 8GB with 1600MHz.

1866MHz is $1 more, while 2133 is $10 more.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104288
vs
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104328
vs
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104169

Secondly, based on what I've read online and heard from the local shops, the differences between 1600 and 1866 aren't at all noticable outside of benchmarks, and I'd imagine that in real world use it can't be too huge with 2133 either. Is there really enough of a speed difference to justify it, especially with video editing?

Anything memory bandwidth limited will have a large performance gain from higher speed. For teh price, I would get it anyway.

Finally, I've also heard of some stability issues. Apparently Intel doesn't recommend anything over 1333, but I'd say it's safe to go up to 1600 or even 1866 in some cases, but anything higher than that and I'd be worried. Besides, underclocking RAM isn't always as stable as overclocking either.

Overclocking is not needed. If you get 1866 or 2133, it is OC according to intel, but it is guaranteed stable at the advertised settings.
Intel Officially supports 1600, but 2133+ is the actual support. 2133 is supported by Sandy Bridge pretty regularly and its official support is 1333.

 

[spirit]

I have a few things to say:

Get the SSD, it does make a difference, especially when opening programs. You can use your 250GB drive for the time being to store your videos on until you get a better HDD. I'm currently on a HDD but I had an SSD a few weeks ago, the performance difference is big - everything is just faster. Installing stuff is much quicker, uninstalling stuff is much quicker, programs open faster, it's good. I have the Adobe programs and they take a while to load on my HDD, but on the SSD they are much quicker.

You should get either the P8Z77-V PRO or the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H or U5H. I've used the UD5H myself, great board, and I own the P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3, the predecessor to the P8Z77-V PRO. It is a great board, so I'm sure the Z77 board will also be good.

G.Skill is a good brand, I have 16GB of G.Skill RipJaws-X 1600MHz. Definitely fast enough, but if you can get 1866MHz for a little more than why not? Don't bother with 1333MHz anymore, get 1600MHz or faster.

 

[EvanK]

Thanks for the imput as well, Spirit.

You should get either the P8Z77-V PRO or the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H or U5H. I've used the UD5H myself, great board, and I own the P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3, the predecessor to the P8Z77-V PRO. It is a great board, so I'm sure the Z77 board will also be good.

Alright, I'll take a look into the UD5H series as well. My local shop is offering a deal with the UD5H-WB (which I believe is a standard UD5H with Bluetooth and WiFi) for $500, so I may consider that alongside the Asus. Deciding will be difficult, though. How do they compare for OCing? Also, has anyone had trouble mounting RAM and a 3rd party CPU heatsing? I've read some problems about the Asus boards having their CPU socket so close to the RAM that with certain heatsinks the RAM doesn't even fit.

G.Skill is a good brand, I have 16GB of G.Skill RipJaws-X 1600MHz. Definitely fast enough, but if you can get 1866MHz for a little more than why not? Don't bother with 1333MHz anymore, get 1600MHz or faster.

My problem is that I can either get a pretty good deal ($70 for 16GB of Corsair Vengance low profile RAM, 2x8GB), and the cheapest I'll find 2133MHz memory is here at Newegg, which my local store can price match. Not a bad deal, but considering it would take up all my RAM slots, still not too sure. The ONLY advantage that I could see about going 4x4 as opposed to 2x8 is quad channel, but that's non existant for Z77 anyways. In case something were to go wrong in the future and the RAM needed to be underclocked, have you all had relatively positive experiences with that?

Final question for now, I promise. If I wanted to put the SSD into my case's standard 3.5" bay, would I need to pick up an adapter? Any alternative methods out there?

Thanks

 

[spirit]

Yeah you need a drive bay adapter for your SSD. A 3.5" to 2.5" adapter would be needed.

I'd get the 2x8GB kit, so you can easily upgrade to 32GB later.

If you don't mess with the default clockspeed, you won't need to worry about underclocking. Don't bother with overclocking RAM.

Umm either board is good for overclocking, I'd probably give a slight edge to the UD5H though, has a good power phase setup IIRC.

3rd CPU cooling can be a pest to mount, but read the instructions and you'll be good.

 

[EvanK]

I just got back from the computer store and picked up a few components.

I ended up going with the Asus mobo for the 3770k, it really was a coin toss but in the end the Asus was $5 cheaper, and IMO looked more badass

I ended up with a 180GB Intel 520, simply because it was only some $40 more expensive and I decided that it would be better to have a bit more storage for software, just in case.

I ended up with 16GB (2x8 @ 1600MHz) of Corsair low profile Vengence RAM, because it was on sale at $70, the same price as the G.SKILL. And with it being LP, I won't have to worry about mounting a heatsink too large either. I went with 1600MHz because of the price, and because the 2133 it was only available in 4x4GB.

Finally, I ended up with W8 Pro. I was all set to go with the home version, until a sales rep reminded me that I was limited to 16GB of RAM. I ultimately decided to go pro in case I ever do upgrade to 32GB, but I wasn't too happy about shoving out another $40. Dammit, Microsoft, why do you always have to be so greedy?

The only thing that irked me a bit was that they insisted on installing the CPU onto the mobo for me, to test everything, update the BIOS and check for DOA parts. I would've much rather installed it myself, but I can't complain about a free service.

I'll start building tomorrow, and I'll post some pics when I'm done.

 

[spirit]

Excellent! Sounds like you got a lot of good stuff there! :good:

You're one lucky guy if you can afford all that and a Nikon D7000!

 

[EvanK]

All I can say is thank god for boxing day sales!

I just finished the build, I'll take some pics and post them tomorrow. Right now I'm having trouble with Windows 8 recognizing the 250GB spinning drive, for whatever reason it doesn't want to format it. Oh well, it may just be a dud drive. I'll try it in my old desktop and see what happens.

Thanks for everyone's help! The build went smoothly, and so far the thing's been fast beyond belief. I can't believe that the PC goes from being shut off to my start screen in under 10 seconds.

 

[wolfeking]

If it is not formatting it, boot up using a gparted disk and format it there into FAT32 or NTFS (the preferred file system) then see if it will work.

 

[EvanK]

If it is not formatting it, boot up using a gparted disk and format it there into FAT32 or NTFS (the preferred file system) then see if it will work.

I considered that, until the drive started making popping and cracking sounds, I think it's on its last legs.