Looking for some opinions

[mg712]

Matching them up may be something I can do down the road, but I was really only expecting to have 8GB. When I ordered the motherboard, the Team Xtreems came free.

So, I should go with Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, then?

 

[swchoi89]

I wouldn't recommend the NZXT Lexa S (second case from the bottom on Smile's list, above the Corsair). I have that case and it looks nice but cable management can be an issue and there isn't much room for graphics cards longer than about 10.5".

The Corsair is much better than all of those cases Smile listed. If you wanted to look around for another, I'd look for a Fractal Design Define R3 (you can get them in white) or the Define XL, or an NZXT Phantom (which can be had in black or white).

As for the OS, it looks to me like you're going to have 16GB of RAM there (mismatched though, get the same sticks if you can, they'll work better together), so you need Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate. As Pro is cheaper and Ultimate doesn't offer much more, I'd go Pro.

I second this. Lexa S looks very sexy but cable management is such a painT_T

 

[spirit]

Matching them up may be something I can do down the road, but I was really only expecting to have 8GB. When I ordered the motherboard, the Team Xtreems came free.

So, I should go with Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, then?

Ah ok in that case then it should be OK as the memory all runs at the same speeds and timings etc. Are you using 2x8GB sticks or 4x4GB to achieve the full 16GB?

Pro 64-bit would be what you want.

I second this. Lexa S looks very sexy but cable management is such a painT_T

It is a nice looking case. The door can be a pain though as can all the LEDs if you want to leave your PC on at night. It illuminates the room. Cable management is a pain too, not enough room between the board tray and the left side panel to hide cables.

There are better cases out there for the same money.

 

[Virssagòn]

OK, so I went with this:

Case: Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor: Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53570

RAM: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00

Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TXD38192M1600HC9DC-D (come free with the motherboard)

Graphics: SAPPHIRE 100355L Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

Power Supply: CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

SSD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Disk Drive: ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM


So, when a buy my OS, which version do I go with?

Totally ok, you should take same ram. (I didn't, because I got the other ram from my dad)


(Btw: your case is maybe a bit better, but not for that price... If you took one of the zalmans, which are aldo very good quality, you could spend it on your gpu to go with hd7870/hd7950/gtx660ti.)

 

[mg712]

Totally ok, you should take same ram. (I didn't, because I got the other ram from my dad)


(Btw: your case is maybe a bit better, but not for that price... If you took one of the zalmans, which are aldo very good quality, you could spend it on your gpu to go with hd7870/hd7950/gtx660ti.)

I just really like the look of the case to be honest, and I trust the brand. Overall, I'm happy with the setup. The PC I had before you could build now for about $250...So, needless to say, this is a big upgrade. I might actually be able to run newer games.

Ah ok in that case then it should be OK as the memory all runs at the same speeds and timings etc. Are you using 2x8GB sticks or 4x4GB to achieve the full 16GB?

Pro 64-bit would be what you want.

It's 4 sticks of 4GB. I bought the Crucials and Newegg tacked the Team Xtreems onto my motherboard for free as a bundle. I'll take it.

 

[spirit]

The case you chose is good.

I reckon the RAM will all be good too. I'd say you're good to go.

 

[mg712]

So, I'm looking around for Windows 7 and I keep seeing different prices. I know the difference between the upgrades and the full versions, but on Amazon, there's the full version that's $128 and a full version that's $265?

Windows 7 Pro 64-bit $128

Windows 7 Pro $265


Also, what does it mean when it says "OEM"? Is that something I should stay away from?

 

[wolfeking]

OEM means you can only (technically speaking) install it to a single motherboard. The more expensive version can be installed on any motherboard you want, but only one at a time. Basically you want the OEM version unless you plan on upgrading your motherboard anytime soon.

 

[mg712]

Thanks.

If I wanted to dual-boot Windows 8 later on, would the OEM be prohibitive of that or does it not matter?

 

[wolfeking]

that does not matter at all. But I would not bother with the upgrade. there is nothing new in 8 that will benefit you, nor cover the cost you just forked out for 7. Just either use linux while waiting, or stay with 7 right now.