Some Q's about Building a PC, and CPU, PSU, and RAM Questions

iamrobbie · Mar 27, 2013

Hi all,

I'm building a new PC, but I have a few questions:
1. I am ready to buy these parts, but I want to be certain that they will all work together in harmony:

HD: Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 64MB
Mobo: ASrock H77 Pro4/MVP
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" SATA600
PSU: ---
CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 (includes cooler)
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance

As you can see, I have no PSU to go with all that, as I don't know which one to get. I need a cheap, but good PSU, that will power the Mobo and the CPU perfectly. And, you're probably noticing why I am using an SSD and HD. SSD's are quicker and quieter than a normal HD. Since its quicker, I am putting my OS on it becuase it will make it run smoother, and is noticably quicker (I've done it before), and all my heavy programs on it.

2. I would also like to know what the better deal would be:
Intel Core i5 3470 with 16GB RAM, or Intel Core i5 3570K with 8GB RAM?

I use a lot of programs that can be extremely heavy on RAM, and would most definately have my PC future proofed rather than adding more RAM, or changing some hardware later on in a few years. I won't be using the PC for gaming, but what I use it for is the equivalent, and can often be hard on the RAM and CPU. I am sticking with the i5 and don't want to over it, and would prefer to have 16GB of RAM (to be future proofed), but whatever CPU would be better value (if there is a big noticable difference with the CPU's), I don't mind getting it, but if there is only a small difference that isn't that noticable, I would certainately prefer to go for the i5 3470 with 16GB RAM.

I also don't mind getting a new Mobo if I need to change the CPU, as long as all the other parts still work with the new Mobo.

Thanks everyone!

Robbie

koksukero · Mar 27, 2013

I would definitely go for 3570K and 8 GB ram. Adding an extra 8 GB's of ram is nothing compared to replacing your CPU, and you can be sure that 8 GB's of ram will be more than enough for almost anything.

And you can consider this PSU for your rig
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153166

slomo4sho · Mar 27, 2013

What is your budget for this system and what programs do you use?

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

slomo4sho :

My budget is close to €400, because I have everything on a deal, except the PSU.
I have an I3-2330 laptop with 4GB RAM, but its still not good enough. I use FL Studio, but even with that and an Audio Interface, its still very laggy, and I can't hear it properly. I have at least 40 VSTs running on it, and each one is very CPU consumitng (if you know what I mean). I also use a lot of other programs, and they can often be very power consuming. I also need the PC to be very fast, and not to run down after a few months. Thanks.

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

koksukero :

I'm going for the i5-3570 + 8GB Corsair Vengeance RAM, but where can I check how to get the PSU for it? The PSU needs to be compatable with both the Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Motherboard and the Intel Core i5-3570K. Do I just need the amount that the processor can take and that will power it all perfecty, or will I need a few more watts to power both the motherboard and the processor?

zooted · Mar 28, 2013

A corsair cx430, Antec vp450, seasonic 350 would all be plenty for that build.

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

Also guys, I need to know if all this hardware will work together:

RAM: 8GB Corsair Vengeance
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K
HD: Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA600 7200rpm 64mb
Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Motherboard
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" SATA600
PSU: ---

I need to know what PSU would be best for all that, and how do I go about figuring out which one would be best (I already asked kosukero about this)? Do I just need the power that the CPU will take, or do I need a bit more, to power the CPU and Mobo perfectly?

2wenty · Mar 28, 2013

It depends on whether you want a graphics card or not. GPUs tend to consume the most power, otherwise a system with integrated graphics only needs 350Watts. (Mostly) anything from Corsair, Seasonic, Antec, XFX and OCZ (less so), are fine.

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

2wenty :

I'm not using a GPU, but I'll be connecting an Audio Interface by USB to the PC, but the Audio Interface is powered by USB, so would that affect the PSU in any way?

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

zooted :

What build? The 3470 or the 3570K?

2wenty · Mar 28, 2013

Neither requires more than 450 Watts.

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

2wenty :

Ok thanks

I'm just very causious about this build, because it means a lot.

2wenty · Mar 28, 2013

If you want to add a GPU later, get a 500-600W PSU which will provide enough power (make sure it's good quality), otherwise the extra wattage isn't needed.

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

2wenty :

But if I have the extra wattage, would it affect the PC in any way? Because I was told to get a 600W PSU for the I5-3470 build.

Greatatlantic · Mar 28, 2013

iamrobbie :

No, but more Wattage PSU's cost more for the same quality. Also, your powerbill might go up. When a PSU uses less than 20% of their max wattage, it has terrible efficiency.

So, no big deal except you waste a little money.

2wenty · Mar 28, 2013

You could use a 1600W PSU for this system and you would be running the thing at 25% even when the rest of your system is on 100% load. Getting a larger PSU makes no difference, except you're spending more on something that's unnecessary. A Seasonic 450W will be absolutely fine, and probably could handle an added GPU, although you may have a few problems. Just make sure you get a good quality PSU, as a bad one could be the thing that completely fries your system.

iamrobbie · Mar 28, 2013

2wenty :

Yeah, sure I wouldn't want to fry it! What problems might arise if i use a Seasonic 450W?

iamrobbie · Apr 4, 2013

I also need to know all these components will work together properly, because my brother needs a new PC, and its not that tight of a budget and he is a heavy gamer:

GPU: Asus AMD Radeon 7850 HD 1GB PCI-Express 3.0 HDMI (AMD Radeon HD 7850)
DVD: Sony 24x DVD-RW SATA Black Bare Internal Drive
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance
Mobo: Asus Sabertooth Z77
PSU: CoolerMaster Silent Pro M II - 620 Watt - ATX
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" SATA600 / Samsung 840 Series 120GB
HD: Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 64MB

I think that would be the right PSU for this build, but am unsure. Please guys help me with this quickly, my brother has been waiting ages with this. Thanks!

Greatatlantic · Apr 4, 2013

iamrobbie :

The components look good, though somewhat price inefficient. A $240 motherboard is definitely overkill if he's not running 2 high end GPU and a more than 6 SATA devices.

First question, what resolution is his monitor?

If the answer is 1920x1080 (or in that ballpark), then he only needs a single GPU solution, so any Z77 motherboard from a reputable company will give about the same performance. You pay more for "slots," essentially.

16 gigs is also worthless for gaming. Even 8 gigs isn't getting used by any games, but is cheap so why not? But 16 is just throwing money on something you might never use.

i7 is also a big performance boost that rarely gets used with games, hyper threading. Now, tasks like video editing will use the extra "oomph" to work faster, but most won't see an improvement over the i5 line.

iamrobbie · Apr 4, 2013

Greatatlantic :

iamrobbie :

The components look good, though somewhat price inefficient. A $240 motherboard is definitely overkill if he's not running 2 high end GPU and a more than 6 SATA devices.

First question, what resolution is his monitor?

If the answer is 1920x1080 (or in that ballpark), then he only needs a single GPU solution, so any Z77 motherboard from a reputable company will give about the same performance. You pay more for "slots," essentially.

16 gigs is also worthless for gaming. Even 8 gigs isn't getting used by any games, but is cheap so why not? But 16 is just throwing money on something you might never use.

i7 is also a big performance boost that rarely gets used with games, hyper threading. Now, tasks like video editing will use the extra "oomph" to work faster, but most won't see an improvement over the i5 line.

The I7 with the 16 gigs of ram and the Z77 is on a deal for €550, so that's why I was going to go for it. So should I go for the I5-3570K build on this thread?

Some Q's about Building a PC, and CPU, PSU, and RAM Questions

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