My First Build - i7

[mrmeowmix2300]

Ok so for my birthday thats coming up, I have decided to build a new PC. almost none of the parts are written in stone and I am fully open to suggestions on any of that parts or even the build it self. So without further a due, here are the basic outline of my build so far:


1. Case:
NZXT Tempest ($99): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047
(The case is definitely not final, I picked the tempest because I like the looks and reviews and space in it. - Open for changes)


2. Motherboard:
EVGA x58 ($300): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039
(I like this one but would go with the P6T if its a lot better.)


3. Processor:
Intel i7 920 ($230): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&Tpk=i7%20920
(This is pretty final if I do get an i7, but if I later decide on a regular quad core later, Ill change - I need suggestions)


4. Processor Cooler:
Noctua NH-U12P ($60): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608002&Tpk=Noctua%20NH-U12P
(Flexible on this)


5. Power Supply Unit:
Corsair CMPSU 650 or 750 ($100-120): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


6. Graphics Card:
NVIDIA GTX260 Core 216 ($230): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434
(Kinda flexible on this, but dont want something very over priced or not good. Also, I like NVIDIA)


7. RAM:
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) ($100): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223
(Im still considering brands and 3 or 6GBs)


8. Optical Drive:
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model ($20): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
(No idea about this, this one was cheap and looks ok.)


9. Hard Drive:
Cant decide between anything! 500GB Western Digital Caviar or like 150 GB Velociraptor, I have no idea, you guys choose.


So is all this stuff compatible?

Oh and I thought I would include some of my personal tastes so it could be easier to aid you guys:

1. I would like a case with a good window. (The HAF's window sort of qualifys)
2. I would like to future-proof as much as possible.
3. I want atleast 100GB HDD space.
4. I would like a computer that can run games like COD, Left 4 Dead and other similar games on high, with good fps.
5. The computer needs to run editing videos in Sony Vegas smoothly without lag. And watch lag-free HD videos.
6. I would like it to run very quietly.


I also have some questions, but I cant think of them now so I will post them later for you guys.

Thank you people of Tom's Hardware!

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Oh and I forgot to add some of the important facts:

1. Buying somewhere within the next 2 months.

2. I dont need a keyboard, mouse, monitor (want a new one though), speakers.

3. I prefer to buy from newegg and microcenter.com or trusted websites.

4. I prefer Intel and NVIDIA.

5. I would love to overclock a good amount but not too much.


I just thought these would be important facts (from the how to ask for new build advice thread...)

 

[jjbtexas]

how much money are u willing to spend on a HDD? i would go with the biggest u are willing to pay for until u reach 500-750Gb then i would grab a velociraptor for my OS and software

otherwise seems pretty future proof

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

For a HDD I would like to spend roughly $100 maybe a little more. So your saying the Velocirator for the os(s) and then a large one for files and stuff? Thats sounds good but 2 HDD could make it a little pricey.

 

[fullmetall]

You dont need $100 for HDD, get the 640gb Western Digital Caviar Black. the black is labeled because its 5% faster than the normal 640gb.

Case, Antec 900 is a nice one for cooling.

Motherboard, P6T would probably be more reliable for x58.

PSU, since its only a gtx 260, the 650tx corsair is good enough.

ram should be fine, timings on it are pretty slow but, its 1333 ram so should be good unless you want to spend a little more and look for a tighter timing than 9-9-9-24.

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Ok good HDD find!

Im not sure, the Tempest is a clone of the Antec 900 and the Tempest is a little bigger.

Could you explain why?

OK the 650 is fine but I may want to add more HDDs and mabey another graphics card in the futre, is the 650 still sufficient?

 

[xthekidx]

If you will add another GPU later on, then get PC P&C 750w silencer. If not, then 550vx is enough.

You will have to buy a separate mounting bracket for that cooler, that one only comes with LGA 775 brackets.

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Ok so 750 Watt it is I guess.

Yeah I know, its free on Noctua's website.


Also, is the GTX260 Core 216 a good enough graphics card to run games like CoD:Waw on a small monitor with good fps?

If not, can anyone suggest any better options? (superclocked edition?)

 

[xthekidx]

If WaW is all you will play, then you could get by with a 4850, the GTX 260 will be more than enough.

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Ok cool. I would be playing more then WaW but that would probebly be the most played game.

Also, would the 750 PSUs mentioned be compatible with the GTX260 Core 216? Also, is the Superclocked edition of the 260 worth it? Or can I just overclock myself?

 

[xthekidx]

Just get the base model of the GTX 260 and overclock yourself, unless those other GTX 260's come with a modified cooling design...and there aren't any that do to my knowledge. For compatablility, look to make sure you have at least 30-35 amps on the 12v rail(s) and to make sure it has the right connectors. The GTX 260 needs 2x6 pin connectors, and all the above mentioned 750w PSU's will have that. If you want to SLI GTX 260's (doesn't sound like you will) then you need 4x6pin connectors.

You said "small monitor" earlier. What resolution do you mean by that? WaW isn't that graphics intensive as far as FPS games go, but others like Crysis need more firepower from the GPU. If you will play more graphics intensive games, then it is possible you will need more. But at 1440x900 or smaller resolution, the GTX 260 is plenty for just about any game.

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Ok so I think your saying get the GTX 260 Core 216 then overclock myself?

By small monitor I mean like a 19" 4:3 flatscreen monitor. However, I do have a 26" 16:9 HDTV right near me, and I noticed that the GTX 260 has an S-video out and some even have the s-vid to component adaptor. Could I use my TV as a monitor?

 

[xthekidx]

You can use your TV if you want, it may look distorted however because the pixels on TV's are usually much bigger than on a monitor.

 

[teer1998]

I was about to make this exact same post. I am buildinga PC for the 1st time. My current machine is 10 years old and such a dinosaur. I tried to rebuild it with XP pro {currently XP home} and failed miserably. The I just could not get all the componets installed and working properly with current drivers. So I have decided to build the ultimate machine.
I am h-bent on the Asus P6T, but reading reviews I have become a little weary. Now there are three or four versions of the p6t and little or no explaination about the differences. {P6t, p6t deluxe, p6t deluxe with oc palm, p6t WS Pro, and p6t Deluxe v2} So now I am getting nervous because of my failure to rebuild my dinosaur system.
I want to start off with the right mobo, basically decided I have no need for an OC palm. If anybody has some info on difference on the other configs that would be appreciated.
I am also getting a WD Raptor for the O/S {currently thinking Vista Ult 64, but have my reservations on that as well. Thinking of building Xp pro and waiting for windows 7} i also have a WD 500GB EIDE drive from the failed dinosaur rebuild. Was going to use that for file storage.
If anyone has experience using an IDE drive on the P6t, am I going to have problems. Money isn't so tight that i won't buy a SATA for data storage, but hate to waste a 500GB harddrive.
Any thoughts on the mobo selection along with builder wanrings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[xthekidx]

I was about to make this exact same post. I am buildinga PC for the 1st time. My current machine is 10 years old and such a dinosaur. I tried to rebuild it with XP pro {currently XP home} and failed miserably. The I just could not get all the componets installed and working properly with current drivers. So I have decided to build the ultimate machine.
I am h-bent on the Asus P6T, but reading reviews I have become a little weary. Now there are three or four versions of the p6t and little or no explaination about the differences. {P6t, p6t deluxe, p6t deluxe with oc palm, p6t WS Pro, and p6t Deluxe v2} So now I am getting nervous because of my failure to rebuild my dinosaur system.
I want to start off with the right mobo, basically decided I have no need for an OC palm. If anybody has some info on difference on the other configs that would be appreciated.
I am also getting a WD Raptor for the O/S {currently thinking Vista Ult 64, but have my reservations on that as well. Thinking of building Xp pro and waiting for windows 7} i also have a WD 500GB EIDE drive from the failed dinosaur rebuild. Was going to use that for file storage.
If anyone has experience using an IDE drive on the P6t, am I going to have problems. Money isn't so tight that i won't buy a SATA for data storage, but hate to waste a 500GB harddrive.
Any thoughts on the mobo selection along with builder wanrings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Start a new topic in the forum so people can focus on your questions, they will need more than a simple answer. This thread belongs to the person who started the thread.

 

[Helloworld_98]

If you want a fast drive for the os then get an ocz solid state, 30 or 60GB, your choice. They're both cheaper than the velociraptor and quicker.

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Ok well guys I have another question about PSU's. Should I get a modular one?

They seem interesting and allow less wires if needed.

I was looking at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002 but its only 620W. Can anyone suggest anything better, or do I only need 620?

Also, how many 12v rails does my setup need? Also, Ive heard that if you have more then one 12v rail, you have to balance out your power needs by hand. Whats that about?

Finally, with my setup, is the amps with the mentioned psus good enough?

Remember, Im new at this and like being very sure everything Im buying will work flawlessly together.

 

[fullmetall]

Having more 12v rails allows you to balance things out manually yea, more around for oc'ing for gaming as of what i've heard, which seems better for gaming, as proximons guide says.

Single railing would send power out any where at any limit. 3-4 railing would limit each main unit, but, its not bad to have single railing.

the 620w modular you chose has 3 12v rails at 18a.(amperage).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371010
heres an antec, modular, slightly higher amperage at 650w and cheaper.

 

[fullmetall]

Xigmatek/seasonic also have some really good modular psu's for around the same price at higher amperage and wattage. Wattage isn't what you would really need to worry about, its your amperage. Having a little more wattage is kind of a good thing for a long term build. As usual capacity takes over and wattage does drop in time. Thats why i say get a little more than good enough.

heres 2 psu's i seen that have a nice bundle of 6-pin and 6-pin+2 for crossfiring/sli'ing if you would like that to take effect.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151031
seasonic

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815001
xigmatek

now, I know people don't really use xigmatek much for psu's there more for there good s1283, but, that one seemed descent

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Ok so more rails would be good?

My main concern is which modular psu should I get for my rig that would power all my stuff with the right amperage and leave room for more HDD's and another GPU.

Can anyone post links to some PSUs that fit these requirements and that are reliable and good?

 

[fullmetall]

If you wanted, the 620w corsair you chosen will be just fine.

 

[xthekidx]

I'd suggest this one if you want to be able to use 2 GPU's in the future, If not then you can get the 520hx for modular PSU's. I personally don't think modular PSU's are worth the price over a regular PSU, I would just get the regular one and zip tie up your extra cables.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151031
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520hx

 

[fullmetall]

Exactly, modular was pretty pricey, but, if you had the money and was pickey about those kind of things, the 620w is fine. or the seasonic.

 

[mrmeowmix2300]

Yeah, I guess it would be better to save some money and just zip-tie the extras (and how many could there be except the floppy drives).

So would you guys say that the 650/750tx psus would be good enough? Which one?



Also, I was wondering what Processor Coolers would fit in my case? I saw a video on youtube of a guy putting the Noctua I picked out into an Antec 300 which is 8.1" Wide and my Tempest is 8.3" Wide. The Noctua is 158mm High (6inches?). Would It fit? Also, if the noctua fits, wouls the thermalright ultra 120 that everyone says is the best for i7 fit at 160mm?

 

[xthekidx]

Both should fit in your case.

If you want "future proof" then you should get the 750tx so that it will allow for SLI later. If you don't think you will get another GPU, then you will be fine with the 650tx.