Help a Rookie: compatibility issues in my first build?

[lumpsums]

Using this system for moderate gaming, music, and schoolwork. Wasn't originally trying to spend so much money, but hopefully some of these components will lower in price within the next two months, as I'm buying this piece by piece with paychecks.

Looking for anyone to suggest problems in compatibility here including wrong chip sets for SATA drives, not enough ports for the given equipment, not enough wattage in the PSU, etc. Thanks alot techgods!

Lian Li PC-7FW case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112195&Tpk=Lian%20Li%20PC-7FW

2x Sony Optiarc SATA DVD drives

Motherboard -
EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049&Tpk=EVGA%20141-BL-E757-TR

maybe

ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 X58 Intel ATX

CPU -
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 130W Quad Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&Tpk=Intel%20Core%20i7%20920%20Nehalem%202.66%20GHZ

RAM -
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145242

Video Card -
GIGABYTE GV-N285OC-2GI GeForce GTX 275 2GB, PCI-e 2.0 x 16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

Hard Drive -
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0GB/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&Tpk=WD1001FALS%201TB

Power Supply -
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

I'm kind of unsure as to look at PSUs for ATX or ATX12V?

Also, even though I've been researching this for the first time these last three days, I cannot really tell if I have enough PCIe, SATA, and USB ports to have the SATA hard disk, PCIe video card, two SATA DVD drives, as well as audio and USB ports for the keyboard, mouse, speakers, mouse, etc.

I guess that is important to have ready, but to shorten my research from three months to maybe a week, I come to YOU, Tom's Forums!

 

[hunter315]

A few changes, drop the dominators, they are overpriced and there are faster kits for less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145242

Swap the GTX285 out for a GTX275, its significantly less and can be OC'ed a bit and performing as well as a GTX285
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

I would suggest the 750TX instead, its a bit more expensive but also a bit more powerful
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

And you will have plenty of connectors for anything you need.

What resolution is your monitor?

 

[lumpsums]

A few changes, drop the dominators, they are overpriced and there are faster kits for less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145242

Swap the GTX285 out for a GTX275, its significantly less and can be OC'ed a bit and performing as well as a GTX285
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

I would suggest the 750TX instead, its a bit more expensive but also a bit more powerful
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

And you will have plenty of connectors for anything you need.

What resolution is your monitor?

Thanks much hunter.
Definitley am looking at the DDR3 you showed me
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145242

GTX 275: Easy to OC? I have NO clue on overclocking, whether it's done in software or whatever, I don't expect you to explain it completley.. will I need better/afterpurchase cooling? Will OC'ing a GTX 275 be worth it in the long run? I know OC'ing kills some of it's life
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

The PSU, also, I'm not buying yet. Awesome discount on NEWEGG right now, just not going to be able to take advantage. I will keep it in mind!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

I haven't bought the monitor yet. Figured I'd wait until I buy the video card for sure.

 

[jsc]

Why two DVD drives?

Corsair TX750 is a better choice than the OCZ. And it has quite a bit more useful power.

Actually, if you never plan to make significant upgrades (like another video card), the TX650 will do quite nicely.

 

[hunter315]

Well consider what size monitor you want, 19" is generally 1280x1024 or 1440x990, 20-22" tends to be 1680x1050, 22+ 1920x1080/1200, 30+ 2560x1600(costs more than my whole rig so i doubt its in your price range). Your monitor resolution determines what GPU you should get for good FPS at high detail, which determines what PSU you need to power the system.

When are you planning to be buying? There are a couple of things due out soon that will shake up the playfield a bit processor and GPU wise. If you arent going to be buying for a month or two make sure to stop back about 2 weeks before you buy and use this template, someone will update your build to the best deals and combos at the time.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[jonsy2k]

Actually, I saw the description for what you needed and then I read the parts list and I laughed a bit. If you wanted to save money and have this computer do what you want it to, you could easily shave another 500 bucks off by going a non i7 route.

Though if it were me, I wouldn't hesitate in paying a bit more for the i7 build, since its great for OC, excellent for gaming, and even better for modeling stuff that i want to do.

 

[lumpsums]

Well consider what size monitor you want, 19" is generally 1280x1024 or 1440x990, 20-22" tends to be 1680x1050, 22+ 1920x1080/1200, 30+ 2560x1600(costs more than my whole rig so i doubt its in your price range).

If you arent going to be buying for a month or two make sure to stop back about 2 weeks before you buy and use this template, someone will update your build to the best deals and combos at the time.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Monitor: will want a 22", so 1680x1050.

And I will definitley check in again. I'm buying it in pieces really. At the end of September, depending on what's new/on sale I'll buy one or two pieces depending on the prices, and so forth for October and November. This is my Xmas gift so I've got time!

Two DVD drives only because I want to be able to copy with no disc changing. Thought that I absolutley NEED a DVD drive in both if I were copying one DVD to another, if you know what I mean.

I may have bought it uneccessarily, but it's too late. At 29.99, with 8 dollars shipping, I'll just keep it as a second drive, maybe a replacement (hope not!).

 

[lumpsums]

Actually, I saw the description for what you needed and then I read the parts list and I laughed a bit. If you wanted to save money and have this computer do what you want it to, you could easily shave another 500 bucks off by going a non i7 route.

Though if it were me, I wouldn't hesitate in paying a bit more for the i7 build, since its great for OC, excellent for gaming, and even better for modeling stuff that i want to do.

I hear you jonesy. I'm just trying to get top-notch so that in the near future, if I do decide to starting ignoring my real life and get into games a little too much, I'll have to power to do so.

 

[jonsy2k]

I hear you jonesy. I'm just trying to get top-notch so that in the near future, if I do decide to starting ignoring my real life and get into games a little too much, I'll have to power to do so.

Plus I feel like buying computer parts is an addiction, since I can't stop looking at them and wanting more.

Good thing I don't have any money to feed this addiction.

 

[lumpsums]

Plus I feel like buying computer parts is an addiction, since I can't stop looking at them and wanting more.

Good thing I don't have any money to feed this addiction.

Ha. Well I'll be careful. I'm willing to shell out 1500 if necessary. Even more considering a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Merry Christmas to me!

 

[hunter315]

I hear you jonesy. I'm just trying to get top-notch so that in the near future, if I do decide to starting ignoring my real life and get into games a little too much, I'll have to power to do so.

Buying top notch stuff isnt a good idea, get the mid to high end stuff that provides you lots of upgrade potential and will allow you to use them for years like a roomy case or a nice large monitor. Thats why i suggested dropping down from the GTX285, while it is the best single gpu card available, it is also very expensive, and will get beaten by the new generation of cards ATI has due out in a couple months. Top of the line comes with top notch pricing, where as the second tier stuff will give you very similar performance for a very dissimilar cost.

You should easily be able to fit a monitor and i7 into a 1500 budget, keyboard and mouse depend on the person, i dont see the difference between a $30 keyboard and a $70 keyboard and really dont think its worth the price increase but some do.

 

[jonsy2k]

I agree with hunter as well. Anyone would be hard pressed to recommend the dominators or the 285 when cheaper kits and the 275 will perform on par for far less.

The peripherals are a different matter, plenty of people swear by their mechanical switch keyboards, but I'm sure most people won't notice a difference. A nice monitor will also last you many more builds than the graphics cards.

 

[hunter315]

What really bugs me about the dominators is that they cost so much more but perform WORSE, the are CL8 not CL7 like many of the cheaper kits, you are paying almost entirely for the heat spreaders. These two kits have identical performance numbers yet are $66 apart.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=147&Description=&Type=&N=2010170147&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&Manufactory=1666&Manufactory=1459&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A45114&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A29371&PropertyCodeValue=525%3A29367
Some people are willing to pay 50% more for cool heatsinks, but most us cant afford it.

 

[jitpublisher]

The thing about the dominators (and a few other high priced brands) really has bugged me too for a while. You pay a premium, for ram that has SLOWER latencies, and requires higher voltage? Am I missing something? Do people really buy these things, and why?
I always thought you looked for a combination of low latencies, and low voltage.
If the memory is quality, it will run tight and will not need to be overvolted, and they are usually priced less than the Big Gun Gamer Gonzo Dominator SLI Certified CrossFire Memory with Dual Heatseaker Turbo Prop LED Sonic Cooling Fans.

 

[EXT64]

Actually with your timeline, I'd keep an eye out for the new ATI cards. Rumors have it that a press launch may be this month, well before christmas. If you want to keep this for a long time and gaming might occur, DX11 may be valuable.

 

[dndhatcher]

GTX 275: Easy to OC? I have NO clue on overclocking, whether it's done in software or whatever, I don't expect you to explain it completley..

If you download EVGAs precision software then overclocking any Nvidia card is just moving a couple sliders. You wont overclock a video card as much as a CPU anyway, only 5-10% probably.


If you are going to buy an I7, you might as well spend $50 and get a decent cooler so you can overlclock it to 3.4-3.8GHz.
the sunbeam core contact and xigmatech dark knight seem to be the popular choices for I7s.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029




The Ati and Nvidia press conferences are scheduled for Sept 10th so its more than just rumors.

 

[lumpsums]

Thanks for the replies.

DX11, is an ATI VGA?

 

[Newbuilder1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163
ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard for 170.00 is in stock for a bit. I just snagged this board this morning after reading lots of good reviews on it from various sites.

Like you im buying a piece here and there so I was happy when this board came back in stock

 

[hunter315]

DX11 is Direct X 11, its microsofts graphics language that most games talk to graphics cards using. There are many features in direct x that use a dedicated portion of the graphics card to greatly speed up execution time. The ATI 5xxx series and the nVidia G300 series of chips will be the first to support it. The 5xxx series is supposed to be due out by late october, the G300 series has no speculated release date for now.

 

[dndhatcher]

the G300 series has no speculated release date for now.

I bet Nvidia speculates on the release date at their press conference next week.

 

[lumpsums]

ha DX11 = DirectX 11 sorry didn't pick up on that. honestly guys, last time I was really on my computer, dual cores were a thing of the future for regular people and DiX 8 was calling for an update from my desktop.

i'm really glad i got on this first, because i researched only bits and pieces. no doubt if DiX11 compatible video cards are necessary for the near future, gotta wait until they come out!

Am I going to have to make any specific choice changes for my hardware (besides VGA) to operate/maximize DiX 11 ?

 

[hunter315]

Games wont start using DX11 for years, probably 3, so there is no need to wait for the new cards specifically for DX11, the reason for waiting is because they will be more powerful and affect the prices of the current line up. Other than the video card nothing else is affected by directX so there is nothing else needed to optimize the use of it.

 

[lumpsums]

Games wont start using DX11 for years, probably 3, so there is no need to wait for the new cards specifically for DX11, the reason for waiting is because they will be more powerful and affect the prices of the current line up. Other than the video card nothing else is affected by directX so there is nothing else needed to optimize the use of it.

heard. yes of course price is going to go down on the cards im looking at now.. i think with all of the economic roller coasters, holidays coming around, things are going to be very cheap by end of october.

I looked at this newbuilder. i like this board, and it's 60-80 dollars cheaper than the eVGA board i'm looking at. only, i see it has 2 onboard usb 2.0 ports that can support 4? how is this? a clip-in adapter?

^^ I really like that the eVGA board has 4 USB 2.0 onboard ports, and not just plenty on the rear. I may get a display for the unused 5.25 drive bays, and want to make sure that my USB 2.0 connects are all there for me in case.. I don't see running a USB cord from the back to the interior... right? my lingo is lacking so tear me an asshole if i need it! want to make sure i'm not cut short in inside USB-hookups.

 

[hunter315]

USB ports always come in pairs, this is because the headers on the motherboard are 10 pin connectors, each USB port only has 4 pins so one header can feed two ports with the other two being a key and an unused hole so you cant line it up backwards. If you need more than the 10 USB ports the ASRock board supports you should probably get a hub or cut back on devices, i dont think anyone will ever use the 16 provided by the EVGA.

 

[dndhatcher]

That motherboard sells out fast. It just arrived back in stock yesterday. Its the cheapest decent i7 board available and got good reviews here.

*and once again I typed too slow. usb blather deleted *