Novice Builder - 2-2.5K Build

[Kasceis]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In about 2-3 weeks. BUDGET RANGE: $2000-2500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming. Watch Blurays. Internet surfing.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, Mobo. Not sure about video card.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, If I can figure out how to. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: If I need to, yeah.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 (or is 1920x1200 better for gaming?)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I haven't build a new PC for a long time. I don't know how to overclock and I don't even know what SATA is.. lol, however, I wish to build my own PC to save on cost, advice is much needed.

Prices are rounded.

Case: $100
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

CPU: $289
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard: $240
EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX X58 SLI LE Intel Motherboard

Hard Drive: $85
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

RAM: $150
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9

Power Supply: $170
CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Video Card: $390
Visiontek Radeon HD5870 Video Card - 1GB, DDR5, PCIe, Dual DVI

Monitor: $300
Samsung SyncMaster XL2370

Bluray Drive: $170
PLEXTOR Black BD Combo Super Multi Drive USB Model PX-B310U

CPU Fan: $67
ZALMAN CNPS9900LED 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Speakers: $150 (on amazon)
Logitech Z-2300 200 watts RMS 2.1 Speaker System

Keyboard: $80
Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard

Mouse: $40
RAZER DeathAdder RZ01-00150100-R3M1 Black 5 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Optical 1800 dpi High Precision Gaming Mouse

Operating System: $??? What is the difference between these two? Which should I get?
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

Total: $2231 w/o OS.

I'm more than willing to make changes. Let me know if I missed anything, and also let me know if I need extra thing, like thermal paste or what not... thanks!

 

[gkay09]

^ The i7 920 is a very good option...But you should check out the i7 860...It is as good as the i7 920 and has better Turbo mode(Overclocks itself when needed) and consumes less power and gives out less heat...

CPU + Mobo
Intel i7 860 + Gigabyte UD4P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.276272

RAM -
GSkillz 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231278

HDD - Samsung F3 1TB - This will be faster than that drive that you have selected...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

CASE - Check this case too...
CM HAF 922
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

PSU - Same
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

CPU cooler -
Noctua
http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/noctua-nh-u12p-se-2-ultra-silent-cpu-cooler.html

or any of these...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051

Rest same...

So now you have enough cash to add 1 more HD 5870 in crossfire if you want to extreme...

 

[build]

If you like the antec case, get this combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265993 . Very good power supply

And get the OEM version of the OS.

 

[Kasceis]

I think the 1156 would be better yeah, and I'm gonna order some parts here soon. However, there wasn't that really good of reviews for that mobo on that combo.

CPU + Mobo Intel i7 860 + Gigabyte UD4P

What would be a good mobo to go with that CPU?

 

[jbakerlent]

The UD4P is a great motherboard, but here is a Gigabyte counterpart for you to have a look at.
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405&cm_re=p55_motherboards-_-13-131-405-_-Product

 

[gkay09]

^ The PRO is a good option...you can take a look at this one too...Has better ratings than the Deluxe...
i7 860 + ASUS EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273253

 

[Kasceis]

^ The PRO is a good option...you can take a look at this one too...Has better ratings than the Deluxe...
i7 860 + ASUS EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273253

Looks really good, however, it has dual channel for RAM.. is that a setback, or is triple channel way better?

 

[gkay09]

^To put it in simple way - For your usage, there will be virtually no difference at all...It would matter much when you use video/ photo rendering apps, which are heavily memory bandwidth dependent...

 

[snurp85]

to answer your question about the OS: full means it comes in a box with documents and manuals and junk while oem or "system builders" means it only comes with the dvd and nothing else.

Personally, i would go with the professional oem version as supposed to the home premium version, but thats up to you.

also for your graphics card, usually Sapphire has better products but once again that is kinda personal preference

 

[Kasceis]

^To put it in simple way - For your usage, there will be virtually no difference at all...It would matter much when you use video/ photo rendering apps, which are heavily memory bandwidth dependent...

Would this be good for dual channel memory? With that motherboard.
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

 

[gkay09]

^ Yes it will be good...but rather get 2 sets of this kit...It will be cheaper and these have better timings...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231278

 

[Kasceis]

I have made a few purchases so far, check them out.

Case + Power Supply Combo:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE

Keyboard:
Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard

Mouse:
RAZER DeathAdder RZ01-00150100-R3M1 Black 5 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Optical 1800 dpi High Precision Gaming Mouse

Thats it so far, those are bought and shipped already. I need some advice on this next set, which I plan to purchase tonight. Here goes.

CPU + Mobo
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz, ASUS P7P55D PRO

RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM
X2 of these, for a total of 8 gig.

How do the parts I bought so far look, and the current items I am wanting to purchase. Also, will I need a CPU fan? If so, what do you recommend? I also need a good BLURAY drive.. and should I also get a standard DVD burner as well as a bluray drive?

That samsung hard drive looked drive that was previously posted, but its out of stock.

 

[Kasceis]

About to place the order for the CPU/Mobo and RAM that was posted above. How does it look?

 

[build]

The CPU + mobo looks good.

You won't need 8GB of RAM for those uses, 1 set of 4 gigs is fine.

 

[Kasceis]

Alright, I didn't get to order those parts last night as my internet was down(I'm at work now), however, its back online now and I plan to purchase the items that I listed above. In addition to the parts I plan on ordering, I was need advice on the following.

Bluray Drive
Whats a good one to get, also, should I get a regular dvd burner in addition to the bluray drive?

Video Card
I'm wanting direct x11 to be future proof.. really need advice here.

Monitor
I really like the one that I posted, how does it look?

CPU Cooler
If I even need one

Thanks so much guys, I'm excited to order all these parts and throw this monster together!

 

[jbakerlent]

Here's a nice BD, I'd get an all in one drive. (Internal instead of the external one you selected)
Pioneer Black 8X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Internal Blu-ray
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129037

The GPU you selected supports DX11.
Gkay have you some good HSF options. You should get one if you plan on doing any overclocking, especially with your budget.

 

[Kasceis]

Thats a nice BD and a nice video card, but they are out of stock everywhere!

 

[psycho sykes]

 

[jbakerlent]

^ Great job with that screenshot Sykes! Notice I deleted them after accidentally repeat posting

 

[psycho sykes]

Yea It took me a bit till imageshack got the image and i posted without a refresh so forgive this one!
I noticed it with another post.. I believe this one http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/273594-31-novice-builder-build#t2010850 But couldn't catch a screenshot this time around..
Trying to be useful here I'll post shortly with something related to the thread..

Medo

BTW Thank for disregarding Psycho this time!

 

[build]

Yeah the OP (Kasceis) did a triple too, surprised you missed it :lol: And some dude posted 3 of the same threads in this section too.

Anyway here's another option for a CPU cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

 

[Kasceis]

Yeah the OP (Kasceis) did a triple too, surprised you missed it :lol: And some dude posted 3 of the same threads in this section too.

Anyway here's another option for a CPU cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Yeah, mine did a triple too, but I deleted it very quickly!

Edit: My thread has been hijacked!

 

[Kasceis]

Okay, I really want to get 8gig of RAM, just so I won't have to upgrade it later, got some choices here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231278 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220436 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145261 x1

I definitely getting that mobo/cpu combo and I got a good idea as to which hard drive to get, so gonna order a lot tonight! What do you guys think on this RAM?

 

[jbakerlent]

I'd get this set actually
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227478

 

[Kasceis]

I'd get this set actually
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227478

Hmm.. those reviews aren't too favorable for that RAM.. Most say that only 1 outta 2 sticks worked. Not sure about that set. Which is best out of the ones that I listed?