Computer build help

John1967

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Mar 19, 2010
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18,510
Hello everyone,

I’m very interested in building my own gaming computer, but I really don’t want to screw it up by purchasing incompatible parts seeing as I’ve never done this before. I’m on a very tight budget of $3,000 total, and I really need to get the absolute max. for my money.

I think it’s important to point out that I will not be playing any video games on it. I will mostly be doing HD video editing along with a great deal of multi-tasking (photo editing, listening to music, MS Office programs, etc.). I know the following is over-kill, but I want to stay a little ahead so I don’t have upgrade anytime soon, especially with the Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 on the motherboard w/USB3.0, and the 9-12GB DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory.

If at all possible, I’m looking to build a computer with the following or similar, and most importantly, I want to minimize the noise output (e.g. fans, hd, etc.):

• Any full size tower fully compatible with max ventilation.
• Windows7 64-bit
• CPU: Intel CoreT i7-930 2.80 GHz(or higher) 8M L3 Cache
• MEMORY: 9-12GB DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Module
• MOTHERBOARD: (3-Way SLI Support) GigaByte GA-X58A-UD7 Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Ultra DurableT3 Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 24 Phase Power ATX Mainboard w/ 7.1 HD Dobly Audio, Dual GbLAN, USB3.0, 2 x SATA-III RAID, 4 Gen2 PCIe, 2 PCIe X1 & 1 PCI. Anything similar would be fine.
• 12X Blu-Ray Writer Drive
• 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (doesn’t have to be double layer, but it would be nice).
• Neon Lights would be nice!
• Good Case Cooling Fans
• A decent Ultra Silent cpu fan/radiator type or whatever you would recommend. I would prefer to stay away from any kind of coolant though, I’m afraid of any kind of leakage.
• FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer
• HDD: 300GB Gaming Western Digital VelociRaptor 10,000RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache WD3000GLFS
• HDD2:Extreme Performance (RAID-0) with 2 Identical Hard Drives (2TB (1TBx2) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM
• IEEE 1394 CARD
• MODEM: US Robotics PCI 56K v.92 FAX Modem (I occasionally fax things)
• NETWORK: Intel Pro Gigabite 10/100/1000 Network Card
• POWERSUPPLY: 850 Watts Power Supplies (In-Win Commander IRP-COM850 SLI/CrossFireX Ready)
• SOUND: Creative Labs X-FI XtremeGamer 24-BIT PCI Sound Card
• TVRC: Avermedia AVerTV Bravo Hybrid (ATSC/ClearQAM/NTSC) PCIE Media Center TV Tuner + Remote Control
• USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
• VIDEO: ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB DDR5 16X PCIe Video Card [DirectX 11 Support]

I was going to buy the one I customized through CyberPower, but I checked on the BBB and the reviews were consistently bad and downright painful! Other than buying through them, every place on the internet others had highly recommended building my own, so here I am.

If there is any chance you could give me a good idea on what compatible items I could buy using the above information as a guide, I would greatly appreciate it.

I almost forgot to ask, would you happen to know a good step-by-step resource that I could follow which shows me how to build my computer? Also, could you tell me if the drivers come with each piece of hardware that I buy?


Thank you,

~John~
 
Solution
@John1967 it is a good step forward, building your own PC...Though initially it may look complicated and tough, but once when you are done with it, am sure you will feel very happy and confident...And also you wont have to rely on someone to fix your PC if anything goes wrong...
But a word of caution though...you can expect some components that may come DOA...So be ready for that too...but am not saying that it will come but it may...

Now as for the parts...
1. CPU - Good choice for your usage...

2. Mobo - Why do you need the UD7 ? Will you be overclocking extreme ?
Save some money and get any of these...
@John1967 it is a good step forward, building your own PC...Though initially it may look complicated and tough, but once when you are done with it, am sure you will feel very happy and confident...And also you wont have to rely on someone to fix your PC if anything goes wrong...
But a word of caution though...you can expect some components that may come DOA...So be ready for that too...but am not saying that it will come but it may...

Now as for the parts...
1. CPU - Good choice for your usage...

2. Mobo - Why do you need the UD7 ? Will you be overclocking extreme ?
Save some money and get any of these...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280%201070545356%201796849719&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False

3. RAM - 12GB if you are into photo editing/ rendering and stuff...
2 of this kit....
GKSillz 1600MHz CAS 7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

4. CASe - A very good and huge Mid Tower -
HAF 922 - It is pretty fancy and has very good airflow too...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Another option
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62 Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239

5. Graphics card - You wont be playing games on the PC right ? Then why do you need the HD 5850 ? IMO even the HD 5770 would suffice
Aftermarket cooler - runs cooler and noise is less...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102868

6. HDD - Don't get the Raptors...IMO they are not worth the price...
I would suggest this kind of setup...
SSD - For OS and apps
Intel 80GB - Nearly instant access of apps and very fast boot times...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023
1TB HDD for others...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

7. Sound card - IMO the ASUS Xonar series are a better buy at that price...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010290057%201101108503%205006&bop=And

8. CPU cooler- CM Hyper212+ or for that price, Xig Dark Knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

9. BD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129051
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

10. Most important - PSU -
850W ? Why do you need that much power ?
IMO this would suffice...Any by no means this is weak or doesnt have enough power for future upgrades...
Corsair 650HX - Even the 550W would suffice but keeping in mind future upgrades, this is a safe bet...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

But if you are willing to spend a little more on a very high quality PSU, that will run virtually silent, then this one for sure...
SeaSonic X650 Gold 650W - 80+ Gold, It runs so cool and efficient that the fan on this PSU sometimes doesnt even run...Though it commands a price premium, but well worth the price if you want a highly efficient and silent PSU...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

And do look for combo deals on newegg...

Some guides to help you with building...
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-video-problems
And you do get so many youtube videos too...
 
Solution

John1967

Distinguished
Mar 19, 2010
18
0
18,510
In regards to your question about the Mobo, it's not that I need the UD7, I just want to make sure that I won't have to do any upgrading in the near future. Also, I don't want any problems when HD video editing. There's nothing I hate more than my computer slowing down/stalling or having any issues while editing. I really don't plan on overclocking in the immediate future, but I'd like to have that option.

I highly doubt that I will play any games on it...never had any interest, but I do multi-task, BIGTIME!


Thank you for all the info gkay09, it was a big help. :)
 
^ Well the mobo plays a small part in that case...Switch to UD5...It is a Premium mobo with many features...
The UD7 is an enthusiast mobo, which helps in extreme overclocking and when you want to water cool everything - even the mobo chipset...
So IMO the UD5 would suffice...

And as you will do multitasking bigtime, I would suggest you stick with 12GB...
And maybe overclock the CPU to say a nice and efficient 3.66GHz-3.8GHz...