First Computer Build

[mindmastre]

This is my first time building a computer and was wondering if my specs are fully compatible. I would hate to have something go wrong because I didn't buy the right parts.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB
MoBo: ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
GPU: EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC
HHD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
SSD (for boot drive): OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional 70SB088600002 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz
CD/DVD Burner: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner
Blu-Ray Drive: LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit

My budget is $3000 so there is some leverage for upgrades/changes. Please let me know if I am missing anything or need to change anything. Any criticism is requested to ensure I enjoy my PC. Thank you in advance for any help with this matter.

 

[batuchka]

If u live near a Microcenter:

Items off Egg $573

Items from Microcenter $170 Deneb 965BE + MSI 785G-E53
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html
$743 in total
Edit: Swap out for F3 1TB $59.99 ^^
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-HD103SJ&title=Samsung-SpinPoint-F3-HD103SJ-1TB-SATA2-7200rpm-32MB-Hard-Drive

 

[Guest]

Go for an ATI graphics card
AMD+Nvidia is not a good option

 

[mindmastre]

I chose AMD+NVidia because I am a fan boy and they have never let me down yet. I have A question though that might determine if I get a NIC. On the Motherboard I am planning to get, there are two PCI-e x16 slots and the GPU I am getting takes two slots. Does it matter which PCI-e x16 slot I use?

If I place the GPU in PCIEx16_1 (blue), it will block one of my PCI-e x1 slots (which I need for my NIC and Sound Card), but if I place my GPU in PCIEx16_2 (black), it will block PCI1 (which I don't need).

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Go for an ATI graphics card
AMD+Nvidia is not a good option

Really ? Love to see some proof otherwise lets keep false info out of these forums please.

Ditch the NIC and Velociraptor and get an SSD boot drive of 120GB or so. A Crucial C300, GSkill Phoenix pro or OCZ Vertex2 will run you about $220 and serve you better than that NIC and outdated Velociraptor.
F3 1TB is faster than that 1TB FALS.

Get Windows 7 x64 NOT Vista.

 

[wortwortwort]

Basically what anort said.

NOT VISTA.

A NIC is pretty much useless in modern computers.

A SSD will be much more useful that the Velociraptor and NIC.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Forgot to mention........get a GTX580 not a GTX480.

 

[mindmastre]

Would a 30GB SSD be large enough for a boot drive? That was all I was going to use the VelociRaptor for anyway.

Also, how is Windows 7 64-bit compatibility? I have heard a nothing but problems with Windows 7 on basically any game that came out before Windows 7 released.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

I have run Windows 7 x64 since the early Betas. Over a year before public release and have not once had any compatibility problems. Not once even. I would get a 120GB SSD . 30 GB you are not going to fit much on since Windows is 20 of it.

 

[mindmastre]

Well basically, all of my information will go on my 1TB HHD. I will be using the SSD strictly as a boot drive. So can Windows 7 be effectively installed on a 30GB and not need more in the future if that is all I am using the SSD for?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Yep.

 

[mindmastre]

OK. I ousted the NIC and Velociraptor for a 60GB SSD, which saves me $60. The other two matters are the OS and the GPU.

OS: I have used Vista since it came out and only very rarely had problems, but have only heard negative things about Windows 7's program compatibility since its release. Any suggestions about which would be better for a gaming PC that will be running games from current date to the stone age?

GPU: I am currently liking what I am reading about GTX480 and compared to the GTX580 I can save $70. The GTX580 seems to need some more fine tuning and is a little more expensive. On the other hand, I won't be getting this PC for another 8 weeks and my budget can handle the upgrade. Would the GTX580 be worth it?

 

[wrazor]

Get the GTX 570. Identical performance to GTX 480 and runs much cooler, quieter and uses less watts. Alternatively, as you are doing an AMD build, I would go for 2 6850s in CF instead. For 360$ you will get more performance than the other single slot cards. GL!!

 

[mindmastre]

The GTX570 looks to be better in every way to the GTX480 (aside from the GTX having 3-way SLi, but my MoBo does not support SLi so that is negligible). Is there a reason why the GTX570 is $150 cheaper? It seems suspisious to me that the better hardware is cheaper...

 

[wrazor]

Well, I guess the prices of GTX 480 will go down somewhat. The only reason they might not go to 325(in comparison to GTX 570 350$) is that GTX 480 are not mass produced and ppl will pay a lil more for them to SLI who already own one card. Since you are building a new rig, theres absolutely no reason to not buy 570 over 480. Be assured. But I still tell you, NV cards on AMD motherboards just doesnt seem right. You can go with an i5 rig if you do not plan to SLI. I still say, go with the AMD rig, and CF 2 6850s. You wont regret. Or just wait and see how amd 6950 or 6970 do. Then make your decision.

 

[mindmastre]

I guess the GTX480 is out of the picture then. The CF 2 6850's look to be vastly superior to a single GTX570 and for the same price. With the extra card though will my 850W PSU handle this sort of thing?

 

[wrazor]

Yeah, you can rest assured, it will work like a charm. Also, I think you made all really good choices, apart from maybe the CPU? Any reasons you went for 965 and not 955?I know the difference is like 20$ but still interesting to know. Personally I dont think you will be losing out anything as both are gauranteed to OC to upto 3.8ghz easy.