First desktop build..NEED HELP

[tweetzzzzz]

Hey everyone, I'm new to all this computer building and I just have a few questions that could really help if answered:

Will this all this fit in the case?

With the graphics card should I upgrade to the 2gb card and forget about getting 2 and putting them into crossfire or is it better?? Will I really need it?? It could save me $200 so I'm considering it

Will these components all work together?

I appreciate any help or suggestions!! Thanks

Here's a list of all the parts I've chosen:


CPU: Intel Core i7 2600K ~$315
3.4GHz (Unlocked Multi), Quad Core with HyperThreading, 8MB L3 Cache.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=16416


Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD7-B3 ~$365
Intel Z68, DDR3 2133, SATA3, USB 3.0, 3-Way SLI and Crossfire (x16/x16, x16/x8/x8).
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=17176


GPU: VTX3D Radeon HD6950 1GB (x2 in CrossFire) ~$458
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=16894


RAM: Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz CL9 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 ~$189
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=16306


SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 3.5in 120GB SSD ~$195
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=15487


HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ ~$59
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=12711


DVD: LG CH10LS20 10X Blu-ray DVD Combo Drive ~$79
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=16920


Case: CoolerMaster CM 690 II Advanced with Window Panel ~$125
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=13773


Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 750W ST75F-P ~$149
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=15350


CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ CPU Cooler ~$33
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=12544


Total: ~$1967

 

[BohleyK]

For the most part, your build is good. You've looked into researching and for the most part you've done a nice job. Here's the following that you should take into consideration:

1) The Core i7: Do you really need it? Its a workhorse chip that most people will not use to its potential. But if you have the money why not? I'd personally go with the Core i5 2500K. Others will suggest the same but its entirely your choice as is everything else.

2) The Motherboard: I can see absolutely no reason to purchase that board and I'm a Gigabyte fanboy ( [:bohleyk:7] ) . Its really expensive and packed with features only the most enthusiastic builders will use. If I'm not mistaken, you chose it for the 16x16x PCIe. Yeah, its faster but its not worth the price. The difference is like 5 FPS max which is why so many boards are 16x8x and so on.

3) The GPU's: I don't think you would need 2GB versions, especially since you are going to Crossfire. 2GB cards are for huge applications that need the memory. Gaming doesn't need that much and you wouldn't benefit from it over 1GB cards.

4) The RAM: The heatspreaders are huge and the RAM is overpriced. Its really that simple. You can find better performing RAM for less money. G.Skill makes 8GB's of 7-7-7-18 timed RAM for ~$20 less. Also there is no way you need 16GB of RAM. No one does.

Other than that, I have no input other than positive. Oh, right! Yes it will fit in that case and its all compatible [:bohleyk]

 

[tweetzzzzz]

Best answer selected by Tweetzzzzz.

 

[tweetzzzzz]

Thanks a lot for the feed back! I'm glad you could tell I've done some research but I still seem lost to whether I need the good parts. The graphics card is something I will probably not need to even crossfire I am feeling after researching more, is there a single graphics card which you would recommend? Also the with the RAM do you think downgrading to these will still give me good performance http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16437 ? The motherboard I am scared to change as I'm not sure which ones are good quality and will work with all these components, any suggestions?

 

[tweetzzzzz]

oh wow just looked up your suggested RAM http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16930 if this is it, is there a difference in performance between the cooling ones in my first description??

 

[BohleyK]

If you just want one GPU and have the money get the HD6970 or the GTX580. The HD 6970 is cheaper, performs roughly the same as the GTX580, runs cooler and uses less power. The GTX 580 is a bit more expensive but has better technologies that NVIDIA uses.

If you don't plan on running a PhysX card in the future grad the HD6970. Also the RAM link above will cook pretty nicely. The exact pair I mentioned above isn't featured on that website and since your an Aussie I don't know where else to look.

Grab these instead:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=13931

 

[c3h8]

What games do you plan to play on you machine? If they don't support Crossfire/SLI a better single card NOT an x2 card will improve your experience. Crossfire/SLI will never double your performance 80-90% boost if your optimistic and it's supported.

16Gb of RAM is excessive, most games are 32-bit and as such will only be able to address 3 Gb of RAM, what you go past that is determined by operating system use and background programs. I have 6 GB and unless I'm gaming It sits at just under 3 GB used with Windows 7, Photoshop, Steam, Outlook, and such in the background.

Most games are dual-core optimized so trading a quad core for a faster dual core will-in most cases-be a better decision.

As an Nvidia fan I would recommend the GTX580 over most ATI solutions, but it's just a matter of performance/preference when in doubt check out the reviews. This is Tom's Hardware. I also recommend, in opposition to some fanboys, checking our X-Bit Labs, their reviews are lengthy and the benchmarks are based off many major games.

If you play shooters/RPGs focus on the graphics card, If you like RTS go for a better processor-one your games will take advantage of. It's your rig, do what you feel is best.

Lastly if you plan on doing a lot of Online/Networked game play do everyone a favor and get a real network card. Integrated Realtek chips are miserable, go for something grown up like http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200_328&products_id=14702

 

[boiler1990]

What games do you plan to play on you machine? If they don't support Crossfire/SLI a better single card NOT an x2 card will improve your experience. Crossfire/SLI will never double your performance 80-90% boost if your optimistic and it's supported.

Most games nowadays support CF/SLI, and usually you see about a 95% increase in performance but it depends on the game - some games like AMD/CF better than NVidia/SLI and vice versa.

As an Nvidia fan I would recommend the GTX580 over most ATI solutions, but it's just a matter of performance/preference when in doubt check out the reviews. This is Tom's Hardware. I also recommend, in opposition to some fanboys, checking our X-Bit Labs, their reviews are lengthy and the benchmarks are based off many major games.

If you play shooters/RPGs focus on the graphics card, If you like RTS go for a better processor-one your games will take advantage of. It's your rig, do what you feel is best.

The key question is: what is the OP's monitor resolution? The GTX 580 is the king @ 1920x1080 (most monitors around 23-24"), and the 6970 is the best at 2560x1600 (usually 30" monitors). The 6950 and 6970 perform better on average than the 560Ti and 570 at resolutions 1920x1080 and above, according to almost all major benchmarks.

16Gb of RAM is excessive, most games are 32-bit and as such will only be able to address 3 Gb of RAM, what you go past that is determined by operating system use and background programs. I have 6 GB and unless I'm gaming It sits at just under 3 GB used with Windows 7, Photoshop, Steam, Outlook, and such in the background.

8GB is the most cost effective right now, though 4GB will do. 8GB is cheap enough though that you should easily be able to include it in the system.
I only have 16GB for computational codes I run

Most games are dual-core optimized so trading a quad core for a faster dual core will-in most cases-be a better decision.

Most games now will utilize 4 cores. Check the benchmarks...

i3-2100 vs. i5-2500K
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=289

Lastly if you plan on doing a lot of Online/Networked game play do everyone a favor and get a real network card. Integrated Realtek chips are miserable, go for something grown up like http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200_328&products_id=14702

This is more of an accessory if you can afford it. By no means a necessity though.

 

[tweetzzzzz]

I took advice and made a new build just wondering if this would work better?



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[boiler1990]

Going for the Fortress 02, huh? Its a beauty, and has the same 90 degree design that my Raven 02 has

If I had to pick apart your build, I'd say you're overpaying a little for the motherboard and the CPU cooler; though the Noctuas are good, the i5-2500K is a relatively cool chip and your Hyper 212+ selection was basically spot on.

I'd personally get this board, because it's just as reliable (still a brand name), and it has a bunch of features along with a more efficient expansion slot layout: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=17327

As for the GPU, I wouldn't get the Asus on the grounds that the cooler is larger than other cards (takes 3 slots vs. the standard 2 slots). It makes it difficult to add another GPU later on, because motherboards generally don't have space for 3 slot GPUs.

There's an EVGA card for $20, and EVGA makes some of the best NVidia GPUs out there: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1177&products_id=17320
I've had 5 EVGA GPUs in the last 2 years and they're all great.