My First Build

[Ncct11]

Hey guys, I'm new to Tom's Hardware and new to computer building. I would love to get some opinions on my first build. Will all these parts be compatible with one another? I plan to use it for email, internet surfing (tom's hardware!), AutoCAD, video storage, music storage, light gaming and photo editing. I am going to try to OC it. I'd like to keep the price at or near $1500 (which includes everything: monitor, Windows 7, Microsoft Office, keyboard, mouse and CPU). I'd be willing to increase the price a little if it yields much better performance.

These are newegg prices:

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 - $60

Motherboard: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229 - $150

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948 - $175

Power Supply: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021 - $110

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 - $220

Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220557 - $53

HDD (x2, set them up in RAID 1): Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 - $160 (x2 @ $80 each)

Keyboard and Mouse: Logitech MK520 USB RF Wireless
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126192 - $50

Monitor: Asus VE248H Black 24"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236102 - $210

CD/DVD Burner: ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 - $21

Card Reader: Koutech IO-RCM621 All-in-one USB 2.0 3.5" USB 2.0 Front Panel Multi-format Card Reader with USB 2.0 Port
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820162024 - $18

Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 - $30

Windows 7 Home 64-bit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 - $95

Microsoft Office:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116856 - $125

Subtotal: $1476

Like it?...Hate it?...Any omissions, substitutions or additions? Thanks for your help!

 

[Outlander_04]

Its all compatible

I'd recommend Samsung F3 hard drives instead . Faster , quieter and cheaper .
The hard drive is overkill , unless you plan on adding a second graphics card later . 650 watt would be more than enough
I'd spend a little more on 1600MHz RAM

And probably a Z68 chipset motherboard . This allows the onboard graphics and quick sync technology that might help with rendering . You'd have to research AutoCAD to find out for sure .
Some people would argue that nVidia graphics are a better choice for CAD too . Have you checked the recommended graphics card lists?

 

[Ncct11]

I like the Samsung F3 hard drive recommendation! Will I be ok with a 750W power supply? It's basically the same price as a 650W. I figure the 750W will allow for future expansion. I'm not sure I need a Z68 motherboard, do I?

Made the following changes:

HDD (x2, set them up in RAID 1): SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal - $120 (x2 @ $60 each)

Video Card: EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB - $250

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $60

Subtotal: $1518 (increased by $42)

 

[Ncct11]

What do you guys think of this motherboard?

Motherboard: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3)
... - $150

I've heard that ASRock is known to be a budget brand. Should I look for a different motherboard? Should I consider a Z68 board? Or maybe another brand P67 board?

 

[Why_Me]

For your needs I would def. look at a Z68 board for Lucid Virtu, HD 3000 graphics, etc... Also if you use Auto Cad you might want to look at the 2600K for the fact Auto CAD takes advantage of hyper threading as does photo shop.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Enforcer-Interior-SGC-1000-KWN1/dp/B004WK3KKQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1313196379&sr=1-7 $88.59 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1)

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Computer-Cooling-R4-LUS-07AR-GP/dp/B002LE8BJA/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b $14.31 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master Computer Case Cooling R4-LUS-07AR-GP Red LED Case Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $94.99 - $69.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING $10 off w/ promo code EMCKBJH49, ends 8/14
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719171 $224.98 save: $15.00 FREE SHIPPING
GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.694804 $266.98 save: $13.00 - $20.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH

or....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.695314 $359.98 save: $15.00 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604 $239.99 - $214.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

or.....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127594 $239.99 - $219.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card


***For a single card build...this down below (no second card in the future)...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252 $114.99
ASRock Z68 PRO3-M LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251 $119.99
ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013 $69.99 - $49.99 after mail-in rebate
XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

 

[Ncct11]

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 - $60

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512 - $145

Video Card: EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610 - $250

Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021 - $110

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 - $220

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314 - $60

HDD (x2, set them up in RAID 1): SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 - $120 (x2 @ $60 each)

Keyboard and Mouse: Logitech MK520 USB RF Wireless
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126192 - $50

Monitor: Asus VE248H Black 24"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236102 - $210

CD/DVD Burner: ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 - $21

Card Reader: Koutech IO-RCM621 All-in-one USB 2.0 3.5" USB 2.0 Front Panel Multi-format Card Reader with USB 2.0 Port
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820162024 - $18

Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 - $30

Windows 7 Home 64-bit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 - $95

Microsoft Office:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116856 - $125

Subtotal: $1512 (will get the motherboard and windows 7 home 64-bit combo on newegg – saves $15)

Any other comments would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Ncct11]

Hey guys, need some opinions. Should I spend the extra $50 dollars and get the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO motherboard? Is it worth it? Can you suggest a better motherboard under $200? I'm having a hard time deciding on motherboards.

 

[Why_Me]

Hey guys, need some opinions. Should I spend the extra $50 dollars and get the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO motherboard? Is it worth it? Can you suggest a better motherboard under $200? I'm having a hard time deciding on motherboards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131729

 

[Ncct11]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131729

Not sure that board supports RAID 1?

 

[genghiskron]

it does.

this combo works with promo code ASUS729, bringing the mobo cost to $159:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719145