Newbie's First Build - Please Help

[hoopdloop]

Hello,
Here are the components I'm looking at putting in my first build. In particular, I'm wondering about RAM compatibility. Any thoughts you have will be appreciated:

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

MoBo: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730

RAM: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Model PGD38G1600ELK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220558

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

GPU: Re-using old EVGA Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB

SSD: OCZ Agility 3 60GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-20-227-725-_-Product

or also considering: Kingston Now V100 64 GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

HDD: 2 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Case: Still trying to figure this one out. Want it under $50, looking at NZXT's in particular.

What do you think? Will it work?

Thanks in advance!

 

[cuecuemore]

That RAM is compatible, but I see most people opting for kits rated at 1.5v for Sandy Bridge.

 

[wintermint]

What is this intended for? I think you should skip the SSD and buy either a GTX 460 or HD 6850 which is around $125-130 after MIR. It will be a big improvement over what you have now. The only cheap NZXT cases I see are:
NZXT Beta Series CS-NT-BETA-B $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146055
NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series CS-NT-BETA-EVO $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059
NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black $50 after shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075

As for the 1.5v ram he mentioned.. the bios either set it for 1.5v or you can manually set it yourself... problem fixed.. if you want kingstons offering 8gb ddr3 1600mhz for $49 without MIR and it comes with a free World of Tanks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104266

 

[hoopdloop]

That RAM is compatible, but I see most people opting for kits rated at 1.5v for Sandy Bridge.

Thank you! I hadn't thought to even look at that. Which is more desireable- a lower cas latency (7 vs. 9), or a higher speed (1333 vs. 1600)?

 

[hoopdloop]

What is this intended for? I think you should skip the SSD and buy either a GTX 460 or HD 6850 which is around $125-130 after MIR. It will be a big improvement over what you have now...

Thank you. I probably should have explained up front. I do a lot of video encoding, for example time lapse from thousands of still images. I'm currently using an older version of Adobe's Production Studio (CS2), with Premeire Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, etc... That's what will push the system the most. I was thinking I'd put the OS, applications, and working files in progress on the SSD, then transfer the finished products to the larger HDD's. Video playback needs to be performant enough not to freeze, but the emphasis is on power for encoding the videos. That makes sense what you are saying about the GPU's.

 

[Gamer-girl]

Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH $39.99 after mail-in rebate card

 

[wintermint]

Well.. in this case.. I would bump up to a i7-2600k [would get k edition over regular edition any day] to make use of hyper-threading. I would also get more RAM because you would actually benefit from the RAM. As for your question.. cas latency won't matter as much anymore. Sandy Bridge makes great use of 1600mhz so be sure to get those. You can reuse your graphic card, nVIDIA has great driver support and it's probably going to be fine. I would choose another SSD because of reliability.. take a look at the reviews :/ about half of them gave it a 1. I would also skip the 2 samsung spinpoint f3 and get a single 1 tb from western digital probably. Samsung uses 500gb platter which puts it ahead of other competitors but at the 2tb range.. WD also uses 500gb platters so you will be fine with that. You can also find a cheaper motheroard and a different power supply. I would go for at least 400-500w max because you're system is not as power hungry as you may think. 750w can basically crossfire HD 6870 comfortably. Basically.. my suggestions are to:
1) switch to i7-2600k
2) consider getting more RAM
3) choose more reliable SSD [crucial m4 64 gb is like $120 if i rmb correctly]
4) choose 2tb HDD for storage
5) can drop down to a cheaper motherboard
6) choose between 400-500w [unless you plan to crossfire later]

By crossfire I mean with higher end grpahic cards

 

[chillin15]

whatever you do, do not get the agility 3 unless you like the rma process.

 

[hoopdloop]

Well.. in this case.. I would bump up to a i7-2600k [would get k edition over regular edition any day] to make use of hyper-threading. I would also get more RAM because you would actually benefit from the RAM. As for your question.. cas latency won't matter as much anymore. Sandy Bridge makes great use of 1600mhz so be sure to get those. You can reuse your graphic card, nVIDIA has great driver support and it's probably going to be fine. I would choose another SSD because of reliability.. take a look at the reviews :/ about half of them gave it a 1. I would also skip the 2 samsung spinpoint f3 and get a single 1 tb from western digital probably. Samsung uses 500gb platter which puts it ahead of other competitors but at the 2tb range.. WD also uses 500gb platters so you will be fine with that. You can also find a cheaper motheroard and a different power supply. I would go for at least 400-500w max because you're system is not as power hungry as you may think. 750w can basically crossfire HD 6870 comfortably. Basically.. my suggestions are to:
1) switch to i7-2600k
2) consider getting more RAM
3) choose more reliable SSD [crucial m4 64 gb is like $120 if i rmb correctly]
4) choose 2tb HDD for storage
5) can drop down to a cheaper motherboard
6) choose between 400-500w [unless you plan to crossfire later]

By crossfire I mean with higher end grpahic cards

Great advice, thank you! Just cancelled my order for the MoBo. I know I want a Z68 because of the transcoding performance, and I've been told that Asus is the best. Is there a particular Z68 mobo you would recommend?

 

[hoopdloop]

whatever you do, do not get the agility 3 unless you like the rma process.

Thanks for the warning. Looks like Crucial M4's have better reviews. Unfortunately, no rebates, however.

 

[hoopdloop]

Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH $39.99 after mail-in rebate card

Thank you!

 

[hoopdloop]

Thanks to everyone. Here is the final config I'm about to build: (It did end up about $200 - $300 more than the original configuration, but I think it will be worth it, as I hope to use this thing for a very long time.)

CPU: Core i7 2600K

MoBo: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO (I realize I could go cheaper here, but I want the Z68 for video transcoding, and I like the 8 sata ports, and at the end of the day I trust Asus more)

RAM: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH (Hope to bump up to 16GB soon.)

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W
Got this when it was on a really good deal, so even though I could go smaller, it would actually be difficult to go cheaper and still have the same quality. And I just might SLI some day... Better to have too much than too little power. Would have preferred modular, but it will work.

GPU: PNY GTX 460 1GB GDDR5

SSD: Curcial M4

HDD: 1 x Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s

Case: Antec Nine Hundred (Got a killer deal after rebate!)

 

[hoopdloop]

Best answer selected by hoopdloop.

 

[hoopdloop]

That RAM is compatible, but I see most people opting for kits rated at 1.5v for Sandy Bridge.

I agree, and I have done some subsequent research that supports what you are saying. What is curious is that Asus' Qualified Vendors List only shows the Patriot products that are 1.65v in the 1600Mhz speed.

 

[tavjas]

Watch out for NZXT beta case! it's fan connector is too short!

Specs:

AMD X6 1100T cpu,

8 gb ram, patriot

Asus M4A88t-d/ EVO motherboard

1 tb Samsung spinpoint F3 drive,

LG black bluray burner

NZXT beta case

630 watt psu

Ubuntu 11.04