Building a computer for the first time

twixie · Jan 11, 2012

This is my first time building a desktop and whilst [I think] I have a decent understanding of it all, I'd really appreciate some feedback on my choices. This computer will be used excessively for gaming, will be left on for long amounts of time, and will be used on a daily basis for programming/debugging.

I'm open to suggestions on any components, but try not to suggest anything more expensive (unless it's really worth it) than that listed, for my budget is somewhat limited.

Thanks in advance for any help! ^_^

CPU:
Intel Xeon E3-1230

Motherboard:
ASRock Z68M USB3 Motherboard

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Two V3 Case

RAM:
Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3

Video Card:
Gigabyte Radeon HD6770 1GB Silent Cell

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB ST2000DL003

SSD:
Intel 320 Series 80GB SSD

Power Supply:
Antec CP-850 850W Power Supply

jsc · Jan 11, 2012

You need to be a little more explict about your budget.

What is the primary purpose? If gaming, get an i5-2500K and a P67 or, preferably, a Z68 motherboard.

Case: if you really want an Antec 900 case, get the 900 II. For under $100, it is hard to beat the CoolerMaster 690 II.

If your budget is pretty tight, dump the SSD and get a better hard drive.

Stick with proven power supply manufacturers - Seasonic, Corsair, Antec, XFX.

For first-time builders, I recommend looking at these threads:

Build it yourself:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

And although this primarily a troubleshooting thread, the first part contains a checklist that will catch most noob mistakes:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems

AdrianPerry · Jan 11, 2012

A couple of questions we need answers to:

Primary use = Gaming
Budget = ??
Buying components from = ?? (preferred websites)??

twixie · Jan 11, 2012

Budget is roughly $1200 but that also needs to include a monitor.

Preferably buying items from http://www.pccasegear.com/index
since i can actually go and pick up from their warehouse directly.

I looked for different parts thanks to your advice jsc, and have edited accordingly, somewhat set on the SSD though.

My biggest worry is if that video card will be sufficient.

AdrianPerry · Jan 11, 2012

$1200 should be able to fit in:

i5-2500k $235
Z68 motherboard (ASRock Extreme3 Gen3) $135
8GB 1600MHz RAM (1.5v) (Corsair Vengeance) $55
GTX 560Ti or ATI 6950 (or slightly lower 6870) (ASUS 560Ti SC) $260
500w PSU (SilverStone Strider) $65
Intel 320 SSD $155
SeaGate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM $109

Total: $1014 without case/optical drive/monitor

samuelspark · Jan 11, 2012

Petrofsky · Jan 11, 2012

Lose the SSD for $150. It won't help gaming at all.

That PSU is overkill. A 550W XFX is $70, saving $45.

If you want a server CPU, that's OK by me, but an i5 2500 is the same socket for $30 less.

There's $225 you can put where it will do the most good---graphics card, monitor and speaker system.

AdrianPerry · Jan 11, 2012

samuelspark :

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/332605-31-2012-1000-power-performance-single-watercooling-build

I5 2500k + Corsair Gaming Series 600w PSU ($289.98) ($10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.799346
Corsair H60 Hydro Series CPU Cooler ($64.74)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181015&Tpk=h60
Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3 ATX Motherboard ($111.99) ($7.56 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279
XFX Radeon HD 6970 2GB GDDR5 256 bit ($329.99) ($30 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517
Patriot Signature 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 ($35.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570
Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 RPM 6GB/s HDD ($84.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
Rosewill Future Gaming ATX Mid Tower ($59.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=11-147-108&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=6970&Page=1
ASUS x24 DVD Burner ($18.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Total = $996.66 ($7.56 shipping) ($40 rebate)

I wouldn't buy a big HDD right now because prices are inflated.

Nice build. Personally I would scrap the H60 cooler for a 212+ though and spend the money saved on a better case

AdrianPerry · Jan 11, 2012

Petrofsky :

Based on the component suggestions so far, it seems a 6970 can fit into budget. This card is recommended a 600w PSU.

hitechgowthaman · Jan 11, 2012

Trancend axe ram low cost lifetime warenty,buy at trancend.com directly, aoc 22" e2239Fwt $310 hd multitouch 5ms, see how much cache in your processor its important than other

DelroyMonjo · Jan 11, 2012

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1212&products_id=16052
Asus 21.5" widescreen 1920X1080 $145

DelroyMonjo · Jan 11, 2012

Adrian, OP is from Australia. Maybe you should have linked to his preferred suppliers website...

samuelspark · Jan 11, 2012

DelroyMonjo :

Link is broken.

Petrofsky · Jan 11, 2012

samuelspark :

It just now worked for me.

samuelspark · Jan 11, 2012

http error 404

twixie · Jan 11, 2012

err my bad
http://www.pccasegear.com
should work fine..

thanks so far for all the advice, gonna need to mull it all over.

If i had Visual studios on an SSD, how much impact would it have on compiling times?

AdrianPerry · Jan 11, 2012

DelroyMonjo :

Yes, the link is broken but all prices for components I suggested were taken from PC CASE GEAR. I just didn't include links. Prices and components are accurate though.

twixie · Jan 11, 2012

DelroyMonjo :

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16621
I was looking at this actually ^^

king_maliken · Jan 11, 2012

An SSD should be recommended for all builds, it just embellishes the experience on a computer. Although it won't help much if at all for compiling time, since that is bogged down by the CPU; but it could help depending on your exact environment.
For your build I agree with samuelspar, all except the case I rather go for an Antec 300.

twixie · Jan 14, 2012

pharmgamer · Jan 14, 2012

An optical drive if you are still into the CD/DVD trend

twixie · Jan 14, 2012

well i know how to install an OS from my usb so i'm not sure if i need one o-o
if i do, i have an old desktop that i can pull apart and steal the optical drive from ^_^

twixie · Jan 24, 2012

Best answer selected by twixie.

Mousemonkey · Jan 24, 2012

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey

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