First time putting a system together from the ground up.

[kywildcats]

Hello everyone,

I'm taking a leap into the deep end here. I am going to put together a system from the ground up. I have assembled computers before but is was always from spare parts. So for the first time I am finally building it from all new parts and I want to be sure I get the most for my money. If someone could give me their opinion good or bad (I can take it) it would be greatly appreciated. Here is the list so far.

Approximate Purchase Date: This week for sure.
Budget Range: under $1000.00 before rebates.
System usage from most to least important: CAD and graphics, video editing, internet, gaming, watching movies.
Parts not required: hard drive monitor and external peripherals.
Preferred websites for parts: Newegg and whoever is cheaper.
Country: USA
Parts preferences: none
Overclocking:not necessary but would be cool.
SLI or Crossfire: yes one or the other for the future.
Monitor resolution: I am using a 32 inch hdtv with 1080p capabilities so I would want some thing that would keep up or exceed the TV.


• COOLER MASTER Silent Pro Hybrid RS-850-SPHA-D3 850W Intel ATX 12V V2.3 & SSI EPS 12V V2.92 SLI Ready Cross-Fire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171061

• COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KXN1-GP Black Steel, ABS Plastic, Mesh bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

• ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265

• Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

• 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
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

• G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL11D-8GBSR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231519

• LG Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 10X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA 12X Super Multi Blue with 3D Playback & M-DISC Support WH12LS39 LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136241

These parts are all from newegg cause that's were I started. So do I have the makings of a good system or should I go back to the drawing board?

 

[striker410]

Hey! Lookin good.
You've done pretty good. Damn good, actually. Here's the tweaks I would make.
-Your PSU needs to go. While it's a very highly rated unit, it's quite expensive. Try one that's easier on the wallet. I have a few choices listed below.
- $120 LEPA, pretty decent. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194093
- XFX $155 (Plus $12 shipping) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207017 I've used it before, it's badass.
-Silverstone Strider. Same cost as above. It's a new PSU in the very highly rated Strider Plus series. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256067
They are all 850w and modular. You pick what's best!
-RAM. While that is a SMOKING deal, the question must be asked. Is it necessary?

DDR3-2133 http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-vengeance-crucial-ballistix-kingston-hyperX,2907-8.html
DDR3-1600 http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-vengeance-crucial-ballistix-kingston-hyperX,2907-10.html
Not a big difference but it's certainly there. $25 isn't a whole lot in the scheme of things.
-Last thing is maybe an SSD. It's expensive but boy is it cool! Fastest system on the block xD

With that ~$50 saved on the PSU, you should look into a slightly better video card. Maybe a 6970, $300 after rebate? (Lifetime warranty too!) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

That's all I got. You did well.

 

[kywildcats]

Thanks striker. That was what I was looking for from this forum group. I am going to look into your suggestions as I think there is always room for improvement. Another question for you. Is the SSD really that much faster to run you OS from? I know the whole solid state drives and their performance specs and I looked at the numbers but do you really see that much real world speed boost in your access time and start ups?

 

[striker410]

Thanks striker. That was what I was looking for from this forum group. I am going to look into your suggestions as I think there is always room for improvement. Another question for you. Is the SSD really that much faster to run you OS from? I know the whole solid state drives and their performance specs and I looked at the numbers but do you really see that much real world speed boost in your access time and start ups?

YES! Huge difference. You'll see ~9 second boot times. That's from power button to login. Once you get in, you don't have to wait for anything to load either. It's all there! Huge huge huge difference.

 

[kywildcats]

SOLD!!! I'm adding it to my cart now. About the crossfire compatibility in the 6970. Just to make sure I'm understanding it correctly as long as the PSU, MOBO and GPU all support crossfire, I will be able to add another IDENTICAL graphics card down?

 

[striker410]

SOLD!!! I'm adding it to my cart now. About the crossfire compatibility in the 6970. Just to make sure I'm understanding it correctly as long as the PSU, MOBO and GPU all support crossfire, I will be able to add another IDENTICAL graphics card down?

Yup, everything supports crossfire.
It doesn't need to be identical, just have identical specs per say. You could buy a GPU from Sapphire that has a different cooler and it would work fine.

For SSD's, I suggest 120GB even though they are quite expensive. Why? Gives you room to put your OS, core apps (MS office, aftereffects, internet browser etc) and still have room for like 10 games. If you want to go 60GB, you'll be pushing it with 2 games. Those load times are nasty, I'm always the last to load in on L4D2 with my still somewhat zippy Spinpoint F3 hard drive.

Here's a little list of my favorite SSD's (you can look up the Tom's article too)
TOP TIER: Samsung 830 128GB $220 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147134

MIDDLE (with both speed and reliability picks)
Reliability: Crucial M4 128GB $175 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
Speed: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB $190 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706

I'm not gonna recommend any low end SSD's, hehe. All the ones above are outstanding.

"But Striker, I just want the speed! Not the crazy prices!"
No problem. 60GB here we come.

Crucial M4 64GB $105 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441
Vertex 3 60GB $95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227737

"Those are too small! But I don't have the cash for a $200 SSD!"
My 90GB picks.

Value: Mushkin Chronos 90GB $120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226290
Critic's Pick: OCZ Agility 3 90GB $140 ($120 with rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227757

Well, hopefully my rambling helps

 

[kywildcats]

I added this SSD to my cart. What do you think about it? I seen it in one of the articles on THW and I really can't afford much more. This SSD idea was not in the original plan. LOL

OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726

 

[kywildcats]

Dude I am really laughing out loud right now cause just when I posted that last message yours popped up answering every question in my mind. Too funny.

 

[striker410]

Dude I am really laughing out loud right now cause just when I posted that last message yours popped up answering every question in my mind. Too funny.

I try man. That OCZ Agility 3 is fine but I would prefer the Crucial M4 due to the fact that the Agility used Asynchronous NAND, meaning performance will deteriorate once you breach the 80% full barrier. The M4, Vertex 3 and 830 series use Synchronous NAND, meaning you won't hit that wall.

 

[striker410]

LAST MINUTE SUBMISSION!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226152 This Mushkin isn't the fastest kid on the block but he works for cheap. While it won't be the FASTEST SSD you could get, it'll kick some HDD ass loading in at about 2x the speed of a normal hard drive. At only $140 too!

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks striker. That was what I was looking for from this forum group. I am going to look into your suggestions as I think there is always room for improvement. Another question for you. Is the SSD really that much faster to run you OS from? I know the whole solid state drives and their performance specs and I looked at the numbers but do you really see that much real world speed boost in your access time and start ups?

For what you plan on using this build for I can see a few obvious changes.

1) You want a Z68 board RE: CAD, video editing, etc...

2) A 750w psu is more than sufficient to push dual 560's and leave you plenty of juice left over.

3) After cutting down some prices here and there you can take the savings and upgrade to a 2600K seeing how your programs like CAD will benefit from hyper threading.


So let's try this.

http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-80PLUS-Bronze-Performance-compatible/dp/B005A2RJOI/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1328672654&sr=1-9 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401 $209.99
GIGABYTE GV-N560UD-1G GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57960&vpn=BX80623I72600K&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1012 $299.99
Intel Core i7 2600K Quad Core Unlocked Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Sandy Bridge 8MB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 $121.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme3%20Gen3 <----- A better look at that Asrock board including HD 3000 graphics, Lucid Virtu, etc...

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SGC-2000-KKN1-GP-Storm-Scout/dp/B00243HHNY/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1328673528&sr=1-8 $69.00 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Storm Scout ATX/MATX/ITX Mid Tower Case (Black)

 

[striker410]

Good call Why_me. I got wrapped up in the "more FPS!" mindframe. Cats, what apps are you using? Do they benefit from Hyper Threading? That Z68 point is a no brainer, though. LucidLogix is great for video encoding.

 

[kywildcats]

Cool I read up a little tonight about the SSD 's and about the Synchronous and Asynchronous, but I couldn't get a complete understanding of it. However, the way you explained it I get it now. I like the Agility 3 price but I am going to go for the Vertex 3 120g for 169.00. I have a 1TB that I was going to throw in it. Now I will just partition it up for games/movies/software directories.

 

[Why_Me]

Cool I read up a little tonight about the SSD 's and about the Synchronous and Asynchronous, but I couldn't get a complete understanding of it. However, the way you explained it I get it now. I like the Agility 3 price but I am going to go for the Vertex 3 120g for 169.00. I have a 1TB that I was going to throw in it. Now I will just partition it up for games/movies/software directories.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236 $142.99 FREE SHIPPING
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

[kywildcats]

Good call Why_me. I got wrapped up in the "more FPS!" mindframe. Cats, what apps are you using? Do they benefit from Hyper Threading? That Z68 point is a no brainer, though. LucidLogix is great for video encoding.

I use CAD 2012 at work and would like to be able to do work from home. Also I like to use Pinnacle and aftereffects for video editing. I am trying to get into more Photoshop stuff but just as a hobby. Plus I would like to actually play the Starcraft2 game my wife bought for me when it came out. My current rig wont run it.

 

[striker410]

I use CAD 2012 at work and would like to be able to do work from home. Also I like to use Pinnacle and aftereffects for video editing. I am trying to get into more Photoshop stuff but just as a hobby. Plus I would like to actually play the Starcraft2 game my wife bought for me when it came out. My current rig wont run it.

If Starcraft 2 is the extent of your gaming, you're definitely better off with Why_Me's productivity based machine. The 6970 I suggested is more for a hardcore gamer, one who wants to play BF3, Skyrim and the like. A 2600k would definitely be beneficial, those extra 4 threads could do some serious damage.

 

[kywildcats]

If Starcraft 2 is the extent of your gaming, you're definitely better off with Why_Me's productivity based machine. The 6970 I suggested is more for a hardcore gamer, one who wants to play BF3, Skyrim and the like. A 2600k would definitely be beneficial, those extra 4 threads could do some serious damage.

Well Starcraft 2 should not be the extent of my gaming, but once I seen I couldn't keep up with it I didn't bother trying to pick anything newer. I really would like to play Arkham City

 

[Why_Me]

Well Starcraft 2 should not be the extent of my gaming, but once I seen I couldn't keep up with it I didn't bother trying to pick anything newer. I really would like to play Arkham City

You can play those games with the 560 ti, and you have the option to add another. But I think your missing the bigger picture here...that is if you really plan on using CAD and doing video editing.

You want a hyper threading cpu seeing how CAD and video editing utilize hyper threading. It's the same with a Z68 board for those programs...that is if you actually intend on using CAD and doing video editing and not strictly gaming. If your build is for gaming only, then yes a P67 and 2500K is the way to go. I'm just going off of your OP in regards to your needs for this build and what your intended uses are.

 

[kywildcats]

You can play those games with the 560 ti, and you have the option to add another. But I think your missing the bigger picture here...that is if you really plan on using CAD and doing video editing.

You want a hyper threading cpu seeing how CAD and video editing utilize hyper threading. It's the same with a Z68 board for those programs...that is if you actually intend on using CAD and doing video editing and not strictly gaming. If your build is for gaming only, then yes a P67 and 2500K is the way to go. I'm just going off of your OP in regards to your needs for this build and what your intended uses are.

You are right about my need of the computer. I need something that wont take me a week to convert video's and when I have large CAD project with lots of layers I need something that will keep up processor wise.

On the graphics rendering side is where the topics of games came in. When I do eventually get time I would like to not be restricted from games based on my hardware.

I get what your saying about the 560 Ti and I agree it is a good multipurpose card that I can expand with by adding another if needed.

 

[kywildcats]

Okay so here is my updated shopping list taking in everyone's comments.


COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KXN1-GP Black Steel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115071

GIGABYTE GV-N560UD-1G GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401

G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231519

OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706

Any last minute comments or suggestions before I order. I will place it in the morning and hopefully nothing will be back ordered and will get here this weekend.

 

[striker410]

Get the K. i7-2600k for sure. Lets you overclock for like $10 more.

 

[kywildcats]

Get the K. i7-2600k for sure. Lets you overclock for like $10 more.

I'm glad you pointed that out. I would have missed that. Thanks

 

[kywildcats]

Best answer selected by kywildcats.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey