First PC Build!!! Please overview it!!!

hayesreddoch

Honorable
Mar 3, 2012
41
0
10,540
This is my first ever pc build! It is AMD based because I was on a budget of about 500-600 bucks. If you could please look over this build and tell me how it will perform and it everything is compatible (if you take the time to check each part and make sure all is compatible you don't know how much i'd appreciate that!) I'll be using this for some gaming, video editing (not hardcore), etc. Also do I have every part I need? And last are there any parts I can go cheaper with or cut the price any.

I know it's a lot but it's my first build and I want this to be perfect. To anyone who answers all of these questions you have my respect and I want to say thanks in advance.

Heres the build:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128521

Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625

Power Supply (is this 500W enough power for this whole build?!?!!?): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

HeatSink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103084

CD Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136236
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
That's a pretty good start actually. I would not recommend AMD on any build right now when even the lowest end Sandy Bridge build will eclipse it 100 times over.

That heat sink is actually made specifically for HTPCs and cases where there tight space constraints - the HAF 912 will be able to accept much larger heat sinks. I have that same case and it will accept up to a 120mm PWM fan with no problems whatsoever. Also watch the tall heat sinks if you plan to use a cooler due to the space constraints.

I would also not recommend going cheap on the PSU either as that's one area where you really get what you pay for. I personally think the PSU is the most important part of any build and I wouldn't recommend skimping on that.

Also don't get a 550TI either - it's not the best choice in the ~$150 range - the Radeon 6850 is a far safer bet.

Try this setup:

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 - Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074 - Intel Core i5-2400
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544 - Crucial Ballistix 8GB 1600MHz
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908 - Sapphire Radeon HD 6850
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028 - Corsair Builder Series CX600

I didn't include a cooler because the 2400 does not have an unlocked multiplier and can't be overclocked - you don't need one.
 

ltdan

Distinguished
Jan 31, 2012
121
0
18,710
If you swap to Intel, you can get an i3 2120 and a nice ASRock Mobo.
Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 AND LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black $145 Combo
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX $70 It comes with one SATA 3 and one SATA 2 cable (exactly what you need).
That's a saving of $20 with MUCH better gaming performance.

How about a SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB. The 6850 is much better for $10 more.
Take a look at this if you're not convinced GTX 550 Ti vs. Radeon HD 6850

Let's upgrade to a much better quality modular PSU. OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply Let's face it Cooler Master makes nice cases, but that's about it. Their PSU's just suck. Inferior quality and the such.

HDD is fine.

I can vouch for the Case, and RAM. Drop the cooler, the stock one is sufficient for the i3.

This build is almost exactly like mine, with the only exceptions being a 1TB HDD, and a Sapphire 6870.

Some notes:The PSU cables are a little short if you want the interior to look organized, but the case stays nice and cool either way. When attaching the HDD status pin to the Mobo, the poles are reversed so you must turn it upside down.
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
Let's upgrade to a much better quality modular PSU. OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply Let's face it Cooler Master makes nice cases, but that's about it. Their PSU's just suck. Inferior quality and the such.

I definitely agree about Cooler Master PSUs, but I'm not the biggest fan of OCZ either - they have horrible tech support - trying to return a defective RAM module was the biggest pain in the a-- I've ever dealt with. I know their PSU division has improved since they took over PC Power & Cooling but I still wouldn't trust it, I'd go Seasonic or Antec over them. Try this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

How about a SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB. The 6850 is much better for $10 more.
Take a look at this if you're not convinced GTX 550 Ti vs. Radeon HD 6850

I also suggested the same card - I have two 550TIs in SLI and it's OK but I definitely regret the purchase. There's no denying EVGA is an excellent brand, though. When the Radeon 7950 drops in price, it shall be mine. :lol:

If you swap to Intel, you can get an i3 2120 and a nice ASRock Mobo.
Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 AND LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black $145 Combo
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX $70 It comes with one SATA 3 and one SATA 2 cable (exactly what you need).
That's a saving of $20 with MUCH better gaming performance.

Why mATX? I don't recommend mATX on *ANY* desktop build unless it's an HTPC. mATX expansion options will be incredibly frustrating and it will severly limit how many drives you're able to put in your system. Go with a full ATX desktop board - you can get a low priced H67 desktop board and it will be fine, something like this will be more acceptable: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121508