Rookie Building First System

[btrav]

I am preparing to build my first system and would like to get some input. I have a starter part list based on current research.

CPU: Intel i5-2500K or Intel i7-2600K

MB: Z68 Need advice on which one

Memory: GSkill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240 pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600
(PC3 12800) CL7 or CL9

Graphics: GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x 16

HDD: SpinPoint F3 1TB 7200 SATA 3.0Gb/s (2 units)

SSD: 60GB or 120GB OCZ or Mushkin) - need advice on this and if I should just put OS on this or use the larger for programs

Optical: DVD burner (no preference)

Case: Cool Master HAF912

Power: Corsair TX650 V2 650 W ATX12V, EPS12V, 80 PLUS-Certified

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Approximate Purchase Date: (This month)

Budget Range: $1000.00 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Applications, Photo Editing, Video Editing, Surfing the Internet

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, microcenter.com -- to show us selection & pricing

Country: U.S.A we need to know where these parts are being assembled

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (Intel CPU & Gigabyte or Asus mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case

Overclocking: Will do this later after the build

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: (1280x1024 - 1920x1080)

Additional Comments: (I would like a quiet PC with little power usage. I am looking to use RAID 0 to have my files backed up. Mirroring could be an option. However, I would like to somehow back up my OS so that I can save the .dll files from my programs so that if my OS crashes, I can still use my current programs.)

 

[aznshinobi]

Your build looks pretty solid. You could save in areas elsewhere though.
I think if you're going to be do productivity with editing you should probably shoot a little extra in for the CPU and get the i7 2600K.

For the board, this is the cheapest and in my opinion one of the best especially at a notably cheaper price point. The Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68 $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

For the ram, get CL9, more stable and you wouldn't notice the difference plus it saves you money.

With the SSD, get 120GB and Mushkin is pretty solid specially cheaper. This way you can store CS5 on the SSD as well and boot those progs faster.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236

For the power supply, save a little but still get good performance. You also don't need that much power specially for just a productivity system. Get the Rosewill Hive 550w. You get Modular for better airflow and cable management then you also get solid power. People doubt Rosewill, the recent Hive and Capstone series were solid. Winning a golden award from Hardware Secrets.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Rosewill-HIVE-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1460
And a solid mark by Andantech
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5674/rosewill-hive-550w/6
Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182131

You're set.

 

[btrav]

How many programs should I load onto the SSD? What are your thoughts on the HDDs? I was thinking of using these 2 in a RAID 0 setup to backup all my files. Am I able to use the HDDs to also back up the SSD or will I need to set up 2 SSD's in a RAID 0 as well?

 

[aznshinobi]

That'd be a terrible setup to back up anything. RAID 0 is for speed and it splits the information into 2 HDDs therefore if you lost 1 you lose it all. I suggest running a single HDD setup, no RAIDs. RAID 1 is for security, but no substitute for backing up. You'll already have an SSD so you don't need a RAID array.

Programs is at the size, just look at your remaining space.

 

[btrav]

what are your thoughts on these memory sticks?

Crucial
8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 U-DIMM Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules) - 39.99

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101

 

[btrav]

I found these sticks at newegg with free shipping.

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

They are 46.99 (free shipping)

 

[aznshinobi]

Just get the Crucial sticks and save some money, even after tax it's cheaper. Normally just the cheapest pair of 1.5v DDR3 1600 8GB will do.

 

[g-unit1111]

Just get the Crucial sticks and save some money, even after tax it's cheaper. Normally just the cheapest pair of 1.5v DDR3 1600 8GB will do.

I'll second the Crucial recommendation - I've always had good luck with their RAM.

SSD: 60GB or 120GB OCZ or Mushkin) - need advice on this and if I should just put OS on this or use the larger for programs

Do not get a Sandforce-based drive like anything OCZ, Corsair, Intel, Patriot, and so on make - Sandforce drives are prone to errors, BSODs, and so on. On a workstation you want as little downtime as possible in order to maximize your output. Go with a Micron-based drive like the ones Kingston, Crucial, or Samsung use - I have a Crucial M4 and I've had 0 issues with it.

Graphics: GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x 16

I'd seriously hesitate to recommend a 550TI - if you can squeeze a 560Ti in your budget that would be ideal.

 

[aznshinobi]

G-unit I don't think OP is gaming so the 550 Ti is just a cheap solution that has a decent amount of CUDA cores, that is the purpose of having it correct btrav.

Also about Sandforce, I've heard a recent update has made those issues on a much smaller scale of just bad drives. I think the general majority of them are fixed now.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4973/sandforce-identifies-firmware-bug-causing-bsod-issue-fix-available-today
Keep in mind that firmware release was almost 6 months ago so obviously even more firmware fixes have been implemented. No issues with SF from what I've seen lately.

 

[g-unit1111]

G-unit I don't think OP is gaming so the 550 Ti is just a cheap solution that has a decent amount of CUDA cores, that is the purpose of having it correct btrav.

Also about Sandforce, I've heard a recent update has made those issues on a much smaller scale of just bad drives. I think the general majority of them are fixed now.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4973/sandforce-identifies-firmware-bug-causing-bsod-issue-fix-available-today
Keep in mind that firmware release was almost 6 months ago so obviously even more firmware fixes have been implemented. No issues with SF from what I've seen lately.

My Intel 320 is Sandforce based and I still have issues with it despite that the firmware is current.

If you're not gaming the 550TI is fine I guess.

 

[aznshinobi]

Well I guess not everybody has the issue resolved. I haven't heard issues from most others then I should say. Idk though.

 

[btrav]

G-unit I don't think OP is gaming so the 550 Ti is just a cheap solution that has a decent amount of CUDA cores, that is the purpose of having it correct btrav.

Also about Sandforce, I've heard a recent update has made those issues on a much smaller scale of just bad drives. I think the general majority of them are fixed now.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4973/sandforce-identifies-firmware-bug-causing-bsod-issue-fix-available-today
Keep in mind that firmware release was almost 6 months ago so obviously even more firmware fixes have been implemented. No issues with SF from what I've seen lately.

You are correct. I am not going to be gaming. Is there a cheaper solution to the 550 Ti?

 

[g-unit1111]

You are correct. I am not going to be gaming. Is there a cheaper solution to the 550 Ti?

The Radeon 6850 is a far better card but you do lose CUDA processing. I guess there is a trade off.

 

[btrav]

I'll second the Crucial recommendation - I've always had good luck with their RAM.

SSD: 60GB or 120GB OCZ or Mushkin) - need advice on this and if I should just put OS on this or use the larger for programs

Do not get a Sandforce-based drive like anything OCZ, Corsair, Intel, Patriot, and so on make - Sandforce drives are prone to errors, BSODs, and so on. On a workstation you want as little downtime as possible in order to maximize your output. Go with a Micron-based drive like the ones Kingston, Crucial, or Samsung use - I have a Crucial M4 and I've had 0 issues with it.

Graphics: GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x 16

I'd seriously hesitate to recommend a 550TI - if you can squeeze a 560Ti in your budget that would be ideal.

Crucial SSD is a bit pricy.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Solid+State+Disk-_-Crucial-_-20148442
Do you have a cheaper recommendation that is not Sandforce-based? Thank you.

 

[btrav]

The Radeon 6850 is a far better card but you do lose CUDA processing. I guess there is a trade off.

What is the trade-off with the two GPU's?

 

[obsama1]

To answer that, tell us some of the programs you plan to use/are using. If they're prgrams like Premiere and Maya, CUDA is an absolute must.

 

[btrav]

Sony Vegas Pro, Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Studio are the 3 I dabble in.

 

[btrav]

Sony Vegas Pro, Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Studio are the 3 I dabble in.

To answer that, tell us some of the programs you plan to use/are using. If they're prgrams like Premiere and Maya, CUDA is an absolute must.

Sony Vegas Pro, Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Studio are the 3 I dabble in.

 

[obsama1]

Get nvidia.

 

[fil1p]

Nvidia's Cuda cores will benefit you in some of these programs, while AMD has a similar technology, but not nearly as good as what Nvidia has for this, so I would stick with Nvidia on this one. An example would be Sony Vegas, and Premiere they would benefit from the CUDA cores.

 

[btrav]

Nvidia's Cuda cores will benefit you in some of these programs, while AMD has a similar technology, but not nearly as good as what Nvidia has for this, so I would stick with Nvidia on this one. An example would be Sony Vegas, and Premiere they would benefit from the CUDA cores.

So I should go with the GTX 550 Ti as it runs for about $110.00 which is in my price range. I am still having a hard time getting below 1000.00.

 

[btrav]

Here is what I have as of now:

HAF 912 Case 47.99
Intel i7 2600K 279.00
GeForce GTX 550Ti 1024MB GDDR5 119.00
120GB Crucial M4 SSD 119.99
Samsung DVD Dual Layer 17.99
Motherboard ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 124.99
Memory 2 x 4GB GSkill 49.99
Power Supply 69.99
Hard Drive 1TB 139.99
OS 110

Total 1079.00

Going with an Intel i5 2600K I would save 100.00. Is the performance of the i7 worth the extra 100.00? Any other suggestions?

 

[aznshinobi]

Kind of for what you will be doing, yes.

 

[fil1p]

Well if you were going for a gaming set up, i would say that you would not see a big benefit in using an i7 over an i5, but in this case an i7 would be helpful, and better in such apps. Look at some of the benchmarks online, they should give an idea of the differences in performance.

 

[Tavo_Nova]

I really suggest going with an i7 2600K build over an i5 2500K with what your doing you will benefit much more from an i7 setup

I suggest stepping up on your budget to 1,100$ of course it will be much cheaper if you already have an OS then just deduct 110$ off it