Ready to pull trigger (1st build)

[avi8der]

Hey guys my Dell Dimension 3000 is retiring after 8 honorable years of service.
I will be doing no gaming but extensive music recording and producing. (Cubase 5, Reason, VST's) I'm going to buy everything within a week or so. Here's what Im thinking...

Specs
Processor: I7-2600k (own)
Case: NZXT Phantom (own)
Mobo: Asus P8Z68 V-Pro $195
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) $280
SSD: OCZ Agility 3 Series SSD 240GB $248
HD: WD Caviar Green 2 TB - 600 MBps $130
PS: Raidmax Hybrid 730 Watt $60
Burner: 2x ASUS DRW-24B1ST $50
Total: $965apx

Do you see any red flags or compatibility issues? Also, if I'm going to use 2 monitors (HDMI and VGA) i don't need a graphics card correct...unless i wanted take some load off the processor or overclock?
And besides the 32gb ram, am I overdoing anything or leaving anything out?

Thanx

 

[WR2]

Hello avi8der;

Compatibility wise - it's looking good. Quality wise - that Raidmax PSU might be suspect. It doesn't match the quality of the other parts. Have a full model number or website link so we can check it out?

 

[smokeydude]

Ok first you could get a slightly cheaper motherboard since there no way you need more than 2 pci-e slots even if you wanted graphics cards,next you will need windows 7 professional or better to recognize more than 16 GB of ram so just get 16. other than that i don't see any issue but i am wondering why your spending all this money and you don't even have want a graphics card this rig is very overkill for something other than gaming

 

[Kamab]

Seriously consider downgrading your RAM, MOBO, and the size of your SSD. I've used Reason and protools as well, and can't see the benefit to having that large of an SSD. For me, I've been able to live with 80GB but on my builds with 120GB it really feels like I've hit a sweet spot.

Without a graphics card, that PSU is pretty overkill, I'd aim for a high quality PSU that is bronze-rated or higher, and preferably modular.

 

[bliq]

Ok first you could get a slightly cheaper motherboard since there no way you need more than 2 pci-e slots even if you wanted graphics cards,next you will need windows 7 professional or better to recognize more than 16 GB of ram so just get 16. other than that i don't see any issue but i am wondering why your spending all this money and you don't even have want a graphics card this rig is very overkill for something other than gaming

Well, maybe not overkill if avi8der is doing a lot of serious music production or rendering where time is money. Z68 motherboard might pay dividends with the SSD caching thing. Note that you have a Microcenter near you, they have nice i5-2500K/Z68 bundle pricing if you can get by with i5-2500k or 2550k. They used to have bundle pricing for i7-2600k also, but they don't seem to have that anymore.

 

[Kamab]

And I only meant overkill in terms of rated power output. In terms of quality I don't recognize it, and can't say anything towards that. I like splurging on pretty decent grade PSU since the failures I have dealt with have been a huge pain in the ass.

 

[Kamab]

Well, maybe not overkill if avi8der is doing a lot of serious music production or rendering where time is money. Z68 motherboard might pay dividends with the SSD caching thing. Note that you have a Microcenter near you, they have nice i5-2500K/Z68 bundle pricing if you can get by with i5-2500k or 2550k. They used to have bundle pricing for i7-2600k also, but they don't seem to have that anymore.

I'm imagining if he buys a 240GB SSD he won't be caching it. Also, he says he already owns an i7-2600k, or I would have recommended the i5-2400 or i5-2500k (if not an i3-2100). This hardware should be slightly overkill for the intended purposes.

 

[avi8der]

Aye Wr2 my buddy mentioned getting an inexpensive psu since im not gaming but im going to give that a second thought now... @smokeydude i will be installing windows7 prof. And if i wanted to run 2 monitors and a 32inch led would something like Radeon Hd 7750 be cool. thanx

 

[avi8der]

Seriously consider downgrading your RAM, MOBO, and the size of your SSD. I've used Reason and protools as well, and can't see the benefit to having that large of an SSD. For me, I've been able to live with 80GB but on my builds with 120GB it really feels like I've hit a sweet spot.

Yea i know its a little over the top for what i do now, but i want something that can handle anything i throw at it. How long do you think a build like this will last?

 

[azeem40]

The RAM will last for decades for gaming.

 

[jsc]

Because this is your first build, look at the following threads while you are waiting for your parts.
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

 

[WR2]

A couple quality PSU options:
SeaSonic S12II 430B 430W 80+ BRONZE PSU $60
SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ BRONZE PSU $70
Seasonic S12 II 520W review @ JonnyGuru