First Build - Need Help

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rsbrock20

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May 5, 2012
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Yo. I'm in the process of building my first computer. This is what I have so far.

Case NZXT Phantom Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Motherboard ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - M LGA 1155

CPU Core i3 i3-2130(Q0 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz

RAM 4 x 4gb DDR3 1600 Kingston

Power Supply Ultra LSP750 750-Watt

Cooling Kit Thermaltake CLW0211 BigWater 760 Plus Liquid Cooling Kit

HDD 2 X Western Digital 250GB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gbps 3.5

Graphic Card MSI Video Ge Force GTX430 1024MB DDR3 PCI-e/Express Video Card

OS Windows 7 HP

I am wondering if there is anything I can do to reduce cost with no loss to performance? Also is there anything I am missing? I chose the i3-2130 for now, because this Motherboard can accept the i7. So I figured I would be ok with the i3 and eventually upgrade to the i7. Also, I was wondering if there might be a Motherboard with the exact same specs as this one, but with 3 PCI slots instead of 2. A brief search led me to the AsRock H77 Pro4/MVP. However, there is a cost difference, with the AsRock Z77 being higher, so that compels me to believe that it is better?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
 
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jerreddredd

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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the Z77 can over clock an unlocked 'K' series CPU the H77 cannot. you might have meant the ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA which has 3 pci slots ($120 at newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157296

the MSI Z77A-G43 LGA 1155 also has 3 pci slots ($115 at newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130646

the MB you listed in your build, ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - M($130 at newegg), is a uATX motherboard the two i listed above are both ATX. the ones above are both less $
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157294

reducing cost:

go with a i3 2120 instead of a 2130 $25 for a 100mhz bump isn't worth it

go with the stock cooler on a the i3 CPU. can't OC it so air is fine, no need for liquid

you could do better on the PSU $70 and its not even bronze certified. you only need a good 380 -550 watt PSU for a your system

go with a single HDD, like a 500GB Samsung spinpoint or event he 1TB version with a bigger cache.

you might think about going with a phantom 410 instead, its a little smaller (mid ATX instead of Full ATX) and $10-20 less.

put some of the saved money into a better GPU. a GT 430 isn't much of an improvement over the HD 2000 IGP on the CPU especially for gaming. suggest:

$75
HD 6670 or GT 440 (GDDR5)

$100-110
HD 5770/6770/7750 (the 6770 us $90 after rebates)

$120 -140
HD 6790/6850/7770/ GTX 460
 
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rsbrock20

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May 5, 2012
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10,510
Well, going for the 2120 was good advice, but sadly I already bought the 2130. Although, I just looked up the price and it turns out I got a very good deal on the 2130. In fact I got it new and cheaper than its 2120 cousin.

The motherboard Z77 is also good advice, and I think I am gonna go with the
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H-WB, for around $220. It was a close race between that one and the ECS Golden Z77H2-A2X, but the Gigabyte won me over.

I am glad that you mentioned that the $70 PS was unnecessary. I already have the NZXT Phantom full tower, so I guess Ill keep it, lol. A lot of people keep telling me to throw out the cooler, so I guess Ill do that as well.

As for the HDD. I have lots of IDE HDDs around and thought it would be a shame to be required by this motherboard to have a SATA, when I have a 500gb IDE HDD.

But, I found an IDE to SATA adapter that I can use. Your thoughts on that? Also Ive been having thoughts about using Linux instead of Windows 7.

#1 Windows 7 is over priced for only being able to install on one computer.
#2 LinuxMint is free and I hear a lot of good things about it.

Your thoughts on that?

And sorry for the double post, my browser crashed in the process of posting it and did not think it took so I re-posted.

Thanks
 
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jerreddredd

jerreddredd

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IDE drives are SLOW. use them for supplemental storage if you must, but I wouldn't boot from one.

Most IDE to SATA adapters don't work for sqwat.

go with linux if you aren't gaming, if you do the is no sense in going with a Z77 chipset, you better off looking a p67/h67/h61 chipset MB, you might even find one with a IDE port on.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131711
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186219
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157253
 
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rsbrock20

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May 5, 2012
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10,510
I'll be booting from a SSD, actually.

I am a little confused about your comments on Linux. Lets says that I will play games. In that case should I avoid Linux? If yes, why? Whats wrong with Linux? Also, do you not think that the Z77 is a good motherboard?

Thanks
 
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jerreddredd

jerreddredd

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Games are designed for windows, not linux.

all the special functions for Z77/Z68 and ivy/sandy only work in windows

(LUCIDLOGIX VIRTU MVP, INTEL SMART RESPONSE TECHNOLOGY, Intel Rapid Start Technology)

so if you go the linux route save money an buy cheap H61 MB is my point
 
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