Need some advice on my 1st time build

lurn · Jun 18, 2012

electricfirebolt · Jun 18, 2012

Hi, That case isnt really necessary, you can get much cheaper cases that are of good quality. Also if you plan on Video Editing then id advise you get a graphics card even if its a low - mid range graphics card.

nafoni · Jun 18, 2012

Case
That HAF 932 and huuuuuuuuuuuge for your needs. Look for something closer to 60$ (I have a HAF 912).
CPU
If you do much video editing, you'll want a i7 CPU like this i7-3770. If you plan to overclock, get the i7-3770K.

Motherboard
Considering you seem to be after a pretty «simple» build, that motherboard is expensive and has some features you don't need. For example, you are going with the integrated CPU graphics, which you won't actually need a single PCI-E slot for (I would highly recommend to buy a discrete graphics card).

RAM
Good. Consider 2x8GB (16GB total) if you are a heavy video editor and your wallet allows you.

HDD
Maybe a little bit small size (?), considering you are a video editor. This good Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD will give you 2x amount of storage space for the same price.

DVD burner
Good.

PSU
Looks good to me.

OS
Save $ and get the OEM version. Also, you are sure you need Professional?

Additional comment
Get a discrete GPU. Would be useful for your video editing.

Niklas_13 · Jun 18, 2012

When building a system you can buy a OEM ver of the OS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992

MoBO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131824

Not sure why your getting a small HDD

1 TB for the same price http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

Alot of people that work with Video editing softwhare like more ram and alot of HD space

Why no GPU ?

lurn · Jun 18, 2012

Wow guys! This really helps. I appreciate your suggestions.

I'm not a serious/hardcore/professional video editor, but I plan on doing some amatuer video editing for fun in the near future. So, the suggestion about a mid to low-end video card helps. What would be a good mid to low level video card?

I have a few more questions:

What exactly is the difference between OEM Windows 7 version vs. the one I selected above. Does the OEM version come with a DVD or is it just a product key?

Also, I chose Western Digital initially because I heard they had a better rep than Seagate in terms of stability and customer service, no? Or is it more like a preference thing, like Mac vs PC?

I chose the case above because of the number of fans it has. Although it seems the 912 only has 2 cooling fans. Should that be enough for keeping my system cool?

Also, is anybody familiar with RDX storage options I posted above?

Thanks again,

lurn

nafoni · Jun 18, 2012

lurn :

Difference between OEM and retail.

Both WD and Seagte are two of the most reliable HDD makers out there. I would absolutely go for that Seagate drive I mentioned. Comparision between the two. Main differences: Seagate has 2x space and SATA 6Gbps, WD has only SATA 3Gbps, which in 2012 is old technology.

The two fans in the CM HAF 912 is enough for absolutely everything out there, as long as you're not living in a extremely hot area and/or overclocking much. The HAF 912 actually gives you the possibility to add additional fans later on! If you want to, check out Newegg's review of the HAF 912 on YouTube. I'm not telling you to get this case, get a case you like the look of, and never spend over 100$ on it. For what you will be using your computer to, any case will really do.

Also, considering you will only be doing light video editing, you won't need that i7 CPU. Get a i5-3570K if you plan to overclock, or a i5-3550 if you don't plan to overclock.

For the video card, how much are you looking to spend on it? It will probably help to sum up the parts you are 100% sure about first, so you know how much money those parts will cost and how much you have left. Use pcpartpicker.com for that job, and click "system build" in the top left.

Niklas_13 · Jun 18, 2012

^ also a budget would help so the people can fit what would be the best parts to price points.

Have you looked into SSD drives also ? They dont do alot for game but help with load times, but for your type of PC use IMO would be a nice add on. ( if it fits your budget.

For the GPU whats rez monitor are you useing ( Rez ) ?

nafoni · Jun 18, 2012

I agree. Spend less on some parts and get a SSD. Would be a really nice addition to a system like that.

To short Niklas_13's short down a bit: Fill out this form

lurn · Jun 19, 2012

Again, guys, thanks a lot for your suggetions. I filled out the form here:

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next 2 weeks

Budget Range: 1000-1500, Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: surf Internet, Watching Movies/Videos, Word, Excel, Video editing

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: not a big deal, i've mostly used newegg, since it was recommended to me

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Asus motherboard

Overclocking: Not sure, do i need this for video editing?

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: N/A, I have a monitor.

.......

Also, here is my revised build based on some of your suggestions

Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131824&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131824
Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144

HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1o42tgh566u42
DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371057

Operating System http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Software+-+Operating+Systems-_-Microsoft-_-32116992
Office http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116857

Thanks for the explanation about the OEM vs. Retail, and the info about the HAF 912. That clears everything up that I needed to know.

When I first started looking into building a computer, the HAF 912 was on my radar, but I was just worried about having enough fans. But your feedback helps me lean toward selecting that case. Plus, it doesn't have bright LED lights like the 932, which can be annoying from what I've read.

I haven't really thought about an SSD option. I think I saw that mentioned in the newegg video with using the SSD as your bootup drive, and store everything else like personal files on your hard drives. Is that what you are implying with the SSD. Or just solely using SSD for storage altogether? Its not big of a deal for me. Is it that much of a difference performance wise with HDD.

I picked a less expensive motherboard, will I be okay in the long term with this?

As far as the video card, I'm pretty much clueless on that end. What would be considered a low-to-mid Video card. Would it require 1 GIG of memory or 2 GIG? Also, if i were to add a video card, I would probably have to upgrade my power supply, no?

Maybe something like this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129230

Also, what do you guys do for storage/backups. I've used DVD's in the past. Better option could be blu-ray disks, USB drives. I kinda interested in the RDX drives. They seem to have a lot of storage capacity on 1 disk.

Again, any thoughts, suggestions, advice would be valuable.

Thanks so much.

lurn

Thomas_89 · Jun 19, 2012

lurn :

This makes me wonder whether you really need the parts you listed. What kind of video editing are you planning to do? Because if it's just some amateur light editing something like this would probably suffice:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ao3Y
CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LX ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7750 1GB Video Card ($104.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $575.91
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
The motherboard leaves a lot of room for upgrading, and getting 8GB of ram is very cheap if you want it.

Based on your posts I think this system will do what you want from it with ease. Of course, if you love to have higher-end hardware like a lot of people here, nothing is stopping you.
Just my two cents.

nafoni · Jun 19, 2012

I haven't really thought about an SSD option. I think I saw that mentioned in the newegg video with using the SSD as your bootup drive, and store everything else like personal files on your hard drives. Is that what you are implying with the SSD. Or just solely using SSD for storage altogether? Its not big of a deal for me. Is it that much of a difference performance wise with HDD.

You put the operating system and your most used programs on your SSD. The computer will boot up much quicker, and so will any programs installed on the SSD. A SSD would be a very nice addition to a system like this. All your Office programs, video editing software and your web browser will pop up a lot quicker. I know from experience those Office programs can take some seconds to start up. With a SSD it would take a maximum of 1 second. I'll come back to your alternatives on a SSD later.

I picked a less expensive motherboard, will I be okay in the long term with this?

That motherboard looks good.

As far as the video card, I'm pretty much clueless on that end. What would be considered a low-to-mid Video card. Would it require 1 GIG of memory or 2 GIG? Also, if i were to add a video card, I would probably have to upgrade my power supply, no?

For your needs, you won't have to spend that much on a video card. I don't know too much about these low-to-midrange video cards, but I would suggest posting a thread in the graphics card section of this forum. Remember to put a link to this thread in that thread.

An alternative would also be to use the included graphics (integrated graphics) in the i5-3570K CPU. These have improved a lot from the previous generation of i3, i5 and i7 CPUs. Again - ask someone in the graphics card section of the forum, the people over there knows more about video cards than most of us.

Some corrections to the parts you have selected
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3550 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LX ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($76.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 400W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.64 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $853.56
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
+ you will maybe have to add a GPU (as said, ask the guys at the graphics card section)

CPU
Get the 3550 if the graphics card guys says you should get a discrete GPU. Get the 3570K if they tell you you won't have to (the 3570K has better integrated graphics than the 3550).

Memory/RAM
Just mentioning you can get that RAM in 3 colors - black, red, blue, if you should be interested in choosing.

Hard drive - SSD
Yep, I have added a SSD to your build. A 64GB one should probably do for a user like you. Get a 120GB/128GB SSD if you have A LOT of programs on your computer.

Power supply
This is the same PSU that you chose - but this one is modular (removable cables on the PSU makes for better cable organizing in your case - you only use those you have to use).

Video card
Aaaand again, ask the guys over at the graphics card section of the forum for advice on a low-mid range GPU. You will not have to upgrade your PSU when getting a low-mid range GPU.

nafoni · Jun 19, 2012

Oh, get that PSU Thomas_89 suggested if you don't care too much about having a modular one.

I agree with Thomas_89, you could absolutely get the performance you need and want from his build as well. However, if you want better performance (and I can see your budget allows you to), and your computer to last longer, I would go for something in the price range I suggested.

azeem40 · Jun 19, 2012

That is wrong naf. 3GB/s isn't even close to being saturated by HDDs.

nafoni · Jun 19, 2012

azeem40 :

What is wrong? You don't think he should get a SATA 6Gb/s drive?

azeem40 · Jun 19, 2012

No. It will be a good decade or so before 6GB/s is saturated.

nafoni · Jun 19, 2012

azeem40 :

Well, he should still go with that Seagate drive anyway. 2x storage space for the same price as the WD drive.

maxh22 · Jun 19, 2012

nafoni :

Case
That HAF 932 and huuuuuuuuuuuge for your needs. Look for something closer to 60$ (I have a HAF 912).
CPU
If you do much video editing, you'll want a i7 CPU like this i7-3770. If you plan to overclock, get the i7-3770K.

Motherboard
Considering you seem to be after a pretty «simple» build, that motherboard is expensive and has some features you don't need. For example, you are going with the integrated CPU graphics, which you won't actually need a single PCI-E slot for (I would highly recommend to buy a discrete graphics card).

RAM
Good. Consider 2x8GB (16GB total) if you are a heavy video editor and your wallet allows you.

HDD
Maybe a little bit small size (?), considering you are a video editor. This good Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD will give you 2x amount of storage space for the same price.

DVD burner
Good.

PSU
Looks good to me.

OS
Save $ and get the OEM version. Also, you are sure you need Professional?

Additional comment
Get a discrete GPU. Would be useful for your video editing.

I completely agree !

lurn · Jun 25, 2012

hi guys,

Thank you for all of your help, advice, and efforts in this process of building a computer.

I has helped a great deal.

I'm just about almost there, but I still have a few more questions/comments:

Bare OEM/ Hard Drives? Are there issues with this? Do you need extra cables or screws to connect it with your build? I hear you get them already with the MOBO. Also, what about brackets? Do you have to purchase them as well? Or are they needed for the bare hard drive?

Modular Power Supply vs Non-Modular? Do you still get cables with the Modular supply? Just not connected like with a non-modular supply?

Any issues with 4pin vs 3pin CPU or Chassis FAN connectors connecting to a MOBO during the build process? And if so, are there adapters out there to get around this problem. Or do you just have to buy fans with the correct # of pins as the MOBO ports? Or better yet, make sure the fan pins from the case fit the same as the MOBO connectors?

Thanks again guys. Any input/suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

lurn

nafoni · Jun 25, 2012

lurn :

HDDs and SSDs need 2 cables, a data cable and a power cable. The data cable is usually included with the motherboard, and the power cable is usually included with the power supply. Check if you want to be 110% sure. The brackets usually come with the case. Again - check if you want to be 110% sure. I would be extremely surprised if these cables and brackets are not included with these parts.

lurn :

Non-modular PSU: all the cables are pre-attached to the PSU. None of them can be removed, none can be added.
Fully modular PSU: all the cables come included with the PSU, and must be connected to both the PSU and the component you will be powering. This means that you only use the cables you have to use.
Semi-modular PSU: some of the cables are pre-attached, some of them are not.

Obviously, you don't need a fully modular PSU since every computer has some bare minimum power cables that must be plugged in (ATX power, CPU 8-pin power).

If your case has enough room, and you don't mind some cables being tucked away into a corner, a non-modular PSU is perfectly fine.

lurn :

No worries. You can plug a 3-pin into a 4-pin. You just won't be able to use the feature that that 4th pin provides, which is PWM. And no, you don't need PWM.

lurn · Jun 25, 2012

Once again, thank you very much for your input.

lurn

lurn · Jul 6, 2012

Okay, I have another question.

What if I want to add more USB ports to my setup.

I'm still going back and forth on a motherboard.

The motherboards seem to have more USB 3.0 ports in the rear panel than USB 2.0 ports. I'd like to add some more USB ports. Which is the best option for maximum performance?

Let's say for example, I want to choose this motherboard referred to earlier in this thread:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131824&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards%20-%20Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131824&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

I know its on the high-end, and I may not buy it, but i'm just using this for an example.

It has 2 USB 3.0 and, and 4 USB 2.0 ports in the rear panel. Problem is, I have several external devices that I use that have USB 2.0 connections. They work perfectly fine, and I want to make use of them with my new build. I would need extra USB slots.

Should I buy a USB hub like this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817111976

Or should I get a PCI USB card like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815166014

Which of the two are my better options in terms of performance? Or is there an even better alternative?

Also, how would I make use of the 6 onboard USB 2.0 ports? Would 2 of those connect to the 2 front USB ports of the Coolmaster 912 and then the remaining 4 just remain idle?

Again, any feedback, advice, suggestions, etc. are appreciated.

Thanks again,

lurn

Need some advice on my 1st time build

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Splendid

Honorable

Honorable

Splendid

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Splendid

Honorable

Splendid

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Share this page