Are all the parts to my pc build compatible?

[yiyi300]

Hello,
I'm new at building computers so I'm checking to see if the parts that I have chosen are compatible with each other.

This link shows all the parts that I have chosen:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12JXWcjYlnUSW85tpYqm3pUCO-UdtODzqDGQWdV2sooU/edit

Please give some advice on how to improve this build. I don't really care about the price, I just want to build the Ultimate PC.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Is my power supply good enough for the build?
2. Do you know of any better or cooler cases?

Thanks! I appreciate all responses!!!

 

[nekulturny]

Answers to your questions:
1. Yes, if anything I'd say its overkill.
2. I have an NZXT Phantom, I think its pretty awesome. Cases are a very personal choice, go with what you like, but be careful not to pick something cheap. Find something you like and search from reviews. But I will say as a blanket statement, Corsair doesn't do "crappy" when it comes to cases.

----

Questions of my own for you:
1.Ultimate PC for what? Gaming? What sort of games?
2. Would you fill out the form here? Surely you have a top budget.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Yes all of those parts are compatible, but depending on what you're looking to do with this computer, and your responses to the form, I may have changes. Particularly if this is a gaming machine, a heavier duty video card.

 

[kajabla]

This build has problems in a lot of places (a terrible CPU and graphics card, to start with), so I'll set you up with a new one once you actually give me a budget. An "Ultimate PC" could mean one built with the most expensive parts available today, but that approach doesn't really work with computers, especially as any computer, no matter how expensive, will be pretty well obsolete, at least at the high end, in a couple of years.
How much do you actually want to spend? If you're staying on one monitor, it doesn't make sense to spend more than $2500 or so, and that's including peripherals. If you want to go with three monitors or with a 3D setup, or even both, you can probably hit the $4000 range.
The choice of case isn't very important except for style. If you stay above $80 or so, just about anything will work fine. Trawl Newegg and see what catches your eye.

Everything will be easier once you fill this out, so please do: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[yiyi300]

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully this week, I'm been researching all night already.

Budget Range: max. $2000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, 3D graphic design, homework

Parts Not Required: none (well I already chose all the other parts, like the screen & etc.)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com, microcenter.com

Country: Massachusetts, USA

Parts Preferences: Well, I already chose them, they are on the link. But, I prefer AMD processors and Nividia graphics cards.

Overclocking: Maybe, I'd have to research how to though.

SLI or Crossfire: Yes, I would probably get a second graphics card later on.

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments:
Well my budget is pretty much $2000. I'm building this computer for gaming and 3D graphic design. I'm building it for me and my mother. (She does the 3D graphic design) She's also lending me some money too. I'm going to be playing Skyrim, Dota 2, and a whole lot of other games that require good computers.

Thanks for responding so fast!

 

[kajabla]

Well, that doesn't fit with "don't really care about the price" or with building an "ultimate PC". Now fill out that sheet

 

[yiyi300]

Okay, well I filled out the sheet.

 

[Hazle]

Hello,
I'm new at building computers so I'm checking to see if the parts that I have chosen are compatible with each other.

This link shows all the parts that I have chosen:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12JXWcjYlnUSW85tpYqm3pUCO-UdtODzqDGQWdV2sooU/edit

Please give some advice on how to improve this build. I don't really care about the price, I just want to build the Ultimate PC.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Is my power supply good enough for the build?
2. Do you know of any better or cooler cases?

Thanks! I appreciate all responses!!!

yeah, everyone has a different idea about the "ultimate PC". my personal advice; don't bother. build one that conforms to your needs and that'll at least last as long as it can for the price.

for example, take the FX-8150. you'd think the amount of cores and threads and the high stock clock would make it a real performer, no?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html

granted, the 8120 doesn't compare to the 8150, but when a 4100 performs a lot better than it's higher end model, that's something to think about. even a dual core Pentium performs just as good or even better than the FX-8120. of course, this is for gaming. if you were doing graphics rendering, media encoding, or any applications that utilizes CPU cores/threads, then yes, the 8150 would be good, at the price of poorer performance in games.

the Crosshair series of motherboards tend to be great for overclocking, and are jammed packed with features. but do you really have plans or an excuse to OC at 5ghz+, when 4.5-4.7Ghz is already a good OC with a modest motherboard? will you SLI/crossfire your card? will you use one or more monitors? what about the resolution you want to game at?

850W is total overkill for your PC unless you're going to OC everything and have a dual or triple SLI GPU.


but you really have to be clear; is this seriously for rendering, or media encoding with a bit of gaming or is this for gaming alone? for the former, it's pretty ok. for the latter, it's pretty overkill and quite doesn't perform as well for the price. if you have the cash to spend it, go intel for a good balance of both.

 

[nekulturny]

for example, take the FX-8150. you'd think the amount of cores and threads and the high stock clock would make it a real performer, no?

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,3120.html

That article is a load of crap, with flawed testing methodology and incomplete information, and outdated pricing information for July 2012. I've already debated it far too many times on these forums, for the sake of expediency, and not repeating myself, I won't do it again. (Of course I reserve the right to change my mind) But anyway.. moving on.

------------------

Heres a build that would be in the budget and do what you're looking for, and it will save your mom some money:

CPU: i7-2700K $310
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115095

Mobo: Asus P8Z77 $125 with mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837

Video card: GTX 670 $410 after mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787

Memory: 16GB kit Corsair Vengeance $98 (16GB is plenty, we'll be on DDR4 before you need more than that)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143

Hard Drive: Seagate 1TB $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

Optional SSD: Crucial M4 128GB $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148525

Power- Corsair TX650 $80 with mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020&Tpk=tx650

Case- NZXT Phantom $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068

Windows 7 -$100 (Keep in mind Office 2010 is sold separately, and is not included with the $140 Windows7 you picked either)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Total: $1473

 

[nekulturny]

Keep in mind if you're new to PC building, it helps to have a friend who knows what they're doing to help you your first time. If this isn't available, make sure to check out some videos and read all of the documentation that comes with the parts before you start assembling. With Intel CPUs (well really any CPU) you have to be very careful when inserting the CPU into the motherboard so you don't damage it. I don't want to sound like a jackass by bringing up something that may be obvious, but when you're talking a 2700K, thats a $300 dollar mistake you don't want to make.

 

[yiyi300]

Thanks for the help. I think I have to start researching some more on computer parts again. Thanks everyone!!!

 

[nekulturny]

No problem. Good luck, that build I gave you is a powerhouse, for 1400 bucks it will easily rival far more expensive pre-builds from Dell/Alienware, HP, etc.

I did a quick build on Alienware's website to see what a similarly spec'd system would cost. I came up with $2500.

Alienware Aurora R4:
Alienware Aurora Desktop AMR4H 1 [225-2262] 1
Processors:
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3820 (10M Cache, Overclocked up to 4.1 GHz) MI73820 1 [317-8666] 2
Operating System:
Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English W7HP61E 1 [331-4881][331-4885][420-9691][421-4652][421-5702] 11
Memory:
16GB Quad Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz 16G164D 1 [317-8672] 3
Video Card:
Dual 3GB DDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7950 HD7950D 1 [320-3170] 6
Hard Drive:
2TB Serial ATA 3 Hard Drive 2TBSR4 1 [340-9649] 8
Monitor:
No Monitor N 1 [320-7810] 5
Sound Card:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio INT 1 [313-9776] 17
CD ROM/DVD ROM:
Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability 24XDVD 1 [318-1455] 16

 

[kajabla]

I think the OP might as well go with 3770K. They do run hotter, but don't they still do better for the money? From Tom's 3770K review: "Our boxed Core i7-2700K hit a more aggressive frequency, nearly matching the -3770K’s performance in the process."

 

[nekulturny]

Maybe, meh I honestly don't see the advantage though. Ivy Bridge really irks me, well, you've seen me around, Intel irks me in general. I just find it annoying their corporate arrogance, to barely improve a product, say it uses less power (which actually you'd have to run the computer for a year or two to break even on the up front cost on your electric bill) and they have the audacity to slap a higher price tag on it. LOL, Barbie has a new cowboy hat!!!!, No, your Barbie isn't good enough because it doesn't have this ALL NEW COWBOY HAT!!. *sigh* alas I'm not cut out to live in this generation.

But ramblings aside, OP has the budget for it, what the hell?

 

[kajabla]

Yes, there's plenty of ranting to do, but that doesn't change the best options available. Anyway, what about the tick-tock system? This is a tock. It's not supposed to be a game-changer. It's providing exactly what's promised, which is lower power and slightly improved performance.
...$300 in electric bill costs over one or two years? That sounds pretty good to me.

 

[nekulturny]

No no lol, not $300 in 2 years. Like 40 dollars in 2 years (The price difference between the two) if it's even that much. By the time you break even and start reaping the savings it will be time to think about your next "tick".

As far as their tick-tock system, it aggravates me too. There was no reason for them to pitch LGA 1156, they just wanted to make some more money. But I digress, the haters can't call me an AMD hack here can they? Since I did recommend an Intel system over an AMD this time around right? :lol:

I'll say it, Intel is the most corrupt, greedy and ethically bankrupt corporation in the Tech Industry, 2nd only to Microsoft.

 

[kajabla]

Apple's taking a shot with their no-less-than-256gb default SSDs, I must say.

 

[nekulturny]

Maybe I'm too young, but I never understood the appeal with Apple. Maybe in the beginning (before my time- since I was born in '85) they had something with their early computers, but it always seemed to me throughout the mid-90s thru today they were just overrated and overpriced.

I remember those commercials a few years back where they tried to have 2 guys play a mac and PC, and the mac guy was this young and hip dude and the PC was this middle-aged looking boring guy. And of course Jeff Goldblum says Macs are hip in the commercials, that makes it true right? Probably one of the best actors in terms of pure talent I've ever seen, but I'm not buying :lol:

 

[kajabla]

Sounds like you don't throw money around. Their laptops really are nice, but the desktops are only useful as an expensive design piece.

 

[yiyi300]

Ooops, sorry guys. I forgot to check on this thread. (I was half asleep when I wrote it) Anyways, I've also been researching a lot. So I think I'm going to stick with the AMD processor, even though it's not the best for gaming. I'm probably also a really big AMD fan. I've had both AMD and Intel processor and AMD worked better. Also I need the cores because for 3D graphic designing it needs to run multiple programs at once. My mother told me that it requires both Maya and Poser to run at the same time. Well I'm probably just trying to convince myself. I'm also hoping that newer games will try and use more of the cores so they can run better.

Anyways the real reason I came back to this post was because I was wondering which AMD3+ motherboard I should get.

I've been deciding between these 2 motherboards:

1. ASUS Crosshair V Formula AM3+ AMD 990FX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131735
2. ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131736

Oh and about Apple. I think that many people like Apple because it has circular pixels which is better for designing. It looks pretty. Also viruses don't effect Apple much. Oh and finally their system is really pretty. I'm probably a big Apple fan too. The only part about them that bugs me is that you can't really play many games on them.

This is off topic but I'm really curious, why do you guys all have cats as your profile picture? I have nothing against cats I'm just curious.

Thanks again for all the responses!!!

 

[nekulturny]

Honestly, either one will get the job done. Be it the AMD or the Intel CPU. The Intel CPU I recommended to you is a quad core but it "pretends" to have 8 cores so its 4 real cores + pretend cores.

It gets complicated, but the FX-8150/8120s technically have 8 integer cores, but they are grouped in packs of 2 per "module" and they share some of the parts that a "core" would normally have for itself.. So architecturally speaking, I guess you could say its also a quad core that "pretends" to have 8 too.

Heavily threaded work like what your mom wants to do is actually one of the things that the FX does pretty well.

If you haven't seen this article, you might check it out before committing though.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/10/11/amd_bulldozer_fx8150_desktop_performance_review/10

Either way, like I said, both of them will do the job for you. As for gaming, it is only certain games that the FX-8120/8150s have trouble with. Most games give the video card more of a workout than the processor.

As far as what board to get. I have board number 2 (the sabertooth), I absolutely think its wonderful. The Asus Crosshair V is pretty good too, but honestly its not any better than the sabertooth. They both have pretty much the same features. And the Sabertooth actually has a better warranty. (5 years vs 3 years)

As far as upgrades, in a few months AMD will be releasing PileDriver (FX-8350 and FX-8320) these will be upgraded CPUs that will work on the same motherboard, (I'm waiting for one myself) AMD's goal was to improve them by 10%, Tom's Hardware got a "sneak peek" at them, and it looks like they're going to get 15%, not bad.

Oh and about Apple. I think that many people like Apple because it has circular pixels which is better for designing. It looks pretty. Also viruses don't effect Apple much.

I don't know about circular pixels, thats not one I've ever heard before. The virus thing makes sense though, I don't know much about Apple I confess, but I've used Linux for several years. I know that the way Windows is programmed its inherently more vulnerable to a virus "bringing the whole house down" than a linux system.

This is off topic but I'm really curious, why do you guys all have cats as your profile picture? I have nothing against cats I'm just curious.

Pure coincidence as to why both of us have our cats as our avatars, some people just really love cats :lol:

 

[yiyi300]

Well about the circular pixels, I heard it from some other people but I'm not sure if it's true or not. However it's true that Apple look well prettier, graphic wise.

Anyways, I was wondering do you know when the AMD PileDriver will come out. Hopefully before September 10, 2012. I'm trying to build a good computer before I turn 15. Also do you think that it's better to wait or should I build one now? (Lol, you made me cry tears of joy and sadness when you said that AMD was releasing a new processor soon.)

 

[nekulturny]

PileDriver is scheduled for release "Quarter 3 of 2012", which would put it somewhere around September yes, although nothing is set in stone, it may release late, you never know. I myself am leaning towards around December/January before I get one, if I decide too. Honestly theres nothing I do on my computer that my Phenom II can't do for me, so it would be just a luxury item.

Lol, all the computer companies are releasing a new product soon. I know its not age appropriate, but I can't help myself, if mom is reading this thread, I'm very sorry!

"Let's face it, we're not changing the world. We're building a product that helps people buy more crap - and watch porn."- Bill Watkins CEO Seagate Technology (Biggest Hard Drive manufacturer in the world)

 

[nekulturny]

Oh as far as whether or not you should wait, I cannot say. You do have to understand a couple things to take into consideration.

8350/8320s if they are a 15 percent improvement that would put them about on par for most things as Intel's Sandy Bridge 2500Ks. Next year towards the early-mid 2013 Intel will be releasing "Haswell" which will probably still be ahead of AMD unless Intel majorly fails.

Contrary to people with short memory, Intel has indeed failed before by releasing CPUs that didn't do as well as previous generation, although it has been almost 10 years since this has happened, (Pentium 4, and their first attempt at a Dual Core CPU, was an utter fail) its not likely to happen with Haswell since its been so long since they've had such a misstep. Although, Intel seems to be focusing more on reducing power consumption, so Haswell may not have a strong advantage in terms of capability over the current Ivy Bridge generation, but its too soon to tell.

When Bulldozer FX-8150s were initially released (Late 2011), they were almost $300, they are now cheaper. So if and when AMD releases PileDriver 8320s and 50s, expect them to be more expensive than the 8120s and 50s are currently.

 

[yiyi300]

hmm, I don't think I can wait any longer. I think I'm gonna build a good computer now and then upgrade it.

Are Intel processors backward compatible too? I should probably google it.

 

[nekulturny]

Intel uses a socket for 2 generations than ditches it. They do what they call a "Tick-Tock".

Right now Intel's main socket is the LGA1155. Sandy Bridge was the "tick", released last year, Ivy Bridge was the "tock", which was released a couple months ago.

Haswell is the next "tick", it will be on LGA1150, and no it will not be backward compatible with Sandy/Ivy.