My First Build

[tmf96]

I'm building my first PC and would like to know if the components seem to be compatible as well as opinions on the build. I will be using this computer for gaming/schoolwork and plan to keep it for years to come. With this in mind, please do not comment with anything saying that things are unnecessary for my needs (unless I have something absolutely that makes no sense- I am very new to this), but rather with possible improvements to the build!

Motherboard:
ASUS P9X79 PRO LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with USB BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131800
CPU:
Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115229
Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231503
Video Card:
MSI R7950 Twin Frozr 3GD5/OC Radeon HD 7950 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127667
Hard Drive(s):
1.Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
2.Intel 520 Series Cherryville SSDSC2CW180A3K5 2.5" 180GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167115
Power Source:
PC Power and Cooling Silencer 910W High Performance 80PLUS Silver SLI CrossFire ready Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703022

I'm pretty sure that these parts are all compatible, but I'm worried that I will not have the correct amount of PCI-e or SATA slots for the components, and I was having trouble determining whether or not my parts HAD to be on my motherboard manufacturer's QVL.

 

[azeem40]

For school work and gaming, it absolutely makes no sense to get a SB-E System.

 

[redeemer]

Excellent build, is Sandy Bridge E a must?

Are you going to overclock?

I would drop that expensive SSD in favor of a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163 save some money put it towards a 7970 instead

 

[tmf96]

azeem40- what would you suggest as a replacement to the SB-E?

redeemer- what is it that makes sandy bridge e unnecessary, and what would be a proper replacement for my needs as stated above?

I was not planning on overclocking in the near future until I had gained more knowledge on my pc.

Will the 7970 improve my performance over having the new intel 520 SSD?

 

[azeem40]

SB or IB regular LGA 1155 socket.

 

[tmf96]

Meaning something like an i7-2700 or an i7-3770? Apologies for the lack of knowledge

 

[azeem40]

Yeah. I'd choose the 3770.

 

[cranked]

Get the i5-3570K, it will allow you to OC when you are ready. Pair it with a board like the Asrock Extreme6 or the Gigabyte UD5H or something comparable. It will last you just as long for gaming and school work.

You could keep that Intel drive and use the money saved on the CPU/Mobo and definitely move up to a 7970.

You could also get a smaller PSU. A 910W is overkill for even 2 7970's. Something like this maybe: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

I would slap on a Hyper 212 EVO just to keep the CPU cooler even if you aren't overclocking and you can get something different later if you want to really push the limits.

 

[cranked]

Also to answer your question: For gaming a better GPU is more important than an SSD. But like I said above, you could do both.

 

[Kamen_BG]

Accirding to this article
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/48210-intel-sandy-bridge-e-core-i7-3960x-cpu-review-8.html
Quad channel memory doesnt increase performance at all.Better save some money and stick with a dual channel kit.The one linked below is really good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226245

I'd also switch the power supply to this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028
Its a newer model.Its the same price and delivers more power.

This HDD Below is actually faster than a Caviar Black and is also far cheaper per GB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145473

Now about the SSD.The OCZ Vertex 3 is one of the fastest SSD's available.It's pretty much as fast as an Intel 520 but its cheeper.For the price of the 180GB Intel 520 you can get a 240 GB Vertex 3.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227707

You could also buy an OCZ Vertex 4 256GB.It's actually faster than the Intel drive IF you do not keep it 100% full.If you buy that drive and is it as if it's a 180GB SSD it will perform better than the intel one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227792

 

[azeem40]

Quad channel kits on an LGA 1155 socket build still performs like a dual channel kit.

 

[tmf96]

so far i have updated the:

power source http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028

SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163

I am having trouble making a choice between the i5-3570k and the i7-3770k, as the only difference between the two seems to be the hyperthreading, and I wonder at how that will effect my performance.

I am planning on changing my motherboard in correspondence with this and I will also upgrade the card at the same time.

For the video card upgrade I was looking at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982 as it seemed a popular choice, though I would like to hear opinions on the card as well.

 

[cranked]

You don't need that large PSU. It's way overkill. You could drop down to a 750 and still have more than enough for another GPU down the road.

For gaming/general usage, go with the 3570K.

SSD is a fine choice, as is the GPU.

 

[tmf96]

So here is what i've come to:

CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard

Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk

Video Card
Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card

Case
Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case

Power Supply
Corsair 850W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply

Optical Drive
Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive


Only questions I have left are:

-the quality of the motherboard (I saw different types of the same general mobo)

- quality of the RAM (company seems less known)

-if all of the components I have chosen seem to be compatible

-A lower-profile/mid size case that has good air flow without the "gamer" looks that the coolermasters all seem to have.

 

[cranked]

1. I have that mobo and have no problems. Many people here recommend it and I don't hear many complaints. One person, I think G-Unit (and maybe one other) were having some issues with their's. I think it's solid and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

2. G-Skill is well known and quality. The only thing is do NOT buy the ones with the heatsinks on them. They are unnecessary and could possibly interfere depending on which aftermarket cooler you end up using down the road.

3. Everything looks compatible. I would say to get DDR3-1600 ram. You won't really see much difference above it and, I think that the faster stuff voids the CPU warranty. Thought I heard that, but don't quote me on it.

4. I have the Corsair 500R and love it. Plenty of room and fans.

 

[tmf96]

OK! I just ordered all of my components!

I went with a SilverStone kublai case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163190

I also got DDR3-1600 ram as you suggested
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231315

Altogether, I'm very happy with what I came to, and I can't wait to build my first pc! Your guidance is much appreciated, cranked, as are the contributions from others.

 

[tmf96]

Best answer selected by tmf96.