Post subject: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Fri 06-12-2009 3:55PM
Major
Joined: Mon 08-16-2004 3:52PM Posts: 289
Source: Off Campus
Hey everyone. This'll be my first time putting together a computer and I was hoping someone could give me some advice or suggestions about what to get/not get. Here is my list as of now:
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Fri 06-12-2009 6:12PM
Major
Joined: Mon 02-12-2007 11:53PM Posts: 481 Location: Taking over the Universe
Source: Fidelity
Case: Personally, I prefer full tower cases. For a cheap one, I would probably go for this one. Thermaltake Eureka or Thermaltake Armor If you are willing to spend more on a case, I would get this case. CoolerMaster HAF
Power Supply: That PSU looks OK. Corsair makes some pretty awesome PSU's but they are more expensive. I have the HX1000 and its about $200. Its awesome for long term use, like leaving your computer on 24/7 and has enough power for just about anything. Corsair HX1000
Motherboard: I really like eVGA stuff. They have a lifetime warranty on most stuff and their customer support is top notch. I would try the evga 780i MB. If you get evga, make sure the last 2 number/letters in the model number is A1/AR/etc. so it has the lifetime warranty. http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/ eVGA 780i
Heatsink: If you go for a full tower case, you might as well get a 120mm HS. Both the 120mm core contact freezer and the xigmatek HDT-s1283 are amazing heatsinks. There is some debate on which is better but you couldn't go wrong with either. Core Contact Xigmatek
Processor: If you are looking for a Quad core, the Q6600 is probably your best bet. People have been able to get some pretty good clocks out of it. Intel Q6600
Ram: That G.Skill is pretty good. I would go for the DDR800. It's voltage rating is much lower so it will run cooler. You won't see that much performance increase going from DDR800 to DDR1066.
Video Card: The GTX275 is a pretty nice video card for the money, but it depends on what you plan to do if you want to get the one with more ram or not. If you do more graphics intensive things like using CUDA and video encoding, the FTW edition is probably better. If you are more into playing games, and since you are getting a 1920x1080 monitor, the one with more video ram would probably be better. Good choice on eVGA also. If you do get the one that is clocked lower, you can always OC it yourself. eVGA gives your their own OC'n software and if you happen to break your card, its still covered under warranty as long as there isn't physical damage, eg. hole melted into the card.
DVD Drive: w/e
Hard Drive: Just depends on what size you want. Stick with WD and Seagate though.
Monitor: If you want one of those in your list. This on sounds like the best deal. LG is a good monitor brand too. LG 23" Monitor
Speakers: Logitech makes awesome speakers. I would probably go for these speakers instead though. I have this set and they sound really nice. It's also a 5.1 speaker set. Logitech X-540
There ya go, That should help you out a bit. Good luck on building your computer.
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Fri 06-12-2009 10:40PM
bertowned
Joined: Sun 08-20-2006 4:26PM Posts: 2118
Source: Off Campus
Pretty much what KK said.
I'll differ on the motherboard, though. While I'll only buy eVGA for nVidia graphics cards, i've read mixed things about their motherboards. Asus is my brand of choice. Also (while it's been a little while since i've read anything about chipsets), my rule when it comes to intel processors is to get an intel chipset. The nVidia ones have just too often had stability issues (but if you can find a motherboard that has the features you want and is well documented to be reliable - go for it)
DVD Drive - not like it's a big deal, but don't get an IDE drive. Buy a sata drive - the cables are so much easier to route, and if for some strange reason you find you have to have an IDE dvd drive (odds are you WON'T run into this) just pull one out of a friends computer for a short while.
Heatsink - If you're planning to overclock get a bigger. But lets be honest - most people (even enthusiasts) don't bother to overclock anymore. Its a dying art. If it means that much to you then you might as well invest in a quality cooling solution for your entire system (probably water), but since it's your first build I'd just get a basic HSF - and use what you learn working on this computer later down the road (or upgrade after you've learned some things).
Processor - I saved this one for last because I pretty much agree with what KK said on this. BUT Keep in mind that Core i5 is coming out (in the fall i believe). This means you could either buy the system you're designing now for quite a bit cheaper OR get a newer system for only a little more, and have it be more upgradable. Everything is switching to LGA 1366, and if you buy an LGA 775 based motherboard/cpu you'll have more trouble upgrading. Personally I'd wait if it were my build.
_________________
BigPeeOn wrote:
Here's the deal: chemistry is the devil. Anything beyond balancing an chemical equation is black magic.
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Fri 06-12-2009 11:54PM
Major
Joined: Mon 02-12-2007 11:53PM Posts: 481 Location: Taking over the Universe
Source: Fidelity
Core i5 is going to be LGA-1156. Intel is going for a 3 socket approach to future processors. LGA-1156 is for entry level/budget procs, LGA-1366 is for performance desktops, and LGA-1567 is for servers. But yeah, I would probably wait to and get an i7 system after the price comes down a little. Companies are already starting to release budget i7 MB's for people with a tight wallet.
Also, I will agree that some past evga MB's have been flaky, but their current ones, imo, are pretty nice. I'm running the evga x58 board and its awesome.
Oh, personally, I am using an IDE DVD drive. The DVD drive will never be able to use all of the sata capabilities and I need my Sata ports for hard drives. But if you have an extra sata port and no need for 6 or more hard drives, by all means get a sata drive.
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Sat 06-13-2009 11:49AM
Major
Joined: Mon 08-16-2004 3:52PM Posts: 289
Source: Off Campus
okay so this is what i have now:
Case: if the cool master 900W power supply is good, then I'll probably get this combo Cool Master Combo
Mother board: Still not sure. I guess I just don't know what i need or what is important. I need to be able to git my video card in, and have space for my heat sink. These are the ones I'm looking at now. Suggestions? eVGA 780i eVGA 780i FTW ASUS P5Q Pro Asus P5Q Turbo
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Sat 06-13-2009 9:54PM
Major
Joined: Mon 02-12-2007 11:53PM Posts: 481 Location: Taking over the Universe
Source: Fidelity
Personally, I wouldn't get that Coolermaster PSU. It's reviews aren't the best and it doesn't have modular cables. Modular cables make all the difference in building an air cooled case because having a lot of extra cables hanging around kills airflow. Also, I would probably get the Q6600 or Q6700, your choice. That Corsair ram is a little slower than the G.skill, but you won't be able to tell a difference, only maybe in benchmarks. Also, the eVGA 780i FTW is a good MB. I have had problems with Asus customer support and RMA in the past. They piss me off. If you get the eVGA board, make sure you get one with an A1 or AR after the model number, like the one on newegg. They have the lifetime warranty and eVGA takes care of their customers. The TR one on amazon is cheaper but only has a 2 year warranty with it. Also, I don't believe the 780i regular has solid state capacitors and the FTW edition does. Other than that, looks like that should be a pretty bad ass build. If you were in Rolla, I would be happy to help you build it if you asked. Good luck on the build and be sure to let us know how it went.
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Sat 06-13-2009 10:22PM
Major
Joined: Mon 08-16-2004 3:52PM Posts: 289
Source: Off Campus
awesome. Thanks for all of your help, and for your very aesthetically pleasing and handy links. I do have one last question though....
Thermal compound/grease. the heat sink I'm getting, Core-Contact, comes with some TX-2 Thermal Paste. Is this good enough or should I get something else. It seems that the arctic silver 5 is popular. Any particular one you would recommend?
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Sat 06-13-2009 10:47PM
Major
Joined: Mon 02-12-2007 11:53PM Posts: 481 Location: Taking over the Universe
Source: Fidelity
I use AS5 and have never had any problem with it. You have to be careful not to put too much on because it will cause your processor to run hotter and it may get squeezed onto components near the CPU socket. AS5 does conduct electricity and also has quite a bit if inductance. There is some new stuff that doesn't conduct electricity but it's more expensive and in most cases, not necessary. If you are careful and apply the thermal compound correctly, AS5 will be a great compound to use.
Post subject: Re: Building new computer, have one have suggestions or advice?
Posted: Sat 06-13-2009 10:48PM
bertowned
Joined: Sun 08-20-2006 4:26PM Posts: 2118
Source: Off Campus
A few other semi random thoughts:
Oh get a SATA DVD drive already. IDE cables (even round ones) are annoying to route, and SATA makes it so much easier. It also gives you better airflow within the case, and allows you to position SATA devices further from the motherboard than EIDE devices. Who cares if you're not using all your bandwith available? Odds are you won't use all of those SATA ports (how many people really have 6 SATA hard drives in 1 box?).
My advice on a quality PSU would be one of the higher wattage Corsair models. They're basically re-branded Seasonic PSU (Seasonic is one of the best PSU manufacturers). Antec is another personal favorite, but that mushkin one looks pretty good too. Whatever you get - definately do what KK said and make sure it's modular - makes routing cables easier, and allows for better airflow.
Lastly, I use Acrtic Silver 5, because thats what was the best whenever I last bought thermal compound. Works great for me, has for a long while - not sure if there's anything better.
Other than that it looks like a great build. I hope you have fun with it
_________________
BigPeeOn wrote:
Here's the deal: chemistry is the devil. Anything beyond balancing an chemical equation is black magic.
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