Advice and Opinions on my Computer Build?
[b]First of all I will talk about what I will be doing with this computer, my location/where parts will be purchased, computer specs, and questions I have.[/b]
I will mainly be using this computer for gaming and I may start making youtube videos.
Location: USA
Place of Purchase: Most likely at Microcenter since they have amazing deals there, but if some parts are unavailable or Microcenter costs a lot. Then I will buy parts at Newegg.
Processor: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115095]Intel Core i7-2700K Sandy Bridge 3.5GHz [/url]
Motherboard: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790]ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard[/url]
Video Card: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593]EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 [/url]
Power Supply: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139016]CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750W ATX12V v2.31[/url]
Hard Drive: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148506]Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"[/url]
Memory: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345]CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600[/url]
CPU Fan: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065]COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 [/url]
Blu-Ray Burner: [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135252]ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner SATA BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS[/url]
[b]Now some of the questions that I have and might sound a bit "nooby." Keep in mind this is my first build. Also any advice on different parts I should get are quite welcomed.[/b]
1. As you can obviously see I have no case in mind. Therefore is there a case that would fit the dimensions of these items? The case I would prefer would be on with many fans, steel-made, and side window. Though I don't exactly wanna pay over $200. I was thinking about the [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001]Corsair Obsidian[/url] but it seems expensive.
2. Is there a real difference between an i7-2600k or an i7-2700k?
3. Are all parts compatible?
4. Is there a difference between a GTX 560 Ti or a GTX 570?
5. Can you define bottlenecking and if anything here is being bottleneck'd?
6. Is 2 TB too much? Also can you tell me about SDDs and if I can put in some later when I get more money? (I might make youtube videos)
7. Whats the difference between DVD Burners and DVD Drives?
16 Comments • Newest first
Thanks a bunch @djpinc19 now it's just time to get some more money then I'll get started building ^_^
Mice for gamers with "claw" holds
Logitech G300, Razer Deathadder, Razer Imperator, Corsair Vengeance M60, Logitech G9x
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Gaming-Programmable-Controls-910-002358/dp/B005EWB3AU
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Deathadder-Infrared-Gaming-RZ01-00151400-R3/dp/B002Q4U5DK
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Imperator-Expert-Ergonomic-RZ01-00350200-R3U1/dp/B0054JGGFK
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Performance-Gaming-CH-9000001-NA/dp/B005QUQP76
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Programmable-Laser-Gaming-Precision/dp/B001NTFATI
Mice for gamers with "palm" holds
Logitech G400, Logitech G500, Logitech G9x, Logitech G700/Logitech Performance MX (wireless), Saitek Cyborg R.A.T.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104577
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-G500-Programmable-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B002J9GDXI
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Gaming-Mouse-G700/dp/B003VAM32E
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Performance-Mouse-Mac/dp/B002HWRJBM
http://www.amazon.com/Cyborg-R-A-T-Gaming-CCB437030002-04/dp/B003CYKCHW
http://www.amazon.com/Cyborg-R-A-T-Gaming-CCB437050002-04/dp/B003DKJ44C
http://www.amazon.com/Cyborg-R-A-T-7-Gaming-Mouse-MAC/dp/B003CP0BHM
Backlit keyboards: Microsoft Sidewinder X4, Saitek Cyborg V5, Logitech G110, Logitech Illuminated
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-JQD-00001-SideWinder-X4-Keyboard/dp/B002ZV51DI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109191
http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Catz-Inc-CCB44026N002-06/dp/B002SAJCYU
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-002232-Gaming-Keyboard-G110/dp/B002RRLQIO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043
Mechanical keyboard: Razer Blackwidow
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackWidow-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B003ZJ1VD8
No frills, no bells, no whistles: Logitech MK320
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Desktop-MK320-Keyboard/dp/B003VAGXZC
My personal favorites are the Logitech G500 mouse and Microsoft Sidewinder X4. These two mice also fit in with setups using a red,orange+black color theme.
A few I'd sometimes seen recommended here are:
Logitech G9x or G500 mouse
Microsoft Sidewinder x4 or Razor BlackWidow
Alright thanks a bunch, but one more question.
Do you know any good gaming keyboards preferably with a backlit keyboard? Also a good gaming mouse
Cooler Master's bundled thermal grease is quite good.
The more common question regarding thermal grease is how it should be applied. Well don't let the Hyper 212 PLUS's syringe fool you - not too much is needed. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/What-is-the-Best-Way-to-Apply-Thermal-Grease-Part-1/1303/1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131773
The three ASUS boards, the ASUS P8Z77-V LK you looked at, the ASUS P8Z68-V LX Qwan suggested, and the ASUS P8Z68-V LE I list here have their differences. The LK board costs more because it has the best dual video card support of the three. The LX board is the least expensive because it does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports and is the best choice if you do not have a USB 3.0 device and the case you pick does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports. USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and so you should have enough ports on the rear for mouse, keyboard, etc.
I have also forgot to list one cheap case that has one fan: Cooler Master Elite 311.
Here's a Cable Management guide made by Linus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERhxmzQR6xA
The thermal paste included with the CM Hyper 212+ should be fine.
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130645]MSI Z77A-G45[/url]
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131781]ASUS P8Z68-V LX[/url]
Alright thank you very much.
Also @qwan456 what do I need to help build my computer. Like what would you recommend in terms of Thermal Compounds and Cable Ties. And any other advice about how to keep airflow going and keeping the inside of my computer neat.
EDIT: Also I don't plan on adding a second video card, but I don't exactly know any good non-SLI/CFX motherboards.
If you aren't going to overclock, you could get a non-K version of the i7, but considering how it only $15 more to get the 2600k, it may nice to have in case you do plan on doing it in the future. The CM Hyper 212+ is capable of cooling it @ 4.5GHz.
Do you plan on SLI/CFX in the future? I would recommend a 750w PSU if you are going to get a second GTX 570 in that system. Although, you will be able to do it on a 600w-650w if you were to CFX a HD 7850/7870. If you aren't planning on SLI/CFX and just going to upgrade to another single power card in the future, you could save some money on the motherboard and get a quality 550w PSU.
@CrayonScribble would you recommend this [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837]motherboard?[/url]
EDIT: And forgot to add @qwan456 my budget is $1500.
@HyperRyan: In that case, you don't need a K suffix CPU or a Z77/Z68 motherboard.
[quote=CrayonScribble]Are you going to overclock at all and if so how much?[/quote]
I didn't really understand what overclocking meant, I assumed it meant using a computer past what it was designed for. And at the moment I probably won't be doing that.
Cases: CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced, Cooler Master Storm Enforce, NZXT Switch 810, NZXT Phantom 410, NZXT Lexa S, Antec Nine Hundred V3, Antec Twelve Hundred V3, Antec Eleven Hundred, Antec DF-30. Antec DF-85
[quote=HyperRyan]@CrayonScribble
I only plan on playing games such as BF3, Source Games, and Valve Games. Also render, edit, upload videos. So does that mean Ivy Bridges would be better than the Sandy Bridge?
Sorry this is my first build so I was just looking over the reviews and seeing which was best. If you could recommend me a good motherboard?
Are AMDs really better? If so could you do the same and recommend me a motherboard and a processor that is compatible with AMD 7850.
Why is the AX750 overkill? If it is I'll go with the 650 then.
Also you haven't answered my question on what I should get as a case.
EDIT: @above Yeah I forgot to add I will be using a Windows 7 Home Premium OS.
I'll only be playing games like BF3, Source Games, and Valve Games. Also render, edit, upload videos.
My budget is approximately $1500[/quote]
Are you going to overclock at all and if so how much?
@CrayonScribble
I only plan on playing games such as BF3, Source Games, and Valve Games. Also render, edit, upload videos. So does that mean Ivy Bridges would be better than the Sandy Bridge?
Sorry this is my first build so I was just looking over the reviews and seeing which was best. If you could recommend me a good motherboard?
Are AMDs really better? If so could you do the same and recommend me a motherboard and a processor that is compatible with AMD 7850.
Why is the AX750 overkill? If it is I'll go with the 650 then.
Also you haven't answered my question on what I should get as a case.
EDIT: @above Yeah I forgot to add I will be using a Windows 7 Home Premium OS.
I'll only be playing games like BF3, Source Games, and Valve Games. Also render, edit, upload videos.
My budget is approximately $1500
1) The cheaper Corsair Obsidian 650D or Corsair Graphite 600T. The Coolermaster Haf X or Silverstone Raven RV03B are also an option. The Corsair Corsair Carbide 500R is also a good case at a more affordable cost but doesn't have a side windows.
2) Main difference is the higher stock clock on the 2700k. Since the they can both be overclocked, it doesn't matter. Get which ever is cheaper.
3) From what it seem, yes. Don't forget that you need an Operating sytem.
4) The GTX 570 will perform better than the GTX 560 Ti by about ~15% I believe (although there are certain factory OC'd 560Ti that can perform nearly as well as it, but that can be said for the 570 as well).
5) One component is holding back another component and preventing it to perform at optimal speed.
6) For many people 2TB is overkill. For others, 2TB isn't much. How much you need will depends on you. SSD will give you better general performance than a HDD, such as boot times, loading programs, loading a map in a game, etc.
7) DVD Burners reads and writes DVD, whereas DVD Drives just reads them.
What are you going to be doing on this computer exactly? What games you will be playing and at what resolution? What will you be doing outside of gaming?
What's your budget?
1. As you can obviously see I have no case in mind. Therefore is there a case that would fit the dimensions of these items? The case I would prefer would be on with many fans, steel-made, and side window. Though I don't exactly wanna pay over $200. I was thinking about the Corsair Obsidian but it seems expensive.
2. Is there a real difference between an i7-2600k or an i7-2700k? They're exactly the same chip, the i7-2700k is just cherry picked.
3. Are all parts compatible? Ya they are.
4. Is there a difference between a GTX 560 Ti or a GTX 570? 570 is faster I guess, but both are not so great pricepoints at the moment because of AMD's 78xx line. The only reason I'd get one of them is for the prestine levels of quiet-ness that only the 560ti gives you.
5. Can you define bottlenecking and if anything here is being bottleneck'd? Graphics card would be the bottleneck. Bottleneck as the term suggests is the slowest componet.
6. Is 2 TB too much? Also can you tell me about SDDs and if I can put in some later when I get more money? Memory is pretty dirt cheap even with the floods in Thailand, I don't think it's too much. SSDs are just fast, 5 to 10 times faster read speeds? Depends.
7. Whats the difference between DVD Burners and DVD Drives? Drivers is an overarching term, burners mean they can read and write.
Now some questions for you.
Why did you opt to get a i7? Are you doing video encoding etc? Why aren't you getting an Ivybridge etc?
Why are you getting a V-Pro version of that motherboard? Do you really need those SATA ports? Why aren't you getting a Z77 motherboard?
Why aren't you getting an AMD 7850/7870?
And AX750 is overkill, 650 is enough.