General build questions

Taterz

Taterz

Taterz

Associate
Joined
21 Dec 2008
Posts
17
Hey,

Just wondering if someone can help me with a build, just wanting to know if it will all work together/there's some things I should change!

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-112-MS
MSI GeForce GTX 570 1280MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-091-LG
LG W2363D 23" TRUE 120Hz 3D Widescreen LCD Monitor

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-368-IN
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-021-CS
Corsair Force Series 3 120GB SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-360-GI
Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3P Intel Z68

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-196-CMCooler Master CM-690 II Advanced Dominator Case

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-127-MS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-CS
Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 650W V2 High Performance '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-290-CS
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-002-CS
Corsair A70 High-Performance Dual Fan CPU Cooler

What I already have;
Asus DRW-2014L1T 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter

Some WD 500GB HDD

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-002-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=
Asus Xonar DX 7.1 PCI-Express Sound Card

2 SATA cables

Mouse/Keyboard/Headset/Speakers.

Will this all fit together and run smoothly?
Is the PSU big enough?
Can I OC the CPU to 4.40GHz?
Do I need any more cables?
Does the monitor come a DVI cable?
Is it hard to install the SDD and put Windows7 on it along with a few games?

Thanks!
 
Only suggestion I'd make is don't go for Windows 7 OEM, get the full retail version. If you have a faulty Mobo in the future or you upgrade your rig your OEM is registered to your hardware so won't let you put Win 7 onto another system. You pay a little more but its saves so much hastle.
 
A mobo replacement wont break the license.

If you want the OEM, get the Win 7 + Hard Disk bundle to save around £10.

I have the retail for peace of mind. If you can afford the 50% premium, then why not.
 
olivier renault said:
A mobo replacement wont break the license.

If you want the OEM, get the Win 7 + Hard Disk bundle to save around £10.

I have the retail for peace of mind. If you can afford the 50% premium, then why not.
Click to expand...

I think I'll do the same!

Another question;

Are PSU's hard to install? It's the only thing I've never done before, as my last build came with it installed in the case.
 
I brought the upgrade version as I have an old copy of Win XP. If you have an old version of a previous software you are entitled to buy the upgrade. To install the upgrade all you do is install as per a fresh install on a blank drive. But when asked to to enter your license number don't. This will install as a 120 day trial license. Once completed the install start up Win 7 and put the Win 7 disc back in. It will recognise you are starting the install and going for an upgrade. This time when you get to the license submission, enter your license as it will now be recognised as an upgrade license. Complete the install and activate online and your done. And as its retail version you can do it on any system as long as only 1 version running at a time, the benefits of the Retail version :)
 
I've got two corsairs installed in my machines at home and they are silent and excellent PSU's. The one you've chosen above is not a modular one like mine so the difference is that with a modular one you only plug the power cables in you need. The one above comes with all the cables attached so its like a power harness and the only issue you'll find is tucking them away and making it look neat and making sure the excess cables don't restrict air flow, which is critical to stop any over heating.
 
Taterz said:
I think I'll do the same!

Another question;

Are PSU's hard to install? It's the only thing I've never done before, as my last build came with it installed in the case.
Click to expand...

Really straight forward. They just screw to the bottom of the case, at the back. The main issue with non modular PSUs like the TX650V2 (great PSU), is cable management, and hiding cables that you don't need. Also deciding if you want the fan facing inside the case, or outside the case (at the bottom). Depends mostly if the surface the case will be standing on is relatively free of dust, and if the fan is exhaust or intake (sucking dust into PSU = bad).

You should have plenty of space behind the motherboard tray in the CM 690 II. Usually, you install the PSU, then you route the PSU cables straight through the cable management holes under the motherblard, so the case is nicely ventilated with no cable getting in the way.

 
GodMac said:
I brought the upgrade version as I have an old copy of Win XP. If you have an old version of a previous software you are entitled to buy the upgrade. To install the upgrade all you do is install as per a fresh install on a blank drive. But when asked to to enter your license number don't. This will install as a 120 day trial license. Once completed the install start up Win 7 and put the Win 7 disc back in. It will recognise you are starting the install and going for an upgrade. This time when you get to the license submission, enter your license as it will now be recognised as an upgrade license. Complete the install and activate online and your done. And as its retail version you can do it on any system as long as only 1 version running at a time, the benefits of the Retail version :)
Click to expand...

Ah, sounds good! Wasn't going to buy the Upgrade version as I don't have my XP CD key, but I guess I don't need it!

GodMac said:
I've got two corsairs installed in my machines at home and they are silent and excellent PSU's. The one you've chosen above is not a modular one like mine so the difference is that with a modular one you only plug the power cables in you need. The one above comes with all the cables attached so its like a power harness and the only issue you'll find is tucking them away and making it look neat and making sure the excess cables don't restrict air flow, which is critical to stop any over heating.
Click to expand...

Sounds much better that way, especially since I'm not the tidiest person in the world when it comes to what's going on inside my PC. Could you link me to a modular one? Do I have to get the cables separately?

olivier renault said:
Really straight forward. They just screw to the bottom of the case, at the back. The main issue with non modular PSUs like the TX650V2 (great PSU), is cable management, and hiding cables that you don't need. Also deciding if you want the fan facing inside the case, or outside the case (at the bottom). Depends mostly if the surface the case will be standing on is relatively free of dust, and if the fan is exhaust or intake (sucking dust into PSU = bad).

You should have plenty of space behind the motherboard tray in the CM 690 II. Usually, you install the PSU, then you route the PSU cables straight through the cable management holes under the motherblard, so the case is nicely ventilated with no cable getting in the way.
Click to expand...
I've got 2 cats, so it'll suck up a lot of hair I'd imagine!

Do I need/would you recommend getting a modular PSU with my case then?
 
Not necessary imo, but why not. They are more expensive of course, and most 'modular' PSUs are hybrids, not fully modular. Fully modulars are the 'Gold' rated units like the Corsair AX, Seasonic X-650, very expensive of course. The Corsair HX line is their modular line. You also have the XFX (650W xxx), Antec TP-650 which would be the cheapest option, alongside the Lepa B-750W.
 
IMOA the PSU is the most important part of the system, its the equivalent of the heart! If you heart can't provide the blood to ever organ in your body then you will never get the performance when you need it. If you can afford the extra do it, or you will regret it my friend, believe me from experience I've had a PSU blow in the passed......not nice!

I can't recommend a PSU as I'm not up to date on the latest models but as Olivier Renault says go for "Gold" be a winner!
 
Taterz said:
If I was to just format for a casual clean-up, could I reinstall the OEM version?
Click to expand...

Yes that'd be fine. The license is tied to the motherboard, so as long as it's the same system you're safe to reinstall for a periodical clean-up :)
 
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