Hardware noob building first PC.

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:06

Hey guys. Just signed up here, thought this might be a great place to get some help with hardware. That said, I have been discussing this elsewhere too, and I'm pretty much at the point where I have in my head what I'm going to buy, and I'm at the point where I'm ready to actually buy everything. But I needed some help with one last thing, and that's a case, and fans.

Incase this needs to be known, these are the specs I'm going with (after days researching the parts):

GPU:
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560 Ti 950MHz 1GB PCI-Express HDMI SuperOverclocked.

CPU:
Intel Sandybridge i5-2500K Unlocked Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155).

Motherboard:
Asus P8P67 Pro R3 P67 Socket 1155 8 Channel HD Audio ATX Motherboard.

RAM:
G-Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600mhz Ripjaws Memory Kit CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.5V.

HDD:
Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 1TB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 32MB Cache.

Disc Drive:
Samsung SH-S223 22x DVD

CPU Cooler:
Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator and Fan Socket LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA775, AM3, AM2+, AM2 CPU Cooler.

And the case I'm looking at is the Cooler Master CM 690 II. But here's where I needed help. I really know nothing about hardware except for what I've learned over the last week and a half from others. And I was looking on Newegg (as I like their Pros/Cons system for user reviews), and I saw that there's an 'Advanced' version and a 'Basic' version of the same case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=cooler_master_690_ii-_-11-119-216-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=cooler_master_690_ii-_-11-119-215-_-Product

So, first question, can someone explain to me the difference between these cases? It's probably written in the 'details' section, but knowing little about all this stuff, I really have no idea what I'm reading in regards to how they differ.

And also, is this the 'Basic' with a different name? (Lite):

http://www.******.com/product/221737

And if not, how does this differ from the others?

---

Second question, how many fans will I need to buy for this case, and what size? Also, any recommendations on fans that can move a lot of air, but are also pretty quiet? bare in mind that this PC will be sat on this table right next to me as I'd rather keep it up and away from the carpet, so the quieter the better.

Sorry for the wall of text! Any help will be greatly appreciated, and if there's any technical explanations to be done, please try and keep them simple so I can keep up!

Cheers

stulid · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:10

heres the difference between the two cases

there is no "basic" so it must be another term for the Lite.

You wont need any extra fans with either case.

Your proposed spec is great, what PSU are you thinking of?

Lemin · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:13

XFX 650W XXX Edition Modular Power Supply [P1-650X-NLG9]
£76.99 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

& id get shorter ram to fit under cpu cooler...

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) [CMX4GX3M2A1600C9]
£43.99 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS

or even...

XFX Pro 550W Core Edition Power Supply
£50.99 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-007-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1497

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:30

stulid said:
heres the difference between the two cases

there is no "basic" so it must be another term for the Lite.

You wont need any extra fans with either case.

Your proposed spec is great, what PSU are you thinking of?

Ah, sorry mate. Was planning on getting this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Was told elsewhere that it would be wiser going 850 as I may go Sli down the road a bit, and I'm looking to overclock the CPU a bit, and the GPU is already overclocked (superclocked?) out of the box.

Great vid by the way, summed it up without any confusing descriptions. Cheers

stulid · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:31

Your good to go then

great PSU!!!

Just pick between the two cases.

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:37

Lemin said:
XFX 650W XXX Edition Modular Power Supply [P1-650X-NLG9]
£76.99 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

& id get shorter ram to fit under cpu cooler...

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) [CMX4GX3M2A1600C9]
£43.99 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS

or even...

XFX Pro 550W Core Edition Power Supply
£50.99 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-007-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1497

I saw this pic of someone else's setup, and he was using the same mobo, cooler and case as I'm planning on getting, and he had some clearance with the Ripjaws RAM.

This is why I decided to stick with this RAM. Do you think it's enough clearance?

stulid · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:38

Anesthetize said:
Do you think it's enough clearance?

That plenty then, pictures dont lie.

Lemin · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:45

That ram looks like its in slots 3 & 4 to me, so you lose 1 & 2. Or am i blind ?

J-FRO · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:49

Just out of curiosity, hopefully somebody else might be able to clarify this, but if you're spending that much on a CPU cooler, would it not be more beneficial to go for something like the corsair H50/H60/H70 or an Antec Kúhler?

How does the Noctua NH-D14 compare to an all-in-one watercooling CPU cooler?

stulid · 14 Apr 2011 at 18:52

J-FRO said:
Just out of curiosity, hopefully somebody else might be able to clarify this, but if you're spending that much on a CPU cooler, would it not be more beneficial to go for something like the corsair H50/H60/H70 or an Antec Kúhler?

How does the Noctua NH-D14 compare to an all-in-one watercooling CPU cooler?

This has been talked about before, the Noctua is capable of better overclocks because its able to shift more heat.

Edit - http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/corsair_h70_review/3

see the i7 OC load results with the Noctua and the CorsairH70.

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 19:21

stulid said:
That plenty then, pictures dont lie.

Oh, they can. But in this case I'm inclined to believe

J-FRO · 14 Apr 2011 at 19:23

Interesting, just came accross this one comparing several coolers running a 990x @5Ghz.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/zardon/antec-kuhler-h20-620-liquid-cooler-review/4/

See there they're showing the Antec Khuler coming up a very close second in comparison to the Noctua when running at 5Ghz with fans at default speed all put in an Antec Twelve Hundred case in a room at 20 degree to supposedly "try and mirror more ‘realistic’ conditions".

I'm not speaking authoratively by any means and don't want this to be an argument, just a general discussion. It just seems to me that if you can save a few quid, have something a lot smaller and more than likely quieter and achieve almost similar results, then why not go for that instead?

Like the review says on the 6th page:

[the Antec Kühler H20 620 Liquid Cooler] still can’t outperform the Noctua NH D14, but there are key benefits with the Kühler design. For one, it takes up less physical space and ensures that other components can be easily accessed, such as memory modules. While the NH D14 can cause fitting problems for oversized memory heatspreaders, the Kühler can be paired with any memory on the market.

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 19:29

Lemin said:
That ram looks like its in slots 3 & 4 to me, so you lose 1 & 2. Or am i blind ?

Not too sure. If so, would this cause any issues?

J-FRO said:
Just out of curiosity, hopefully somebody else might be able to clarify this, but if you're spending that much on a CPU cooler, would it not be more beneficial to go for something like the corsair H50/H60/H70 or an Antec Kúhler?

How does the Noctua NH-D14 compare to an all-in-one watercooling CPU cooler?

My reason for going with the D14 was because I kept getting mixed reactions on lots of other coolers from people and through reviews. And while I don't believe I'll ever overclock my CPU to the point of really needing a D14, it's the one cooler that's been nothing but consistent in reviews and recommendations from others. And as a first time build, I just want to be sure I'm gonna be able to keep everything cool, so I'm spending out a little here for the D14.

As for liquid coolers, as safe as they may be, I wouldn't trust myself enough to install one. And even if I did, I'd still be concerned about airflow. So an air cooler just feels like the safer option for me.

stulid · 14 Apr 2011 at 19:31

Theres no performance issues using thos Ram slots.

But if you wanted more ram, you may have to sell them and then buy a 8GB kit(4GB X 2)

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 19:33

J-FRO said:
Interesting, just came accross this one comparing several coolers running a 990x @5Ghz.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/zardon/antec-kuhler-h20-620-liquid-cooler-review/4/

See there they're showing the Antec Khuler coming up a very close second in comparison to the Noctua when running at 5Ghz with fans at default speed all put in an Antec Twelve Hundred case in a room at 20 degree to supposedly "try and mirror more ‘realistic’ conditions".

I'm not speaking authoratively by any means and don't want this to be an argument, just a general discussion. It just seems to me that if you can save a few quid, have something a lot smaller and more than likely quieter and achieve almost similar results, then why not go for that instead?

Like the review says on the 6th page:

As said above, I just feel safer with an air cooler as this is my first build. And part of the reason for the Noctua as opposed to another air cooler is the fact that while I may not overclock excessively, the temperatures within this room can get pretty warm, even in the winter.

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 19:35

stulid said:
Theres no performance issues using thos Ram slots.

But if you wanted more ram, you may have to sell them and then buy a 8GB kit(4GB X 2)

I don't think I'd ever go more than 8GB, so I'd be okay with that.

That said though, would it be better to use one stick of 4GB instead of two sticks of 2GB? or would that cause problems?

stulid · 14 Apr 2011 at 19:37

The CPU has dual channel memory controller, you will get more bandwidth by installing a pair.

The motherboard ram slots are usually colored to show which pairs to fill to make the dual channel work.

Anesthetize · 14 Apr 2011 at 20:01

stulid said:
The CPU has dual channel memory controller, you will get more bandwidth by installing a pair.

The motherboard ram slots are usually colored to show which pairs to fill to make the dual channel work.

Got it