New Build Advice Please

edshee

edshee

edshee

Associate
Joined
11 Feb 2011
Posts
33
Hey guys,

Firstly, what a great forum you have here. It's really informative and i've tried my best to read all the relevant threads before posting another "plz help" thread.

Basically I'm planning on building my first PC from scratch. I intend to use it for Gaming, Photo editing/image manip, CAD and Computer Modelling. I've thrown together what I feel is a suitable build for my requirements but there may be compatibility issues or more suitable components that I've overlooked in my inexperience.

CPU: Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz (Bloomfield) (Socket LGA1366) - Retail

I understand this will make no difference over an i5 for gaming but should help with CAD and heavy processing tasks? I have no immediate plans to overclock.

GPU: XFX ATI Radeon HD 6870 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

Will be playing a variety of games on full graphics on a 1920x1200 resolution with plans to move to dual-screen soon.

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 Motherboard

I've picked this for it's low price. Is this an error? What will I gain by spending extra cash?

RAM: Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Triple Channel (CMX6GX3M3A1600C9)

Is 6gb adequate for image manipulation/cad with the i7 950?

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 2 500W Power Supply

I read in the guides that you really shouldn't skimp on a PSU, but dont really know the benefits of spending a lot. Will 500W be enough to support the suggested build? I won't be going SLI/Crossfire anytime in the near future.

CASE: Zalman Z9 Plus Tower Case with Fan Controller - Black

I've read some good reviews and it looks cool (always a bonus).

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (ST31000528AS)

It's cheap and large enough. I'm considering two of these, i'm guessing thats just personal preference though.

CPU Cooler: Akasa AK-CCX-4002HP Venom CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366/AM2/AM3)

I've picked this because it looks awesome. I'm guessing this isn't necessary if I don't overclock? Will it increase the lifetime of my CPU at all?

DVD drives: 2x LiteOn IHAS124-19 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM


Do I need to buy controller cards? It wasn't mentioned in the Guides but it seems the case only comes with front USB. I'd like a few more at the back as well as a networking port. Do I have to buy that too?

Sorry for such a long post. I just want to be really sure i'm making the correct choices before investing so much money.

Many thanks,

Ed
 
mikey1090 said:
You might want to throw in a solid state drive. I've been hearing amazing things about them.
Click to expand...

What benefit do they provide? (I assume they have much faster transfer rates, but how does this affect performance).

They're also pretty expensive. If I was to consider it i'd have to make cuts elsewhere. Would you recommend it still if it meant skimping out elsewhere?

Ed
 
edshee said:
What benefit do they provide? (I assume they have much faster transfer rates, but how does this affect performance).

They're also pretty expensive. If I was to consider it i'd have to make cuts elsewhere. Would you recommend it still if it meant skimping out elsewhere?

Ed
Click to expand...

Planning on getting one in my next build. If you have the OS installed and core applications like your CAD software, photoshop etc and maybe some frequently used games, it can making things insanely fast apparently. The OS will boot up in seconds not minutes, software will load very quickly and loading maps in games is also insanely quick! I've not yet had one myself, this is all what I've read on this forum from those that own them, and in the reviews section of the relevant product on the main OC site :)
 
I would buy a sandybridge system rather than a 1366 based build and if you are not sure do some investigating on here and google about them, and also consider buying a 650/700w to cover any future graphics card changes, and for the resolution you are gaming at I would go for a 6950 . I have no idea what your budget constraints are, and obviously that will affect what you can and cant do.

Whatever happens it will be great.

This will give you an idea about sandybridge

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/22
 
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mikey1090 said:
Planning on getting one in my next build. If you have the OS installed and core applications like your CAD software, photoshop etc and maybe some frequently used games, it can making things insanely fast apparently. The OS will boot up in seconds not minutes, software will load very quickly and loading maps in games is also insanely quick! I've not yet had one myself, this is all what I've read on this forum from those that own them, and in the reviews section of the relevant product on the main OC site :)
Click to expand...

Sounds pretty amazing, I'll go read up on it now. Sounds like it really may be worth considering, even if just for the OS.

Thanks
 
Liquid said:
I would buy a sandybridge system rather than a 1366 based build and if you are not sure do some investigating on here and google about them, and also consider buying a 650/700w to cover any future graphics card changes, and for the resolution you are gaming at I would go for a 6950 . I have no idea what your budget constraints, and obviously that will affect what you can and cant do.

Whatever happens it will be great.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping to keep the whole build under £1000 (including speaker system), ideally under £900. Getting a 6950 will add a good £50 to my overall price. It's just a case of deciding where to cut that from.
 
edshee said:
I'm hoping to keep the whole build under £1000 (including speaker system), ideally under £900. Getting a 6950 will add a good £50 to my overall price. It's just a case of deciding where to cut that from.
Click to expand...


Totally understand, always a trauma for me too lol. It is however worth noting that should you go the sandybridge i5 2500k route, you will have change from the money the 1366 stuff is going to cost you as well.
 
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Liquid said:
Totally understand, always a trauma for me too lol. It is however worth noting that should you go the sandybridge i5 2500k route, you will have change from the money the 1366 stuff is going to cost you as well.
Click to expand...

The one thing i'm almost certainly set on is an i7. I may not be using it immediately but there's a good chance I'll end up with a job in modelling/CAD when I graduate and the i7 would really help there. (please correct me if i'm wrong, it's just the impression i've got from my reading around).

I'm wondering about the sandybridge vs 1366 right now. Realistically I don't intend to overclock because I'm terrified of reducing the lifetime of my CPU. This may be a completely irrational fear though.

This means there's no real reason to go for the 2600k over the 2600 (with 2 extra years warranty) if I go sandybridge. So is the 2600 still worth taking over the i7 950/960?

Also did you mean that sandybridge motherboards are cheaper?

thanks
 
Untitled-38.png


Why are you not getting Sandybridge?

2600K vs 950 cpu - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/287?vs=100

So in the build above.

Crossfire/sli motherboard at 8X/8X

Blue-ray player and a dvd burner.

Better 6950GPU

Same case you like.

XFX psu made by Seasonic, that also has 4pci-e connectors for two graphics cards, review - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/XFX-PRO-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1165

========================================================

If you want more memory? swap the 4GB kit for this - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-105-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517
 
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stulid said:
Untitled-38.png


Why are you not getting Sandybridge?

2600K vs 950 cpu - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/287?vs=100

So in the build above.

Crossfire/sli motherboard at 8X/8X

Blue-ray player and a dvd burner.

Better 6950GPU

Same case you like.

XFX psu made by Seasonic, that also has 4pci-e connectors for two graphics cards, review - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/XFX-PRO-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1165

========================================================

If you want more memory? swap the 4GB kit for this - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-105-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517
Click to expand...

thanks v much for that. If ever I needed something to make my mind up 2600 vs 950 you've just provided it.

It really does seem to provide far better across the board.

Do I need a 2600k though? Given its high performance there may be no need to overclock. The 2600 is marginally cheaper and comes with a 3 year warranty. Are the warranties pretty useless or is it something I may actually use if something goes wrong?

I'll probably drop the Blu-ray drive since I doubt i'll use it. I tend to download my media.

Would sticking with the 6870 and throwing in a SS HDD be a viable option or would you recommend the gpu upgrade instead?

Ed
 
The K only benefits from a better onboard graphics core, which you wont be using, and the P67 motherboard cant make use of either(need a H67 for this) and an unlocked multiplier for easier overclocking.

if thats not your thing, then get the 2600cpu.

6870 vs 6950 performance - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/293?vs=290

Or you can use a GTX560ti and even a second card in SLI with the same psu.
 
tbh it's hardly even called overclocking and it would rapid even at stock. Get the MSI P67A-GD65, has a great feature of an onboard overclock button, just push it and your done. Really sweet board to be honest. You would be insane to miss out on an overclock that is designed to be there.
 
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so with the 2600cpu and using the stock supplied heatsink.

ditch the blue-ray.

GTX560ti card

But added a 90GB SSD
 
How does this look?



I figured basically I'd go with the 2600K and keep the CPU cooler in case I want to overclock it. I've dropped to a cheaper MOBO because the only difference seemed to be the SLI support.

If you guys heavily recommend upgrading the GPU a bit then i'd be more inclined to go for the 560ti instead of the 6950. This would mean i'd have to spend another £20 or so on the MOBO though.

The case is currently out of stock. What would you guys recommend as a substitute case with good cooling at a similar price?
 
edshee said:
How does this look?



I figured basically I'd go with the 2600K and keep the CPU cooler in case I want to overclock it. I've dropped to a cheaper MOBO because the only difference seemed to be the SLI support.

If you guys heavily recommend upgrading the GPU a bit then i'd be more inclined to go for the 560ti instead of the 6950. This would mean i'd have to spend another £20 or so on the MOBO though.

The case is currently out of stock. What would you guys recommend as a substitute case with good cooling at a similar price?
Click to expand...

GTX560ti vs 6870 - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/330?vs=290 for just £11 more.

the build is great, if your sure one fast gpu is all you need then the motherboard is fine, and has the new UEI BIOS and lots of SAT3.0 ports.

choice of cases,

HAF 912 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-221-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29 great price.

Antec 100 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-161-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=160

CM 430 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-214-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29
 
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