Newbie here. First Build. OK? :)

OCMystery · 28 Apr 2009 at 10:16

Hello there,

i bought a new computer last september, but i broke it. very upset that i broke it cos it was expensive. but i thought that this time round i would build my own computer, not only cos i hate the ***p they pile on retail PC's. but also cos i always wanted to build my own PC

anyways, was just wondering if this spec is a good one?

Intel Core i7 920 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366) - OEM
Gigabyte EX58-UD5 Intel X58 (Socket 1366) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
OCZ Gold 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel (OCZ3G1600LV6GK)
Corsair TX 650W ATX SLi Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650TXUK)
Coolermaster CM-690 Dominator Case - Black (No PSU)
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler (Socket LGA1366/LGA775)
Samsung SpinPoint F1 320GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD322HJ)

that is everything i have in my basket that i would buy for my PC.

i have a video card, sound card keyboard mouse and OS

is there anything else i will need? apart from thermal gel for CPU

any advice would be brilliant thanks

OCMystery UK

CK61938 · 28 Apr 2009 at 10:21

What graphics do you have? Also might be an idea to go for the D0 stepping of the Core i7 920 unless of course you are on a budget...also go for a 650W PSU just to be on the safe side...

karl01 · 28 Apr 2009 at 10:28

He as gone for a 650w psu! looks good but i would also go for the DO stepping core i7.

CK61938 · 28 Apr 2009 at 10:29

karl01 said:
He as gone for a 650w psu! looks good but i would also go for the DO stepping core i7.

it was 500W before he changed it lol

OCMystery · 28 Apr 2009 at 10:34

thanks for your replies! err what does the Do stepping mean? lol im really new to all this.

also i have nvidia 9800 GT graphics card

CK61938 · 28 Apr 2009 at 10:55

OCMystery said:
thanks for your replies! err what does the Do stepping mean? lol im really new to all this.

also i have nvidia 9800 GT graphics card

The D0 stepping allows for you to overclock your CPU at faster speeds without too much effort...I believe the C0 stepping had some problems when people were trying to overclock it past 3.5GHz...with the D0 stepping you could hit 4.0GHz with the littlest effort.

The graphics card you have will be fine I should hope...altho might be best to go for either a GTX260, GTX275 or ATI 4870 or ATI 4890...

karl01 · 28 Apr 2009 at 10:56

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-280-IN

Have a read m8 it should help.

matthewhotdude · 28 Apr 2009 at 11:19

Am I the only one wondering how he broke his old one

OCMystery · 28 Apr 2009 at 11:31

lol i broke it trying to mess around on the inside

note to self, never buy a retail pc again, they make it impossible to get in the case proply!!!

thanks for all your help everyone! i feel rest assured i am getting the right components!

this might sound like a stupid question, but is there anything else i will need for this PC to run?

will my old power cable work fine? how about any extra cables? thermal gel? (does that come with the heatsink fan?)

thanks again

wrayvon · 28 Apr 2009 at 12:38

If you buying a new PSU it will most likely come with a power lead! Thermal gel does come with the heatsink, but its advisable to buy an aftermarket one. I recommend Artic MX-2

OCMystery · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:09

thank you everyone, this is great, i feel like i have learned a lot. appreciate it.

when i buy all this gear and build my PC i will let you all know how i get on!!!

killari · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:17

OCZ Freeze is another excellent thermal paste.

Something I noticed that you don't have (which is crucial) is a fan for your heatsink.
I'd recommend these:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-004-NC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4

Either 1 in a push setup or 2 in a push/pull configuration. They are expensive but well worth it.

GL with the build

karl01 · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:46

good look with your build! Post some pics whem you have finished.

OCMystery · 28 Apr 2009 at 14:20

oh god yea! a fan! does it matter which fan i buy? or just a 120mm fan is fine? do i have to worry about any compatibility with sizes? want to make sure i buy the right one!

there is the possibility of having an extra fan at the top of the case does it matter which size i get for this one?!

thanks

cmndr_andi · 28 Apr 2009 at 17:01

The fan can be pretty important. You are looking for something which has a high static pressure, high airflow and low noise.

Just like killari, I recommend the Noctua NF-P12. Its an expensive fan at £17, but for such an important bit of kit, it is well worth it. (I have two on my heatsink, they keep it very cool and can hardly be heard)