So I want to build a computer.

So I want to build a computer.

cyrus-the-virus [Team Member]

4/3/2012 10:04:07 AM

OK so I want to build a computer for gaming, blender, possibly a CAD program. I put together this spec sheet. Just looking for some opinions/suggestions.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=23726027

1: I know the case is overkill. It's a pure want. Plus I figure I can recycle it for future builds.
2: Will I be able to use the SSD I choose as a boot drive? I really don't have a need for a huge amount of storage. Plus I can always expand.

thank you for your time

seattleducati [Team Member]

4/3/2012 11:44:57 AM

I would say that you've got a good start. Things i would add would be another standard type hard drive, 120 gig is going to disappear fast on you; so I'd add another hard drive. I would also jack the power supply up..I know that's a good price on the one you have but if you want to upgrade things later it might be worth the cost now. And yes, you should be able to use the ssd as a boot drive for your OS.

Peace11uehman [Member]

4/3/2012 12:22:59 PM

Youve done some hw on this. Im not really into the case, but everything else looks good. Do have an OS?

I would use the SSD for the OS, applications and anything else that you use often. I would add a hhd for storage. SSD's become slower as they reach maximum capacity.

501st [Member]

4/3/2012 2:29:36 PM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:
OK so I want to build a computer for gaming, blender, possibly a CAD program. I put together this spec sheet. Just looking for some opinions/suggestions.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=23726027

1: I know the case is overkill. It's a pure want. Plus I figure I can recycle it for future builds.
2: Will I be able to use the SSD I choose as a boot drive? I really don't have a need for a huge amount of storage. Plus I can always expand.

thank you for your time

I know you said you wanted the case, but there are better ones available for less:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

I'd go with this motherboard (better reviews)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

This videocard (more power):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130758

A ~650W Corsair or Seasonic Powersupply

I'd dump the vertex ssd for the SSD Caching (Intel smart response) feature on the Z68 motherboard. You can use the intel 311 SSD (reliability) or 64GB samsung 830 SSD (speed) for the caching function.

For storage use this HDD:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

You should consider DDR3 1600 ram (CAS 7 Latency if possible)

Don't forget quality thermal paste (Tuniq TX-2 is good)

OKC556CPA [Team Member]

4/3/2012 2:31:08 PM

If you're spending that kind of coin on a case, my preference would be a Corsair Obsidian 800D. I went with it for my latest build and love it.

I like the SSD, but you're going to want something for storage. You can find a good 1TB drive for cheap on Newegg. And as someone has mentioned, I'd go with a bigger power supply. Something in the 850-1000 watt range. That way you'll have plenty of room for growth, and it won't hurt too much.

Valhalla-Combat [Team Member]

4/3/2012 3:05:38 PM

Not a bad setup.

I would spend less on the case and CPU fan and bump up to the 2600k and a better mobo.

cedjunior [Member]

4/3/2012 5:04:09 PM

That case is a beast! I've got a Cosmos S and I'm a little envious of that Cosmos 2. I built mine in Nov 2009 and I can say that the filters on the intakes on that case have done a great job at keeping the dust out. Barely any visible dust inside the computer. I do have to a vacuum to it every once in a while though.

cyrus-the-virus [Team Member]

4/3/2012 8:09:58 PM

Originally Posted By 501st:

I took your suggestion on the videocard and MB. I didn't know PCIe 3.0 was back words compatible.

I'm going to stick with my case choice, I like the style and it's big enough to grow into even into water cooling. I Really like the 800D, I'm still kinda on the fence on that one.

I'm OK with the limited space for the SSD. I'm planning on setting up a external hard drive on my network. I also have 240gb of the 320gb available on my laptop. I just don't use a lot of HDD space. But I don't want reliability problems. Are there better drives for SSD only use?

501st [Member]

4/3/2012 8:24:18 PM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Originally Posted By 501st:

Intel 320 or 510 series ssd's.

Though apparently intel's 330 series ssd's should launch in a week and be cheaper than what is currently on the market.

NimmerMehr [Team Member]

4/3/2012 9:20:40 PM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:
1: I know the case is overkill. It's a pure want. Plus I figure I can recycle it for future builds.
thank you for your time

For double your money on that case you can get one with treads, engine, driver's seat and turret.

cyrus-the-virus [Team Member]

4/3/2012 10:16:07 PM

Originally Posted By NimmerMehr:

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:
1: I know the case is overkill. It's a pure want. Plus I figure I can recycle it for future builds.
thank you for your time

For double your money on that case you can get one with treads, engine, driver's seat and turret.

Link?

cyrus-the-virus [Team Member]

4/3/2012 10:20:37 PM

Originally Posted By 501st:

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Originally Posted By 501st:

Intel 320 or 510 series ssd's.

Though apparently intel's 330 series ssd's should launch in a week and be cheaper than what is currently on the market.

Any particular reason you prefer intel drives?

Oh as for an operating system I get a discount for being a student at my college.

72826 [Team Member]

4/3/2012 10:33:25 PM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Any particular reason you prefer intel drives?

Oh as for an operating system I get a discount for being a student at my college.

Intel SSDs have the best reputation for reliability.

501st [Member]

4/3/2012 11:24:07 PM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Originally Posted By NimmerMehr:

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:
1: I know the case is overkill. It's a pure want. Plus I figure I can recycle it for future builds.
thank you for your time

For double your money on that case you can get one with treads, engine, driver's seat and turret.

Link?

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1416&ID=1897

cyrus-the-virus [Team Member]

4/4/2012 1:08:40 AM

Originally Posted By 501st:

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Originally Posted By NimmerMehr:

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:
1: I know the case is overkill. It's a pure want. Plus I figure I can recycle it for future builds.
thank you for your time

For double your money on that case you can get one with treads, engine, driver's seat and turret.

Link?

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1416&ID=1897

The price difference alone would buy me a GTX680

501st [Member]

4/4/2012 4:39:39 AM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Originally Posted By 501st:

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Originally Posted By NimmerMehr:

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:
1: I know the case is overkill. It's a pure want. Plus I figure I can recycle it for future builds.
thank you for your time

For double your money on that case you can get one with treads, engine, driver's seat and turret.

Link?

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1416&ID=1897

The price difference alone would buy me a GTX680

Closest production case to a tank I could find.

NuCkInFuTz [Member]

4/4/2012 7:50:22 PM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:
Any particular reason you prefer intel drives?

Oh as for an operating system I get a discount for being a student at my college.

The only SSDs that should be considered are anything Intel, Crucial M4s, and Samsungs. Intel and Crucial are in a league of their own reliability wise.

Go with a Seasonic (some Corsairs are rebadged Seasonics also) power supply in the 500-600 watt range if you are just getting one card.

I would honestly consider cases like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163154
or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163162
to put money towards a GTX 680, HD 7950, or HD 7870 depending on your budget.
You can't get any more functional for air cooling than those.

Mugzilla [Member]

4/4/2012 10:46:09 PM

Looks good, but it is a little disjointed.

That's a LOT of coin for that case.

That's a LOT of coin for that CPU cooler.

The build I am speccing out right now will use a Corsair 400R; Not AS nice as the other Corsair others are mentioning, but it has many of its features. The 400R will accept Corsair's hydro series H100 water cooling radiator on the top of the case. The H100 is the same price as your cooler.

I am interested in how this Intel SSD interacts with the "SSD Caching (Intel smart response) feature on the Z68 motherboard". Is this something that is automatic, or would I have to set this up? It is ONLY with Intel SSDs?

501st [Member]

4/5/2012 1:08:04 AM

Originally Posted By Mugzilla:
Looks good, but it is a little disjointed.

That's a LOT of coin for that case.

That's a LOT of coin for that CPU cooler.

The build I am speccing out right now will use a Corsair 400R; Not AS nice as the other Corsair others are mentioning, but it has many of its features. The 400R will accept Corsair's hydro series H100 water cooling radiator on the top of the case. The H100 is the same price as your cooler.

I am interested in how this Intel SSD interacts with the "SSD Caching (Intel smart response) feature on the Z68 motherboard". Is this something that is automatic, or would I have to set this up? It is ONLY with Intel SSDs?

http://download.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/intel_smart_response_technology_user_guide.pdf

http://www.pcworld.com/article/248828/how_to_set_up_intel_smart_response_ssd_caching_technology.html

You can use other non intel ssd's, but the intel 313 is the most reliable. (and uses slc flash)

Pro2AinPA [Team Member]

4/11/2012 12:57:45 PM

Originally Posted By 501st:

Wait, did you just say a 560 Ti is a more powerful graphics card than a 680? Color me confused.

501st [Member]

4/11/2012 1:54:01 PM

Originally Posted By Pro2AinPA:

Originally Posted By 501st:

Wait, did you just say a 560 Ti is a more powerful graphics card than a 680? Color me confused.

You do realize he updated the list, right?

cyrus-the-virus [Team Member]

4/12/2012 9:43:03 AM

Originally Posted By Pro2AinPA:

Originally Posted By 501st:

Wait, did you just say a 560 Ti is a more powerful graphics card than a 680? Color me confused.

There was originally a different 560ti in the wishlist when I started this thread.

Pro2AinPA [Team Member]

4/12/2012 10:12:31 AM

Originally Posted By cyrus-the-virus:

Originally Posted By Pro2AinPA:

Originally Posted By 501st:

Wait, did you just say a 560 Ti is a more powerful graphics card than a 680? Color me confused.

There was originally a different 560ti in the wishlist when I started this thread.

Makes a lot more sense now.