Building a new PC for the first time, does this look good.

[Madrun Badrun]

First, I know I'm overdoing a lot of it but I'm looking for something that will still be decent in 5-7 years, when I'm in grad school and can't afford to upgrade.  I'm looking to spend under $2000, which is exactly where this is already after shipping.  I'll be getting it in 1-3 weeks once money comes in.

I'm building for the first time and a bit nervous, so it would be nice if someone can confirm if this will all work together, specifically the PSU.

I think this was the case drinky mentioned in his podcast? 
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

The new core i-7, I'm going to use the heatsink it comes with.
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

motherboard
ntel BOXDP67BG LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121474

SSD for the OSs
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE90G 2.5" 90GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227611

are there better SSDs?  This isn't something I really know about.

A shit-ton of ram, because I will need it if I continue to do more image processing stuff
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBXL
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429

2 of these 1 TB hard drives which I will RAID 1
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

For the GPU I really have no idea what is good.  I want it to be Nvidia for CUDA, and I want the the latest OpenGl, 4.1, (and directX11).
I'm not a pc gamer, but I do want to be able to program CUDA and OpenGL stuff.  I choose this 'couse it looked like the cheepest option.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130595

PSU, I probably don't need 1000W but this was pretty cheep (with the current deal)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182188

dvd drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335
keyboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109148
and $6 wrist strap that I'm will to pay $10 shipping on, to avoid going to a real store
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261001

anything else I need to assemble it?  Does this all work out?  Will the on board sound stuff work or do I need a sound card?

Can I do better in terms of the SSD or harddrives?

Thanks in advance.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

I'm stealing youre thread to ask the same question about the build i'm looking at

I'm probably gunan end up missing on the combo deal so it might end up being a bit more



That's the build i'm looking at, I had no idea what I was really choosing, I was bouncing between NeoGAF's PC thread and this one, so wondering if everything looks ok.

What I use my PC for: I am not a hardcore gamer but I the only thing I would want is for the rig to be able to play Mass Effect 1,2+3, Dragon Age 1 + 2 well and without audio skips which my current computer does amidst it's constant blue screens. Here's my steam library, I would like to be able to run the games with the exception of the Crysis's and such. I won't be salvaging anything from my current PC except a 1TB hard drive I bought a few months ago.

My monitor goes up to 1920 x 1080 which while nice isn't required for me to enjoy games.

Otherwise I mostly browse the internet, watch streaming media and listen to music.

Thanks for the help! I wasn't sure if I should go for this or if this is overkill for my tastes and if I should stick to like NeoGAF's $600 build and upgrade parts to get up the budget I have.

[Joe Molotov]

Can I do better in terms of the SSD or harddrives?

To be honest, I wouldn't bother with an SSD at the moment. I bought one when I built my new PC, but now I'm thinking that was $200 that would have been better spent elsewhere. When you can get 500GB for $200, then maybe they'll be worth it. For now just buy a 2TB Western Digital Caviar Black or a two 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3s. Seagate can bite my ass, I've had two of their drives fail in the past year.

[Madrun Badrun]

I also forgot to ask a really dumb question.  Will that microsoft keyboard work on linux?  I mean will there be drivers avalible for the thing?

Can I do better in terms of the SSD or harddrives?

To be honest, I wouldn't bother with an SSD at the moment. I bought one when I built my new PC, but now I'm thinking that was $200 that would have been better spent elsewhere. When you can get 500GB for $200, then maybe they'll be worth it. For now just buy a 2TB Western Digital Caviar Black or a two 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3s. Seagate can bite my ass, I've had two of their drives fail in the past year.

I'm more concerned about speed than storage with it.  I'm a very impatient man.  Well maybe that is because it takes like 7 mins for my current computer to boot and then open up firefox

edit:  went to get that samsung hardrive and it's 1 per customer
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

[MCD]

Courtesy of /g/.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

What kind of performance would you expect from like the Excellent PC in that list? Would I be running games on high at 1900 x 1200?

[MyNameIsMethodis]

is my build fine plz help evilbore

[Maximus]

has anyone ever told you that you come across a little bit needy?

[Maximus]

it seems ok to me, the combo deal ensures you wont screw up buying an incompatible Motherboard and CPU, The only thing I would advise is if you can afford get a second monitor, you can never have too many monitors. Also just always make sure the case will fit the motherboard, I think it will but I've only ever built one machine so what do I know.
And Father Mike; please dont pay $2000 on a PC you will regret later when you have no money and a machine thats much faster than you need sitting in front of you, that just broke because it overheated and now you cant afford to get new parts because you still have no money from your previous purchase.
If you want to pay a massive amount out on a PC get a Mac Pro, install Bootcamp, and install Linux, there you go you now have three different OS's and you can spend hours tweaking you partitions and whatnot, just an idea.

[Raban]

Methodis, that power supply is too small. Shoot for something in the 700-800w range. Also, make sure your RAM fits the mobo.

Aside from that, everything looks good. I'd look for a different case tho, my experience with CoolerMaster has been beyond awful.

[bachikarn]

I don't think spending $2k on a desktop is ever worth it. Spending that much won't necessarily ensure that it'll last for 5-7 years.

[CajoleJuice]

I don't think spending $2k on a desktop is ever worth it. Spending that much won't necessarily ensure that it'll last for 5-7 years.

.

[Joe Molotov]

I don't think spending $2k on a desktop is ever worth it. Spending that much won't necessarily ensure that it'll last for 5-7 years.

.

Better to spend $1000 now and put the rest of the money in savings, then buy another $1000 PC 3-4 years from now.

[Madrun Badrun]

I don't think spending $2k on a desktop is ever worth it. Spending that much won't necessarily ensure that it'll last for 5-7 years.

.

Better to spend $1000 now and put the rest of the money in savings, then buy another $1000 PC 3-4 years from now.

I'd agree with that except I'd want more that a $1000 now and that savings won't last 3-4 years.

[Smooth Groove]

Suggestions:

Go with a MSI P67-GD65 instead of an Intel because Intel MBs are reliable but restrictive in tweaking.  With the MSI, you can get a lot more performance without giving up much in stability.

Get 8GB of ram for now.  Most tests show that 8gb are adequate for image editing.  You can always get another 8gb if it's not enough.

Get this instead of the 570 GTX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125350&Tpk=gigabyte%20480%20overclock

The 4xx and 5xx share the same Fermi core.  The only difference is that the 5xx has better cooling.  The 480 GTX above has much better cooling than a stock 480 and even a 580.  It also has more ram and a faster core than a 570 GTX. 

Get a Blu-ray drive instead of a DVD-drive because the price difference is small.

PSU with at least 750W

Xigmatek Utgard is a good case

I disagree with Joe and think that a SSD is the best upgrade for a power user.  It gets rid of much of the random lag that comes with using the OS on a hard drive. 

But get a 120 gb Intel instead of that OCZ that you listed.  $30 more for 20 extra GBS and basically the same performance is a no brainer (Intel cheats a little so it's actually less than 120). 

[CajoleJuice]

I don't think spending $2k on a desktop is ever worth it. Spending that much won't necessarily ensure that it'll last for 5-7 years.

.

Better to spend $1000 now and put the rest of the money in savings, then buy another $1000 PC 3-4 years from now.

I'd agree with that except I'd want more that a $1000 now and that savings won't last 3-4 years.

So you're planning on being in debt in 3-4 years because you wanted a $2000 PC? I don't get it. Leave the awesome computers to the well-off, future doctors of the world.

[Madrun Badrun]

No juice I plan on being in dept because in 2.5 years I'll be a poor masters student, not because I'm getting a computer now. 

Suggestions:

Thanks, this is what I was looking for.  If I go with 8GB ram how easy is it to get the same ram again if I decide to upgrade latter?  Does it matter that all the sticks are the same or can I get 8GB of different memeory as long as they run at the same frequency? 

this is the only 120 intel one I found and it has pretty shitty write times
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167035

compaired to what I was going to get.

If I'm only going to use it for my OSs and a few main programs, 90GB should be more than enough no?

changed the graphics card and MB.  Also did the bluy ray drive.

The mother board says ram 1600 OC, so I assume that means I need to over clock it if I want that.  How will OC ram effect heat issuses?  Especially if I go 4 sticks in there? 

[demi]

Linux :gay

[Madrun Badrun]

Not if you are a programmer.

[MCD]

Steve Ballmer: DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS

[Smooth Groove]

No juice I plan on being in dept because in 2.5 years I'll be a poor masters student, not because I'm getting a computer now. 

Suggestions:

Thanks, this is what I was looking for.  If I go with 8GB ram how easy is it to get the same ram again if I decide to upgrade latter?  Does it matter that all the sticks are the same or can I get 8GB of different memeory as long as they run at the same frequency? 

this is the only 120 intel one I found and it has pretty shitty write times
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167035

compaired to what I was going to get.

If I'm only going to use it for my OSs and a few main programs, 90GB should be more than enough no?

changed the graphics card and MB.  Also did the bluy ray drive.

The mother board says ram 1600 OC, so I assume that means I need to over clock it if I want that.  How will OC ram effect heat issuses?  Especially if I go 4 sticks in there? 

Intel chipsets are not very sensitive about ram from different manufactures.  You just have to set the same speeds for all sticks. 

4 sticks will require more power and generate more heat, regardless of OCing.  Also, 4 sticks tend to be harder to overclock than just 2 because of the added burden on the memory controller.  That's why it's better to start off with 2 sticks and see if it's enough.

The Intel SSDs might have slower sustained writes but their random access performances are still the fastest, which has the biggest impact on normal usage.  Unless you're gonna be copying >1 gb files regularly, I wouldn't worry. 

[MyNameIsMethodis]

it seems ok to me, the combo deal ensures you wont screw up buying an incompatible Motherboard and CPU, The only thing I would advise is if you can afford get a second monitor, you can never have too many monitors. Also just always make sure the case will fit the motherboard, I think it will but I've only ever built one machine so what do I know.
And Father Mike; please dont pay $2000 on a PC you will regret later when you have no money and a machine thats much faster than you need sitting in front of you, that just broke because it overheated and now you cant afford to get new parts because you still have no money from your previous purchase.
If you want to pay a massive amount out on a PC get a Mac Pro, install Bootcamp, and install Linux, there you go you now have three different OS's and you can spend hours tweaking you partitions and whatnot, just an idea.

If I had the real estate i'd get a second monitor but I don't . Thanks for the help though.

[Madrun Badrun]

No juice I plan on being in dept because in 2.5 years I'll be a poor masters student, not because I'm getting a computer now. 

Suggestions:

Thanks, this is what I was looking for.  If I go with 8GB ram how easy is it to get the same ram again if I decide to upgrade latter?  Does it matter that all the sticks are the same or can I get 8GB of different memeory as long as they run at the same frequency? 

this is the only 120 intel one I found and it has pretty shitty write times
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167035

compaired to what I was going to get.

If I'm only going to use it for my OSs and a few main programs, 90GB should be more than enough no?

changed the graphics card and MB.  Also did the bluy ray drive.

The mother board says ram 1600 OC, so I assume that means I need to over clock it if I want that.  How will OC ram effect heat issuses?  Especially if I go 4 sticks in there? 

Intel chipsets are not very sensitive about ram from different manufactures.  You just have to set the same speeds for all sticks. 

4 sticks will require more power and generate more heat, regardless of OCing.  Also, 4 sticks tend to be harder to overclock than just 2 because of the added burden on the memory controller.  That's why it's better to start off with 2 sticks and see if it's enough.

The Intel SSDs might have slower sustained writes but their random access performances are still the fastest, which has the biggest impact on normal usage.  Unless you're gonna be copying >1 gb files regularly, I wouldn't worry. 

Thanks.  I think I'll go with 8Gb ram then. 

[demi]

Not if you are a programmer.

Very much so if you are programmer. Learn Visual Studio like the rest of the civilized world.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

when I get my new PC I can re-register and not be a leper anymore 

[Madrun Badrun]

Not if you are a programmer.

Very much so if you are programmer. Learn Visual Studio like the rest of the civilized world.

And become soft? I think not.

which is the better ram?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-20-233-144-_-Product
or
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

[Smooth Groove]

G.Skill has much better rep in recent years.  Also, those Corsair heatsinks are distinguished mentally-challenged long and do nothing but get in the way of other components. 

[duckman2000]

Looking into getting a proper PC now, sort of need it to get anything out of AE CS5. Anyone know how much AE benefits from a Core i5 over, say, a regular old C2D?

[MyNameIsMethodis]

Well I mean you'll be working alot more efficiency and faster but Adobe Elements was made to work on lower end machines.

Anyone know a good guide for putting together the pc

[duckman2000]

After Effects, dude. Not Adobe Elements. It's native 64-bit now so I'd imagine there would be a solid difference, but I lost track at C2D.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

  my bad, you'll have a night and day processing difference though

[Smooth Groove]

Adobe software usually works great with hyperthreading so you should probably one that has it.  Even without HT, a i5/i7 is generally faster at the same clocks as a C2D especially if you're just using a dual-core C2D. 

[MCD]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/31/intel-finds-sandy-bridge-chipset-design-flaw-shipments-stopped/

Oh shit fuck son.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

uhhh is that all sandy briges

[Great Rumbler]

i5 and i7 are fine [for the moment], this is series 6 that's being recalled.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

so would you reccomend I buy a sandy bridge right now or just go for a cheaper AMD system 

[Madrun Badrun]

i5 and i7 are fine [for the moment], this is series 6 that's being recalled.

series 6?

[Great Rumbler]

i5 and i7 are fine [for the moment], this is series 6 that's being recalled.

series 6?

This article provides some more detailed information:

Intel this morning warned of a serious bug with the Cougar Point chipset that would force it to delay desktop PCs using its Sandy Bridge processors. Those using the 6 series have a flaw that gradually degrades the performance of the SATA ports over time, eventually affecting the speed of hard drives and optical drives. The issue was in hardware and needed a reworking at the factory for a fix.

Not all desktops were affected, Intel said, as the flaw was limited to quad Core i5 and i7 chips. Notebooks use a different platform, Huron River, and shouldn't face the setback.

The problem has already been resolved but will delay many desktop computers by a month. Shipments of the patched chipset will arrive in late February and won't be back to full speed until April.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/01/31/intel.cougar.point.desktop.chipset.has.sata.bug/

From what I understand here, this isn't a problem for those buying the parts separately, but an issue for people who buy premade PCs.

[Madrun Badrun]

OK doesn't effect me then.

[MyNameIsMethodis]

I did some reading up and apparently it has to do with the SATA ports that are 3GB. It's not a matter of "if it breaks" it's a matter of "when it breaks" but they said it'll be between 5-10 years for that to happen I guess? Not too sure. Don't really know what to do. I need a new computer extremely badly and can't really wait the month. Anyone got a idea?

[Madrun Badrun]

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

Deactivated. This item is currently out of stock and it may or may not be restocked.

well fuck, i guess it does affect me

[MyNameIsMethodis]

Same, prob gunna grab AMD 

[Madrun Badrun]

I'll wait I guess   and I just got my monies today too.

[Madrun Badrun]

Intel will begin shipping the fixed version of the chipset in late February.

fuck, bump this thread in a month I guess.

[duckman2000]

So how is AMD these days anyway? Have they been completely run over by intel, or do they have competitive products?

[MyNameIsMethodis]

completely run over according to gaf when it comes to Sandy Bridge.

I don't know what to do. I doubt my PC could last 2 more months.

[Cormacaroni]

So the worst case scenario here is you don't post on the internet for 2 months? I can live with that.

[Great Rumbler]

Apparently the SATA 3.0 ports aren't affected, meaning that you should be able to use those just fine.

[Smooth Groove]

Luckily for Intel, the problem lies with the cheaper chipsets and not the processors.  But for consumers, it's a major bitch since a mobo swap most likely means reinstalling Windows all over again. 

[Corporal]

AMD can't touch intel when it comes down to performance, but they're usually dirt cheap in comparison. I bet they're cursing their fate. If they had managed to get their new chips out by now they'd be raking it in. Oh well.

For all of you wringing their hands in full-blown panic mode, just get a disposable mobo and CPU for as cheap as you can find to tide you over until the superior chipset comes out around march, then fence the fuckers and get a Sandybridge mobo of your choice. I doubt you'll lose much money that way. Maybe you'll even get to like the cheapo solution and wait for later Sandybridge revisions to again totally obliterate everything before. Or maybe even one of the future AMD chips in Q2/11 that are rumoured to at least get near Sandybridge again. Oh who am I kidding. Like Intel will let that happen. 

[Smooth Groove]

Intel fucked themselves by being greedy.  There's nothing about Sandy Bridge CPUs that makes them unsuitable for existing chipsets. Hopefully this fiasco would teach them not to force socket upgrades every two years. 

[MyNameIsMethodis]

I'm just going to get a i5 760 or w/e it's called. If it was teh best PC 2 months ago its now the best pC for the next 2 months also. 

[Madrun Badrun]

Looks like sandy bridge is back in stock.  That was fast.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=19-115-070&ReviewNo=2214963&SortField=0&Pagesize=10&IsFeedbackTab=true&rdm=35#scrollHelpful1


ahh, but no motherboards.

[Great Rumbler]

New motherboards are supposed to come out sometime next month, I think.

[Madrun Badrun]

I'm just going to get a more expensive mb
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131693

this has 4 SATA 6GB ports, and all I need is 4 so this will work and then I may do the recall replacement when ever that comes.

Still have to buy the actual processer from tigerdirect though

[Madrun Badrun]

DONE.  feels good man.  Came in less than 2000 even though I had to pay $50 more for the MB and $20 extra shipping because newegg won't sell the processor. 

[Madrun Badrun]

Newegg has already deactivated the mother board I bought.  It hasn't shipped yet.  If they don't ship it I'll be pissed as fuck.

[Boogie]

Well, since it's been four and a half years since I last bought a pc, I thought I'd look into a new system.  Probably going to have a local store put something together for me.

They gave me this in their estimate:

Core i7 950 3.06 ghz
6 GB corsair DDR-3 ram
1280 MB geforce gtx 570
1 TB HD

How's that measure up currently gaming-wise?

[Great Rumbler]

That'll play just about every game out there at the highest settings with no problems.

[Pringo]

Well, since it's been four and a half years since I last bought a pc, I thought I'd look into a new system.  Probably going to have a local store put something together for me.

They gave me this in their estimate:

Core i7 950 3.06 ghz
6 GB corsair DDR-3 ram
1280 MB geforce gtx 570
1 TB HD

How's that measure up currently gaming-wise?

Unless you're specifically getting a really good deal on the 950 try to go with a 2600K or a 2500K instead. The 2600K sells for roughly the same price but is significantly faster than the 950. No point in buying one right now imo.