Yet another PC build thread.

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-07 20:36

Before I start, thanks to Isladar for allowing me to post links. Now then.

First off: I am new to this, this is my first build as I always just pre-ordered PC's but want to learn. I have had a friend teaching me and have learned a lot, but also have a lot to learn.

I already have some of the stuff purchased, and was unsure of the other parts hence the bulk of my post.

Please correct me on anything I do or say that is wrong, I am posting this to learn how to be efficient and know the facts.

With that said, the build:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160

-Have already.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131641

-Not sure about this one, I know nothing. I just saw the usb 3.0 and figured it would be useful in the future. Also I know the socket matches up for the cpu so it's compatible and has triple channel ram which is what I will be getting.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-225-_-Product

-Read 930's are good for overclocking. Ideally I'd like to sit at 4.0ghz so I will overclock this even though I've never done so before.

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145276

-Was on sale for a bit, picked it up already.

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145286

-I was most likely going to pick up one 2gb x3 kit, but I'm not sure if I should be getting a 2000mhz set or if the 1600mhz set. Thoughts?

Heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106150

-I have 2 options here, I go with the above listed and oc on air or I use this which people here seem to like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%20h50

-Again, not sure which is better. Give me your thoughts.

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-006-_-Product

-Already purchased.

Thermal Grease: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?Sku=O261-8086

GPU: Not sure on this one, looking at these 3 options. Will probably go with the 5970 so I can dual gpu without needing to buy a second one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102893

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130558

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-887-_-Product

As I said, all comments/suggestions/rude remarks welcome - I want to learn.

Currently I am walking out the door to dinner, so I will check any replies when I get back.

Thanks.

**Odesseiron** · 2010-07-07 21:04

I notice you're going for the same CPU I just chose for my build. I suggest you go here to order it, if only the processor. Even tho you're paying tax, you're still saving a significant amount. http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0331303

**dejet** · 2010-07-07 21:36

If you have a MC around you yes, pick it up from them lol

as for the video card if your willing to spend the money you cant go wrong with any of them. they all will play anything and everything you want. My 5870 runs anything just fine. And tests are showing 14 will be just as good on it as well.

HDD is fine but buy the looks of what you are buying you might as well throw in a SSD drive as well(ontop of the sata)

ram: might want to link us to see the timings the 2000mhz might be giving you almost no boost at all depending.

For the MOBO someone else might want to take a closer look at it. It looks fine to me.

Would you be doing crossfire?

edit: i missed it the mobo does support CF

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-07 23:35

I may make the 90 minute+ journey to the closest Microcenter if the rest of the parts are same/cheaper there as well.

The other ram I was looking at was this set:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231374

I don't know much about ram timings so I am not sure if it is a lot better than the 1600 mhz set I linked.

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-08 09:56

Sorry to post again, but I am very open to any better upgrades regardless of cost(If anyone has suggestions). I want to consider them all even if I do not purchase.

I am mainly building this as a gaming rig that will handle XIV well so I do not need to upgrade throughout the life of the game and it runs it well from the start. I might also enjoy a bit of Crysis and Metro 2033 on it I might add though!

Like I said, motherboards/ram/heatsinks are probably the areas where I know the least.

**dejet** · 2010-07-08 11:29

ram looks good, tho you should not need that. If you want to get it just because you can. That Ram are the 2000 is great. the timing is very good on it. so it is not a total waste if you where to opt out for it.

Heatsink is good as well. Its not top of the line but its a nice one anyway you look at it. just dont go around changing your CPU to much lol have you ever used one of them too? its going to be a tad louder then what you are use to.

with what you have there you can hit max settings NP on any game out right now. As well as FF14.

As well as anything that is going to come out for the next few years.

MC is not always cheaper, take a close look at OC speeds and what not before heading out there if it really is a 90min drive.

What others are going to point out is that you can get cheaper stuff more bang for buck.

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-08 11:57

I haven't actually used a non stock fan before. I am alright with a bit louder noise if I need to turn them up, usually playing a movie or music anyway! My current PC I built from Dell's website so it just has a stock intel fan and it's in a really small case.

The case I have now for the new build has 3 fans on it, so I was wondering if I would need more than either of the 2 heatsink options I listed above. I will of course monitor my temperature and either add more cooling or turn down the voltage if I find the 930 running too hot with the set up I have. I think 75c under a full load is about where I want to be on a cpu temp?

**dejet** · 2010-07-08 12:08

I cant really say myself how hot it will run, my 870 I did not OC. It gets the job done so Iv had little reason to OC it.

last CPU I did that to was a Athlon dual core. I would upgrade from the stock, but maybe someone else can give you more input into that.

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-08 12:10

Ah. Yeah I am sure it will run fine stock at 2.8, but I want to try to push it a bit for gaming if I can.

**dejet** · 2010-07-08 12:14

give Celeras a PM, he might be of some help for heatsinks.

**Senji** · 2010-07-08 12:38

You want this cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835608018

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-08 13:14

Is that fan better because it's bigger? I see one of the fans is a bit bigger, other than that I am unsure of the main differences.

**Senji** · 2010-07-08 14:02

Its basically 2 heatsinks and 2 high quality fans integrated into one, resulting in the best air cooler on the market.

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-08 14:13

Alright. I got a full tower case, it should fit fine yeah?

**Senji** · 2010-07-08 14:17

Yup, I had already checked that before even recommending it.

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-08 22:58

Alright, thanks. I will upgrade the fan then to the model you suggested, sounds like it is worth the money especially for overclocking and will last me awhile.

Have any recommendations or things to look for in terms of motherboards? I know a lot of people like ASUS, but also know a lot like EVGA.

**Artemicon** · 2010-07-09 08:42

Case - If money is no object then the 932 is pretty badass. But the 922 has just as much depth its just not as tall so unless you want to add a ton of Hard drives then I would stick with the 922 for less money.

CPU - Good.

Mobo - I don't care much for Asus anymore they've gone down in quality a bit IMO. But to each their own.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128423 Awesome

HDD - Can't beat WD in quality but odds are with you that you won't get a shitty drive from hitachi I just like to up my odds by always going with WD

Ram - That rams fine if you don't plan on overclocking too much. If you end up overclocking an extreme amount id get something like corsair dominator which is really well priced now adays.

If you end up going with the Asus it can handle 2000mhz overclocked (probabaly even more) but you probably couldn't just throw 2000mhz sticks in and expect them to work at 2000mhz speed you'd definetly need to do some overclocking so 1600 imo is fine you'll still more than likely be able to OC them to 2000 when you OC your CPU (if you do).

Heatsink - Don't need it if you don't plan on overclocking the HS that comes with the CPU would be fine... But if you plan on OCing definetly don't skimp here get a higher priced one from most brands. Zalman and Noctua IMO

PSU - Golden if you don't ever plan on SLI

GPU - The more you pay the more power you'll get in relation to the cards you've listed. The 5970 is pretty much Best in show right now. But im more partial to Nvidia myself.

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-09 10:28

Would it be easier to run the 2000mhz ram on the board you linked or?

I see the one I linked says: DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066

The one you linked says: DDR3 2200/1333/1066/800

What does that mean exactly?

**Holly Short** · 2010-07-09 23:46

Forgot to add: Anyone have any suggestions in terms of cd or dvd drives? Want to be able to write both.

Any suggestions for SSD drives? I may pick a few up for games.