[twables]

I am new to building computers and recently decided to invest in a high performance gaming and media PC.

I would like it to be able to play games as smooth and as beautiful as possible, also to be able to rig it to a home theater surround sound system thats compatible with my TV as well. I already have a TV with audio and HDMI output and i will be using my TV as the monitor for this build... at least for now.
I have picked out a set of components for the build, but since i am new to this i would appreciate help to make sure everything is compatible and also will work on the sound system (which i do not own yet) as well as get some suggestions as to what will work better. my budget is $1500, but i can dish out a couple hundred more if needed.


heres the list of parts. (don't worry about a mouse/keyboard, i got em')

-Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813188068

-Memory
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16820231358

-CPU processor
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819115224

-Video card (they offer this as a combo with the motherboard)
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16814130620

-Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16822136284

-CD drive/burner (I have no idea when it comes to these and will probably need help)
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16827106335

-Power Supply (also may need help here)
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16817121068

-Cooler/heatsink
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16835181013

-Case
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16811129100

another concern is sound cards, i havent got much of a clue what they do or if i even need one. Well i hope this is all the info you need, feel free to ask more questions if needed, hope i didnt forget anything.

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Hi twables
Overall a nice fast build but have you considered a Socket 1155 Sandybridge build!
Couple of pointers for you, to utilise the performance of the MB go for the 6GB/s
64MB cache HDD http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136533
You are investing a lot of cash and time in this build so you want it and all of its
components to last so having a solid and stable PSU that is backed by a 7 year warranty
is a must http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139011 you do not
need any more power than this can provide.
You do not need the fancy liquid cooling, the stock cooler supplied with your CPU is more
than adequate, unless you plan on overclocking that is.
You have not listed an OS so unless you presently own a retail version of XP, Vista or W7
you must purchase one, so budget around $100 for W7.
A good speaker system should negate the need for an add on sound card.

EDIT: Link to software added http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16832116986

Edited by phillpower2, 26 May 2011 - 03:14 PM.

[phillpower2]

Hi twables
Overall a nice fast build but have you considered a Socket 1155 Sandybridge build!
Couple of pointers for you, to utilise the performance of the MB go for the 6GB/s
64MB cache HDD http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136533
You are investing a lot of cash and time in this build so you want it and all of its
components to last so having a solid and stable PSU that is backed by a 7 year warranty
is a must http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139011 you do not
need any more power than this can provide.
You do not need the fancy liquid cooling, the stock cooler supplied with your CPU is more
than adequate, unless you plan on overclocking that is.
You have not listed an OS so unless you presently own a retail version of XP, Vista or W7
you must purchase one, so budget around $100 for W7.
A good speaker system should negate the need for an add on sound card.

EDIT: Link to software added http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16832116986

Edited by phillpower2, 26 May 2011 - 03:14 PM.

[iammykyl]

As Phillpower2 suggest a Socket 1155 Motherboard but ignore the H67 AND P67 ones

Select from the Z68 Mobos, > http://www.newegg.ca...20%28LGA1155%29

This is a good article about the Z68 chipset. > http://www.bit-tech....l-z68-chipset/1

You will also need a Socket 1155 CPU.

Edited by iammykyl, 26 May 2011 - 07:37 PM.

[twables]

Thank you so much for that, i never would have noticed the differences in the hard drive cache, glad you pointed me to the right one. I had forgot to mention about an OS, Wasnt sure if W7 or XP was the way to go, but you made that answer pretty clear and thanks for helping on the power supply since i had was unsure how much wattage i needed for my build.
About the overclocking... I am still not too sure what it is, i've only picked on two things: 1) it makes it visually better and 2) it makes it run hotter, but since I'm interested in better performance it catches my interest to at least try it and learn.
what is a Socket 1155 Sandybridge build? Is it a whole new sheet of parts, or just the processor/motherboard I stumbled across on neweggs website?
either way if it would make a better performing build then it would interest me, just want to know what i would be sacrificing and gaining if i do consider a Socket 1155 Sandybridge build.
Thank you again for your help

[twables]

As Phillpower2 suggest a Socket 1155 Motherboard but ignore the H67 AND P67 ones

Select from the Z68 Mo9bos, > http://www.newegg.ca... / i3 (LGA1155)

This is a good article about the Z67 chipset. > http://www.bit-tech....l-z68-chipset/1

You will also need a Socket 1155 CPU.

thanks for the tip! I'm just trying to avoid confusion cus like i said i am new to this but when you said Z67, did you mean z68? there is no z67 that i can seem to find. maybe a typo?

[twables]

oh nvm yeah i guess it was a typo. would you say that this motherboard and CPU is what would give me a better build?

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813131730

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819115070

[iammykyl]

Sorry, that was a typo, now corrected.

That Mobo is good, almost the same specs as your original choice. Does it have everthing you think you will need?

The 2600K CPU is also correct.

[twables]

Yeah the Board seems to have everything that i need for what i want to use it for and the UEFI BIOS thing is pretty cool (just watched a video on it), switched to a dual RAM package instead of triple. So i am uncertain, can this build be overclocked? i used the above tips and made all the changes to my original build. Do you think i will need an aftermarket cooler for the CPU? i might not be overclocking for the first while after a build it for maybe a couple months or so. would the case be adequate (with all of its many fans and space) to supply all the cooling needs?

[iammykyl]

So i am uncertain, can this build be overclocked?

Yes, you will still be able to overclock the system.

Do you think i will need an aftermarket cooler for the CPU? i might not be overclocking for the first while after a build it for maybe a couple months or so.

I would stick with the supplied stock cooler to begin with. The SB 2600K is a pretty fast and officiant CPU, I doubt you will every need to overclock, but if you do, and your temps are on the high side then you could fit an after market cooler. phillpower2 said, "You do not need the fancy liquid cooling, the stock cooler supplied with your CPU is more than adequate, unless you plan on overclocking that is"

Will reply about the case later.

Please do not order anything until we have gone over your final build.

.

Edited by iammykyl, 27 May 2011 - 05:09 PM.

[twables]

Alright, It will be about 5 days or so before I am ready to order anyways.

[iammykyl]

Where will you be setting up the PC?

If anywhere near your viewing area you want a tower that is reasonable quiet, and I would think without spinning or flashing lights.

[twables]

I haven't put too much thought as to where exactly, but I was aiming to have it somewhere where it can be seen and admired, but not in an area where the lights would be in the peripheral vision of the user.
Since I am kinda used to the sound of noisy computers it shouldn't bother me too much. Any other time I might not hear it as much with the sound system going, or if i use headphones. all-in-all I feel pretty good about choice of tower, but in the meantime I think I will check on reviews about how noisey other people think it is, just in case.

[iammykyl]

Your build.

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z68
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz
Antec Twelve Hundred V3
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200
Lite-On burner, iHAS424-98
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX
Windows 7, 64bit.

If this is correct? You are good to go. It will be a very good build.

Not listed, RAM?

Consider adding a smaller HDD for the OS and program files. You can then use the larger HDD for Data storage and backups.

[twables]

Here is the RAM I picked out, http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16820231314

Another thing I was curious about. The motherboard has a dual channel for RAM sticks and a Maximum memory of 32GB. How can I utilize all of that, Is there some sort of attachment for extended RAM slots? I am just wondering how it works, I don't plan on maxing it out anytime soon. Thank you.

[iammykyl]

The selected RAM is good.

[quote][The motherboard has a dual channel for RAM sticks and a Maximum memory of 32GB. How can I utilize all of that/quote]

By installing 4x8GB sticks, If you can afford it, can I be your friend?

8GB sticks usually installed on workstations and have been very, very expensive. Slowly becoming available for us consumers. Corsair has just released some.

> http://techmento.com...-stick-2400mhz/