Computer Build. First Timer. Any help appreciated.

[nprim]

Hi guys.

First time building a machine and dont really have that much experience with them to be honest. Ive already purcahsed a few items, and would look forward to any thoughts etc.

I wouldn't really be a big gamer, but would like a machine capable of going into the future a bit without much tinkering.

Items Purcahsed:

Case:

Antec Nine Hundred Two Ultimate Gamer Case with no PSU for Complete Customisation

Memory:

Corsair CMP8GX3M2A1600C9 Dominator 8GB (2 x 4G DDR3 Memory

Do you need to fill all the memory slots on the motherbaord?

Graphics Card:

Sapphire HD5770 1GB GDDR5

I would eventually like to link up to a large TV of some sort in the future.

What can anybody tell me with regard to using 2 graphics cards?

Cooler and Heatsink:

Zalman - CPU Heatsink + 120 mm Fan Kit - PWM - CNPS9900A LED

PSU:

Cooler Master Silent PRO 600W Modular PSU

Hard Disk Drive:

Seagate OEM 500GB Barracuda 7200.12 Internal Hard Disk Drive

The other pieces of equipment i could use some help or advice on.

I have an idea for the CPU:

Intel I7-950 Nehalem Quad Core Processor

but dont really have a clue on what motherbaord to pair it with. Dont really want to buy someting for it not to work together etc.

Motherboard:

??

Optical Drive:

Liteon IHAS324-32 24x Internal DVDRW Black Retail SATA

Any other bits and pieces i might be forgetting.

I am quite excited as to how its going to turn out, or how much of a disaster it might be. LOL

PS Once its all pieced together, and turn it on how to you get Windows to install?

Sorry for all the basic and elementary questions.

Many Thanks

Nathan

[F-alienware]

Originally Posted by nprim

Memory:

Corsair CMP8GX3M2A1600C9 Dominator 8GB (2 x 4G DDR3 Memory

Do you need to fill all the memory slots on the motherbaord?

Originally Posted by nprim

I have an idea for the CPU:

Intel I7-950 Nehalem Quad Core Processor

but dont really have a clue on what motherbaord to pair it with. Dont really want to buy someting for it not to work together etc.

The memory you have bought (at least I think you have) is wrong. The I7 socket 1366 series chips use triple channel memory, meaning you have three sticks and not a pair. Adding another one to yours is going to be close to impossible. You can run the memory in dual channel (at least on some boards) but yes, it will only run dual channel with two sticks.

The rest all depends on budget. Without a budget I'm not going to help you (yet) as I don't like wasting time going off putting hardware together. If you know what you have to spend we can help dude.

[nprim]

Originally Posted by AlienALX

The memory you have bought (at least I think you have) is wrong. The I7 socket 1366 series chips use triple channel memory, meaning you have three sticks and not a pair. Adding another one to yours is going to be close to impossible. You can run the memory in dual channel (at least on some boards) but yes, it will only run dual channel with two sticks.

The rest all depends on budget. Without a budget I'm not going to help you (yet) as I don't like wasting time going off putting hardware together. If you know what you have to spend we can help dude.

Hi thanks for replying.

As for the memory, what would you suggest? I get a bit lost in all the technical stuff sorry.

As for budget, have a bit of cash saved away so could probably afford £500 to £600 for the motherboard and cpu.

Again many thanks.

PS Whats the most effective brand of Internet Security? I've read that webroot has had very good reviews?

[pcwhizzer]

Originally Posted by nprim

Hi thanks for replying.

As for the memory, what would you suggest? I get a bit lost in all the technical stuff sorry.

As for budget, have a bit of cash saved away so could probably afford £500 to £600 for the motherboard and cpu.

Again many thanks.

PS Whats the most effective brand of Internet Security? I've read that webroot has had very good reviews?

If your not going to be a big gamer, but you want to use a large Tv, my advice here would be:

buy a cpu, mobo and mem bundle for around £350-£400

Buy a GTx570.....

This would be within your budget

[F-alienware]

Originally Posted by nprim

Hi thanks for replying.

As for the memory, what would you suggest? I get a bit lost in all the technical stuff sorry.

As for budget, have a bit of cash saved away so could probably afford £500 to £600 for the motherboard and cpu.

Again many thanks.

PS Whats the most effective brand of Internet Security? I've read that webroot has had very good reviews?

With that kind of budget I would go with the I7 950. Couple it with either the Asus Sabertooth or P6 something (forget the model now).

But do remember that ram you have will likely need to go back. Running those boards out of spec will likely hurt performance. If you can afford the GTX 570 to go with it? then by all means do. Fantastic cards.

[pcwhizzer]

NPRIM

I'd go with this bundle http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=BU-029-OB

Return the memory you already have,

Buy a GTX570, or even a top of the range GTX400 series....

Epic system

nuff said

[F-alienware]

Yeah would deffo reccomend something like that if you don't know what you're doing. I struggled to setup my X58 board. Ram timings are absolutely crucial and with that all the hard work is done.

[pcwhizzer]

He could also if he is brave enough follow Tom's £600 gaming rig how to http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/s...00_gaming_pc/1

[rjay410]

Originally Posted by AndyO

NPRIM

I'd go with this bundle http://www.overclock...rodid=BU-029-OB

Return the memory you already have,

Buy a GTX570, or even a top of the range GTX400 series....

Epic system

nuff said

I agree, I think that this would be great for someone that don't know much because this setup has been over-clocked and tested to work together so u wouldn't have to bother with worrying if it will work together and also is not a bad price either. You could go with a different setup but try to find bundles that are already tested and over-clocked that way it will keep up with newer stuff coming out.

[nprim]

Hi guys.

Thanks for all the input.

I managed to cancel the ram order before it dispatched.

I was wondering what you guys think of the following: My link

I'm not even sure how to post a link.

PS What advice on optical drives for dvd rw etc and blu ray.

Also when you've put your machine together, whats the next stage when turning on?

Many Thanks

Nathan