First Rig Build!

[Davros1987]

Hi folks!

(First post here so forgive any stupid remarks or out of place comments or general nonsensical statements.)

I have never attempted to build a computer before so am not looking too much into overclocking at this moment in time, but i have been scouring forums and websites to compile a list of components that I would like to use in my first build, and as I will be investing some considerable time and money into this project I want to build a system that will weather the rigours of time well. Please critique the following list of parts that I have compiled for my rig, feel free to suggest alternatives that will work better or makes things easier. But please try not to rip me to shreds just for the sake of it.

Also since this day will mark the beginning of my project I feel compelled to christen the occasion and project with a fitting name. So for the reasons stated above lets call this assignment:

PROJECT GENESIS

Chassis/Case:

Coolermaster HAF 932

Motherboard:

ASUS Maximus IV Extreme

CPU:

Intel i7 2600k

Graphics Card:

EVGA GeForce GTX580

RAM:

Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16Gb (4x4Gb)

Hard Drive:

Seagate Barracuda XT 2TB

PSU:

Corsair Enthusiast series TX850 V2

Optical Drive:

LG 24x internal DVDRW

Sound Card:

ASUS Xonar DS PCI 7.1

So that's what I have!

I am also looking at building a basic liquid cooling loop to cool the CPU, and most likely other parts in the future so please consider that in any feedback you might leave.

Looking forward to your help guys, go easy.

Disco.

 

[RedgyK]

Is this for gaming? If so, the i5 2500k will do just as good (most of the time better) in games as the 2600k.. The extra threads only helps in video/3D rendering, folding and stuff like that..

Other than that, there's a couple of things I personally would change.

Switching the PSU for a modular one, getting an SSD as well as the mechanical one (maybe just get a 1TB instead of the 2TB leave some cash for the SSD) and maybe get a GTX 580 with a non reference cooler (Like MSi's Twin Frozr editions.. Gigabyte, Asus and Gainward also has own coolers on some of they're versions, check some prices and reviews)

EDIT: If you don't do the liquid cooling, I would go for the D14 for a cooler.. Though I don't think the RAM on your list is compatible with it

And welcome to the forums btw! Seeing it's your first post

 

[yassarikhan786]

What about a CPU cooler? If you want to use some of the larger cooler's like the Noctua NH-D14, Silver Arrow or the Phantek cooler then you will have to use Low Profile RAM. The Vengeance RAM will restrict a lot of the larger cooler's. I don't have any water cooling experience so I can only suggest traditional means of cooling.

Also have you thought about an SSD for the boot drive/essential applications?

EDIT: Regdy got in there before me. I agree with Redgy on the CPU bit if you will mainly use the rig for gaming. A modular PSU would ensure a tidier rig and a none ref 580 should be quieter/cooler, but I've heard that the EVGA coolers are pretty good (S_I_N (another OC3D Member) mentioned it a while ago).

 

[Davros1987]

What about a CPU cooler? If you want to use some of the larger cooler's like the Noctua NH-D14, Silver Arrow or the Phantek cooler then you will have to use Low Profile RAM. The Vengeance RAM will restrict a lot of the larger cooler's. I don't have any water cooling experience so I can only suggest traditional means of cooling.

Also have you thought about an SSD for the boot drive/essential applications?

EDIT: Regdy got in there before me. I agree with Redgy on the CPU bit if you will mainly use the rig for gaming. A modular PSU would ensure a tidier rig and a none ref 580 should be quieter/cooler, but I've heard that the EVGA coolers are pretty good (S_I_N (another OC3D Member) mentioned it a while ago).

Hi yassarikhan786, thank you for your rapid response, can you suggest a lower profile RAM i could possibly use? and also (forgive my ignorance) what are the benefits of SSDs?

Is this for gaming? If so, the i5 2500k will do just as good (most of the time better) in games as the 2600k.. The extra threads only helps in video/3D rendering, folding and stuff like that..

Other than that, there's a couple of things I personally would change.

Switching the PSU for a modular one, getting an SSD as well as the mechanical one (maybe just get a 1TB instead of the 2TB leave some cash for the SSD) and maybe get a GTX 580 with a non reference cooler (Like MSi's Twin Frozr editions.. Gigabyte, Asus and Gainward also has own coolers on some of they're versions, check some prices and reviews)

EDIT: If you don't do the liquid cooling, I would go for the D14 for a cooler.. Though I don't think the RAM on your list is compatible with it

And welcome to the forums btw! Seeing it's your first post

Thanks for your advice too RedgyK! Yes, by the way, this will be prominently for gaming so I will most definitely change my CPU, which will save me money straight away on the build and will also most likely follow your advice on the 580, as I was looking into adding water blocks for that also!

A great start guys, thank you very much for your help!

 

[yassarikhan786]

Mushkin RAM is really good. Have you considered the Mushkin Blackline? There are many other considerations as well including G.Skill, Corsair Vengeance LP, Kingston Hyper X, to name only a few. Where are you purchasing from (country as well as store)?

An SSD will speed up your boot/general loading times by a considerable margin and any programs/games you have stored on an SSD will load faster. That's the jist of it, but if you don't mind relatively slow boot/general loading times, then by all means use a single Mech HDD.

 

[S_I_N]

umm if you plan on water cooling the gpu then please disregard the advice on NON reference design gpu. It will be alot easier to find and obtain a wb for a reference design card than it would be for a non reference design

 

[Davros1987]

I live in the UK, but as I live in the sticks will be doing the majority of my buying online, know any reliable sites to order from?

The SSD sounds like a plus as well , I'll look into that more, what size would recommend? 120Gb or larger? thanks for the heads up by the way.

 

[yassarikhan786]

Yep, S_I_N is right. You might as well stick with the EVGA card, plus I've heard their customer service is awesome.

 

[Davros1987]

umm if you plan on water cooling the gpu then please disregard the advice on NON reference design gpu. It will be alot easier to find and obtain a wb for a reference design card than it would be for a non reference design

Is it simply a case of removing the original factory fan off the card and attaching the waterblock?

 

[yassarikhan786]

I live in the UK, but as I live in the sticks will be doing the majority of my buying online, know any reliable sites to order from?

The SSD sounds like a plus as well , I'll look into that more, what size would recommend? 120Gb or larger? thanks for the heads up by the way.

Nice. If you could wait a couple of weeks and make 50 (useful) posts you could get free delivery from Aria.

Free Delivery from Aria.

I've bought parts from Aria, Overclockers and Scan. Mainly from Scan and Overclockers though as I built my rig before I joined OC3D and saw the free Aria Delivery initiative. I've heard good things about Ebuyer as well, so that is another option. I would just stick to one company though as you don't want to be paying separate shipping costs. If you can wait go the Aria route, if not I've found Scan to be really good, followed by Overclockers.

For an SSD I would just stick with a 120GB model as that seems to be the norm. By all means go for a larger capacity if you have the money and you are willing to spend it

.

 

[RedgyK]

About the SSD size.. I have a 60GB SSD myself, and I haven't filled it yet. I have 15GB left, but I only keep documents, Windows and programs on it.. No games or any storage except a few documents

I can deffo see the need of 120GB, as you could have all I have on it, plus a few games you need fast loading times in! (Not all games give significant difference in loading times with an SSD compared to a HDD though, google it before installing games on it

)

Like the others are saying, go for a reference model if you want to WC it

And yes, it should be as easy as to screw off the old heatsink and screw on the waterblock instead

Never done it myself though, I would google a bit to read about people that have already WC'd they're 580's