Building a new PC.

By Dane
in Hardware Hangout

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

Dane

Posted
Posted

So I have finally decided to build my own PC. I was originally going to just rip everything out of my current HP computer, but I'd rather have everything updated.

This is what I have so far:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  (Purchased For $0.00)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard  ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: NZXT H440 (Blue/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($119.99 @ NZXT)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $409.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-23 22:43 EDT-0400

 

I am bringing my I7 from my HP and my HDD and SSD.

The only thing I didn't include is a GFX card, I was thinking of the 750 ti. However by the time I order everything I might have more money saved up. I have a budget for a GFX card of $150, so come September maybe something better will be cheaper.

I want to add some LED fans: https://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-fan-rffz140u1

I assume, these connect to the PSU adapters for the lights? or does everything just plug into the fan spaces on the MB?

Like for the 1st MB I have included it says "3 x Chassis Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 2 x 3-pin)" will any fan connect to that? or would I have to buy an adapter?

 

 

I may also change it and go with this MB instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G3435147

 

This will be my first build. I watched about four hours of videos on building PC's, hopefully it works out.

Anything I should know?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

DevTech

Posted
Posted

I would suggest an integrated water cooler for quiet cooling and temps that just stay clamped in the 30's

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181089

 

Reverse the fan direction so the air blows into the case (not ideal) but you get cooler air across the radiator

 

Or get a case well designed for cooling such as:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139022

 

The two will go together nicely

 

Then you only need two fans - one blowing on the mobo and one on the hard drives.

 

RAM timing and speed has almost no effect on performance so get the cheapest quality RAM

 

The fan connector will depend on the fan. The standard 3 pin is easily available. Sometimes when you have a large slow moving fan such as a 200mm, it confuses the mobo speed sensor but you can just plug it into the P/S

 

You might want to consider a 700W but google the exact model for a review (tip use the word "test" instead of review when searching) because a brand like Corsair will source different Chinese suppliers (mostly good ones)

 

 

Since you mention september, hold out for a GM-20x GPU chip (second gen Maxwell) since it will be garunteed (as much as can be reasonably predicted) to be "native" compatible with DX12

 

Since it is your first build, be extra careful removing and inserting the CPU and then slow and careful attaching the cooler. The most common error is bad contact between CPU and heatsink so be prepared to redo it with enought Arctic Silver lying around and some ISO Propyl 99% Achohol and a microfibre cloth. Don't touch the cooling surfaces since finger grease is a bad temperature conductor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

binaryzero

Posted
Posted

I'd still buy a new CPU and memory.

 

First build, slow and steady wins the race. It's a piece of cake these days. Easy way to remember which way the power\restart\power leds\buttons plug in - text faces outwards. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

patseguin Global Moderator

Posted
  • Global Moderator
Posted

Looks like a nice build.If possible, I'd go for a 256GB SSD, that 120 will fill up fast. I'd also go with at least 2TB hard drives. I'm assuming you plan on spanning them?

 

As for water cooling, that is a power user's thing and I have it in my i7 extreme system because I overclock. I wouldn't say it's a necessity unless you plan on overclocking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

DevTech

Posted
Posted

As for water cooling, that is a power user's thing and I have it in my i7 extreme system because I overclock. I wouldn't say it's a necessity unless you plan on overclocking.

 

I thought that once, but there are still a lot of advantages for a "normal" PC

 

First the temps just seems to clamp low and handle micro-fluctuations much better than air cooling, a factor that doesn't come out in benchmarks.

 

It's quiet. Very quiet.

 

The radiator doesn't get clogged with dust bunnies as fast as a heatsink and if mounted externally, it's easy to clean.

 

When the computer gets a bit old, you have the option of an easy overclock to extend it's usefulness a bit.

 

It leaves more room inside the case, a minor but nice bonus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Yusuf M. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Will you be using it for gaming? If so, then you're going to want something better than a GTX 750 Ti. If not, then that card is fine. Also, consider getting an aftermarket cooler like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. For a mere $30, you're getting significantly better cooling performance than the stock Intel heatsink and fan.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks everyone!  

It will be used for gaming.  Not heavy gaming though to start out. 

I'm not completely sold on water cooling, but I have checked into it, I'm not sure if I'll do it.  

Secondly, I do want to upgrade the 120 SSD currently.  I didn't include that first because I am not sure when I'll do it.  I have a $30 gift card on amazon so I'm waiting for a good sale.  

With the CPU, it's not hard to take it out of my current MB and plug it into the new one, is it?

A good friend of mine has built several of his so I may have him come over when I start building, just incase. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

patseguin Global Moderator

Posted
  • Global Moderator
Posted

I thought that once, but there are still a lot of advantages for a "normal" PC

 

First the temps just seems to clamp low and handle micro-fluctuations much better than air cooling, a factor that doesn't come out in benchmarks.

 

It's quiet. Very quiet.

 

The radiator doesn't get clogged with dust bunnies as fast as a heatsink and if mounted externally, it's easy to clean.

 

When the computer gets a bit old, you have the option of an easy overclock to extend it's usefulness a bit.

 

It leaves more room inside the case, a minor but nice bonus.

Fair enough, I can't disagree with any of that. They are really not all that hard to install either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I may change it up and go with a Define R 4 or R 5, I believe they both are mid towers.   I've been debating both that NZXT and the R4/R5.  The R4/R5, have a spot for a DVD drive.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So I decided I am going with the NZXT S340 case instead of the 440.  

I am getting this MB instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G3435147

 

It says this for the ram:
DDR3 3100(OC)/3000(OC)/2933(OC)/2800(OC)/2666(OC)/2600(OC)/2500(OC)/2400(OC)/2200(OC)/2133(OC)/2000(OC)/1866(OC)/1800(OC)/1600/1333"

 I believe I currently have  PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600)  installed in my current desktop, would that be compatible with this MB?

If so, then it saves me $100 and I can order everything in two weeks. 

I believe I have one 8 gig stick in and one 2 gig stick in.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Mindovermaster Moderator

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted

(oc) just means it can be overclocked to that speed but 1600 is the norm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

(oc) just means it can be overclocked to that speed but 1600 is the norm.

So my ram should be ok?  When I get home tonight I will check out what CPU Z says. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Yusuf M. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Thanks everyone!  

It will be used for gaming.  Not heavy gaming though to start out. 

I'm not completely sold on water cooling, but I have checked into it, I'm not sure if I'll do it.  

Secondly, I do want to upgrade the 120 SSD currently.  I didn't include that first because I am not sure when I'll do it.  I have a $30 gift card on amazon so I'm waiting for a good sale.  

With the CPU, it's not hard to take it out of my current MB and plug it into the new one, is it?

A good friend of mine has built several of his so I may have him come over when I start building, just incase. 

You should get a GTX 760, at minimum. The cheapest one I could find on PCPartPicker is $161.98. Liquid cooling is overkill for a non-K processor. The $30 Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO I mentioned earlier has far better value for your needs.

 

SSD prices continue to drop so by the time you pull the trigger, you may want to consider getting a 480GB drive. And it's not hard at all to remove a LGA1150 CPU. You're likely using the stock Intel heatsink and fan. Those are very easy to remove. Once you remove it and take the CPU out, be sure to clean it with rubbing alcohol and fabric. Don't use tissue paper because that will leave residue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

You should get a GTX 760, at minimum. The cheapest one I could find on PCPartPicker is $161.98. Liquid cooling is overkill for a non-K processor. The $30 Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO I mentioned earlier has far better value for your needs.

 

SSD prices continue to drop so by the time you pull the trigger, you may want to consider getting a 480GB drive. And it's not hard at all to remove a LGA1150 CPU. You're likely using the stock Intel heatsink and fan. Those are very easy to remove. Once you remove it and take the CPU out, be sure to clean it with rubbing alcohol and fabric. Don't use tissue paper because that will leave residue.

 

 

Thanks.  What I may do, is leave my current 650 GT in the new build, then few months later have a better budget and get something better than the 750.

thanks for the info about removing the CPU out of the old one. Watching some videos it seems easy.  

And now finding out my current ram should work, it saves me $100.  Which oddly enough, I forgot I have to buy Windows, the current copy I have is an OEM version, so that wont work on the new one. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Just confirming,

In slot 2 I have PC 3 12800 800 Mhz Hyundai Ram 2 gig.

Slot four is exaclty the same brand, but 8 gig. 

So then I assume for sure the ram would work?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Mindovermaster Moderator

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted

Yes, but it won't be in dual channel. And will take the lowest speed of the 2. So 800 in this example.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes, but it won't be in dual channel. And will take the lowest speed of the 2. So 800 in this example.

It looks like they are both 800Mhz. 

How could I make them dual channel?  Or is it worth it later to buy the ram I included in the first post and go from there?

CPU Z doe say Channel # Dual though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Mindovermaster Moderator

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted

to make it dual channel, i believe, you need 2 identical sticks. Not different capacities.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

to make it dual channel, i believe, you need 2 identical sticks. Not different capacities.

Ahh ok.  I suppose I could leave it go for a month or two then do the ram upgrade, correct? I'd replace what I'd put in there at first with the ram in the first post and run two 8 gig sticks. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Also, for starting out, I am going to be using my current stock intel cooler in the new case.  I assume it's easy to take off and re attach it in the new case.  I was reading intel's website on how to reset the pins and what not.  Since I am using the same processor and same cooler, should I still wipe off paste?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well according to PC Part Picker I cannot use the with

GIGABYTE GA-Z97M-D3H

I cannot use my I7 with it sadly.

What other similar board can I use?

Looks like the ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 may be what I go with.

With the extreme 4. It has a PWR fan connection and three case fan connection. What goes in the PWR fan? The psu has its own fan.

Or can someone recommend me a decent one for $140 or less with a good amount of 3.0 USB and 3 case fan connections.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Mindovermaster Moderator

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted

Well, that gigabyte board is socket 1150, so of course it wont work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grand Master

Dane

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, that gigabyte board is socket 1150, so of course it wont work.

Yeah I just noticed that today :-/.

Instead of the extreme 4.

How's is the ASRock Z97 Extreme6 LGA1150. Good?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.