First Build

[Demo Bob]

Hello everyone, this is my first build and I sure can use some help, Im not a tech or a guru just a regular guy. Im building this for use in my office. No gaming, just the usual busniness apps, mapping programs and Google Earth and pictures. Heres what I picked out for now until Im told different. I was going to buy this stuff this morning until I found you forum last night. I will not OC. I hope I copied this right, any thoughts will be helpfull. bob

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Item #: N82E16819115072
ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131711
Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C7AD3K2/8G
Item #: N82E16820104245
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119196
OCZ StealthXstream II OCZ500SXS2 500W ATX12V v2.2/ EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817341038
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136795

[glc]

If you are not going to overclock, you don't need the "K" series processor.

You are missing an optical drive.

I don't care for that power supply - a good one for the money with those specs is the Antec EA-430D.

[Demo Bob]

Thanks for the tips, is there a dvd drive that is better than others, I ask because it seems like thers a lot of them out there. So I take it theres no real speed difference betwwen the K and regular I5 in standard mode.

[birddog_61]

There is no speed difference, however the graphics are much better on the K series processor and well worth the extra coin if your going to be using on board graphics. I prefer the lite on drives, but any of the major brands should be fine.

[confuzedsushi]

Why no GPU/Overclocking? If you have an aftermarket cooling fan that basically SAYS I'm going to overclock. Drop the K, unless this is for gaming, and if it is get a graphics card, keep the K, and overclock. Then you'll also need a power supply upgrade.

[Demo Bob]

My thoughts were I would stay out of trouble if I did not OC. Ive learned just enough in two months to get in trouble but not get out. I will not be gaming on this computor so I figured no need for a GPU. Im buying my stuff from a local MicroCenter. They have a I5 2500K on special for $179.95.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by Demo Bob My thoughts were I would stay out of trouble if I did not OC. Ive learned just enough in two months to get in trouble but not get out. I will not be gaming on this computor so I figured no need for a GPU. Im buying my stuff from a local MicroCenter. They have a I5 2500K on special for $179.95.

The board you are looking at has auto overclock built into it, if you do decide you want some more speed its as simple as going into the bios and clicking a button and letting the board take care of it for you. If you don't like the results go back into the bios and un click the turbo V feature and your back to stock. Since your not gaming your correct there is no need for a discrete GPU, however even not gaming I think the better graphics of the k series (especially the 2600k) is worth the extra money. It makes anything that involves graphics faster including video encoding and decoding and google earth is a 3d rendering that will benefit from a faster GPU.

[Demo Bob]

I am not opposed to a GPU, I just thought I did not need one. Any recomendations on a GPU that would be an upgrade from the one on the mobo. Also if I do go with a GPU should I stay with the Asus A8H67 Pro or choose another. I just dont what my budget to get to out of wack.

[glc]

Birddog, could you please show me where the "K" series graphics is any different than the standard cpu? Keep overclocking out of it, please, let's compare apples to apples. I'm not necessarily doubting you, but I have never seen where this is the case. All I know is the Sandy Bridge graphics in general is a major improvement over previous onboard video.

The only DVD burner I won't build with is a Samsung. Buy whatever SATA drive is on sale and/or has free shipping this week.

Bob, I'd go ahead and build it without a graphics card. You can add one at any time if you find out you need one. With that in mind, I'd recommend a bit more power - this one is modular for better cable management and has a very nice rebate:

Newegg.com - Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

[Demo Bob]

Everyone, thanks for the great advice

[0bit]

2500(HD2000) vs 2500k(HD3000) Under integrated graphic, the difference is HD2000 vs HD3000. I'm hoping that it isn't a typo as I bought the k series for my HTPC.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by glc Birddog, could you please show me where the "K" series graphics is any different than the standard cpu? Keep overclocking out of it, please, let's compare apples to apples. I'm not necessarily doubting you, but I have never seen where this is the case. All I know is the Sandy Bridge graphics in general is a major improvement over previous onboard video.

Here is a list of which processor has which graphics on them.
I7
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor — Intel® Core™ i7 desktop processors that contain Intel® HD Graphics
I5
Intel® Core™ i5 Processor — Intel® Core™ i5 desktop processors that contain Intel® HD Graphics
I3
Intel® Core™ i3 Desktop Processor — Intel® Core™ i3 desktop processors that contain Intel® HD Graphics

Here are the actual differences
The Sandy Bridge Review: Intel Core i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Core i3-2100 Tested - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

The graphics 3000 can also be overclocked with the processor, even further improving graphics performance.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by Demo Bob I am not opposed to a GPU, I just thought I did not need one. Any recomendations on a GPU that would be an upgrade from the one on the mobo. Also if I do go with a GPU should I stay with the Asus A8H67 Pro or choose another. I just dont what my budget to get to out of wack.

You have no need for a discrete gpu which is what a video card is called, the on chip GPU that sandy bridge offers will be fine for what you are doing, and if you do decide you want more later you can always add a graphics card. I just think for the few bucks difference in price it is worth it to get the k series processor that has the better graphics.

[Demo Bob]

Thanks, right now I can buy the 2500K for $179.95 which is cheaper than I can get a 2500 for. I will post my newest up to date hardware list soon for approval

[glc]

Okay - good comparison. So - I think that the "K" should be recommended under 2 conditions - if you plan on overclocking, or you plan on using the onboard graphics and want the best graphics performance you can get.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by glc Okay - good comparison. So - I think that the "K" should be recommended under 2 conditions - if you plan on overclocking, or you plan on using the onboard graphics and want the best graphics performance you can get.

Completely agree.

[glc]

It would still be nice if someone could test a 2500 and 2500K with the rest of the systems identical, both at stock speeds. Do the same with a 2600 and 2600K.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by glc It would still be nice if someone could test a 2500 and 2500K with the rest of the systems identical, both at stock speeds. Do the same with a 2600 and 2600K.

You buy the processors and I will test them for you.

[Demo Bob]

Heres my updated list of equipment, I apologise for the links, I cannot seem to paste these items with a direct link.

CPU Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Item #: N82E16819115072

MEM Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C7AD3K2/8G
Item #: N82E16820104245

Case COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119196

HD Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136795 CPU

Mobo ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131711

PSU Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371016

OS Windows 7 home oem version

DVD Anything but Samsung

[Demo Bob]

Well well well, I just turned my computor on for the first time and it worked. This has been a very humbling experience. The first screen taht popped up was the ez bios screen. Everything look good, the memory read 8192 mb speed 1333mhz. The only thing that I wasnt sure about was the CPU temp, it read 45c at idle for 15min. Is that to high? Just finished with installing OS win 7, took 25min. Thanks for all the help. Is there anything I need to do that I havent.

[glc]

I would load up Asus Probe and monitor the temperatures for a while - how high does it get under full load? 45 sounds a bit high for idle. I don't like seeing anything over about 60.

[Demo Bob]

As it turns out, things aren't so good. I guess I need to update all my drivers. The worst problem is I cant connect to the internet because I have no network adaptor driver. How do I get these drivers if I cant connect to the internet.

[Demo Bob]

glc, I just checked the temp again and it went down to 36c. But now Im trying to work out this driver thing

[glc]

All the drivers you need are on the support DVD that came with the motherboard. There are Intel chipset drivers, network drivers, video drivers, audio drivers, and storage drivers. Pop it in, it should autorun and give you an "InstallAll" option.

[Demo Bob]

If these drivers were a snake they would have bit me. I got a DVD from Asus with my mobo, the first time I put it in it locked up with no response, so I just put it to the side. However, I went and tried to run this DVD again, this time it worked, I loaded all sorts of drivers, I'm now able to connect to the internet and little by little everthing is updating.

[Demo Bob]

glc, I have download the Asus Probe, the CPU temp now reads only 21C and the mobo is at 27c. How do you think it can drop that much? I have download the AI suite from Asus, looks good to me.

[glc]

How does Probe compare to the bios readings? Did you install the version from the support DVD?

[Demo Bob]

Yes, I when I downloaded the AI suite from the provided DVD, Probe was included. I just check the temp, Probe says 20c, bios says 35c. Everything else is going very well. All drivers have been updated.

[glc]

Believe the bios - and evidently that version of Probe isn't working right.

[Demo Bob]

Thanks for all the help everyone gave, it made my first build go well. glc, my bios is the latest version, I went on the Asus forum, not much help, they say to update the bios too. Bunch of other people crying about the same issue. Main thing is Im up and running with little to no issues, thanks Bob