PC Guidance

[Noprizoners]

Hey guys I have a good $1000 to put into a custom build here. It'll be my first build, but I've read this is the way to go to get the most bang for your buck. Software isn't an issue. I also have a monitor already.

I use my computer a lot everyday. From games to mod kits. I'd like it to be able to handle the high graphics of something like Skyrim / battlefield pretty well and to keep up with all of my other side projects, such as creating Mods and maps for games. My old computer has lasted me 5-6 years so I'd like this one to keep me running for a while too.

Being as this is a custom PC, you guys are the experts so if you could bless this thread with your awesomeness that'd be great. I hope it's not too much trouble but I am a fan of Nvidia and would prefer that, also a badass looking case to represent this new computer as a sort of trophy for myself would be awesome!

One side question, when building this machine is it mostly just plug in and connect the pieces? Are there video tutorials out there that shows which to do first what you need etc?



Thanks guys

[jdeb]

$951.00 Not including shipping (figure around $12.00)

Intel Core i5-2500K
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

ASUS P8Z68-V LE
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi)
Newegg.com - EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CT040G3K5 2.5" 40GB (For SRT SSD Caching Drive)
Newegg.com - Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CT040G3K5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D (OS and Data Drive)
Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721050DLE630 (0F13178) 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W
Newegg.com - SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

COOLER MASTER HAF 912
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

LITE-ON DVD Burner
Newegg.com - LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - CD / DVD Burners

See post number one for directions on how to do an out of the case build. It will save you a ton of time in the event there is a problem.
PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

[glc]

Replace the 2500K with a 2550K and the SSD with a 60gb Intel 520.

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by glc Replace the 2500K with a 2550K and the SSD with a 60gb Intel 520.

So these?

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2550K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623i52550K

&

Newegg.com - Intel 520 Series Cherryville SSDSC2CW060A3K5 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

[glc]

Yep!

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc Replace the 2500K with a 2550K and the SSD with a 60gb Intel 520.

Good catch George. I missed the 520 price drop. Usually 199.00.

I keep forgeting about that 2550K because I have not received mine yet... Pretty smart on their part for disabling the iGPU.

[Noprizoners]

Everything looks good and im just about ready to order. One last thing, I saw some other cases to my liking, would they make any difference at all?

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case

&

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite NV-334-KWN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Noprizoners Everything looks good and im just about ready to order. One last thing, I saw some other cases to my liking, would they make any difference at all? Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case & Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite NV-334-KWN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Whatever you like.

[glc]

All Coolermaster cases are good quality - the HAF series is designed for "high air flow" but the Elite cases are also decent.

[Noprizoners]

Thanks for all the help guys I've just got to do the wiring, which has been a pest, and i'll be all set.

one question im not sure if you could answer for me or not but I was wondering what some kind of machine similar to this would be selling for at retail price. I'm curious as to how much I saved by building one myself.

[glc]

You aren't necessarily saving money but you are getting higher quality components.

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by glc You aren't necessarily saving money but you are getting higher quality components.

Wouldn't higher quality components altogether in a retail machine be marked up a bit?

[glc]

You can't get components like that in a retail machine unless you get one custom built by someone who has access to those components. THEN there will be a markup and labor charge. To build that exact machine for someone, I would tack on at least a 10% markup on the parts and at least $100 for labor.

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by glc You can't get components like that in a retail machine unless you get one custom built by someone who has access to those components. THEN there will be a markup and labor charge. To build that exact machine for someone, I would tack on at least a 10% markup on the parts and at least $100 for labor.

Ah ok, good to know.

Is there anywhere I can go that has a tutorial with wiring? I took a few pictures of my issues and concerns, not sure if it'd be ok to post them here?

[jdeb]

Post them on photobucket or something like that and provide the link.

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by jdeb Post them on photobucket or something like that and provide the link.

I know about the power supplys cables and the videocards PCI cables, but everything else is iffy to me.

I apologize for any random expletives in the video at the end.


http://i44.tinypic.com/2uiyq7n.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/vdclmh.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2r5vj0h.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/dwx3rb.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/121x3cg.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/2wcml4j.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/35hgrgz.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/20o7dk.jpg

and the video

VID_20120225_181640.3gp - YouTube

Ive read the POWER and RESET and HDLED tags on some of the wires but for the life of me can't see the same on the MB.

[jdeb]

READ YOUR MANUAL

Clean your language up, geez, no need for that. . I challenge you to force yourself not to cuss.

The little hole on the hard drive is nothing to be concerned with.

You were correct at the thin wide connector from the power supply, they are power cables for Sata devices like your DVD, and hard drives. If there are two or three on one leg of wires, you can hook them up in a line to keep things neat.

Those little front panel connectors are clearly defined in the motherboard manual. Hint, if you look closely on the backside of those little connectors you will see a triangle, that is the mark for the positive wire.

See post #1
PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by jdeb READ YOUR MANUAL Clean your language up, geez, no need for that. . I challenge you to force yourself not to cuss. The little hole on the hard drive is nothing to be concerned with. You were correct at the thin wide connector from the power supply, they are power cables for Sata devices like your DVD, and hard drives. If there are two or three on one leg of wires, you can hook them up in a line to keep things neat. Those little front panel connectors are clearly defined in the motherboard manual. Hint, if you look closely on the backside of those little connectors you will see a triangle, that is the mark for the positive wire. See post #1 PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

Haha manuals are always handy!

Right so I think I've gotten it all solved but one more question. I had those 2 white cables, the 6g sata data connectors plugged into the 6g sata ports on the MB (white ports). I found that the POWER / RESET little tiny plugs had to go in right behind them. Thus, with those in, leaves absolutely no room for me to plug in the 6g into the 6g ports.

Is it bad if I plug them into the blue 3g ports?

http://i43.tinypic.com/29coymr.jpg

You can see right behind the white ports, there is no room whatsoever for me to plug them in without crushing the others.

----

Also, the fan came with 2 different plugs tied to eachother, do I need to connect both into the power supply or just one? http://i39.tinypic.com/ye1pe.jpg

[glc]

Also, the fan came with 2 different plugs tied to eachother, do I need to connect both into the power supply or just one?

Only one - that's a passthrough connector to allow you to "daisy chain" the fans.

Is it bad if I plug them into the blue 3g ports?

Yes - you need to use cables with straight ends instead of 90 degree ends at the motherboard. Most cables have one straight end and one 90 degree end - use the 90 degree end on the drive.

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by glc Only one - that's a passthrough connector to allow you to "daisy chain" the fans. Yes - you need to use cables with straight ends instead of 90 degree ends at the motherboard. Most cables have one straight end and one 90 degree end - use the 90 degree end on the drive.

Awesome, I've got it booted up and am installing windows now, hopefully everything goes smoothly. One last thing, I know my case has a few options for additional fans. Would it be possible for you to link me to a fan I could attach onto my side panel, the clear side? Preferably with a blue LED to keep the theme going. Not sure what the prices are on them but something not too steep.

[jdeb]

What size? or What case did you end up buying?

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by jdeb What size? or What case did you end up buying?

The cooler master elite 430, I'd like to get a fan on the see through side panel.

[jdeb]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103022

[Noprizoners]

Originally Posted by jdeb Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER R4-L2S-122B-GP 120mm 4 Blue LED Case Fan 2 in 1 pack

Thanks for everything. I really appreciate it, I could have never built my own computer without the help of you guys. It's a good feeling to have my first build behind me. Thanks again, hope to enjoy this for a long long time.