Finally Building a PC

[kaese]

I've been thinking about building my own PC for quite some time now (read: over a year) and I think I'll actually follow through this time.
I don't know anything about parts and compatibility so how does this look?

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card 
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply 
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)  [I've heard Win8 is not so good in comparison to Win7? Yes? No? Any huge differences besides aesthetics?]

I've glanced through the previous 10 or so threads on PC building here and it seems as if everyone is getting a ton of memory and storage. I'm not sure if that's necessary for me since I only play one or two video games and really just use my computer for school (internet browsing lol). But I know nothing.

[Didzo]

Memory is super cheap and it's better to have more than enough rather than just enough. 1TB for storage  is still enough, but look into getting a SSD as well. The prices are coming down and they make a very noticeable impact when it comes to starting the computer and when loading games and other programs.

Just go with Windows 7.

[Vlambo]

Get a Z77 board. For the extra 25-50 bucks, its worth it. HeK is gonna tell you the same thing. Also, looking into a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 CPU cooler. It's like an extra 25 dollars, but it so worth it.

[kaese]

Memory is super cheap and it's better to have more than enough rather than just enough. 1TB for storage  is still enough, but look into getting a SSD as well. The prices are coming down and they make a very noticeable impact when it comes to starting the computer and when loading games and other programs.

Just go with Windows 7.

I'll look into it. I can always add a SSD on later right? Right now I just need to put together something soon so that I don't put it off for any longer. (although it looks like I may have to push this build to this summer :/ )

Get a Z77 board. For the extra 25-50 bucks, its worth it. HeK is gonna tell you the same thing. Also, looking into a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 CPU cooler. It's like an extra 25 dollars, but it so worth it.

Would any Z77 be a better motherboard? (to make a difference?) since I see several Z77 variations.
Stock fan is no good? I don't plan on overclocking right away (the processor was just on sale to be the same price as the nonoverclockable version. So I'll buy the one that gives me an option to overclock just in case) so would this fan make much of a difference to me?

certainly anything is better than my alienware that heats up to the temperature of a thousand burning suns.

[Vlambo]

[quote author=Didzo link=topic=6841.msg263256#msg263256 date=1362994966]
Memory is super cheap and it's better to have more than enough rather than just enough. 1TB for storage  is still enough, but look into getting a SSD as well. The prices are coming down and they make a very noticeable impact when it comes to starting the computer and when loading games and other programs.

Just go with Windows 7.

I'll look into it. I can always add a SSD on later right? Right now I just need to put together something soon so that I don't put it off for any longer. (although it looks like I may have to push this build to this summer :/ )

Get a Z77 board. For the extra 25-50 bucks, its worth it. HeK is gonna tell you the same thing. Also, looking into a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 CPU cooler. It's like an extra 25 dollars, but it so worth it.

Would any Z77 be a better motherboard? (to make a difference?) since I see several Z77 variations.
Stock fan is no good? I don't plan on overclocking right away (the processor was just on sale to be the same price as the nonoverclockable version. So I'll buy the one that gives me an option to overclock just in case) so would this fan make much of a difference to me?

certainly anything is better than my alienware that heats up to the temperature of a thousand burning suns.
[/quote]

HeK explained to me why the Z77 boards are better. I just forgot. And for the CPU cooler, I've personally had issues with stock coolers (ie gets dusty quick, shoddy clips, mediocre cooling), and the hyper 212 is p ballin across the board. Under like 90 percent load, I'm at like 45-50C, and idle I'm sitting pretty at 25-30C. For the extra 25 bucks its costs, it's definitely worth it. I don't OC, but I prefer to keep temps down.

[kaese]

[quote author=Käse link=topic=6841.msg263271#msg263271 date=1363017410]
[quote author=Didzo link=topic=6841.msg263256#msg263256 date=1362994966]
Memory is super cheap and it's better to have more than enough rather than just enough. 1TB for storage  is still enough, but look into getting a SSD as well. The prices are coming down and they make a very noticeable impact when it comes to starting the computer and when loading games and other programs.

Just go with Windows 7.

I'll look into it. I can always add a SSD on later right? Right now I just need to put together something soon so that I don't put it off for any longer. (although it looks like I may have to push this build to this summer :/ )

Get a Z77 board. For the extra 25-50 bucks, its worth it. HeK is gonna tell you the same thing. Also, looking into a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 CPU cooler. It's like an extra 25 dollars, but it so worth it.

Would any Z77 be a better motherboard? (to make a difference?) since I see several Z77 variations.
Stock fan is no good? I don't plan on overclocking right away (the processor was just on sale to be the same price as the nonoverclockable version. So I'll buy the one that gives me an option to overclock just in case) so would this fan make much of a difference to me?

certainly anything is better than my alienware that heats up to the temperature of a thousand burning suns.
[/quote]

HeK explained to me why the Z77 boards are better. I just forgot. And for the CPU cooler, I've personally had issues with stock coolers (ie gets dusty quick, shoddy clips, mediocre cooling), and the hyper 212 is p ballin across the board. Under like 90 percent load, I'm at like 45-50C, and idle I'm sitting pretty at 25-30C. For the extra 25 bucks its costs, it's definitely worth it. I don't OC, but I prefer to keep temps down.
[/quote]

OK, I'll definitely think about getting a CPU cooler.

[HeK]

An aftermarket cooler isn't a necessarily, the stock cooler does a decent job. However, the i5-3750K overclocks so well, the $25 cooler and a light (4.2ghz) overclock is nice.

With the current pricing for ram, go with at least 16gb. You'll thank yourself in a year or two. Get DDR3-1600 or faster.

The Z75 and Z77 chipsets are the same generation, but different budget levels. The Z77 is the premium version and adds additional features over the z75 such as Intel SRT.
Top end boards will be built around the Z77 rather than the Z75, which translates to better components and more time spent on development and post-release support (bios and drivers).

[Eightball]

If you can muster it, I'd try and get an SSD now. You really won't realize its full potential if your OS isn't installed on it, and that's not exactly easy to go back and change after the fact. If you're absolutely strapped for funds, you could save a bit by downgrading the 660 Ti to a plain old 660. I have the 660, it's nice. Plays everything on high, 1080p, with maybe 2x AA and still getting 60fps.

Except PS2.

[kaese]

Thanks for all the advice, I guess it wouldn't hurt to get a SSD and look into a Z77 motherboard.
Additional RAM I think is something that can be added on later when needed. I just don't want to end up getting a lot of things I don't really need/don't end up utilizing as I might end up giving this computer away to my rents in a year or two if I move away from this city.

And I'm probably going to build the PC sometime this summer when I actually have the time and space to set it up.

[Didzo]

Thanks for all the advice, I guess it wouldn't hurt to get a SSD and look into a Z77 motherboard.
Additional RAM I think is something that can be added on later when needed. I just don't want to end up getting a lot of things I don't really need/don't end up utilizing as I might end up giving this computer away to my rents in a year or two if I move away from this city.

And I'm probably going to build the PC sometime this summer when I actually have the time and space to set it up.

I have an aftermarket cooler even though I don't overclock simply because the CPU started showing scary-high CPU temps on load. I don't think $20-30 is a bad investment if you want overclocking flexibility and general preservation of your ~$200 CPU.

Get 2x8GB RAM. I'm at 8GB right now (maxed out  :'() and, surprisingly, Planetside 2 and the assortment of background programs I have running will eat almost all of it up when I do video capture. I don't expect that to get any better in the years to come.

Will you be reusing your current case and peripherals?

[HeK]

Additional RAM I think is something that can be added on later when needed.

This is sadly the biggest fallacy when building a new PC. DDR3 ram is at it's lowest price, as as soon as the next generation (Haswell) comes out in a 3-4 months, the prices will start to rise.
Not only will you be paying more later on, but you will also be hard pressed to find matching sticks.

Your best option is to buy as much as you'll need right off the bat.

[Didzo]

Just a thought, but if you're concerned about moving the PC at some point, you could try to do a microATX build...

[Eightball]

Just a thought, but if you're concerned about moving the PC at some point, you could try to do a microATX build...

There are cases with handles which make them much, much easier to transport (eg Storm Scout). But if it's a one-time deal, just hang onto your original case packaging and you'll be fine with whatever. I moved a full-tower with 1.0mm stainless steel (45lbs by my reckoning) multiple times to and from campus.

[kaese]

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570(k) 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card 
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

I've made a few changes based on everyone's suggestions. Also Newegg currently has the 1.5TB hard drive on sale for the same price so I might as well get an extra .5TB for free.

[HeK]

Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ!

Seriously, you'll have a bad time. Especially with the 3 series, it will die on you. If you manage to eventually get a replacement, that too will die.

Get a Samsung or Intel SSD. The Samsung 840 (non-pro) is a very good choice and the same price as the OCZ Agility. Also spanks it in the benchmarks.

[Didzo]

Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ!

Seriously, you'll have a bad time. Especially with the 3 series, it will die on you. If you manage to eventually get a replacement, that too will die.

Get a Samsung or Intel SSD. The Samsung 840 (non-pro) is a very good choice and the same price as the OCZ Agility. Also spanks it in the benchmarks.

The Samsung 840 series goes on sale pretty frequently as well. I got a 250GB one for $150.

[kaese]

Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ!

Seriously, you'll have a bad time. Especially with the 3 series, it will die on you. If you manage to eventually get a replacement, that too will die.

Get a Samsung or Intel SSD. The Samsung 840 (non-pro) is a very good choice and the same price as the OCZ Agility. Also spanks it in the benchmarks.

Alright, I'll avoid OCZ.
What size SSD do you recommend? I figured 120GB would be enough to run an OS and applications

[FlyingMongoose]

Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ!

Seriously, you'll have a bad time. Especially with the 3 series, it will die on you. If you manage to eventually get a replacement, that too will die.

Get a Samsung or Intel SSD. The Samsung 840 (non-pro) is a very good choice and the same price as the OCZ Agility. Also spanks it in the benchmarks.

I have 2 250 GB Samsung 840 (non-pros) and I absolutely love them. but I'm running out of space and need more. Also when on sale at newegg this is the most cost effective option too. A great price and they go on sale often.

[Didzo]

[quote author=HeK link=topic=6841.msg263481#msg263481 date=1363300076]
Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ! Don't buy OCZ!

Seriously, you'll have a bad time. Especially with the 3 series, it will die on you. If you manage to eventually get a replacement, that too will die.

Get a Samsung or Intel SSD. The Samsung 840 (non-pro) is a very good choice and the same price as the OCZ Agility. Also spanks it in the benchmarks.

Alright, I'll avoid OCZ.
What size SSD do you recommend? I figured 120GB would be enough to run an OS and applications
[/quote]

120GB minimum, but you'll always find ways to fill a bigger one.

[Eightball]

I have an OCZ Vertex 4 and I've filled 60/120GB. Only one game installed on it though (Planetside 2), the rest on a 1TB HDD.

This is including microsoft office 2013, some video and photo editing software, and a modest 5Gb of documents and media.