My First Build

[heathg88]

Is this a good build? Should I build it differently? Is my chosen hardware compatible?

Here are all of the parts I have chosen:

Case - Amazon.com: Thermaltake V3 Black Edition SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case VL80001W2Z (Black ): Electronics

CPU - Amazon.com: Intel Core i7-2600 Processor 3.4GHz 8 MB Cache Socket LGA1155: Electronics

MOBO - Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TH67+ LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM - Amazon.com: Corsair Vengeance Blue 16 GB DDR3 SDRAM Dual Channel Memory Kit CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B: Electronics

Hard Drive (2) - Amazon.com: Western Digital Caviar Green 1 TB SATA II 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Desktop Hard Drive Retail Kit - WDBAAY0010HNC-NRSN: Electronics

Optical Drive - Amazon.com: LG Internal Blu-Ray Disc Rewriter BH10LS30: Electronics

*** This is my first build. A graphics card should not be needed because the i7 has built-in graphics. I plan to use on-board sound. Other than that, do I need any other parts or hardware? Thanks in advance.

 

[patonb]

Nbot bad BUT spend the extra for the K r drop to the 2500k _> which is even a better idea for 75% of users

Green drives re slooooooow,m get a 1.5 T and a 500 Gig black.

You don't need 16Gigs of ram 8 is way more than 85% of users.

You need a power supply, a 550W Corsair or Antec will be great.

Other than that.
Its great

Post up your budget and we can optimie you.

Welcome to tf.

 

[Roark]

It actually makes sense to get a non-K with an H67 since they aren't an overclockers board anyway. Though I would certainly suggest a z68 and K version so you can OC if you choose.

Also, what is the computer primarily going to be used for?

 

[patonb]

****, I thought it was a Z board. Wich was why I suggested the k.

 

[heathg88]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I am only 17 years old; I consider myself to be above a novice with computers, however I am ignorant to such techniques as overclocking. I have read a little about it but I do not plan to do that because I do not want to risk over-heating. I did not mention a PSU because the case I am looking at comes with a 550W. I plan to use this computer through college and I will be using it for downloading (music, movies, torrents, etc.) As far as applications, I will be using microsoft office, photoshop, etc. Maybe some gaming, but nothing serious. Like I said, I am only 17, so I have a fairly low budget ($750 max) but I would like a computer that will not be terribly outdated when I graduate college (2016). Oh yeah, I will be running win7 home prem. 64 bit, because it can access 16GB of memory.

 

[Roark]

I looked at the link to that case, and on Newegg, I don't see the 550W PSU that comes with it.
Also, do you need to factor in Windows 7 to the budget?

I love Intel, but @$750 you may be better off with AMD.

Using what you're looking for + Paton's input I'd suggest:
CPU + RAM: AMD Phenom II X6 1090T + 8GB Corsair Vengeance low profile.
MB + GPU: MSI 870A-G54 + MSI Hawk HD 5770.
HDD (x2): 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3.
ODD: Lite-On BluRay/DVD/CD Burner.
PSU: OCZ ModxStream Pro 500W.
Case: Sentey Black Box 4284 v2.1.

Total = $760 ($5 more than your 1st post), minus $55 in rebates.

 

[heathg88]

You were absolutely correct about the PSU, I did find this case which I am certain comes with a PSU. Amazon.com: 10-Bay ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/550W 20+4-pin PSU (Black/Red): Electronics is there anything wrong with it? I am trying to build the best computer I can for as little as possible. Your suggestion was ~$100 more than my original idea. The main differences were the switch to AMD, adding a GPU, and removing half of the ram. Is there a significant difference between AMD and Intel? Also, the hard drive, I will never use anywhere near 2TB, probably not even 500GB. Should I still make the small stretch to 2TB? And my idea for 2 HDDs was to put the OS/programs on one and media on the other, is this even helpful?

 

[Slaymate]

If you go AMD and your a gamer then don't buy the Phenom II X6 1090T or any other Phenom II X6 cpu. You'll be much better off with a standard Quad core CPU that runs at a faster speed. This would be a much better choice.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

Don't buy that case with the included power supply. If you do buy that case don't use the included power supply, it's a crap power supply.

 

[Roark]

Your suggestion was ~$100 more than my original idea.

I clicked on each link you posted, used my trusty orange calculator, and came to a $755 total.
Rounding to the nearest dollar, 40 + 294 + 85 + 100 + (78 x 2) + 80 = $755
My suggestion was $760, with $45 more worth of rebates, not sure where this ~$100 is coming from.

Intel is faster than AMD (i7 2600K VS 1090T) but also ~$125 more expensive.
Since you specifically said you'll be using Photoshop lets take a closer look at that
CS4 Retouch Artists Speed Test benchmark there is a 7 second difference, up to you if its worth $125.

Halved the RAM because its twice the price for something you will likely not utilize based on what you said this build was for.

Added a GPU because you "might do some gaming" and integrated graphics will have you pulling out your hair.

You can just get 1x 1TB drive and partition off an OS/program section and leave the rest for storage.


It was just a suggestion, if you prefer your original build then go for it.

 

[heathg88]

I am very sorry Roark, I definitely miscalculated somewhere. I have changed pretty much my entire selection.
I definitely will not be overclocking. I have decided that I will not be gaming. Here is my new build with an accurate cost of $573 including shipping (Way cheaper).
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - HEC Blitz Black Steel Edition ATX Mid Tower Computer Chassis Gaming Case w/ Front Blue LED 120mm Fan & Top 120mm Fan
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular LED Power Supply
Newegg.com - Recertified: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Amazon.com: Intel Core i7-2600 Processor 3.4GHz 8 MB Cache Socket LGA1155: Electronics
I chose not to get an ODD because I can boot from USB and I can take a DVD +/- RW drive from a desktop that we are about to retire.
Thanks so much for all of your help and sorry for my ignorance!