Hi y'all,Just joined and I have many many questions.I am looking to purchase a new computer. I have always used macbooks and iMacs and am using a MBP with a 256 gb SSD.Here is my current build, if y'all give the ok this is what I would buy at those prices and at the associated links.My price range is not strict I do not mind spending up to 2000, but if you could explain WHY you would want to switch it to a better or worse part. Price is a very good reason along with your standard reasons.Lifestyle: Play some occasional sc2, have been playing on the MBP, but I never knew that 15 fps on a game is bad... So decided I wanted to switch. Not looking to have the insane or best ever graphics, but want to be able to play any game comfortably in the next 2 years. Apart from that I simply use the computer for basic word processing and enjoyment.----------------------GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card, 01G-P3-1461-KRhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050I1PH4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER - $198.86OS: Windows 7 Premium (wish I could get Lion) Should I get ultimate?Amazon.com: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack: Software - ~$100CPU: Intel i5-2500 K. Should I get the i7?Amazon.com: Intel Core i5-2500K Processor: Electronics - $213.32Tower/PSU: Antec Sonata III 500 Quiet Super Mid Tower ATX Case (Black)Amazon.com: Antec Sonata III 500 Quiet Super Mid Tower ATX Case (Black): Electronics - $119.99CD/DVD/Blu Ray: Pioneer Blu-Ray Drive-Rw/Dvdrw Bdr-206bks 12x Sata With Software Brown Box Excellent Performancehttp://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Drive-Rw-Bdr-206bks-Excellent-Performance/dp/B004GG0KF4/ref=sr_1_1?m=A1W6N3P2KQY7LM&ie=UTF8&qid=1337903826&sr=1-1 - $163.99ORSony 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive AD-7260S-0B - Bulk (Black)Amazon.com: Sony 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive AD-7260S-0B - Bulk (Black): Electronics - $24.99RAM:8GB Kit (4GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-12800 memory module CrucialCrucial Website: BLT2KIT4G3D1608DT1TX0 - 8GB Kit (4GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM , DDR3 PC3-12800 from Crucial.com - $63.99Sound Card:Creative Labs SB0880 PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Sound Cardhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E25KDK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A3LJ5WMKNRFKQS - $96.99HD: Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB Desktop Hard Drive WD20EARXhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VFJ9MK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER - $119.99Motherboard: Very very confused as to what I should get. Are ALL motherboards compatible with every part? obviously there are intel/amd motherboards but not sure at all what to get. I understand that you have to add up all the PCI connectors and make sure you have enough which I have at least done at my part. But beyond that I have no idea.Have always enjoyed Asus as great products as it was my first notebook. Looking at these two MBs.ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboardhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819&Tpk=13-131-819 - $209.99MSI Z77A-GD65 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOShttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130643 - $189.99Belkin Anti-Static Wrist Band with Adjustable Grounding - Safetyhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z5D1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER - $7.50Total Costs: $1345.61- $1484.61 with blu rayAlready have the best peripherals and screens.Questions:1. What is the difference between a full tower and a mid sized tower? Do i need to purchase a seperate psu? It already comes with one. 2. Is building the actual computer difficult technically? Would you recommend simply buying one from ibuypower etc? I have done basic ram upgrades, and SSD upgrades on macs only.Thanks!
Building a new computer. Many questions.
- Thread starter andorrak
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Ouch, that was painful to read. First off, I suggest using Newegg for all of your computer purchases if you live in the US. Very easy site to use, and usually much better prices.
If you get the 560, then get the TI version, it is significantly faster and worth the money.
You don't exactly need the i7. If you want, I'd go as far to say as get the 3570k instead.
The PSU that comes in the Sonata is not up to snuff to power up the 560 and a 2500k/3570k. I would get a Corsair PSU at least at 600w. On that note, the difference between a full tower and mid tower is how big it is. Full towers usually have a ton of 5.25 slots for optical drives.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
Do you plan on watching BD movies on your computer? If not, then no reason to have that drive.
I would get this RAM instead. Terrible experience with Crucial back in the DDR2 days.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
You don't need a sound card at all unless you will be running 7.1 right off it. Then again, most onboard audio has an optical port and support for 7.1. You can save a bit of money by just taking that off your list. Long as you get a quality board then onboard sound will be fine.
Since you like Asus motherboards, you would be fine with this.
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z77-V LE PLUS LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Since you have an SSD in your MBP then I would suggest picking one up to compliment that 2TB drive with your OS and smaller programs. It really makes a difference.
You can get something like a Vertex 4 or Crucial M4.
Building a computer is really easy as everything is pretty plug and play, and connectors only go where they are intended. If you have to force something, it probably doesn't go there.
If you get the 560, then get the TI version, it is significantly faster and worth the money.
You don't exactly need the i7. If you want, I'd go as far to say as get the 3570k instead.
The PSU that comes in the Sonata is not up to snuff to power up the 560 and a 2500k/3570k. I would get a Corsair PSU at least at 600w. On that note, the difference between a full tower and mid tower is how big it is. Full towers usually have a ton of 5.25 slots for optical drives.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
Do you plan on watching BD movies on your computer? If not, then no reason to have that drive.
I would get this RAM instead. Terrible experience with Crucial back in the DDR2 days.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
You don't need a sound card at all unless you will be running 7.1 right off it. Then again, most onboard audio has an optical port and support for 7.1. You can save a bit of money by just taking that off your list. Long as you get a quality board then onboard sound will be fine.
Since you like Asus motherboards, you would be fine with this.
Newegg.com - ASUS P8Z77-V LE PLUS LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Since you have an SSD in your MBP then I would suggest picking one up to compliment that 2TB drive with your OS and smaller programs. It really makes a difference.
You can get something like a Vertex 4 or Crucial M4.
Building a computer is really easy as everything is pretty plug and play, and connectors only go where they are intended. If you have to force something, it probably doesn't go there.
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