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Another Upgrade Reccomendation Thread

Bone_Enterprise

Bone_Enterprise

Enter in the Rear
Joined
Apr 21, 2006
Messages
4,423
*edit* Added this as per Danny_Bui's request though this was already generalized.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
All of the above, also occasional video and audio editing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Budget is mentioned, around $1,300 give or take a few hundred.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
United States, Houston, TX
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Parts are listed that I am considering.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Case, PSU, and Sound Card in signature (ASUS Xonar ST, Corsair 850HX, LianLi PC-V2000Bplus II)
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1200 @ 25.5"
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
As mentioned, as long as it has a PCI slot and Z77 chipset that is the main concern, anything using the Z77 chipset will have just about all of this.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
This is not relevant but Win 7 x64

/*edit*


So some months ago I was wanting to begin upgrading my current system to something new, so with that in mind I bought a new processor with the intention to buy parts every week/other week so I could my rebuild, but turned into buying the processor and having it set on my desk since that time and I have done nothing with it, I think it is time to finally remedy that situation!

Here is my current spec out I am considering:

CPU: Intel i7-2600K (purchased)
Optical Drive: ASUS SATA DRW-24B1ST (Black) (I have been rocking my ATA Plextor drives for years, have no need for a bluray otherwise would get one of those instead)
Motherboard: GA-Z77X-UD5H
RAM: 4 x 4GB Samsung MV-3V4G3/US (16 GB)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Venomous X
CPU Fan: 2 x Noctua NF-F12 120mm Fans
OS HDD: 1 x 512GB CT512M4SSD2 SSD
HDD Storage: 4 x 2TB HGST HDS723020BLA642 or 4 x 2TB SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 HD204UI
SSD Mount: SILVERSTONE SDP08 Dual SSD Mount
Video Card: ASUS GTX680-DC2T-2GD5 GeForce GTX 680 2GB (purchased Friday 6th from ncix waiting to ship)

Most all purchases will be via Amazon so I can utilize the Prime shipping option.

Any different recommendation for parts than what I have selected thus far?
I will be re-using my Case, PSU, Monitor, and ASUS Xonar ST Sound Card of which is PCI.

If a different motherboard is recommended it must have at least one PCI slot as my sound card is PCI as previously mentioned, I would like to stick with a Z77 based motherboard in the off chance I decide to upgrade to an IvyBridge processor later.

Initially for my OS drive(s) was going to go with dual 500 GB WD Raptors, but decided to go with the SSD with intention of getting a second one down the line. (good idea?)

For my storage I am torn between the Hitachi and Samsung HDDs for some damn reason, leaning towards the Hitachi drives since they seem to be a "current" drive, the best I can tell the Samsung EcoGreen F4s are being phased out already (correct me if I am wrong)?
The drives will be for storage for movies/music/pictures/general backups/etc, so looking for large size, long term storage and reliability, so performance is not needed per say, my current 4 x 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F4's have done an awesome job at that, unfortunately they are all almost full, hopefully they did not spoil me with their reliability.

I do not have a budget per say, though I do not want to spend a lot more than what I have listed, within a few hundred dollars is fine, a thousand or more I would rather not, the way it sits the remaining un-purchased parts should run just under $1300.

Thanks for reading!
 
Last edited:
azeem40 said:
Why do you need 4 hard drives?
Click to expand...

I like to keep my data organized on separate drives, that way I don't have all my eggs in one basket so to say if one of my drives fail.
Also I always have good intentions to get them setup in a RAID configuration but never do for some reason or another, may do that this time around down the road.
 
Please answer the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST" so that we can help you better.
 
Though for the answers I was looking for I targeted the questions, I have edited the OP.
 
Bone_Enterprise said:
Though for the answers I was looking for I targeted the questions, I have edited the OP.
Click to expand...
I have to make sure that the case and PSU you are planning on reusing are actually of good quality. I've seen too many cases of people in this very forum trying to power $1000+ worth of hardware off a PSU that's barely worth $20. Nor did you mention what you were using the PC for or whether or not you were planning to OC (whether or not you actually needed to buy a 3rd party HSF) or what the resolution of your monitor (determines whether or not you went overkill on the GPU). Nor did you mention what OS you have. Important to know since it would be a poor idea to buy 16GB of RAM for a 32bit Vista OS. Thats why we have people answer that sticky so we can get as much relevant info as possible.

Anyway, as for your proposed setup:

- Ditch the Venomous X. It's pretty much been phased out of sales. For a light OC of 4.5Ghz, you'll be fine with this HSF:
$26 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156

Though if you're looking for more of a WOW factor, grab the Corsair Hydro H60, H80, or H100 or Antec Kuhler 920 liquid cooling kits. If you want one of the best air-cooling HSF out there, grab the Noctua NH-D14.

- HDD wise, I'm partial to Samsung myself. Samsung does have a better reliability record than Hitachi to be honest. Also, I'd avoid RAID for the storage altogether and just setup another PC/server for RAID. RAID 5 has a system performance hit and RAID 1 just seems odd with that many drives.

- One SSD should be fine for your needs.

- Motherboard wise, I recommend taking a look at the ASUS P8Z77-V instead.
 
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Alright, will look at that in the morning, thanks love.
Sorry for my brash reply, do not have this case setup to take a liquid kit so will stick with air, will check out the Noctua.

Any particular reason that ASUS over the GB?
 
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