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New Computer build

I

ibbeebee

n00b
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
15
Hi all, I have been a lurker on here for some years but this is only my second or third post.

I started a thread for this build over a year ago, life got in the way but I'm back with the intention to get something built this time.

I am about to build a new computer probably my last, well in this life anyway (I'm Seventy) 71 now.

The machine will be used mostly for games & internet I also do some modding but mostly text based no models.

My monitor will have 2560x1440 resolution probably one of the korean ones .

My favoured games are big world RPGs & the whole Stalker family .

Case Silverstone Fortress FT02S Silver with Window USB 3.0. 239.00.
(My Preferred Option now)

Case SilverStone Raven RV02-E USB 3.0 with Window 195.00
the price is attractive but I like the look of the silver one & it's probably a bit quieter as well.

Power Supply Seasonic XP-860 Platinum 860W Power Supply 275.00

Probably more than I need but it will be really quiet. The fan will probably only turn on when the graphic cards start to work hard, & it's only about 15 dollars more than the 850 Gold anyway.

Alternative Power Supply Seasonic X-760 80 Plus 225.00

ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE Motherboard $309.00
A bit more money than I was planning to spend but but it's bios & software & the review on here pushed me over the line

Motherboard ASUS Sabertooth Z77 Motherboard 249.00.
It would look gorgeous in my case but I am open to suggestions on this.

I'd like to be able to use the silver arrow & the first PCI e slot . I'm unsure if I will be able to do this with any Z77 motherboard so any input would be appreciated.

I want 2 Graphic cards & the first PCI e slot will be the best one to use for my sound card.

Motherboard MSI Z77 MPOWER Motherboard 229.00.
I'm leaning towards this one at the moment.

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP4-TH Motherboard
I know it's frivilous but I like the look of the gigabyte thunderbolt motherboards better than the non thunderbolt ones, less blue. I preferred the look of the last generation Gigabyte Boards

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H-WB 275.00.


Cpu Intel Intel Core i5 3570K 233.00 almost the only choice.

CPU Cooler http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/cpu/silver_arrow/product_cpu_silver_arrow.html
The Original model I already have this & it will limit the motherboards I can use.

CPU Cooler http://www.thermalright.com/products/index.php?act=data&id=95. I own one of these to so if the Silver arrow wont fit I can use this

Memory G.Skill Ares F3-1866C10D-16GAB 16GB (2x8GB) ) (Low Profile so less heatsink issues ) 95.00.
I'm open to suggestions on this, reading Memory Specs gives me a headache.

SSD Samsung 830 Series 256GB SSD Retail Box 215.00 in Australia could go down a little more in the next week or so with the 840 coming

Harddisc (2) Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ it's really a pity these have gone but so life goes

Harddisc (1) Seagate Barracuda 2TB ST2000DM001 105.00.
I will get 1 for now & may buy a second one for a raid if & when the prices come down I already own a number of 750 GB drives.

Graphics card Sapphire Radeon HD7970 3GB OC Edition 449.00.

I may buy 2 of these straight up my original plan was to buy a second one later .

I am torn between these 2 cards now they are both reputed to be pretty quiet, but I think the Sapphire will win out.

Graphics card HIS Radeon HD7970 3GB X Edition 599.00
The reviews for it are looking really good but it is a lot more money.

SoundCard Auzintech X-FI Forte I already own this.

BlueRay Reader Lite-On IHES312 12X Blu-Ray DVD Combo Drive .

I may finish up getting a slot loaded Slim SATA Blu-Ray Reader Combo It would increase the space for a second graphics card & I could put it in one of these units.
Silverstone FP58B 5.25 Cover Bay for Slot loading Slim ODD. It also has space for 2 SSD's.

Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64bit with SP1 .

Any suggestions for improvements would be greatly appreciated, Regards Beebee
 
Last edited:
71 and you're building gaming PCs? I tip my hat to you sir!

Now to go through your build:
CASE: Both of your case choices are fairly solid. It's pretty much down to price and looks at this point.

PSU: Even if you're doing a ton of heavy overclocking and doing GTX 680 SLI, you'll still be fine with a solid 750W PSU. I highly recommend going with the Seasonic X750 Gold. Don't worry about platinum as it honestly doesn't matter that much:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/10/04/80_plus_irrelevant_to_you_when_buying_psu/

MOTHERBOARD: I'm partial to the MSI myself.

RAM: That RAM is not worth it since current Intel CPUs do not take advantage of high-speed RAM. So you'll be fine with any DDR3-1333 and DRR3 1600 RAM set. So I would recommend this RAM instead if it's cheaper than the G.Skill set you mentioned:
$80 - Corsair Vengeance LP CML16GX3M2A1600C10 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM

GPU: I don't keep up on "quiet video cards" so I really can't help here.

SSD/HDD: All solid choices.
 
I'm still looking for info on which Z77 boards are compatible with the Silver Arrow. It will need 80 MM clearance to the first PCIe X16 slot I know I won't be able to use the first PCIe X1 slot Thanks in advance for any help Beebee
 
Well I still haven't pulled the pin but have made a small purchase that has me doing a lot of rethinking.

I brought a Teralink X2 with the power supply & the USB isolator & I'm startled by the difference in sound quality in my system. My speaker system is an old Boston Acoustics BA 7500 G that I have owned for many years with numerous sound cards Audigy 1 & 2 Xfi gamer. The sound the Teralink is pulling out of the bostons is amazing & way more than I thought they were capable of!!
They now have a broad soundstage, the sub doesn't go any deeper but is now much better controlled.

I have a CD that I have never been able to play on my computer because of low end distortion " phonophali genetic engineering"

I played it for several hours slowly raising the volume eventually the sound became quite unpleasant but at no point did the sub distort.

One odd phenomena with high volume the Power Supply for the converter got quite hot. I don't understand why, the computer volume is Maxed & any changes in volume are happening at the Sub. So why should the the power supply for the converter get hot? I would have thought that there would be no change to the converter with volume .

It's not without issues I need to turn the sound off when I not using it as sometimes it seems to react with static to keyboard inputs & occasionally there is a great roaring sound from the speakers.
I used to get the same sound from my first Audigy every time I did a computer upgrade until after I had updated it's drivers.

I have yet to use it with a game as I am waiting on my new build before playing but if I can live without Positional Audio, I will probably never go back to a sound Card
 
What questions do you still have about this new build?
 
None now, I have made a change to the motherboard probably going for the ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE now.
I took a while to find out about silver arrow compatibility but in the end think it will fit almost any of them just without the first PCIe X1 slot. The MSI is a bit cramped around the socket area & there could be issues with the armor on the sabertooth but otherwise I think any of the rest of the boards would have been OK.
I probably would have gone for one of the cheaper Asus boards if it wasn't for all those bloody PCI slots. The only 2 reasonably priced Asus boards with usable PCIe X1 slots & a large cooler are the sabertooth & the Deluxe.
I was also looking at the new Gigabyte boards, the UP series. I like their look, the layout & the stability of both the UP4 & the UP5 but think it's too soon for thunderbird & adding it has meant that to many other features are lacking.

In the end the Asus Bios & software Suite swung it for me & Kyle's review of it played a part as well.
I am going for the Seasonic X-760 80Plus as am convinced that it should be all I need for this build. .
As for the rest I think I will go with what I have in the cart. I will sleep on it & pull the plug tomorrow .
Any last minute input would be appreciated Regards Beebee
 
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