Another Newbie Trying to Build a Gaming PC

[ADD1CTED GAM3R]

Practice with the mouse. It is 2x more precise.

That's what I've heard, but I've been playing games on consoles for so long that I can't seem to wrap my head around the controls of a mouse and keyboard, haha! Which is strange, because not only am I a very fast typer, but I'm also a drummer, so I'm usually very coordinated, especially when it comes to my limbs doing different things at the same time.

Yet, for some reason, I just can't get the hang of using the mouse and keyboard for gaming! With practice I'm sure that will change though.

 

[DSF]

I think you're more worried about airflow than you need to be. I have a card similar to what you're buying, a 7950, and I run my fans (just two) at 5V instead of 12V and I have no problems with heat.

More fans won't hurt anything obviously, but I would try it without. In terms of stuff you can buy later if you decide it's necessary fans are at the top of the list.

Since an SSD fits easily into your budget I would give it a really hard look before I would decide to cut it. Just to give you some idea of what the benefit is, think about how often your computer has to pause to load something from the hard drive. It's more frequent than you might first imagine.

- Load up the OS at startup
- Reading or writing incidental temp files
- Opening any application
- Working with documents/spreadsheets/etc.
- Loading game info/levels
- Blah...

So where you really see the benefit of the SSD is in the speed with which it can do those incidental fetches from the drive. The whole system just feels quicker because you don't have to wait a few seconds while Word opens for example. You just click on it and it's open. Literally, Word opens for me in the blink of an eye.

For some games that doesn't matter as much because there's also processing to be done at the beginning of the game, or an intro movie or whatever. But for others there's a marked difference - BF3 levels open much faster than they used to for me.

If that doesn't appeal to you it's 100% up to you. But just understand that that's where the SSD really shines.

 

[ADD1CTED GAM3R]

I think you're more worried about airflow than you need to be. I have a card similar to what you're buying, a 7950, and I run my fans (just two) at 5V instead of 12V and I have no problems with heat.

More fans won't hurt anything obviously, but I would try it without. In terms of stuff you can buy later if you decide it's necessary fans are at the top of the list.

Since an SSD fits easily into your budget I would give it a really hard look before I would decide to cut it. Just to give you some idea of what the benefit is, think about how often your computer has to pause to load something from the hard drive. It's more frequent than you might first imagine.

- Load up the OS at startup
- Reading or writing incidental temp files
- Opening any application
- Working with documents/spreadsheets/etc.
- Loading game info/levels
- Blah...

So where you really see the benefit of the SSD is in the speed with which it can do those incidental fetches from the drive. The whole system just feels quicker because you don't have to wait a few seconds while Word opens for example. You just click on it and it's open. Literally, Word opens for me in the blink of an eye.

For some games that doesn't matter as much because there's also processing to be done at the beginning of the game, or an intro movie or whatever. But for others there's a marked difference - BF3 levels open much faster than they used to for me.

If that doesn't appeal to you it's 100% up to you. But just understand that that's where the SSD really shines.

I see where you're coming from, but the problem there lies in the size of the SSD. A small SSD like the 120GB that I have picked out would fill up rather quickly if I was loading it with every program I wanted to have on my PC, and as you get into larger SSDs, you also get into a much more expensive price range.

 

[DSF]

I see where you're coming from, but the problem there lies in the size of the SSD. A small SSD like the 120GB that I have picked out would fill up rather quickly if I was loading it with every program I wanted to have on my PC, and as you get into larger SSDs, you also get into a much more expensive price range.

That's true, but you don't load every program onto the SSD. Or at least I don't. BF3 is on there, as well as a few Steam games that don't let me choose where to install. Most Steam games let you choose which drive to install the game onto though, so there's no hassle in splitting them as you see fit.

Basic productivity apps don't take up much space.

Also, part of the point is that all the system files that the computer will need to access no matter what it's doing are on the fast drive.

Anyway, I can completely understand not getting an SSD. I had the same debate with myself that you're currently having, and I'm glad I got one that's 180GB. But I now wouldn't build a home system without one.

 

[ADD1CTED GAM3R]

That's true, but you don't load every program onto the SSD. Or at least I don't. BF3 is on there, as well as a few Steam games that don't let me choose where to install. Most Steam games let you choose which drive to install the game onto though, so there's no hassle in splitting them as you see fit.

Basic productivity apps don't take up much space.

Also, part of the point is that all the system files that the computer will need to access no matter what it's doing are on the fast drive.

Anyway, I can completely understand not getting an SSD. I had the same debate with myself that you're currently having, and I'm glad I got one that's 180GB. But I now wouldn't build a home system without one.

Newegg has a Samsung 840 250GB for about $170 after a promo code, so that should be good enough. I'll have a 2TB internal, and I have a 1TB external as well. Got space? Lol.

 

[mfenn]

Here's what I've got put together. Let me know what you guys think, please!

1) Cooler Master HAF 922 Case
Retail: $119.99 > $20 Instant > $10 Rebate > $20 Promo = $69.99
7) Cooler Master 200mm Case Fan
Retail: $23.99 > $7 Instant > $8 Rebate = $8.99

My main issue is with these two parts. The HAF 922 was certainly great in its day, but it is getting kind of outmoded. Also, you don't need an extra case fan; the system you're putting together isn't going to run that hot.

If it were me, I'd much rather have the Corsair 300R.

 

[ADD1CTED GAM3R]

What makes that case better?

 

[mfenn]

What makes that case better?

A few things:
- Better, quieter fans
- Better cable management
- Looks (subjective)
- Center pin for easier motherboard mounting
- More room for long cards
- Better tool-less mounting system