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Feedback/Advice Please - Building First Computer

L

lilspudd

Junior Member
Hello!

I have just spec'd out parts for the computer I plan on building. I've used computers for a long time, but this will be my first time building one so I was hoping I could get some feedback/advice for the parts listed below. It will be my family's primary home computer and we will be using it for everything - web browsing, email, word processing, photo and video editing, watching movies, web chat, and maybe the occasional game playing (used to love playing games). I also work from home sometimes so will be doing some database programming on it. Pretty much everything.

So here is my list of parts. I know I am getting a CPU without overclocking capabilities but getting a MoBo capable of overclocking. My thought here is to get a board that gives me the flexibility to upgrade if I want to. Also, once I get it up and running with the parts listed, I plan on getting a video card and an additional hard drive (non SSD) to store files.

CPU: Intel Core i5 3470
MoBo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Optical Drive: LG Black 14X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 12X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA BDXL Blu-ray Burner, Bare Drive, 3D Play Back (WH14NS40) - OEM
PSU: Rosewill CAPSTONE Series CAPSTONE-650-M 650W ATX12V v2.31 & EPS12V v2.92 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Case: Rosewill LINE GLOW ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,Dual USB 3.0,come with Four Fans,Support up to 7 Fans

In pricing out the parts on NewEgg, everything came out to about $813.94. Sound good? Also, do I need a separate CPU cooler?

Thanks everyone. Looking forward to getting some feedback.
 
Do you need an OS?

Samsung 840 Pro is cheaper than that 830.
Might as well just get the i5 3570k now as Haswell is going to be a different socket.
The ASUS Blu-ray burner is $5 more (counting shipping) but has a $20 MIR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182263
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231560
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135252
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147193
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...=Combo.1177079

$840.43 after promos.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply! For the OS I am planning on installing Windows 8 64-bit. See any issues with it being compatible with the parts I specified? Good call on the Asus Blu Ray burner. I will get that one. And same for the processor. I was debating whether or not to go with the 3570k. May as well right?
 
That PSU is really overkill for your purposes. I'd recommend this 450w model from the same series: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182261

Also, this Corsair 200R for $40AR is definitely a much better case for the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%20200r

Also, you can save a few dollars by buying two of these RAM sticks, which happen to operate at much lower voltage: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148661

So there you go - between DominionSeraph and me you've saved some money and got a better system. Teamwork!
 
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Thanks for the suggestions, Termie. So even when I add on an additional hard drive and a video card (probably one on the higher end), the 450w PSU will still be fine?

Any reason why the Corsair case is better than the Rosewill one I listed? Just wondering. So many different cases, wasn't sure what I should be looking for in one.

Thanks for the suggestions on the RAM. Sounds good.

Appreciate the help!
 
lilspudd said:
Thanks for the suggestions, Termie. So even when I add on an additional hard drive and a video card (probably one on the higher end), the 450w PSU will still be fine?

Any reason why the Corsair case is better than the Rosewill one I listed? Just wondering. So many different cases, wasn't sure what I should be looking for in one.

Thanks for the suggestions on the RAM. Sounds good.

Appreciate the help!
Click to expand...

The Rosewill cases are ok, but at the low-end, they are essentially generic cases with some external add-ons. The Corsair is a legitimate enthusiast case at a bargain price: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/01/07/corsair_carbide_series_200r_compact_atx_case_review

A 450w power supply would be enough to run multiple hard drive and an HD7970 GHz edition, as well as a signficant overclock on the CPU. If you were interested in dual graphics cards, that would change the situation, but otherwise, 650w is unnecessary. For instance, I have never used over 280w on my gaming system, and even when I had a less efficient processor and an older set of dual graphics cards, I didn't go over 420w. Given that your system is much closer to the former, you won't need over 450w.
 
lilspudd said:
I was debating whether or not to go with the 3570k. May as well right?
Click to expand...

Might as well - the price difference isn't much, and it isn't likely LGA1155 is going to see any upgrades (especially with Haswell having a different socket). By doing it, you'll always have the option of adding an aftermarket cooler to overclock for upwards of an additional gigahertz of processor speed if the system ever starts dragging to allow you to extend the life of the system.

DominionSeraph said:
Get this PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371031

$30 after rebate.
Just note it doesn't come with a power cord. It's also not modular. But for that price... goddamn.
Click to expand...

Agree - that is really a good price for a certified 80plus unit (even non-modular and with the added cost of a power cord - if you don't already have one). Antec is a good brand, too. The rebate expires on 01/31 (with a 30 day from purchase postmark requirement), though, so keep that in mind.
 
Sweet! Thanks for chiming in with the information everyone. I have an extra power chord and I don't mind not having the modularity, so this PSU seems good to me! You all have saved me even more money, so thanks!

One more question (I think). Do I need any additional fans or cooling units? Or am I good with what I have? The Corsair 200R case comes with 2 fans and the 3570K CPU comes with a heatsink and a fan.

Thanks again for the help!
 
If you are not overclocking, you'll probably be just fine - the HardOCP review linked by Termie shows that the case had decent airflow in their "smoke test" just with the two default fans. You can always add fans later if you find that you need them. The key is to make sure the front fan pulls air in and the top fan blows air out to keep cooler air moving in and warm air blowing up out of the case.
 
Gotcha. Thanks for the explanation. Okay I think I am all set (for now at least)! Time to order the parts. Thanks again everyone for the help. I'm sure I will be back once I get everything together and start building!
 
Termie said:
A 450w power supply would be enough to run multiple hard drive and an HD7970 GHz edition, as well as a signficant overclock on the CPU. If you were interested in dual graphics cards, that would change the situation, but otherwise, 650w is unnecessary. For instance, I have never used over 280w on my gaming system, and even when I had a less efficient processor and an older set of dual graphics cards, I didn't go over 420w. Given that your system is much closer to the former, you won't need over 450w.
Click to expand...

I think that's pushing it a little. The 7970 Ghz edition plus an i7 will draw something like 429W at the wall. I'd probably go with a 550W model like the Hive for $50 AR.
 
mfenn said:
I think that's pushing it a little. The 7970 Ghz edition plus an i7 will draw something like 429W at the wall. I'd probably go with a 550W model like the Hive for $50 AR.
Click to expand...

I may have pushed it a bit there, you are right. That being said, the OP isn't actually considering a 7970, and the Anandtech bench power numbers are strangely high. With a 3570, a 7970 GHz shouldn't pull more than 350w.
 
Just go with that Antec. That deal is pretty much the best I've seen on a quality 600W PSU. Then he's good on power no matter what he builds.
 
Termie said:
I may have pushed it a bit there, you are right. That being said, the OP isn't actually considering a 7970, and the Anandtech bench power numbers are strangely high. With a 3570, a 7970 GHz shouldn't pull more than 350w.
Click to expand...

They test with an overclocked Socket 2011 to give some buffer, so that's why they are higher than you might expect with a Socket 1155 part.

Anyway, Dominion's PSU is a great deal, so the OP can get power and low cost!
 
Hi all. So I got all my parts and now I am ready to build! Just wanted to see if you had any pointers for me before getting started. Anything I should do in a particular order? The only thing I really haven't done before is install a CPU to the motherboard. Anything tricky with that? Thanks again for all the help everyone!
 
lilspudd said:
Hi all. So I got all my parts and now I am ready to build! Just wanted to see if you had any pointers for me before getting started. Anything I should do in a particular order? The only thing I really haven't done before is install a CPU to the motherboard. Anything tricky with that? Thanks again for all the help everyone!
Click to expand...

Just make sure you orient the CPU in the correct direction. It will have a notch on one side, and you should match that notch with the notch in the socket. Once it fits neatly, you'll lower down the clamp, which will take a bit of force. This will not cause any damage as long as the CPU is oriented in the correct direction. Also take care to mount the heatsink firmly, such that all legs of the heatsink are attached and cannot be pulled out.
 
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