Help a newbie put together an i7 system :)

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soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
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Originally posted by: entropy1982
Thank you I didn't know this. I just don't know how buggy the version is. Any experience with it?

I am running it as my primary OS on my new build until W7 RTM's this fall. It is extremely stable and no show stopper bugs. I have no hesitation recommending it temporarily on a home system.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
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Originally posted by: Diogenes2
I think you would do much better with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005

The Antec 500 seems a bit lean to me..

I like your case .... I have the same...

That is 500 Watts continuous while the Corsair is 650 Watts for up to a minute and about 520 Watts continuous.

OP, the 500 watt is fine if you don't plan to ever crossfire or SLI. If you do plan either of those things then upgrade to the Antec Earthwatts EA650. And modular is only for those so anal that they have to have the inside completely free of extra clutter. Since I don't stare at the inside of my case, modular is a waste of money when there are much better PSU's for less money.
 

jandlecack

Senior member
Apr 25, 2009
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Originally posted by: soonerproud
And modular is only for those so anal that they have to have the inside completely free of extra clutter. Since I don't stare at the inside of my case, modular is a waste of money when there are much better PSU's for less money.

Whatever, I do enjoy the fact that I have exactly 3 peripheral cables coming out of my PSU: one for the graphics card and two for my HDDs and disc drives. I haven't used molex cables in years and hate non-modular power supplies because of this.

Besides it can drastically improve airflow...
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
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Originally posted by: jandlecack
Originally posted by: soonerproud
And modular is only for those so anal that they have to have the inside completely free of extra clutter. Since I don't stare at the inside of my case, modular is a waste of money when there are much better PSU's for less money.

Whatever, I do enjoy the fact that I have exactly 3 peripheral cables coming out of my PSU: one for the graphics card and two for my HDDs and disc drives. I haven't used molex cables in years and hate non-modular power supplies because of this.

Besides it can drastically improve airflow...

The airflow thing is BS if you know how to do simple cable management and the other reasons just aren't worth paying a premium for a lesser speced PSU. Add on the fact that most modular PSU's are not as effcient as non-modular type and I just don't see any good reason to use a modular.

I have the unused connectors hidden behind the PSU so they don't impede airflow and my case looks just as neat and clean as any with a modular PSU.
 

jandlecack

Senior member
Apr 25, 2009
244
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Originally posted by: soonerproud
Originally posted by: jandlecack
Originally posted by: soonerproud
And modular is only for those so anal that they have to have the inside completely free of extra clutter. Since I don't stare at the inside of my case, modular is a waste of money when there are much better PSU's for less money.

Whatever, I do enjoy the fact that I have exactly 3 peripheral cables coming out of my PSU: one for the graphics card and two for my HDDs and disc drives. I haven't used molex cables in years and hate non-modular power supplies because of this.

Besides it can drastically improve airflow...

The airflow thing is BS if you know how to do simple cable management and the other reasons just aren't worth paying a premium for a lesser speced PSU. Add on the fact that most modular PSU's are not as effcient as non-modular type and I just don't see any good reason to use a modular.

Where the heck are you getting this from? The modular Corsair power supplies are top rated and received awards all over the place, just like beQuiet models. Antec Earthwatts? Not so much. They are still pretty good but nowhere nearly as praised as others.

Also,

I have the unused connectors hidden behind the PSU so they don't impede airflow and my case looks just as neat and clean as any with a modular PSU.

I have my doubts about that. Anyway, stop making claims about something you can't back up. A modular power supply is not by rule "less efficient". That is some of the worst crap I ever heard.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
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Originally posted by: jandlecack
I have my doubts about that. Anyway, stop making claims about something you can't back up. A modular power supply is not by rule "less efficient". That is some of the worst crap I ever heard.

Before you claim my post is BS, why don't you do what I just recently did and actually spec the damned things. Most modular PSU's are not 80 + platinum certified ( they are either silver or bronze) and they cost a LOT MORE for lower specs.

I seriously looked at modular PSU's just a month ago when shopping for this one. Only Antec uses continous power to rate their PSU's so any other brand that is rated 650 is actually between 500 and 550, depending on the actual effeciency of the PSU.

I am trying to help the op get the most for his dollar, not all the fanciest features that don't mean jack squat when it comes to actually powering the PC. Modular is a gimmick to get you to pay more for less and nothing more.
 

jandlecack

Senior member
Apr 25, 2009
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... The Corsair HX series is and always was 80+ certified, as are 90% of all the modular PSU's I look at. Example: Enermax, Silverstone. Seriously, which brands where you comparing?

Also if memory doesn't fool me here, the beQuiet DarkPower Pro is 85+ certified even.

A modular PSU is NOT a gimmick and my recommendation unless you absolutely need the most Watts for your money possible. If you don't buy shit, you get even better stuff than comparable non-modular supplies.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
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Originally posted by: jandlecack
... The Corsair HX series is and always was 80+ certified, as are 90% of all the modular PSU's I look at. Example: Enermax, Silverstone. Seriously, which brands where you comparing?

Also if memory doesn't fool me here, the beQuiet DarkPower Pro is 85+ certified even.

A modular PSU is NOT a gimmick and my recommendation unless you absolutely need the most Watts for your money possible. If you don't buy shit, you get even better stuff than comparable non-modular supplies.

This is the case for the majority of people out there. If given a choice of lesser PC components or a modular PSU because of budget, which are you going to sacrifice? The OP has a budget, wants the most bang for his buck and as much video and processing power possible. With those types of constraints a modualr PSU is not even worth looking at since the actual PC components are much more important to overall system performance.

@OP:

If you have tons of cash to just blow on everything, then go modular if that is what you want. Just remember that a 650 PSU for any other brand but Antec is rated peak and therefore it is actually around 520 watts continuous for most PSU's. Antec is just a suggestion as PCPower and Cooling and Corsair also make ecellent PSU's. I believe that Antec is giving you more for your money and the reviews all over the web are excellent on these PSU's.

At the end of the day just do some comparison shopping and make certain the PSU has active PFC and is at least 80 + certified.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
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Originally posted by: jandlecack
If he has to go non-modular anyway then I wouldn't settle for less than 700W, 80+ or not.

A 700 Watt Corsair is still lower continous rated that a 650 Antec. At 700 PEAK The psu would only draw about 560-580 CONTINOUS power.

In other words, the Antec gives you more for your money, even rated at 650 vs any other 700 rated PSU.
 

jandlecack

Senior member
Apr 25, 2009
244
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Originally posted by: soonerproud
Originally posted by: jandlecack
If he has to go non-modular anyway then I wouldn't settle for less than 700W, 80+ or not.

A 700 Watt Corsair is still lower continous rated that a 650 Antec. At 700 PEAK The psu would only draw about 560-580 CONTINOUS power.

In other words, the Antec gives you more for your money, even rated at 650 vs any other 700 rated PSU.

How so? Either you provide something to back this claim up, or you stop bringing it up. The Corsair TX750W is 80+ certified and ... there is no 700W Corsair.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
1,874
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Originally posted by: jandlecack
How so? Either you provide something to back this claim up, or you stop bringing it up. The Corsair TX750W is 80+ certified and ... there is no 700W Corsair.

Why don't you start backing your claims up? Antec rates at continous power, they are the only PSU maker to do so at this time. Antec advertises this because it gives them an edge over most other PSU makers because most still rate peak. Now prove me wrong or get on with your day. Unless Corsair and others just started rating continous, you have to go off of past history and all these companies use peak power to rate their supplies.

Edit:

The general 700 Watt Corsair was an example, not indicative of an actual model.
 

entropy1982

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2005
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Ok guys so i think it is basically finalized

http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=15624227

Few last questions

1. Which fans do i get and how many do I need?


http://www.jab-tech.com/Yate-L...-D14SL-12-pr-4333.html

Or these

http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-L...ium-Speed-pr-3823.html

2. Am I also replacing the fan on the cpu cooler?

3. Is the PSU enough voltage?

4. Do I need any cables I am not thinking of that may not come w the parts I am ordering? SATA, etc?

5. I still need a decent 2.1 speaker system if anyone here could recommend one

6. Do you think I am making a mistake in not getting a fan controller?

7. Did I miss something? :)

Thanks again

Edit: Keep in mind that my budget is very flexible
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
1,874
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Originally posted by: entropy1982
Originally posted by: Diogenes2
I'd recommend the 620 watt Corsair PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139002

Ok, any reason I need the extra 100 watts?

also, does anyone know how many additional 120mm yate loons i should get for the case?

If you don't plan to Crossfire, SLI, or overclock, there is nothing wrong with the PSU you selected. Just remember that you will have no flexibility to do so in the future if you change your mind so it might be better to get a higher rated PSU just in case.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
1,874
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No problem.

And to your fan question, since the i7 is known to run a little hot, I would select the medium speed fan over the low speed one because it pushes nearly twice as much air. You just aren't going to get a completely silent PC by going with a i7 because of the need for decent cooling.
 

entropy1982

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2005
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Hmm, I am not replacing the HSF fan, I was talking about the additional fans I'm buying to add to the case
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
1,874
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Yeah, I was talking about those fans. You don't want that heat building up in your case so it might be best to use fans that push a few more CFM so you don't have heat issues.

The D12SM-124B looks like it would be a good compromise between quiet and decent air flow.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
1,874
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For the case you have in your wish list the answer is none. It has 3 120 mm fans, 1 in back, 1 in the side and one in front of the drive bay already. That should be more than plenty of cooling, unless you want to add another side fan for the fun of it
 

GarfieldtheCat

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2005
3,708
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Originally posted by: entropy1982
Sounds good any idea how many extra I need for the case? 3?

I don't think you need any, since it comes with three, and with your HS, the "open" side vent won't fit a fan.

Otherwise, I think everything looks pretty good.
 

soonerproud

Golden Member
Jun 30, 2007
1,874
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That antec is a good deal and is equvilent to a 850-900 Watt PSU from the other guys because of the way Antec rates it's supplies.

I just rolled the extra cables up and safely tucked them behind the PSU. You cant see them and they are not in the way of any fans or blocking any air flow. As I stated earlier in the thread. Good cable management is the key to using a non-modular PSU.

Edit: The 275 is slightly faster than the 260 but not worth the extra $50 to $70 for about 5-10% performance. You should look into the 4870 since it is the fastest card in it's price range in most games. The best way to determine if you should either buy the 4870 or the 260 is to read benchies on the cards and see which one performs better at the games you play.

Anandtech has excellent reviews on these cards as does Tom's Hardware. Just go to the Video section of the forum for links to these reviews and do a search for those two cards.

Here is a link to some pics I took of the inside of my case so you could see what I am talking about when it comes to cable management.

My System Photos On Windows Live

Notice that there is nothing obstructing the air flow in the case whatsoever and that only the lines I actually need are run to the main body of the case. The rest are safely tucked behind the PSU and are only visible upon real close inspection.