Please critique my new build!

Assoul

Member
Apr 13, 2013
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0
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Hello,

I am looking at building a new computer but wanted to get some feedback on the components I'm picking. Please feel free to post your comments!

Thanks!

Processor:
AMD FX-8350
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 R5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128859

Video Cards:
2 x nVidia GTX 480

SSD
4 x Samsung EVO 250 GB (RAID 10)

HDD
4 x WD Caviar Black 2 GB (RAID 10)

RAID Controller:
A used Dell PERC RAID controller I haven't picked out yet; I'll start with 1 drive of each in the motherboard and upgrade to full RAID later. Do you still have to install the OS on the RAID and later tell it to store your user folder on the HDD or is there a better way to go about doing it?

Memory:
G. Skill 4 x 8GB PC3(12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231569

Case:
NZXT H630
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146103

PSU:
eVGA 1000w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438062


Let me know what you think, thanks!
 
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Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,545
236
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What's the computer going to be used for? Because right off the bat my assessment is overkill on drives and underkill on the CPU.

And I am not sure why you would want to put user folders on a separate drive since it is going to be RAID anyway (as the board supports RAID 0-10).
 
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Assoul

Member
Apr 13, 2013
32
0
61
What's the computer going to be used for? Because right off the bat my assessment is overkill on drives and underkill on the CPU.

And I am not sure why you would want to put user folders on a separate drive since it is going to be RAID anyway (as the board supports RAID 0-10).

Mainly desktop use / remote support (hence quad monitor support) but I do want to be able to play occasional games. The purpose of separating user folders is to keep the OS and applications on the SSD and user doucments / music / videos on the larger HDDs. And RAID 10 is just to be awesomer. That is, one RAID 10 group for the SSDs and a second for the HDDs.

Why are you saying that the CPU is underkill? It scored 8950 on cpubenchmark.net. I know it's not as prestigious as your 4790 but it's also half the price yet just 20% less powerful.

I've been out of the PC building world for a while so please feel free to correct any mistakes I'm making. My last computer build was in 2008 so figure it's time to upgrade but I don't want to drop $2k on a new build - I'd rather spend ~$1,100 now and upgrade slowly over time.
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,545
236
106
For the use you presented, the CPU is fine (that's why I asked). I will say that 16 GB is plenty on RAM, even when running 4 VMs at once. So you may want to start with less than 32 GB, and add more if you think it's really needed.

Also 4 WD Blacks, and 2 480s is going to make a very hot environment for that Vishera, so I would definitely recommend giving water cooling strong consideration if you have not already.
 

Assoul

Member
Apr 13, 2013
32
0
61
For the use you presented, the CPU is fine (that's why I asked). I will say that 16 GB is plenty on RAM, even when running 4 VMs at once. So you may want to start with less than 32 GB, and add more if you think it's really needed.

Also 4 WD Blacks, and 2 480s is going to make a very hot environment for that Vishera, so I would definitely recommend giving water cooling strong consideration if you have not already.

Thank you for your feedback. I ordered 32 GB of the memory because, I figure, what's another $69 compared to $1,000 and might as well install it once and forget about it. Yes, I do use virtual machines for consulting / encryption. Plus, 32 is more awesomer than 16.
 

WT

Diamond Member
Sep 21, 2000
4,818
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Two slower video cards is never as good a choice as one faster one.
 

Assoul

Member
Apr 13, 2013
32
0
61
Two slower video cards is never as good a choice as one faster one.

You're probably right, but I am getting these cards for very cheap. I think, together, they're probably running me a little over $100. Video cards depreciate in price so quickly anyway that I wouldn't feel right dropping more than $170 on any single card. Here, I'm buying used ones.

However, the real reason I'm going for a dual video card solution is so I can expand to 4 monitors with relative ease for use in remote support. And if I can play some light games here and there, why not? The next option would be to purchase a GT 710, two of which would run me about the same amount of money - minus the upgraded power supply, which itself doesn't depreciate and comes with a 10-year warranty.
 
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