Compatibility Test Help and Advice Please, First Time Building

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dotcommabracket

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Hello!

I'm new here and new at building computers, so I would very much appreciate your help. :D

I'm building my first computer and wanted to know make sure my parts are compatible. Also if you could lend some advice on if i'm considering a part that is a major bottleneck or whatnot, that would be great!

My computer is going to be for playing games (i.e. swtor, skyrim) and for regular use, like web browsing and such. I'm not planning on overclocking at all, but would like the option of SLI in the future. Also, I'm reusing my keyboard, mouse, and speakers, and getting all my parts at the near by Fry's rather than ordering online.

Here are my components -

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V Pro Intel Z68 1155
http://www.frys.com/product/6639884
-Wasn't sure whether to go for the pro or regular (http://www.frys.com/product/6639874) because I am confused on the difference so I figured pro would be better?? :\

CPU: Intel i5 2500k SB (getting the k-series as it's only a few more dollars more and allow me to OC in case I do want to later)
http://www.frys.com/product/6487382

GPU: Asus GTX 560 Ti 1GB DDR5 Memory
http://www.frys.com/product/6519023

RAM: Corsair DDR3 8GB 1333MHz Dual Vengeance Memory
http://www.frys.com/product/6906857
-(Question: Do two sticks come in one pack? If each kit has 2 sticks, would it be beneficial to get 2 kits to fill all four slots to get 16GB?)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar 1TB SATA Black
http://www.frys.com/product/5643481
-(Question: Would it be better to separate the O/S from my data? If it is better, how big of a size should I get for the O/S drive and would apps go onto there as well?)

OD: Asus 24X OEM DVDRW
http://www.frys.com/product/6215170

Case: Raidmax ATX201BP ATX Case
http://www.frys.com/product/6514893
-Would you advise to add anymore fans?
-Also, to use the front ports, would I have get a different motherboard with ports on the front side of it?

PSU: Was a bit confused about this part. :\ If someone could help me that would be great! I saw that the case I wanted had a 420w ATX PSU included, but would that work with my rig?


Sorry if my build is totally wrong and needs a lot of working, but thank you so much in advance!!
 
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The thing I've learned from experience is that upgrading coolers when you're ready isn't always the best idea especially if your case isn't made for installing aftermarket cooling systems - on a lot of Antec cases and some Cooler Master, and a few others, you have to take out the entire motherboard to remove the original fan's base plate to install the new one (every fan has a different one). Even if you don't OC right now - installing coolers can be a huge pain and if you don't install it correctly can have some bad consequences for your system (I've fried a...

truegenius

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better ram
geil 4 gb ddr3 1600mhz cl7
www.hardwarest.com/product/Geil-GUP34GB1600C7DC-157567.html
(gup34gb1600c7dc)

corsair 8gb ddr3 1600mhz cl8
www.corsair.com/vengeance-8gb-dual-channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cmz8gx3m2a1600c8.html
(cmz8gx3m2a1600c8)

you will need a 600w powersupply with 35 to 40a rating at 12v rail (combined)

other things are good
 

g-unit1111

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Case: Raidmax ATX201BP ATX Case
http://www.frys.com/product/6514893
-Would you advise to add anymore fans?
-Also, to use the front ports, would I have get a different motherboard with ports on the front side of it?

I would heavily advise against buying a Raidmax case - we use these where I work and they are just awful - no cable management, terrible air flow (and non-existent ventilation), and really difficult to work with.

I would also advise not buying from Fry's either - they sell a lot of recertified and returned merchandise, and they never explain what these items were returned for, and they don't take them back either. Buy from Newegg - if something goes wrong they will take it back for any reason.

And you do not want to use a built-in PSU either - that could mean bad things down the road. You want one that is certified and rated 80+ bronze or better - that PSU is dangerously underpowered for that GPU. This would be a far better choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

PSU: Was a bit confused about this part. :\ If someone could help me that would be great! I saw that the case I wanted had a 420w ATX PSU included, but would that work with my rig?

Built in PSUs are generally bad news to begin with, and with the components you've selected that could have the potential to be really bad news down the road. This is a far better case for the same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

And if you plan to OC, you will need a good aftermarket cooling system, and you certainly don't want to skimp on the PSU - that could be disastrous.

-(Question: Would it be better to separate the O/S from my data? If it is better, how big of a size should I get for the O/S drive and would apps go onto there as well?)

Yes but if you're going to use a 1TB hard drive it'd be far better to get a small SSD (40 - 64GB) and use that as your primary, then enable the SSD cache for your secondary.

Sorry if my build is totally wrong and needs a lot of working, but thank you so much in advance!!

No problem - it's like buying a car - you definitely want to do the most research you can before spending your cash.

But again I will say DO NOT buy from Frys'. Buy from Newegg, Tiger, anywhere else, but do not buy from Fry's.

-(Question: Do two sticks come in one pack? If each kit has 2 sticks, would it be beneficial to get 2 kits to fill all four slots to get 16GB?)

Z68 is a dual channel system. It will require 2 sticks in order to function properly. And no you don't need to fill all four slots to get the most from your system - 8GB is plenty. And you need at least 1600MHz, not 1333.
 

dotcommabracket

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So if I don't OC right now, would I still need that cooling system or could I just add it later when I do OC?

And if you don't mind, could you point out a good one? :)
 

g-unit1111

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The thing I've learned from experience is that upgrading coolers when you're ready isn't always the best idea especially if your case isn't made for installing aftermarket cooling systems - on a lot of Antec cases and some Cooler Master, and a few others, you have to take out the entire motherboard to remove the original fan's base plate to install the new one (every fan has a different one). Even if you don't OC right now - installing coolers can be a huge pain and if you don't install it correctly can have some bad consequences for your system (I've fried a couple motherboards that way).

If you're a first timer it's always better to go with a good air cooling system - installing a liquid block like the H80 or H100 can be a huge pain if you don't know what you are doing. Even the big double heat sink / fan combos can be a pain to install as well. I'd recommend going with a good fan like the Noctua NH-U9B, or the Cooler Master Hyper 212, or maybe something like the EVGA M020.
 
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