New machine, would appreciate input

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gheedorah

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Nov 9, 2011
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I'd like to build my own machine, and learn all the ins-and-outs of a lot of concepts of hardware operations, but I'm a very slow learner, and right now just isn't the right time for me to undertake a task like this. So, that being said, I am buying a machine today, and have gone as cheap as possible on the motherboard (ASUS P8Z77-V LX), and want to know from you resident experts here whether that will in any way negate:

Paying for a mild overclocking of the 3770k
Splurging for the 7970 HIS IceQ X2 GHz Edition

And if so, what is the lowest-cost motherboard to sub in?

I cringe when my lady buys a new Mac every other year (omg you're throwing money away), and I'm assuming that would be the same reaction to the aforementioned paying for the OCing, but like I said, that's where I am right now.

Thanks for any feedback.

Also, if necessary for answering my question, the rest of the build is:

8 GB 1866Mhz RAM
128GB SSD
1TB 7200RPM HDD

Sufficient power supply, lots of fans, etc.

(P.S. would I see any gain going beyond 8 gigs of RAM?)

BTW, this will be for random gaming (I have phases of MMO's for a few months at a time- Rift or Aion or Secret World or whatever), as well as Photoshop/Illustrator/Indesign/Captivate/some light video editing.
 
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Some of this stuff costs considerably more on NCIX...price is creeping on upward...(3770k @ $318 on amazon, $350 on NCIX). I'm going to ask you for some more swaps/recommendations once I'm done loading most of this into my cart, if you don't mind!
 
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Yah, there's a message about it, they're not using amazon.com prices because of inconsistencies, etc.

Could you help me figure out which 7970 GHz edition I want from their list? They don't carry the HIS IceQ X2 GHz Edition that I really wanted- any suggestions on the next-best? I am confused because the non GHz version I downgraded to when comparing my price with yours earlier, you seemed to not like, but it looks like the one you put in my list is the same (in being baseline)?

If I were you, I'd be annoyed by someone asking for help buying a higher-end item than what they need, with absolutely no idea what the difference is, so I can only hope you'll help me out, keeping in mind that in the future, I'd like to have the time to learn more about all of this, and at that point, not have to replace multiple components.
 
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I just came back to say "nevermind, I'm sticking with the one you originally picked".
 
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Ok, I've tweaked your recommendations a little bit- http://pcpartpicker.com/user/gheedorah/saved/1zlx

Per Omnimodis, read more about ASRock Z77 Extreme4 and decided on that motherboard.

Switched the RAM based on some comments here on this forum, as well as elsewhere.


All I've left is to add a cooler. Opted not to go with the Phanteks on your original shopping list. I can spend more than the cost of that one, and want to spend a bit extra considering ambient temperatures in my house in the summer, and additionally, I'd just like to spend a little extra for a slight increase in quality, even if superfluous (not saying your recommendation was cheap!).

I've been comparing some closed loop watercoolers and some air coolers, most of them falling into the 60 - 100 range- any suggestions as to how to maximize my money within this range would be appreciated, as well as any feedback on any other aspect of the updated build.
 
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Re: ram - These sticks are only $0.49 more than your original recommendation. Nominal price difference for nominally better option (lower physical profile, and lower CAS, neither of which are game-changers, but, their dimensions are a 50 cent insurance policy in case I decide on, or upgrade to in the future, a larger cooler [i.e. learn to overclock and want to upgrade]).

Re: SSD - Just not compelled to go in so hard on the SSD option at the moment. This option shaves $50 off the suggested 256 GB option, is +/- $20 pretty much anything in the 120 - 128 GB range, and I found many great reviews/benchmarks of the thing- good compromise between lowering my costs, and improving performance. I am just learning about SSD technology, and don't mind paying a small premium for a well-regarded component.

Re: case - Perhaps the Fractal is the superior case. Here, aesthetics are relevant for me. The Corsair is a quality box, and I personally like it (and a ton of 5-egg feedback). Besides, I have to look at it for hours and hours each day. I'm not hurting myself getting a box that will do a fine job of circulation and wire management, and is very pleasant to look at (I don't need a ton of USB 3.0- I plug in pretty much nothing but my wireless mouse Tx/Rx).

Re: motherboard - Done and done (upped to the 6).

Cooler? COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO? Noctua NH-D14? Corsair H55? I've got room in the budget. Recommendations?
 
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-yeah the price went up. here you go
http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=78420&vpn=KHX16C10B1BK2%2F16X&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1304

-id definitely pay 50 bucks for double the capacity. you will be suprised to see how fast a SSD fills up. if not, just get the m5x 128gb for 86.99

-well you arent going to be putting the case on your desk anyways due to the large size (the 600t in real life is more of a full tower sized unit). id definitely rate build quality over asthetics

as for the CPU cooler, this is the most balanced option. its in between the 212 evo and the d14. liquid cooling is a joke
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709020&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 
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Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between the originally-suggested Blu Red, and this Blu Black? Is there a quick answer or is this a job for extensive googling? While the concept of "grabbing the cheapest pair" is a bit startling to hear, I do see that there are the better part of a dozen options for 16 GB in 2x8GB config for cheaper than even the $109.99 that you just suggested- any reason for Kingston specifically?

I'll probably stick with this one, but I'll at least have a look at the M5X (though I can't find an M5X in partpicker, and can't find any Plextor corresponding with the 89.99 you mention).

Case will most definitely be on my desk (and is not near the largest case I've had on my desk in the last 10 years). What makes the fractal so superior, and by what margin? (Not being smug- truly asking- the thing is horribly ugly, but if there's some overwhelmingly compelling case to opt for it, I'd suck it up and buy it.) Their own write-up on their website says it has extensive options for water-cooling configurations, and so on this note-
Why do you say CLC is a joke? Anandtech/Tomshardware/other reliable sites that don't think liquid cooling is a joke, and lots of hard evidence of it as a valid option (never mind the significant industry that it is). If they can cool on par with air coolers, and can have the same decibel profile as air coolers, and can match price points with air coolers, then what's the joke? I don't get the categorical dismissal, but, that's why I'm on here, asking for advice. What discounts CLC as so terrible?
 
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1. No; they just come in different colors for those who take pride in color matching their parts. RAM is RAM. The only thing I care about when it comes to RAM is clearance for the heatsink and maybe the latency.

2. Liquid cooling != water cooling. You have to understand that. CLC is crap. They perform on-par with air coolers, yet are more expensive. They are also louder. And they have higher risk of failures such as a leak or a later faulty pump. Not that you can tell because it's all black on the tubing.
 
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I should clarify- I have at all times been speaking of CLC, including re: benchmarking/reviews on this and other sites. I presume BigTroll was also referring to CLC when he said "liquid cooling" was a joke. I think/hope we're all on the same page- the CLCs seemed like a good option considering shipping, and considering the reviews I've read elsewhere (not such a unfavorable regard for them).

I will just take my chances on potential damage from shipping and go with the Noctua NH-D14, unless anyone has any suggestions that fall between the Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BK and the Noctua NH-D14?
 
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anything below the h220 is bad in the CLC world.

there is nothing between the phanteks and the d14. the phanteks was made to fit between the 212 evo and the d14 and the difference between the 2 are around 5-10c. anything below 5c of a difference generally means you are wasting money
 
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Understood. Does anyone know of any place to see what kind of sound the Phanteks makes so that I could compare that aspect? I can't find much in the way of reviews on the Phanteks aside from a couple marginal consumer reviews on newegg.

What about the case situation- any compelling argument (with details) for the Fractal?
 
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its a 120mm fan spinning at 1800rpm tops. its not going to be very loud in any way although 1800rpm is on the high side. when you get one you may want to lower it down to 1200rpm

its much cheaper for the same thing is why i go for their cases. also note that the fractal has a bit more cabling room in the back
 
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Fractal cases are visually appealing, solidly built, good airflow, and the Define series are quiet with sound dampening material.

As for the CPU Cooler, try a local computer hardware store. The 140mm ones are not silent, but not loud. There is a buzzing sound, but in the Fractal Design Define case, you won't hear it.
 
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What kind of speed control does it have?
 
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Went for it- NCIX doesn't carry Phanteks PH-TC12DX 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler.

EDIT

They also do not carry ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard.

ANYBODY LIVE IN MARYLAND AND WANT TO COME HELP ME BUILD A COMPUTER? This has gotten quite ridiculous.
 
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