Which power supply do I get?

[UnsolvedCypher]

Hello,
I'm doing my first build of a computer, and have chosen these parts so far: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1cXHxu9p9o6U2J6QnVlQ3dRR1M2TEQ3T3hLRF9SZw

My problem is that I'm not sure what kind of power supply I need. Also, is the video card I chose appropriate for some Photoshopping but not much gaming? I don't intend to play games on my PC. Could you please give me some feedback on my parts (what needs rethinking). Also, I'm thinking of getting an Antec P280 for a case, but it's out of stock so I can't include it on my wishlist right now. Am I missing any parts?

Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

 

[rolli59]

For photoshop you are better of with a nvidia card GT520 would be enough a good quality around 400watt PSU would be enough. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207018

 

[Rugger]

Hello,
I'm doing my first build of a computer, and have chosen these parts so far: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1cXHxu9p9o6U2J6QnVlQ3dRR1M2TEQ3T3hLRF9SZw

My problem is that I'm not sure what kind of power supply I need. Also, is the video card I chose appropriate for some Photoshopping but not much gaming? I don't intend to play games on my PC. Could you please give me some feedback on my parts (what needs rethinking). Also, I'm thinking of getting an Antec P280 for a case, but it's out of stock so I can't include it on my wishlist right now. Am I missing any parts?

Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

For a 6770 all you need is a good 400-450W PSU. The Corsair Builder series 430W would be sufficient. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026 If you want to build in extra power for a more powerful video card then you could consider something like this OCZ....great deal with instant discount and $20 rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017 If you're not buying before the discount ends, then I would go with the Corsair.

The 6770 is a great price/performance card, but picture manipulation doesn't really rely on the video card...that really falls on the CPU. I would seriously reconsider the CPU...which means the mobo too. The Intel i5 2400 spanks the 8120 in just about every way and costs the same. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074 A good mobo to go with the i5 2400 is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252 If you go for one of these less expensive mobos, then you could even upgrade the CPU to an i5 2500K: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

I have an Antec P183 and love it...I think the P280 is an awesome case as well. Slightly less expensive case that's really worth considering for $99 is the Fractal Design Define R3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352016

The SSD is great, but lacks storage capacity for media (music, video, pics). If you have another HDD from an old PC, then I would use it as a temporary source of extra storage. HDD prices are still high after the flooding in Thailand last year. If/When the 1TB+ drives drop below $100, then I would consider increasing internal storage capacity.

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

For photoshop you are better of with a nvidia card GT520 would be enough a good quality around 400watt PSU would be enough. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207018

Thanks for the quick reply. Seems like a great card for Photoshopping and light gaming, so I'll add that. Thanks again!

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

For a 6770 all you need is a good 400-450W PSU. The Corsair Builder series 430W would be sufficient. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026 If you want to build in extra power for a more powerful video card then you could consider something like this OCZ....great deal with instant discount and $20 rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017 If you're not buying before the discount ends, then I would go with the Corsair.

The 6770 is a great price/performance card, but picture manipulation doesn't really rely on the video card...that really falls on the CPU. I would seriously reconsider the CPU...which means the mobo too. The Intel i5 2400 spanks the 8120 in just about every way and costs the same. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074 A good mobo to go with the i5 2400 is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252 If you go for one of these less expensive mobos, then you could even upgrade the CPU to an i5 2500K: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

I have an Antec P183 and love it...I think the P280 is an awesome case as well. Slightly less expensive case that's really worth considering for $99 is the Fractal Design Define R3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352016

The SSD is great, but lacks storage capacity for media (music, video, pics). If you have another HDD from an old PC, then I would use it as a temporary source of extra storage. HDD prices are still high after the flooding in Thailand last year. If/When the 1TB+ drives drop below $100, then I would consider increasing internal storage capacity.

Wow. Thanks for all the details. I checked PassMark, and the 8120 seems to have a higher score. Where did you get the info about the 2400 being better? I'll look into the Define R3, it seems pretty nice. Also, I have a few HDDs I can stick in for extra storage. Thanks for all the info!

 

[e56imfg]

550D
i3 2120
ASUS P8Z68 PRO
Vengeance 8GB
7750
430w

A List of Recommended PSUs
The Corsair 550D is far more superior than the P280. The i3 will beat out any AMD CPU, even the Phenoms and the 8150.
Why spend so much on memory when you could get a cheaper, one slot 8GB DIMM? The 7750 is dead silent and will play some of the medium games maxed out, and it beats the 6770. The Rosewill 430w will provide more amps and is much quieter than the CX430. There has been many complaints about the CX430 making a loud, annoying whine.

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

550D
i3 2120
ASUS P8Z68 PRO
Vengeance 8GB
7750
430w

A List of Recommended PSUs
The Corsair 550D is far more superior than the P280. The i3 will beat out any AMD CPU, even the Phenoms and the 8150.
Why spend so much on memory when you could get a cheaper, one slot 8GB DIMM? The 7750 is dead silent and will play some of the medium games maxed out, and it beats the 6770. The Rosewill 430w will provide more amps and is much quieter than the CX430. There has been many complaints about the CX430 making a loud, annoying whine.

Thanks for the feedback. How is the Corsair 550D superior to the P280? How is the Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D for a power supply? Thanks to your and others' suggestions, I'm rethinking my system. The new wishlist can be found at https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1cXHxu9p9o6OGtFb2dQdmxRRzZ5TUdmUFBYWGFiQQ. Thanks again for everyone contributing!

 

[e56imfg]

Thanks for the feedback. How is the Corsair 550D superior to the P280? How is the Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D for a power supply? Thanks to your and others' suggestions, I'm rethinking my system. The new wishlist can be found at https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1cXHxu9p9o6OGtFb2dQdmxRRzZ5TUdmUFBYWGFiQQ. Thanks again for everyone contributing!

The Corsair 550D is better built and has better cable grommets than the P280.
Let's change a few things based on your list.

OCZ Vertex 3 120GB
Rosewill Green Series RG430-S12
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3
8GB Vengeance

A List of Recommended SSDs
If you want to go with the P280, go for it. Cases are really just personal preference but I believe the 550D is better than the P280. You don't need to spend that much on a PSU that performs about the same.

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back. I've looked at the SSD, but it seems to be having some serious problems. I'll go for the Mushkin Chronos SSD instead, as Newegg has a great price for it right now. The PSU you chose looks good, so I'll get that, but the motherboard seems to have quite a few minor issues. Would you recomend it over the ASUS P8Z68-V? As for the RAM, I think the Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 8GB looks good (I'm trying to buy everything from Newegg). But thanks for all the suggestions. An updated wishlist can be found here. Thanks again for your suggestions!
~Unsolved Cypher

 

[e56imfg]

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back. I've looked at the SSD, but it seems to be having some serious problems. I'll go for the Mushkin Chronos SSD instead, as Newegg has a great price for it right now. The PSU you chose looks good, so I'll get that, but the motherboard seems to have quite a few minor issues. Would you recomend it over the ASUS P8Z68-V? As for the RAM, I think the Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 8GB looks good (I'm trying to buy everything from Newegg). But thanks for all the suggestions. An updated wishlist can be found here. Thanks again for your suggestions!
~Unsolved Cypher

Which Z68-V are you talking about?

What do you not like about the ASRock mobo?

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

Which Z68-V are you talking about?

What do you not like about the ASRock mobo?

I'm talking about this, sorry it wasn't very clear. This is the motherboard I had before. If you look at the reviews of the ASRock motherboard, you see some minor issues. Sometimes the mouse isn't recognized by the motherboard, sometimes UEFI loads by itself, flimsy SATA, random dropping of USB 3.0 at times, and I'd just prefer to buy from a better known brand such as Asus. But again, this is my first build, and if you would recommend this board, I will get it. Other than that, how does my system look? Also, is it worth upgrading to an i5 2500 over the 2400?
Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

 

[Rugger]

Wow. Thanks for all the details. I checked PassMark, and the 8120 seems to have a higher score. Where did you get the info about the 2400 being better? I'll look into the Define R3, it seems pretty nice. Also, I have a few HDDs I can stick in for extra storage. Thanks for all the info!

When not GPU limited, even the i3 2100 is comparable to an 8120 overclocked to 4.2 for gaming.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html

 

[e56imfg]

Yea that mobo is fine then.

The 2500 is NOT worth spending more money on. The 2400 is much cheaper and offers almost identical performance.

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

Yea that mobo is fine then.

The 2500 is NOT worth spending more money on. The 2400 is much cheaper and offers almost identical performance.

Ok then, how does the build look? Anymore revisions?
Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

 

[e56imfg]

Ok then, how does the build look? Anymore revisions?
Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

I would switch out the memory for CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) or G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB because of the lower voltages- just be careful of future CPU heatsinks with the G Skill.
You could go cheaper and get G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

I would switch out the memory for CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) or G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB because of the lower voltages- just be careful of future CPU heatsinks with the G Skill.
You could go cheaper and get G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB

Hmm, is it really worth it? This seems to suggest otherwise, but again, if you really think it's worth it, I'll get it. Is this all?
Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

 

[e56imfg]

Hmm, is it really worth it? This seems to suggest otherwise, but again, if you really think it's worth it, I'll get it. Is this all?
Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

Low voltages produces less heat which, according to Intel, makes the overall system cooler.
Not to mention the heat produced by the RAM could severely damage the motherboard and the CPU.

 

[Rugger]

Hmm, is it really worth it? This seems to suggest otherwise, but again, if you really think it's worth it, I'll get it. Is this all?
Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

Be sure to check the default RAM voltages on your mobo. It may default to higher voltages than your RAM requires...adjust as necessary. It's true that low heat, and less power consumption produces less heat, but the idea that NOT running low voltage memory would possibly lead to overheating your motherboard is complete bunk.

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

Low voltages produces less heat which, according to Intel, makes the overall system cooler.
Not to mention the heat produced by the RAM could severely damage the motherboard and the CPU.

I can't seem to find any low voltage RAM that comes in 1 8gb stick. I really want to use only one slot, as this system will probably get many upgrades in the future.

 

[Rugger]

Unless you're planning on doing a lot of overclocking, performance gains from uber RAM versus basic RAM from a reliable manufacturer will be minimal. If you're going to do a lot of overclocking the getting better quality RAM will allow you to OC higher. I think you'd be better off spending the extra money on a better GPU. Go for something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233269
no concerns about interference with your CPU cooler, either...

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

Unless you're planning on doing a lot of overclocking, performance gains from uber RAM versus basic RAM from a reliable manufacturer will be minimal. If you're going to do a lot of overclocking the getting better quality RAM will allow you to OC higher. I think you'd be better off spending the extra money on a better GPU. Go for something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233269
no concerns about interference with your CPU cooler, either...

Hmm, I'm defenitely not going to do a lot of gaming, and I've heard that Photoshop won't take much GPU. I think the integrated graphics should be fine. Or do you think I really do need the GPU? Other than that, how does my system look?

 

[Rugger]

If you're not going to do a lot of gaming, then you can go with the integrated graphics. You can buy some extra capacity in the PSU in case you decide to get a GPU later. The Antec Earthwatt PSUs are on sale at Newegg and the EA-430 is $45: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034
The EA-380D is actually more than enough and has spare capacity for a low-medioum GPU upgrade in your rig. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034 It would just be hard for me to pay the same $45 for EA-380...

 

[aqe040466]

Hello,
I'm doing my first build of a computer, and have chosen these parts so far: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1cXHxu9p9o6U2J6QnVlQ3dRR1M2TEQ3T3hLRF9SZw

My problem is that I'm not sure what kind of power supply I need. Also, is the video card I chose appropriate for some Photoshopping but not much gaming? I don't intend to play games on my PC. Could you please give me some feedback on my parts (what needs rethinking). Also, I'm thinking of getting an Antec P280 for a case, but it's out of stock so I can't include it on my wishlist right now. Am I missing any parts?

Thanks, ~Unsolved Cypher

For photoshop applications you can use the iGPU(Integrated Graphics Processing Unit) of the 2nd Gen Sandy Bridge CPU's e.g. i3, i5 or i7 They call it Intel HD 3000 which is embedded inside the CPU. I used to utilized this iGPU for a about 3 months fro gaming like A.V.A., Combat Arms, Need For Speed World and believe me it gives a high FPS (FRAPS) 100 FPS and above. So for photoshop application that will work. I can't really recommend which CPU would you use because I don't know your budget for this build.
As you can read in my signature below I'm using i5 2500K overclocked at 4.7 GHZ.

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

If you're not going to do a lot of gaming, then you can go with the integrated graphics. You can buy some extra capacity in the PSU in case you decide to get a GPU later. The Antec Earthwatt PSUs are on sale at Newegg and the EA-430 is $45: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034
The EA-380D is actually more than enough and has spare capacity for a low-medioum GPU upgrade in your rig. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034 It would just be hard for me to pay the same $45 for EA-380...

What about the PSU already on my wishlist? I was told that had very good performance. Or is Antec superior?

 

[UnsolvedCypher]

For photoshop applications you can use the iGPU(Integrated Graphics Processing Unit) of the 2nd Gen Sandy Bridge CPU's e.g. i3, i5 or i7 They call it Intel HD 3000 which is embedded inside the CPU. I used to utilized this iGPU for a about 3 months fro gaming like A.V.A., Combat Arms, Need For Speed World and believe me it gives a high FPS (FRAPS) 100 FPS and above. So for photoshop application that will work. I can't really recommend which CPU would you use because I don't know your budget for this build.
As you can read in my signature below I'm using i5 2500K overclocked at 4.7 GHZ.

Thank you for that review, now I can feel confident about the integrated graphics !