New PC Build - Advice on MOBO and PSU Options

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 235
    Windows 8.1 Professional x64
       #1

    New PC Build - Advice on MOBO and PSU Options


    Building a new PC for gaming & blu-ray authoring (1080p video from home movie camera)

    The basic components:
    Core I7-2700K (3.5ghz)
    Corsair Hydro H60 cooling
    60 GB Intel 520 Series SSD (for Smart Response Technology)
    60 GB Intel 520 Series SSD (data HDD for OS - Win 7 Pro 64)
    640gb WD Caviar Black 7200
    500gb WD 7200
    8GB Corsair Vengence DDR3 1600
    geForce GTX 580 (1.5ghz)

    PSU options?:
    850 Watts - Thermaltake TPG-850M Gold Modular 80 Plus PSU ($77 cheaper)
    1,200 Watts - Thermaltake TPG-1200M Gold Modular 80 Plus PSU

    MOBO?:
    Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 Intel Z68 (will allow CPU to be overclocked to 4.2ghz)
    Asus P8Z77-V Pro Intel Z77 (no overclocking - $50 more)

    With the 1200W PSU and the Z68 mobo, the unit is just under $2,000 US, which is my budget.

    Update: reading around today, internet rumors state that Ivy Bridge may drop on 4-29-12... not sure of the pricing, but maybe it would be worth it to wait?
    Last edited by Spidey1976; 19 Apr 2012 at 11:53. Reason: Added info
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    Someone else with more experience on the subject should chime in, but I'd be curious to see if the SRT setup you suggest runs better than if you just went with a 128 GB SSD. I was under the impression that SRT was for systems who's primary drive was an HDD, so the small SSD would be used for caching for it.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 235
    Windows 8.1 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks - the whole SSD is new to me and this would be my first ownership of any, so all experience is welcome.

    I could drop the 2 60gb Intel 520 SSD's and get either a single 120 Intel 520 or a 120 Corsair Force GT.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #4

    In your shoes with your budget, I would try to wait a month until I saw some Ivy Bridge reviews.

    Any particular reason you are looking at Thermaltake power supplies?

    Unless that Hydro Cooler uses umpteen watts, I don't know why you need that much power.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    You don't need a 1200+ watt power supply unless you plan to run at least 3 of your video cards. I don't see a reason with that build for more than a quality 750w power supply.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 45
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    Why 2 SSD


    Hi,
    I'm new to this so I hope I can put up the stats for my build or you may be able to get them. I went with a 128GB SSD for the OS and have 2-ITB HDD's as backup the system reserved partition volume went on one during install and I'm happy.
    I used a OCZ 850W full modular and it works great really quiet fans.
    Just some thoughts. Good luck

    Intel DZ68BC / i7
    Crucial 128GB C: Boot Drive DISK0
    Seagate 1TB Sata 3 Disk1
    WD 1TB Sata 3 Disk2
    OCZ 850 W f-mod.
    560 Ti Gpu
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,533
    Windows 7 Professional x64 Service Pack 1
       #7

    For the psu: go with a Seasonic or Corsair (which is built by Seasonic). I have a Seasonic psu in my own rig and it is way quieter and MUCH better made than the psu that my system came with stock.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 78
    Win 7
       #8

    If the current lineup is going to drop it's because the new SandyBridge III's are coming

    The ASUS P8Z77-V PRO is a top mid-range socket 1155 motherboard targeted to the forthcoming “Ivy Bridge” processors (third-generation Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors) and also supporting the current “Sandy Bridge” models (second-generation Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors). Let’s see what the ASUS P8Z77-V PRO will have to offer.
    From > ASUS P8Z77-V PRO Motherboard | Hardware Secrets

    The z79 board is new, if it follows the route of the last couple intel updates it'll take a couple months to get the bugs worked out, Personally I prefer more mature tech over the latest and greatest(for this month) the z68 i7 2700k OC's well and is a stable platform.

    Both of those Thermaltake units are manufactured by Sirtec reviews for the most part are hit or miss> HARDOCP - Conclusion - Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 1200W PSU Review

    Personally I prefer Seasonic built units found under the Seasonic, XFX, Antec High Current Gamer, Corsair TX, AX labels, 750w will be plenty for your build.

    SSD's make the PC feel snappier for sure on short data bursts the speed is good, longer data read/writes the numbers get closer to a platter drive. The most common complaints are cost and size 60gb drives fill up fast so have a plan for backups.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 236
    .
       #9

    picked up the 850 thermal take myself mainly for the upgrade room and possiblities i can look at without worrying about my psu at the same time, a good psu is always worth the money and at £100 it was a bargain.

    pick up the 120gb ssd instead of 2 60's intel's ssd's have some great reviews and well worth getting.

    odd choice of additional hdd's though, a 640 and a 500, at the cost of both of those a single 1-2 tb caviar black can't be much more expensive if not cheaper.

    well $220 for a wd caviar black 2tb Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

    best guess you'd be looking about $180+ for those 2 drives so not a big difference.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 235
    Windows 8.1 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thanks for the replies so far... Updated build possibility:

    Case: Corsair Carbide 400R
    CPU: i7-2700K stock at 3.5 ghz
    MoBo: Asus P8Z77-V Pro
    RAM: 8GB Corsair Vengence (4gx2) DDR3 1600mHz
    GPU: EVGA Superclocked geForce GTX 580 1.5gb
    PSU: 850 Watts - Corsair Professional Series CMPSU-AX850 80+ Gold
    (Though the Thermaltake Gold one stated earlier is $12 cheaper - Corsair seems to be the way)
    OSD: 120GB Intel 520 Series SSD
    CD1: Sony 24x DVD RW
    CD2: LG 12x Blu-Ray RW
    SND: Asus Xonar DX 7.1 PCIe sound card
    OS: Windows 7 Professional X64
    Price so far US$ 1,895

    I will add from my current machine:
    640 GB WD Caviar Black 7200rpm HDD
    500 GB Hitachi 7200rpm HDD
    Logitech 720p Web Cam Pro 9000

    What I want to do:
    Burn 1080p digital video to blu-ray (my current dual core maxes out quick!)
    Create blu-ray and DVD's
    Play Skyrim on ultra (I can play now on bare minimum)
    Play The Sims 3, Mass Effect 2, Halo 2, and The Sabotuer
    Run a few virtual machines (XP, Win 8 Preview, etc)
    Plus other simple daily tasks.

    I love the machine in my current specs and I am giving it to my kids to share. I just want something with some more horse power. I am not trying to build for the future, just a quality machine like my current one that I can get 4 or 5 years out of.

    I dabble in using MS Visual Studio Express, but other than some games I do not do any really graphic intensive work.

    Thanks again, friends. :)
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:46.
Find Us