Solved Questions on a gaming computer

[Poimetheus]

Original Equipment Manufacturer. For example: The copy of Windows that comes preinstalled on a computer is OEM, as opposed to a retail copy.

 

[solomonkane]

Oh, ok.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Um, what's OEM?

Original Equipment Manufacturer.

In practice, it can mean someone like Dell or HP.

Or it can be used to distinguish hardware or software packaging--an OEM hard drive probably does not have cables and software, while the same drive in a "retail" package would have those pieces. An OEM Windows 7 license is restricted to the original motherboard and has no support from Microsoft, unlike a retail license.

 

[solomonkane]

Nothing I need to worry about?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Nothing I need to worry about?

Depends on the individual item.

I would worry about OEM on a Windows license.

I would not worry about OEM on most hardware, although in some cases OEM and retail might not have identical warranties.

Retail SSD packages might include a mounting bracket to allow you to mount the drive in a standard drive bay---but you can buy the bracket separately or you can just tape the drive in the bottom of the case. That's what I did on an older case. Worked fine---SSDs have no moving parts anyway.

I typically buy OEM drives and retail CPUs and OS licenses.

 

[Poimetheus]

Not if you have the appropriate hardware/software that whatever OEM device in which you're referring corresponds to

 

[solomonkane]

I just noticed that the case I picked the Antec Twelve Hundred V3 has
2 x USB 2.0
1 x USB 3.0
HD Audio In and Out
on the front while the Mobo I picked the ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 has
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
D-Sub + DVI
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort
2 x USB 2.0
4 x USB 3.0
1 x IEEE 1394
1 x eSATA 6Gb/s
on the rear. Will this be a problem?

 

[Solarstarshines]

I just noticed that the case I picked the Antec Twelve Hundred V3 has
2 x USB 2.0
1 x USB 3.0
HD Audio In and Out
on the front while the Mobo I picked the ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 has
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
D-Sub + DVI
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort
2 x USB 2.0
4 x USB 3.0
1 x IEEE 1394
1 x eSATA 6Gb/s
on the rear. Will this be a problem?

It shouldn't be a Problem if your Mb can utilize all of that most of the new MB can handle that type of set up and alotof boards are backwards compatible with usb 2.0 3.0 also if you get the latest you can roll with PCI 3.0

 

[Maguscreed]

The case specs are front panel.
The ports for the motherboard will be rear panel and not a problem.

 

[solomonkane]

So, I just won't be utilizing the front ports right?

 

[Solarstarshines]

So, I just won't be utilizing the front ports right?

You most likly could use everything if you have the need to when you install a MB it has it 's features listed and where to plug the wires to and from in a diagram

If you have no use for certain features you can just leave it but tie the cable up so you don't have a issue with a loose wire other then that most of the time I end up just plugging all the cables in

I doubt you want to pay for something and not get the full inteded use

Follow your Mb manual and you should be ok

 

[Maguscreed]

The motherboard does have front panel connections how it all fits together pretty much seems to vary with every build for me.
Needless to say you shouldn't have trouble connecting front panel audio and usb's.
You may have to pull out the motherboard book and annoyingly connect pins one at a time (I haven't had to do that in years though) or they'll just be plugs that snug right on (how it was with my current asrock board)

 

[solomonkane]

Sweet, thanks. All I really want in the front are the usb's and audio not the HDMI, I would prefer that in the back since I usually hook up my computer to my LCD HDTV.

 

[Solarstarshines]

Sweet, thanks. All I really want in the front are the usb's and audio not the HDMI, I would prefer that in the back since I usually hook up my computer to my LCD HDTV.

It could be usefull in the future if your trying to demo something

Like i said before never hurts to use all the features and then later you will have a need for it and have to go through hell to remember where it goes

Do yourself a favor and just put it together with out leaving anything behinde you will be much happier in the end

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would invest in some black sata cables around 1-1.5 foot long as most items come with red? Also check out the NZXT line of cables and extensions. It's the little things like cable management that will really make you proud when you show off your build to friends. Then there are things like fan noise and going with premium fans so at speed while gaming it doesn't sound like a 777 trying to lift off!

http://www.nzxt.com/new/product.php?series_name=Premium+Cables&series=13

http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/premium-modding/alchemy-cables/

http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/accessories/spectre-pro-led

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=12&lng=en

 

[M1GU31]

Just curious, should I go with Win7 Home Premium or Pro?

home premium,you won't even use the features in pro trust me.

 

[nobilis]

And have you considered a GTX 670 - a little more pricey than the 7950's but arguably superior.

:ar:

I have 16 gigs of ram and I have yet to manage to use more than about 6 of it, I game heavily.

You probably don't realize how fast your computer is.

So with some much needed advice from the forums, here is my parts list as it stands now:
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1
Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
GPU: Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 GC
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB
PSU: Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS
Optical: Pioneer Black 4MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner
Hard Drives:
SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
&
Samsung EcoGreen F4 HD204UI 2TB for Storage
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred V3
Monitor: ASUS VH232H
Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER ULTIMATE
Mouse: Ergoguys XL-750F Black 7 Buttons USB Wired Laser 2500 dpi A4 Tech 3xfire Oscar Gaming Mouse

Don't forget about EVGA. Most of their motherboard's are meant strictly for gaming. Stack your random access memory for full slot combination to obtain optimal cpu-ram speed cycles.

 

[Solarstarshines]

:ar:

I have 16 gigs of ram and I have yet to manage to use more than about 6 of it, I game heavily.

From Nobilis =You probably don't realize how fast your computer is.


SolarstarShines reply =16GB of ram is useless unless you are Running Virtual Machines VM for short

I have 8GBs of ram Max usage is somewhere 1.50Gb to 3.00 Gaming

The Gpu Does most of the work and speed wise adding more Ram won't do anything unless you are dragging hard and most likly a full drive and still wouldn't give a jump in performance

 

[Zepher]

A 7950 will run battlefield 3 at 1920x1080 at ultra settings with no noticeable slowdowns.
My brother recently bought an XFX7950 to replace his crossfire 6850/6870 setup.

I just recently bought an XFX 6950 to replace my XFX 5850, and I am pleased with the performance at 1920x1080.

Is see no need to get a more powerful card unless you are running eyefinity or surround or a 2560x1440 or hightper panel.

Asus is the brand of board I choose for my personal builds, never had an issue with them in the 16 years I've used them.

 

[solomonkane]

My build as it stands now:

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1
Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core
GPU: Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 GC
Sound Card: ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Xonar DG
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2x4GB)
PSU: Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS
Optical: LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM
Hard Drives: SAMSUNG 830 Series 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
&
SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 ST2000DL004 2TB
or
Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARX 2TB
Cooling: Antec Kuhler H2O 620 Liquid Cooling System
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred V3
Monitor: ASUS VS248H-P Black 24" 2ms HDMI LED
Keyboard: Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER ULTIMATE
Mouse: Ergoguys XL-750F Black 7 Buttons USB Wired Laser 2500 dpi A4 Tech 3xfire Oscar

Not sure if I should go with the Samsung or Western Digital HD, any suggestions?