First computer build

[77273GU]

Hello,
Ive never built a computer before but plan on giving it a try. I think Ill be able to handle the mechanical part OK, but the setup part I'm not 100% clear on. Not sure about setting up the eif bios. Heres a list of parts so far.

Cpu- Intel i5 2500K
MB- Asus P8P67 Pro Rev 3.1 ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards- ASUS P8P67 PRO (REV 3.1)

Ram- Corsair Vengeance 2 X 8GB Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

GPU- Evga GTX 460- http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=01G-P3-1370-TR&family=GeForce 400 Series Family&sw= 400 Series Family&sw=

Case- Corsair Carbide Series 400R- Carbide Series

PSU- Thermaltake Toughpower XT TX-775M- Newegg.com - Thermaltake Toughpower XT TPX-775M 775W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply GeForce GTX 470 Certified

HD- Need a recommendation on a good SSD.
Data Hd- Wd Caviar Black. (Best bang for buck)

DVD Drive- Need some help here also.

Cooler- Corsair H50-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010


Questions:
1. Do all these parts play well together?
2. I don't plan on overclocking because I don't know how. If I decide to in the future can I? I know Ill need a cooler if I do.
3. Any bios help. A tutorial or video to check out.

The case I want isn't available until the end of August so I have some time to iron everything out.

Thanks

 

[linnemeyerhere]

77273GU,
I'm very happy with the performance I'm getting from my Crucial m4 128gb SSD drive and as it is both Sata II/III capable it's a solid choice. A good DVD/CD drive I go cheap but good quality with a Lite On unit. The rest of the build I will need to spend some time with but they are all great names and solid performers. Don't forget you will still need a good spinner HD for data as the SSD will only be for OS and Applications.

 

[BugMeister]

the motherboard has a manual which will explain all about the BIOS - it's available online as well:
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards- ASUS P8P67 PRO (REV 3.1)

you shouldn't need to worry yourself too much about settings, etc - there'll be a set-up disc as well..

 

[bobkn]

SSD: 120 GB OCZ Vertex 3:

Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

or, for less money, OCZ Agility 3:

Newegg.com - OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

DVD burner: I've had short lifetimes from a couple of LiteOn drives. (Maybe it's just me.) My Samsung drive is no longer available. Here's another:

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model SH-222AB - CD / DVD Burners

For the mechanical hard drive, I suggest a Western Digital Caviar Black:

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1502FAEX 1.5TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

(1.5 TB, 6Gb/s SATA, 64 MB cache, dual processors. Slightly lower cost per terabyte than the 1 or 2 TB versions.)

Overclocking a 2500k is about as easy as it gets: you raise the multiplier. It gets trickier if you wish to try for 5GHz, but 4+ GHz is easy.

If you're looking for a third-party cooler, this one is popular:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

It's not the best available, but for $28, it's good. (Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus.)

 

[77273GU]

Thanks for all your replies.

Ill edit my post to show updates from info provided. I was looking at a WD HD for data storage and will prob. go with the Black. I'm still on the fence on whether to go with a SSD and a spinner or just a spinner.

I read through the MB manual and it answered a lot of questions but created others. Have to read that again.

I found this vid from Newegg with an Asus rep about over clocking. ‪Newegg TV: Sandy Bridge Overclocking & UEFI Demo on ASUS P8P67 P67 1155‬‏ - YouTube
At 20.00 it explains how the bios will overclock for you with just a few clicks from the AI suite 2. (added cooler to op)

@BugMeister
About the set up disk. I was under the impression that it was best to download all drivers and software from Asus and forget about the disk. Whats the best way to go about it? Do I need some things from the disk and others from Asus? Does the download link you provided have all downloads needed?

Thanks

 

[Britton30]

I would agree on not going with a Liteon combo drive, I've had two quit working within two months. I would suggest going with a Bluray/DVD/CD combo burner. I have a LG and it works very well. Here's some to look at: Newegg.com - Blu-ray Burners, Blu-ray Writers The ASUS is a good choice too.

 

[BugMeister]

the ASUS site has all the latest drivers
there's no harm in running the installation disk that they send with the motherboard

- you can always update a particular element of the BIOS at a later date,
- and you'd normally only do it if you absolutely needed to..
- the manual will explain how to install BIOS updates..

PS: BIOS updates don't happen that often, and they aren't issued automatically,
as they often only cure specific issues relating to hardward set-ups..

you would normally only consider updating the BIOS if the newer one solved a problem
particular to your set-up..

don't be tempted to experiment with BIOS settings
you can wreck a computer, if you don't know exactly what you're doing..

the BIOS is not one of those things that absolutely requires updating at all times..
you normally only do it if you really have to, and there's no other option to solve a particular issue..

 

[essenbe]

Bugmeister gave you good advice about updating bios and changing things you don't understand. When you first turn the computer on, push the key to enter bios, or usually the computer will give you a message to enter bios setup. The first thing I do is load optimized defaults. Next go to storage controller and set that as what you want. Options are usually IDE, AHCI or RAID. Most here recommend AHCI, next set the boot order (where you want the computer to boot from first, second etc. You will probably want to set the CD/DVD drive first so it will boot from the installation DVD and the hard drive second. I check the ram voltage (dram voltage on some computers) and make sure it is set to the voltage listed on the stick of ram you are using, it will usually set the timings for you. Set the USB controllers to enabled and if the option is listed, boot from legacy devices should be enabled (this allows you to boot from a USB stick and also allows you to use USB 2.0 in USB 3.0 ports), Save and exit. Then put the Installation dvd in and install windows.

 

[TBoyd]

Looks like you will have a great build when all is finished!

Just one note - Wait until after you have installed the OS on your intended system drive before adding the data drive(s). This is not an absolute must, but will make the OS install simpler.

 

[77273GU]

Good bios info!
Thats what I wanted to here. Don't touch it, it works just fine.

It was never my intent to change anything that wasn't necessary for this build. I was looking for things that had to be changed and general tips and info on how to get the system up and running and thats what i received.

If theres anything else I'm all ears.

Thanks again

 

[thefabe]

Just my 2 cents worth. Your MB manual should also have a QVL "Qualified Vendors List" of memory vendors, and speeds. These are sticks tested and known to work well with your motherboard. So it might be worth your while to see what ASUS suggests when it comes to choosing your memory.
Could help eliminate a possible problem.
Fabe