Solved Near Final PC Build List

[charkzilla20]

So for the past 4-5 months I've been looking at building a PC around $1800 - $1900 max (for everything including keyboard, mouse, monitor, shipping, tax, etc). I'll be using this computer for general use, gaming, and a little photo / video work and a little coding. The photo and video stuff won't be big work.

Here's my list so far:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=19862991

The 200mm fan in there will go on the side as intake with the top and back fans as exhausts and the front as intake. I'm also lookimg at getting demciflex dust filters for the side, top, and psu on bottom.

Any suggestions or ideas guys?
Thanks so much everyone!

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I couldn't find your RAM listed on Asus' QVL (Qualified Vendor List) for your board. While that doesn't mean it won't work, you have a better chance of RAM working well on a board if it's chosen from the QVL because that means the RAM was actually tested by the vendor and found to play well with the board. Unless you are doing some serious hard core gaming or just have a serious need for speed (similar to owning a car that can go over 100 mph), you don't really need to overclock the RAM (especially if not overclocking the CPU) and buying a RAM kit that's designed for overclocking (such as the one you listed is) is a waste of money and could actually be a bit slower if running at stock clocks. Overclocking the CPU and RAM also reduces stability and life of CPUs and RAM the higher you go. The MOBO you selected is capable of 1600MHz at stock speed and a RAM kit designed for that would be much better unless you want to overclock (which I don't recommend). Also, since you plan on doing light photo and video work, you might be happier with 16GB of RAM. Look for RAM on the list that has timings of 9-9-9-24 or lower.

Also, I didn't see any TIM (Thermal Interface Material, also known as paste) to use between your CPU and CPU cooler. The cooler you selected comes with TIM but an easier, and probably better, one is Arctic Cooling MX-4. It's easy to apply, spreads easily, is nonconductive so it's less likely to short anything out should you apply too much, doesn't require a burn period, and claims long life.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Looks like a nice system. The 922 case allows for excellent air flow and the side fan well blow air directly on the 212 cpu heatsink. The Demciflex filter set for the 922 well keep it dust free, you need to buy the front filter as a separate item.

With my 922 case I have the front, top, bottom and side fans all run as intake. The rear has a push/pull on a 80i radiator as exhaust. This gives me a positive air pressure and I do not have any dust pulled into the case. Case air temp is around 1-2*C above room temp and I can run all fans at minimal rpm for a very quiet system.

Lady Fitz has a good point about the memory, your system well run fast enough at optimized defaults. I would not worry about any over clocking at this point.

 

[Indianatone]

Definitely go for GSkill ram and 16 GB @ 1600 MHZ. I had an issue with 2 of my sticks and I RA'd them and they replaced them within a week with no questions asked. Great customer service. Don't see an operating system included, would recommend Windows 7 64 bit Pro or Home Premium. Home premium 64 bit "only" supports 16GB ram so if you ever think you might need more go Pro or Ultimate.

 

[charkzilla20]

I couldn't find your RAM listed on Asus' QVL (Qualified Vendor List) for your board. While that doesn't mean it won't work, you have a better chance of RAM working well on a board if it's chosen from the QVL because that means the RAM was actually tested by the vendor and found to play well with the board. Unless you are doing some serious hard core gaming or just have a serious need for speed (similar to owning a car that can go over 100 mph), you don't really need to overclock the RAM (especially if not overclocking the CPU) and buying a RAM kit that's designed for overclocking (such as the one you listed is) is a waste of money and could actually be a bit slower if running at stock clocks. Overclocking the CPU and RAM also reduces stability and life of CPUs and RAM the higher you go. The MOBO you selected is capable of 1600MHz at stock speed and a RAM kit designed for that would be much better unless you want to overclock (which I don't recommend). Also, since you plan on doing light photo and video work, you might be happier with 16GB of RAM. Look for RAM on the list that has timings of 9-9-9-24 or lower.

Also, I didn't see any TIM (Thermal Interface Material, also known as paste) to use between your CPU and CPU cooler. The cooler you selected comes with TIM but an easier, and probably better, one is Arctic Cooling MX-4. It's easy to apply, spreads easily, is nonconductive so it's less likely to short anything out should you apply too much, doesn't require a burn period, and claims long life.

I'm going to try the g skill ram and if it doesn't work, then I'll get something off the list. Such basic ram ought to work with a new system.
I will start with 8gb, and get more if I need to.

I added the thermal paste to the list. Thanks

Looks like a nice system. The 922 case allows for excellent air flow and the side fan well blow air directly on the 212 cpu heatsink. The Demciflex filter set for the 922 well keep it dust free, you need to buy the front filter as a separate item.

With my 922 case I have the front, top, bottom and side fans all run as intake. The rear has a push/pull on a 80i radiator as exhaust. This gives me a positive air pressure and I do not have any dust pulled into the case. Case air temp is around 1-2*C above room temp and I can run all fans at minimal rpm for a very quiet system.

Lady Fitz has a good point about the memory, your system well run fast enough at optimized defaults. I would not worry about any over clocking at this point.

This guy says that there's dust filters already on the front:
Video
Is that true?

I changed the Ram on my list to these: Ram Keeping in mind the decent timings.

Definitely go for GSkill ram and 16 GB @ 1600 MHZ. I had an issue with 2 of my sticks and I RA'd them and they replaced them within a week with no questions asked. Great customer service. Don't see an operating system included, would recommend Windows 7 64 bit Pro or Home Premium. Home premium 64 bit "only" supports 16GB ram so if you ever think you might need more go Pro or Ultimate.

I'm going to start with 8gb of the 1600 ram and if i need more, i'll get some .

I already have a retail copy of Windows 7 pro, it's been used ONCE though. Can I use it again? All the codes and stuff are in the box.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...This guy says that there's dust filters already on the front:
Video
Is that true?...

Rather than worry about it, just get everything except the filters and, once you get the case and can see things for yourself, then order the filters you actually need.

...I'm going to start with 8gb of the 1600 ram and if i need more, i'll get some ...

Actually, that's a bad idea. RAM needs to be matched and, while it is possible you may be able to buy additional RAM that will match your original RAM, you can't always rely on that happening. It's safer to just buy all 16GB in one kit if you anticipate any possibility of ever needing it.

...I already have a retail copy of Windows 7 pro, it's been used ONCE though. Can I use it again? All the codes and stuff are in the box.

As long as it is retail and is not in use elsewhere, it will be fine. You may have to call M$ to validate it but the install process will let you know if that is necessary and walk you through it if necessary.

 

[charkzilla20]

Rather than worry about it, just get everything except the filters and, once you get the case and can see things for yourself, then order the filters you actually need.

That sounds good I'll do that.

Actually, that's a bad idea. RAM needs to be matched and, while it is possible you may be able to buy additional RAM that will match your original RAM, you can't always rely on that happening. It's safer to just buy all 16GB in one kit if you anticipate any possibility of ever needing it.

I don't really think I'll be needing more that 8, the video and photo stuff I'm doing is small things. Gaming will be the most intensive task this computer will do. But couldn't I just buy another pack of 8gb of the same ram if I needed more?

As long as it is retail and is not in use elsewhere, it will be fine. You may have to call M$ to validate it but the install process will let you know if that is necessary and walk you through it if necessary.

Alrighty Thanks
I think the first install was done on a Mac laptop running it as a virtual machine under parallels.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...

Actually, that's a bad idea. RAM needs to be matched and, while it is possible you may be able to buy additional RAM that will match your original RAM, you can't always rely on that happening. It's safer to just buy all 16GB in one kit if you anticipate any possibility of ever needing it.

I don't really think I'll be needing more that 8, the video and photo stuff I'm doing is small things. Gaming will be the most intensive task this computer will do. But couldn't I just buy another pack of 8gb of the same ram if I needed more?...

You could but there is a chance that the new RAM may mismatch the old RAM just enough to cause it to not work or hamper performance. If you feel 8GB is all you will ever need, then, by all means, get it but I just want you to be aware that if there is any chance that you will someday need 16GB, it would be wiser to get the a 16GB kit now. If you get the 8GB now and later find an added 8GB won't work, you can always return the new 8GB kit but you will still be out the cost of the original 8GB kit since you will have to replace it with a 16GB kit.

 

[charkzilla20]

...

Actually, that's a bad idea. RAM needs to be matched and, while it is possible you may be able to buy additional RAM that will match your original RAM, you can't always rely on that happening. It's safer to just buy all 16GB in one kit if you anticipate any possibility of ever needing it.

I don't really think I'll be needing more that 8, the video and photo stuff I'm doing is small things. Gaming will be the most intensive task this computer will do. But couldn't I just buy another pack of 8gb of the same ram if I needed more?...

You could but there is a chance that the new RAM may mismatch the old RAM just enough to cause it to not work or hamper performance. If you feel 8GB is all you will ever need, then, by all means, get it but I just want you to be aware that if there is any chance that you will someday need 16GB, it would be wiser to get the a 16GB kit now. If you get the 8GB now and later find an added 8GB won't work, you can always return the new 8GB kit but you will still be out the cost of the original 8GB kit since you will have to replace it with a 16GB kit.

How would something of the same thing have a difference in compatibility?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Manufacturing tolerances can cause slight differences in any product, the amount varying with the product. In the case of RAM, different manufacturing runs, possibly even individual modules in the same run, can have differences in the actual tested specifications that, though within the design tolerances, can be enough to cause the modules to not play well with each other or even refuse to work at all. Also, some motherboards are more sensitive to those differences than others. That is the primary reason why RAM is sold in kits; each module is matched at the factory to the others in the kit.

 

[madcratebuilder]

It is preferable to have all your memory from the same batch or same build week. Memory well be marked with the week and year of production. Having two sticks made week 10 year 12 and two sticks made week 48 year 12 well be OK as long as they are the same part number. In the past I have mixed brands, speeds and size. It's not optimal, but it well work...some times.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I have heard of sticks with mixed batched dates but the same part number not working at all when mixed. It's a crap shoot at best.

 

[kbrady1979]

I also feel it's better to buy the RAM you need in a matched kit. RAM is probably one of the most finicky pieces of hardware in your system and a matched set is likely to have less issues than buying a kit and then later on adding another kit.