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On August 12 2011 06:53 Wabbit wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 06:19 Hierarch wrote:The build I came up with after I got some awesome advice is: + Show Spoiler +Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Power Supply: XFX Core Edition PRO450W (P1-450S-XXB9) 450W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified
CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400
SSD: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
Blue Ray Drive: SAMSUNG Black Blu-ray Combo SATA Model SH-B123L LightScribe Support - OEM
Any feedback on any of these parts is most appreciated, if there's a cheaper alternative without sacrificing too much performance I'd love to hear alternatives. Also what's the difference between all the GPU's? So many different brands, but the card seems the same? Last, is it possible to put my info on just an HDD in the beginning and when I want to add a SSD transfer them over? Files like the os, oblivion, the witcher 2, office etc...?
Good build. Some will probably tell you to get a Caviar Green instead of Black (greens are slower and use slightly less power, but cost less per GB of space) since you have a SSD . I have a SSD also (40GB) but bought a Caviar Black as well because there's no way all my huge games are going to fit on the SSD and I did not want to skimp on that just for a few bucks - I have a lot of Single Player games that have significant enough load times that a green drive would piss me off. And since you're getting a SSD, you should absolutely put your OS and other frequently used programs that load slowly (Antivirus, Office suite, single player games). If you don't put those things there, why get a SSD in the first place? The difference between GPU's of the same kind from different manufacturers is in design of the card (heatsink, fan(s), reference clocks or overclocked, etc), warranty, support...
Is there a clear "best" 6850 card then? Also can I 1st use a normal HDD and then add a SSD later for those programs? Or do I need the SSD to put the os on as I boot my pc?
Also, the Blue ray drive I picked is fine? Or is there a cheaper one that won't hinder performance?
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So a reinstallation would work? Since If I cut out the SSD and go with the caviar black I can cut my build down to about 750ish which would be great. Then I could add the SSD on later around christmas time probably.
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On August 12 2011 06:40 ataryens wrote:thx, also, the gpu comes with 2 6 slots holes for power, i got 2 power cords (one has 6 slots and the other has 6 slots+2 called PCI-E) are these the correct connectors? Aslo, there is no connection between the fans that came with the case and the mobo? Edit: I would also have an extra 8pin cable from the power supply that is not plugged anywhere. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/aaaaaaa122.jpg/
Yes, those are correct. You can use the 6pin and 6+2pin for your GPU.
Case fans use molex connectors.
On August 12 2011 07:24 Hierarch wrote:So a reinstallation would work? Since If I cut out the SSD and go with the caviar black I can cut my build down to about 750ish which would be great. Then I could add the SSD on later around christmas time probably.
Yes, you could do that. A Samsung Spinpoint F3 is similar to the Caviar Black in terms of performance. The Caviar Black just offers an extra two years of warranty over it.
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On August 12 2011 08:01 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 06:40 ataryens wrote:thx, also, the gpu comes with 2 6 slots holes for power, i got 2 power cords (one has 6 slots and the other has 6 slots+2 called PCI-E) are these the correct connectors? Aslo, there is no connection between the fans that came with the case and the mobo? Edit: I would also have an extra 8pin cable from the power supply that is not plugged anywhere. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/aaaaaaa122.jpg/ Yes, those are correct. You can use the 6pin and 6+2pin for your GPU. Case fans use molex connectors. Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 07:24 Hierarch wrote:So a reinstallation would work? Since If I cut out the SSD and go with the caviar black I can cut my build down to about 750ish which would be great. Then I could add the SSD on later around christmas time probably. Yes, you could do that. A Samsung Spinpoint F3 is similar to the Caviar Black in terms of performance. The Caviar Black just offers an extra two years of warranty over it.
Is the spinpoint cheaper because of this less warranty? The more I can lower the total of my build, the faster I can put it together :D
I'm definitely going to hold off on the SSD for now and get it later. So when I do reboot the system for the os, how would I go about that, would I have to completely wipe my HDD?
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Yes the memory is okay.
You just need to get another SATA cable for your SSD since the lower end boards only come with two. If you can't salvage one than they're pretty inexpensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123169
On August 12 2011 08:08 Hierarch wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On August 12 2011 08:01 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 06:40 ataryens wrote:thx, also, the gpu comes with 2 6 slots holes for power, i got 2 power cords (one has 6 slots and the other has 6 slots+2 called PCI-E) are these the correct connectors? Aslo, there is no connection between the fans that came with the case and the mobo? Edit: I would also have an extra 8pin cable from the power supply that is not plugged anywhere. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/aaaaaaa122.jpg/ Yes, those are correct. You can use the 6pin and 6+2pin for your GPU. Case fans use molex connectors. Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 07:24 Hierarch wrote:So a reinstallation would work? Since If I cut out the SSD and go with the caviar black I can cut my build down to about 750ish which would be great. Then I could add the SSD on later around christmas time probably. Yes, you could do that. A Samsung Spinpoint F3 is similar to the Caviar Black in terms of performance. The Caviar Black just offers an extra two years of warranty over it. Is the spinpoint cheaper because of this less warranty? The more I can lower the total of my build, the faster I can put it together :D I'm definitely going to hold off on the SSD for now and get it later. So when I do reboot the system for the os, how would I go about that, would I have to completely wipe my HDD?
Yes, the Caviar Black carries a premium over the Caviar Blue, Samsung Spinpoint F3, and other 7200 RPM HDDs because of it's five year warranty.
No you don't have to do that. When you get your SSD, just unplug the HDD and install the operating system onto the SSD. Once done, set boot priority to SSD than you can figure out what to do with your HDD.
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On August 12 2011 08:09 skyR wrote:Yes the memory is okay. You just need to get another SATA cable for your SSD since the lower end boards only come with two. If you can't salvage one than they're pretty inexpensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123169Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 08:08 Hierarch wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On August 12 2011 08:01 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 06:40 ataryens wrote:thx, also, the gpu comes with 2 6 slots holes for power, i got 2 power cords (one has 6 slots and the other has 6 slots+2 called PCI-E) are these the correct connectors? Aslo, there is no connection between the fans that came with the case and the mobo? Edit: I would also have an extra 8pin cable from the power supply that is not plugged anywhere. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/aaaaaaa122.jpg/ Yes, those are correct. You can use the 6pin and 6+2pin for your GPU. Case fans use molex connectors. Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 07:24 Hierarch wrote:So a reinstallation would work? Since If I cut out the SSD and go with the caviar black I can cut my build down to about 750ish which would be great. Then I could add the SSD on later around christmas time probably. Yes, you could do that. A Samsung Spinpoint F3 is similar to the Caviar Black in terms of performance. The Caviar Black just offers an extra two years of warranty over it. Is the spinpoint cheaper because of this less warranty? The more I can lower the total of my build, the faster I can put it together :D I'm definitely going to hold off on the SSD for now and get it later. So when I do reboot the system for the os, how would I go about that, would I have to completely wipe my HDD? Yes, the Caviar Black carries a premium over the Caviar Blue, Samsung Spinpoint F3, and other 7200 RPM HDDs because of it's five year warranty. No you don't have to do that. When you get your SSD, just unplug the HDD and install the operating system onto the SSD. Once done, set boot priority to SSD than you can figure out what to do with your HDD.
Alright cool, very insightful as always it seems. If you don't mind me asking how do you know so much about this stuff?
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Isnt the molex connector only to PSU?
I started up the system and its working (fans working too).
I was reading when the system was starting but black screen about possible issues (got fixed by connecting monitor to gpu) and one was "did you remove plastic over cpu" I dont recall a plastic on the 2500k, am i crazy? either here is one and its super thin) or i just forgot that i took it off. Can someone confirm before I start the computer again as I dont wanna remove the cpu cooler if I dont have to.
Thank you again for all your help.
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On August 12 2011 08:09 skyR wrote:Yes the memory is okay. You just need to get another SATA cable for your SSD since the lower end boards only come with two. If you can't salvage one than they're pretty inexpensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123169Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 08:08 Hierarch wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On August 12 2011 08:01 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 06:40 ataryens wrote:thx, also, the gpu comes with 2 6 slots holes for power, i got 2 power cords (one has 6 slots and the other has 6 slots+2 called PCI-E) are these the correct connectors? Aslo, there is no connection between the fans that came with the case and the mobo? Edit: I would also have an extra 8pin cable from the power supply that is not plugged anywhere. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/aaaaaaa122.jpg/ Yes, those are correct. You can use the 6pin and 6+2pin for your GPU. Case fans use molex connectors. Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 07:24 Hierarch wrote:So a reinstallation would work? Since If I cut out the SSD and go with the caviar black I can cut my build down to about 750ish which would be great. Then I could add the SSD on later around christmas time probably. Yes, you could do that. A Samsung Spinpoint F3 is similar to the Caviar Black in terms of performance. The Caviar Black just offers an extra two years of warranty over it. Is the spinpoint cheaper because of this less warranty? The more I can lower the total of my build, the faster I can put it together :D I'm definitely going to hold off on the SSD for now and get it later. So when I do reboot the system for the os, how would I go about that, would I have to completely wipe my HDD? Yes, the Caviar Black carries a premium over the Caviar Blue, Samsung Spinpoint F3, and other 7200 RPM HDDs because of it's five year warranty. No you don't have to do that. When you get your SSD, just unplug the HDD and install the operating system onto the SSD. Once done, set boot priority to SSD than you can figure out what to do with your HDD.
Thanks. And I was going to ask about that, haha.
I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but before I buy all this, would it be worth a little more money to get a slightly better motherboard? It looks like that motherboard has a lot on it, though.
Also, will it be possible to have both my headset and speakers connected to my computer at the same time rather than having to unplug one for the other? I have to do that now and it's really annoying.
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On August 12 2011 08:21 ataryens wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Isnt the molex connector only to PSU?
I started up the system and its working (fans working too).
I was reading when the system was starting but black screen about possible issues (got fixed by connecting monitor to gpu) and one was "did you remove plastic over cpu" I dont recall a plastic on the 2500k, am i crazy? either here is one and its super thin) or i just forgot that i took it off. Can someone confirm before I start the computer again as I dont wanna remove the cpu cooler if I dont have to.
Thank you again for all your help.
There's plastic taping on the bottom of the Intel heatsink to protect the pre-applied paste. Actually I don't remember if this is the case since I haven't used Intel's heatsink since Pentium 4 days but this is the case for aftermarket heatsinks, they come with plastic taping protecting the bottom. This must be removed. CPU itself does not have plastic.
Molex connectors are for fans and other devices. If fans are working than you connected it using molex connectors unless your case fans came with headers (which I've never seen before).
On August 12 2011 08:21 LazyMacro wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On August 12 2011 08:09 skyR wrote:Yes the memory is okay. You just need to get another SATA cable for your SSD since the lower end boards only come with two. If you can't salvage one than they're pretty inexpensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123169Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 08:08 Hierarch wrote:+ Show Spoiler +On August 12 2011 08:01 skyR wrote:Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 06:40 ataryens wrote:thx, also, the gpu comes with 2 6 slots holes for power, i got 2 power cords (one has 6 slots and the other has 6 slots+2 called PCI-E) are these the correct connectors? Aslo, there is no connection between the fans that came with the case and the mobo? Edit: I would also have an extra 8pin cable from the power supply that is not plugged anywhere. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/aaaaaaa122.jpg/ Yes, those are correct. You can use the 6pin and 6+2pin for your GPU. Case fans use molex connectors. Show nested quote +On August 12 2011 07:24 Hierarch wrote:So a reinstallation would work? Since If I cut out the SSD and go with the caviar black I can cut my build down to about 750ish which would be great. Then I could add the SSD on later around christmas time probably. Yes, you could do that. A Samsung Spinpoint F3 is similar to the Caviar Black in terms of performance. The Caviar Black just offers an extra two years of warranty over it. Is the spinpoint cheaper because of this less warranty? The more I can lower the total of my build, the faster I can put it together :D I'm definitely going to hold off on the SSD for now and get it later. So when I do reboot the system for the os, how would I go about that, would I have to completely wipe my HDD? Yes, the Caviar Black carries a premium over the Caviar Blue, Samsung Spinpoint F3, and other 7200 RPM HDDs because of it's five year warranty. No you don't have to do that. When you get your SSD, just unplug the HDD and install the operating system onto the SSD. Once done, set boot priority to SSD than you can figure out what to do with your HDD. Thanks. And I was going to ask about that, haha. I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but before I buy all this, would it be worth a little more money to get a slightly better motherboard? It looks like that motherboard has a lot on it, though. Also, will it be possible to have both my headset and speakers connected to my computer at the same time rather than having to unplug one for the other? I have to do that now and it's really annoying.
Motherboard has little to no impact on performance. If you want a board with more connectivity or a longer warranty than you're free to get select a more expensive H67 board.
If both your speakers and headset is using 3.5mm analog plugs than no you can't have them plugged in at the same time. You would either need to buy a USB sound card or a discrete sound card. Plug one into the motherboard sound and plug one into the sound card.
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Okay, thanks.
I just remembered that on the front panel of the Storm Scout there's 4 USB ports and then there's 3.5mm audio ports. I assume this doesn't present any problems or conflicts?
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No, those plug into the motherboard.
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That's what I figured. Couldn't I plug my headset into the front panel and the speakers into the rear panel?
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You could use Y-splitter (one male to two female) for the 3.5mm stereo jack so you could have them both plugged in. Both would make sounds simultaneously, but maybe that's what you want? In practice this would degrade the quality of the signal sent to the speakers set, but maybe not significantly or audibly.
edit: should be that most onboard sound will disable the back panel if you plug something into the front panel? Or maybe that's an option in the settings. I forget. I never use the front panel connection.
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I don't understand why I can't have my headset plugged into the front with the speakers plugged into the back and then just use whichever one I want to use. :|
It's not a big deal if I have to unplug one thing to plug the other in; I'm just lazy. 
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iirc you can do that, you are just going to have to disable each device in the audio manager.
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On August 12 2011 08:50 skyR wrote:
iirc you can do that, you are just going to have to disable each device in the audio manager.
I think I can handle that. :D
I also bought that build I listed previously. Thank you again for all of your help.
The only thing bugging me was the motherboard, but I have no legitimate or logical reason to think it's not a good motherboard. I think it's that (1) I wasn't expecting such a cheap motherboard to seem to be so good for what I wanted to do, and (2) I've read so much about the other chipsets that I wasn't sure if H61 was going to be good or not.
Oh well.
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Just wanted to share a site with you guys.
www.hwcompare.com
This site gives you rough estimate on how a GPU will perform and you can compare different GPUs and see their differences.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/199/aaaaaaa122.jpg/)
