Mad Cow! Holiday Computer building (1 Viewer)

[Drifter]

Okay - looks like you don't get much additional performance out of running a 2nd SSD as a cache for the HDD. You are better off with just more and/or bigger SSDs to install your programs to. If that mSATA card every drops to about half it's current price, I might just do it for ####s and giggles.

I see a lot of people installing SSDs in a Raid 0 configuration. Is that really necessary? Does it provide that much of an improvement?

Also, I saw something that posted that for most users the difference between SATA2 and SATA3 for SSDs is not really noticeable. Similar to the 120GhZ vs 240GHZ TV arguments. Yes, it's faster but not something really perceivable by human senses.

 

[Zasada]

Now, I'm all sucked into the hardware/upgrade world again. Been a good 10 years... :sigh:Anywhoos, I'm having a hard time dissuading myself from buying an Intel Dawson Creek mSata to enable the Smart Response Technology so that I can still have my SSD set up on the SATA 3 connector and speed up whatever doesn't go no the SSD.Also looking at all the room in the case and wondering how long I can hold off on buying another 560 to Crossfire. That one, I think I can wait and see if the price goes down with the release of the 7xxx AMD cards.

The SRT doesn't work at SATA3 speeds so you will actually get more "bang for the buck" from a bigger SSD or another vidcard. If you put the OS on the MSATA port, you won't find it as fast as it would be if you had installed it on your regular SSD on a SATA3 port.RAID0 on SSDs is overkill IMHO, and doubles your risk of drive failure.My two cents.

 

[Pick]

Update Pick?

All good, Bro. Playing Starcraft2 maxed out. Everything is quick. Everything running uber-quiet. Lots of issues I had to overcome but felt like my knowledge has grown 10000000%.My old PC is still running and all the hardware still there. With my new knowledge I feel like I could go into that one and clean it up a little.

 

[Pick]

So now what? Do I just chill and enjoy my rig for a few years? What types of things should be monitored? I know builds are necessary from time to time but I feel like it'd be better if I just added things here and there.

 

[Chuck Norris]

Thanks to everyone who provided advice and links to deals in this thread. In a few days I'll be putting this together:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Hard Drive: Corsair Force Series 3 90GB 2.5" Solid State Disk

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card

Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case

Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply

Optical Drive: LG GH24NS70 OEM DVD/CD Writer

Total: ~$880

I'll pick up a regular HDD after the shortage is over.

 

[Mad Cow]

So now what? Do I just chill and enjoy my rig for a few years? What types of things should be monitored? I know builds are necessary from time to time but I feel like it'd be better if I just added things here and there.

Such as?

 

[Pick]

The normal HD shows up on my device manager but unable to install anything to it. When I get the option to install to a drive it only shows the SSD.

 

[Mad Cow]

The normal HD shows up on my device manager but unable to install anything to it. When I get the option to install to a drive it only shows the SSD.

You need to go to the disk manager to format it.

 

[Pick]

The normal HD shows up on my device manager but unable to install anything to it. When I get the option to install to a drive it only shows the SSD.

You need to go to the disk manager to format it.

Where is that? Holy Cow it's already saying I have 2+ gigs left on the 167 gig SSD.

 

[mrip541]

Thanks to everyone who provided advice and links to deals in this thread. In a few days I'll be putting this together:CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core ProcessorCPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU CoolerMotherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 MotherboardMemory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 MemoryHard Drive: Corsair Force Series 3 90GB 2.5" Solid State DiskVideo Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video CardCase: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower CasePower Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyOptical Drive: LG GH24NS70 OEM DVD/CD WriterTotal: ~$880I'll pick up a regular HDD after the shortage is over.

I haven't read the whole thread so dont know if this has been mentioned, but a new line of video cards is being released on Jan 9 so it might be worth it to wait so you can pick up either a better card at the same price or the same card for less.

 

[Drifter]

Thanks to everyone who provided advice and links to deals in this thread. In a few days I'll be putting this together:CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core ProcessorCPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU CoolerMotherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 MotherboardMemory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 MemoryHard Drive: Corsair Force Series 3 90GB 2.5" Solid State DiskVideo Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video CardCase: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower CasePower Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power SupplyOptical Drive: LG GH24NS70 OEM DVD/CD WriterTotal: ~$880I'll pick up a regular HDD after the shortage is over.

I haven't read the whole thread so dont know if this has been mentioned, but a new line of video cards is being released on Jan 9 so it might be worth it to wait so you can pick up either a better card at the same price or the same card for less.

From what I've read, the 7xxx cards are going to be introduced at a pretty high price point so it's extremely uncertain what the impact will be to the 6xxx cards and the Nvidia 5xx cards right out of the gate.

 

[Drifter]

The normal HD shows up on my device manager but unable to install anything to it. When I get the option to install to a drive it only shows the SSD.

You need to go to the disk manager to format it.

Where is that? Holy Cow it's already saying I have 2+ gigs left on the 167 gig SSD.

What did you install on there?You can disable the Hibernate function to free up 10 GB. With the rapid start up associated with SSDs, you don't really need Hibernate. Use Sleep or just power it down.You can also play with limiting your Page file but that's a bit more iffy.

 

[Drifter]

$20 for 2x4 Kingston RAM after code EMCYTZT986 and $20 Rebate

RAM

 

[Pick]

The normal HD shows up on my device manager but unable to install anything to it. When I get the option to install to a drive it only shows the SSD.

You need to go to the disk manager to format it.

Where is that? Holy Cow it's already saying I have 2+ gigs left on the 167 gig SSD.

What did you install on there?

I think it might be a bunch of itunes movies.

 

[Drifter]

The normal HD shows up on my device manager but unable to install anything to it. When I get the option to install to a drive it only shows the SSD.

You need to go to the disk manager to format it.

Where is that? Holy Cow it's already saying I have 2+ gigs left on the 167 gig SSD.

What did you install on there?

I think it might be a bunch of itunes movies.

Don't use your SSD for storage space.

 

[Pick]

The normal HD shows up on my device manager but unable to install anything to it. When I get the option to install to a drive it only shows the SSD.

You need to go to the disk manager to format it.

Where is that? Holy Cow it's already saying I have 2+ gigs left on the 167 gig SSD.

What did you install on there?

I think it might be a bunch of itunes movies.

Don't use your SSD for storage space.

I didn't plan to but my other drive needs to be formatted (per MC) and I haven't been able to do that. I don't know how. It's recognized on my PC but when I go to save anything it doesn't show up as an option.

 

[Pick]

OK found the disk management thingy in admin tools. It is currently formatting and then I'm sure I can use it. No harm no foul?

 

[Mad Cow]

OK found the disk management thingy in admin tools. It is currently formatting and then I'm sure I can use it. No harm no foul?

Yep

 

[jamil]

So far I have bought fable III and the witcher 1&2. I haven't even finished building yet (in the middle of it right now). aperbag:

 

[Mad Cow]

So far I have bought fable III and the witcher 1&2. I haven't even finished building yet (in the middle of it right now). aperbag:

Have you been watching the Steam Holiday Sale? Get ready to spend just a few bucks a game and haul in massive value.

 

[jamil]

So far I have bought fable III and the witcher 1&2. I haven't even finished building yet (in the middle of it right now). aperbag:

Have you been watching the Steam Holiday Sale? Get ready to spend just a few bucks a game and haul in massive value.

That's where I've bought the games from. Not to mention nba 2k12 for 9.99 on amazon. I guess I won't have to pay full price for skyrim because I won't be buying it for that price with these other games on deck (unless it's on sale on steam of course)

 

[Pick]

OK so uninstalled itunes and that cut the storage use in half. Now it's at about 95 GBs. Is that closer to where it should be?

 

[Drifter]

OK so uninstalled itunes and that cut the storage use in half. Now it's at about 95 GBs. Is that closer to where it should be?

Still seems big if all you have intended to put on there at this point is the OS. Win 7 64 bit with a full page file and the hibernate file should be about 60GB and your page file shouldn't be anywhere near full right now considering you just built it.

 

[Pick]

OK so uninstalled itunes and that cut the storage use in half. Now it's at about 95 GBs. Is that closer to where it should be?

Still seems big if all you have intended to put on there at this point is the OS. Win 7 64 bit with a full page file and the hibernate file should be about 60GB and your page file shouldn't be anywhere near full right now considering you just built it.

No hibernate.Microsoft Office is on there. Also some software that some of the hardware installed. Not much else that I can find.And then the Starcraft2 stuff.Is there a way to see what's taking up all the space?

 

[Drifter]

OK so uninstalled itunes and that cut the storage use in half. Now it's at about 95 GBs. Is that closer to where it should be?

Still seems big if all you have intended to put on there at this point is the OS. Win 7 64 bit with a full page file and the hibernate file should be about 60GB and your page file shouldn't be anywhere near full right now considering you just built it.

No hibernate.Microsoft Office is on there. Also some software that some of the hardware installed. Not much else that I can find.And then the Starcraft2 stuff.Is there a way to see what's taking up all the space?

There are programs that will show that, but it's the Office install probably

 

[Pick]

Do I need to keep the boxes for rebates. I still have them but have totally forgotten which ones had rebates and which didn't.

 

[Klimtology]

Anyone have a recommendation for a top of the line HD Computer monitor - preferably a Dell?

I'm looking for something that makes online reading less tiresome on the eyes.

TIA

 

[Pick]

OK so uninstalled itunes and that cut the storage use in half. Now it's at about 95 GBs. Is that closer to where it should be?

Still seems big if all you have intended to put on there at this point is the OS. Win 7 64 bit with a full page file and the hibernate file should be about 60GB and your page file shouldn't be anywhere near full right now considering you just built it.

No hibernate.Microsoft Office is on there. Also some software that some of the hardware installed. Not much else that I can find.And then the Starcraft2 stuff.Is there a way to see what's taking up all the space?

There are programs that will show that, but it's the Office install probably

It keeps going down. It was at 93 GB earlier. Left for a party and it was at 89 GB. Now at 76 GB. Weird.

 

[Pick]

Family is a big fan of the new monitor so thanks on that one, Guys. 1920X1080.

 

[belljr]

wife: Buidling the pc was a bad idea.

me: why?

wife: It's not the same...

me: It's windows 7, it's the same as the laptop upstairs

wife: I know computers, I'm not dumb this computer is not the same as upstairs.

me: yes it is, the OS is EXACTLY the same, I may have changed some options but it's the same.

wife: I don't think it is...

I just couldn't help but laugh, this all stemmed from a her creating a shortcut to my external drive and it not working.

I told her 2 weeks ago that you have to plug in and unplug the external drive when you use it. There are no drivers for it for windows 7 so it does not turn back on after the computer is off or hibernates (I have researched this forever). Anyway I tell her it still recognizes it as a USB drive when you plug it back in, it's just not auto doing it at boot. Still makes no sense to me but the WD site and everything I have tried and researched says the same thing.

 

[Drifter]

Do I need to keep the boxes for rebates. I still have them but have totally forgotten which ones had rebates and which didn't.

You need the UPC codes. You can got to New Egg and enter the item code in to see all rebates associated with it. You'll want to do it fast as some rebates expire very quickly.

 

[Pick]

Thanks, Drifter. Had no idea I needed to jump on these that fast. Missed out on a few. It looks like most of these you have like a week-long window once it arrives to mail it in.

 

[Zasada]

The reviews of the 7970 are out, and it is now the king of the single-GPU cards.

At a price. They're estimating $500+ when it goes live in early- to mid-Jan.

No clear news on when the more affordable cards will launch or be available for sale.

 

[Pick]

My BIL came over last night and was impressed. He helped me with my last build. It was hard not to call him or MC during this build. Real happy I didn't give in. Anyway, it was nice to be able to even talk about this stuff somewhat intelligently.

So thanks again guys. The whole fam is enjoying the new rig.

 

[Mad Cow]

My BIL came over last night and was impressed. He helped me with my last build. It was hard not to call him or MC during this build. Real happy I didn't give in. Anyway, it was nice to be able to even talk about this stuff somewhat intelligently.So thanks again guys. The whole fam is enjoying the new rig.

So is SC2 up and running? Readily awaiting D3 as well? We will have to MP some D3 when it comes out.

 

[Pick]

Ya playing SC2 now maxed out.

 

[jamil]

Skyrim for $40 on steam today. #### me and #### steam

 

[Mad Cow]

Lol

 

[Drifter]

Got everything set up and installed yesterday. Curious that the back top fan blows in instead of out but with the big Zalman CPU cooler right there, having cool air blowing right on the giant copper heatsink seems good. Have the CPU fan pointing up towards the out blowing top case fan so all seems good.

Front fan also blows in and the vid card blows down, so I have a little concerned that the air flow might get a little trapped in the lower/back around the area of the PSU. Considering putting another 120mm fan on the bottom blowing out and then if I absolutely have to, I can put a big side fan on blowing in when/if I go to a crossfire setup.

Started playing around with overclocking following the guide posted earlier in the thread, but got instant instability in booting to Windows so need to go back and try and figure that out a bit more.

I know Prime 95 is good for resting stability/heat for the CPU. When I start playing with overclocking the GPU, what program should I use?

 

[belljr]

Is this monitor decent?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=24-236-154&nm_mc=EMCPP-IT122011A&cm_mmc=EMCPP-IT122011-_-PPS1-_-banner-Display-_-PromoWord

 

[Drifter]

Nothing very special about it at that price. Decent Contrast ratio and speed but the brightness is only 250. You can probably do better than that in the $25-$250 range.

 

[belljr]

Nothing very special about it at that price. Decent Contrast ratio and speed but the brightness is only 250. You can probably do better than that in the $25-$250 range.

ok i have another 25 off of it to make it under 200 but I'll keep looking

 

[Drifter]

Nothing very special about it at that price. Decent Contrast ratio and speed but the brightness is only 250. You can probably do better than that in the $25-$250 range.

ok i have another 25 off of it to make it under 200 but I'll keep looking

Just saw that coupon. Under $200, it starts to look better but there's another Asus 23" at New Egg that gets pretty much universal 5 egg reviews in the low $200s.

 

[MaxThreshold]

OK so uninstalled itunes and that cut the storage use in half. Now it's at about 95 GBs. Is that closer to where it should be?

Still seems big if all you have intended to put on there at this point is the OS. Win 7 64 bit with a full page file and the hibernate file should be about 60GB and your page file shouldn't be anywhere near full right now considering you just built it.

No hibernate.Microsoft Office is on there. Also some software that some of the hardware installed. Not much else that I can find.

And then the Starcraft2 stuff.

Is there a way to see what's taking up all the space?

Try WinDirStat.

 

[jamil]

So I'm built and am now gaming. I want to thank you nerds, if it weren't for you guys I'm thinking I would have spent close to $1500. Thanks fellas!

 

[Drifter]

So, to answer my own question Prime 95 and Furmark seem to be the CPU and GPU stress testers respectively.

Right now I'm running the 15 minute Burn in on Furmark with my GPU not quite maxed out and it's holding temps steady at 50c 10 minutes in. Pretty impressive. I might try and push it a bit further after I figure out the CPU overclocking and test it with Prime 95

 

[Drifter]

Hmm = fyi, when using Furmark, you need to restart it each time you adjust the clocks for it to pick them up.

Getting higher temps now. Running 71c at 900MHz core with everything maxed out. It seems to be getting a little unstable above that so, stability, not temps are going to be my ceiling. I'll keep playing with it to see if I can get to 1000MHz.

 

[Drifter]

I can't get this thing overclocked at 45x at all. Can't even get the OS to boot. I guess I'll dial back and see if I can get it somewhere lower than that.

 

[Drifter]

Figured it out - Turns out it wasn't the overclocking. I had set the PCH SATA setting to ACHI and that was causing it to crash. That said, while I'm relieved that I've now got it overclocking just fine, don't I want ACHI enabled for SATA devices?

 

[Corporation]

What is the best value video card out there right now? I currently have a GTX 260 but the tom's hardware guide says don't upgrade unless you move up 3 tiers. Not sure when the prices will come down due to the 7 series release.