Advice on planned new build

[pinnochio]

Hi from a newbie on the forum.

The last time I built my computer was back when the Pentium 133 :eek: was the fastest processor there was. It has been a looong time and so much has changed since then I am a little jittery building a new rig from scratch.

I am planning on using the computer for doing some gaming, graphic design and mobile development projects. I also plan on using this setup for a long time (5-7 years) so it needs to be future-proof. I might upgrade or add storage, GPU or RAM, but I am not going to mess around with the processor and m/b. Very lofty goals I know, but I am not very rich :D

The components I intended to use are below; your thoughts/suggestions are welcome. I really need some sort of assurance that I am getting good value for money with these components and that I can rest assured that this is meets my requirements of being able to run for the next 5-7 years.

CPU
Intel Core i7-3820 Processor 3.6 4 LGA 2011 BX80619I73820 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006YM9JSW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
GPU
Galaxy GeForce GTX 670 2 GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 DVI/DVI/HDMI/DP SLI Ready Graphics Card (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Z33SYA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-X79-UD3 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Motherboard (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0064Z6YD2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=A1XBPHGHAXLHDG)
RAM
Corsair Vengeance Blue 16 GB DDR3 SDRAM Dual Channel Memory Kit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RFBIUU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036Q7MV0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Power
OCZ Fatal1ty 750W Modular Gaming Power Supply (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JZCF2O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Case
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WK3KKQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
BD R/W drive
LG Electronics WH12LS39K M-Disc 12X Internal SATA Blu-Ray Rewriter (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00632U162/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00)

Would you recommend adding anything else?
Do I need to go for a dedicated cooling solution?
Also, should I have 2 optical drives? One for reading and one for writing?

Thanks for all your advice!

[zburns]

Hi pinnochio, and welcome to the forums.

I have been thru all your components and they do appear to be compatible; however, the motherboard has an X79 chipset which lacks some features that are on the later Z77 chipset. The chipsets are both by intel but the chipset is an integral part of the motherboard installed by the mobo manufacturer.

I need to explain my reasoning for this recommendation.

Intel has a Product Brief on both of these chipsets. Three pages on the X79 and four pages on the Z77 (and X75). Some reading, some drawings and on the last page for both chipsets, a list of the features of each chipset. These two Product Briefs best explain the differences. Please note the Headline on the X79 first page regards '. . extreme gamers . . . demanding enthusiasts.'

On the last page of both Product Briefs are a list of the features of each chipset. You will see that the Z77 has more than the X79. Specifically, Intel Smart Response Tech., Intel Smart Connect Technology and Intel Rapid Start Technology. Each feature has an explanation. For example Intel Smart Response Technology allows you to use a small SSD as a 'cache drive' which will give you much faster response to keyboard commands.

Here are the URLs for each of the Intel Chipset Product Briefs:

Z77 chipsets: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/chipsets/performance-chipsets/z77-express-chipset.html

X79 chipset: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/chipsets/performance-chipsets/x79-express-chipset.html

I have some questions of my own that I will have to sort out on both the documents; so sometime tomorrow, some specific comments on both chipsets.
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On Cooling: The Hyper 212 is a real popular radiator type cooler. The H80 and H100 are both liquid coolers and they were real popular on this forum for a length of time. The 212 is very low cost and seems to be the choice most of the time. You can use the Intel furnished cooler, then monitor your temps based on what you do, make a decision to change the cooler at a later date.

On optical drives, unless you have applications where 'read' and 'write' conflict 'in the sense that you want to do both at the same time, I do not see a reason for two drives. I do not recall ever seeing anyone on this forum use two drives. If you think you have an application for two but are unsure, adding an optical drive later has to be one of the 'easiest' additions to accomplish.

As mentioned above I will have some more comments on the chipset situation tomorrow!!

Almost forgot!! The OCZ psu looks fine up to a point. It appears to have four +12 volt rails. There problem is that they do not specify the Overcurrent protection in the psu. The best psus have multiple +12 volt rails and, most important, have overcurrent protection for each rail. If you look at Antec Power supplies, you will see that they typically provide a complete specification including individual overcurrent protection for each rail. Here is just an example: http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=2461&fid=339

Low cost power supplies generally 'cut corners' some way. The power supply provides power for every component, and, hence, the overcurrent protection circuits really matter in their 'design effectiveness' for protection.

[zburns]

I reviewed both Product Briefs in detail. The Z77 Chipset has a few more features than the Z75, so there seems no reason to consider the Z75. The Z77 is a current new chipset for Ivy Bridge (Gen 3), Gen 2 and Gen 3 of the Intel Core processors with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0.

The X79 chipset supports the Gen 2 Intel Core i7 processor family in LGA 2011 socket.

The i7-3770k is the top end Ivy Bridge quad core with hyperthreading (8 core total), 3.5 Ghz max, 3.9 Ghz Turbo Boost). The k suffix typically means the cpu can be overclocked.

If you go to this AnandTech review on the i7-3770k, (at this url: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5771/the-intel-ivy-bridge-core-i7-3770k-review/1) , you will see a very close comparison in multiple benchmark type tests between the two cpus. The initial set showing the i7-3770k beating the SB-E i7-3820 by a 10% to 15% margin and some later benchmark tests showing the reverse. SB-E over Ivy Bridge. Point is they are very close in performance.

The SB-E is married to a out of date chipset, feature wise. The Ivy Bridge i7 3770k gives similar performance with a current up to date chipset, but 'much more important' significant features that the X79 chipset does not have.

There are five features of the Z77 chipset not on the X79. (1) Intel Rapid Recover Technology. (2) Intel Smart Response Technology. (3) Intel Smart Connect Technology. (4) Intel Rapid Start Technology. (5) Universal Serial Bus 3.0 which is not offered at all on the X79.

Number 2 on the list is significant, Intel Smart Response Technology Implements storage I/O caching for faster response times of apps startup and quicker access to user data -- I assume this is 'the use of a small SSD to act as the HD cache, instead of the normally slower 'mechanical HD cache'. This forum has had a number of members to use this technique in the last few months. This is a significant feature.

Conclusion: The Z77 chipset is by far a better choice because of the above mentioned features combined with the apparent fact that the Ivy Bridge cpu is approximately equal to the SB-E i7-3820.
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I expect you have some questions, or others do, regards my rationale; maybe I really missed an important point. Comments and / or questions welcome!!

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Regards the other components mentioned in my post before this on, the psu has a serious topic that is not discussed at all, which is very worrisome.

[zburns]

Note, should have mentioned earlier: The X79 chipset does not support USB 3.0 at all. This means only USB 2.0 works on this board. The Z77 chipset does support both USB 2.0 (the old) and USB 3.0 (the new). It is worth pointing out that your Enclosure will have external USB connections, and, most likely they will be all USB 3.0.
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The following explains how to 'get to the Product Brief on each chipset, download it in order to get to the last page with all the chipset 'Features / Benefits':

(In the sentence below, when I say click on either of the above URLs, this means the Z77 URL and the X79 URL in my first post above.

When you click on either of the above URLs, you get to a page with a block diagram of the cpu/chipset. IMPORTANT: Just to the right of the block diagram, you will see the following info: Product information /

Download product brief Click on Download Product Brief and that will take you to the three page brief for the X79 or, the four page one for the Z77.

These URLs are for separate individual Product Briefs on the two chipsets, Z77 (the current one) and X79 (older one).

The Z77 Product Brief is 4 pages long, the X79 is 3 pages in length. The last page of each of the product briefs contains a 'Feature' / 'Benefits' list. The Z77 Feature / Benefit list (18 items) is longer by 5 items than the X79 list. One of the items on the Z77 Features / Benefit list allows the use of an SSD for HD cache which can have a significant reduction in boot time.

[pinnochio]

zburns,

Thank you so much for going the extra mile and deciphering the jargon for me. After reading a little more about the Sandy Bridge E and Ivy Bridge interfaces, it seems like going for a 3rd Gen I7 on a Z77 m/b as recommended is a great idea!

What do you think about:

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R21JWC/

Now, to take full advantage of the 'SSD as cache' functionality, how much space should I go for? What do you think about:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W2JL2A/

Also about the PSU, I am not sure I understand the intricacies of overcurrent protection, it did not seem to me that the OCZ was in any way cheaper than Antec, but what do you think about this one?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046L1PC6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Finally a very very silly question, is all of this 64 bit compatible? Should I get Window 64 bit? Or should I stick with the old faithful 32 bit? I know I am venturing into the software domain here; but I have never had any experience with 64 bit systems, any help will be appreciated!

[zburns]

Cpu is obviously fine. That mobo works via the presence of the Z77 chipset; however, I would like to compare it to some others tomorrow just as a check. The SSD I am not sure what to say. The Intel technology calls out for 60 GB as the cache amount. So how you configure and use the remainder of the space is the question. I will look at this some more tomorrow.

The Antec PSU you picked is for gaming, which means it has high current +12 volt rails (4 of them, I think) and high trip points. If you are going for 'enthusiast' high end gaming, that psu trends in that direction. It just depends on your interest in gaming. More comments tomorrow on the psu.

You have a quad cpu with 8 cores total. You need 64 bit to give you the speed the cpu is designed for.

[pinnochio]

Thanks for your advice so far zburns! Looking forward to hear from you on the PSU

[zburns]

Hello again, and thanks for the note yesterday. I worked on your post some yesterday but got too deep into details and finally just stopped. Today much the same, but I am not stopping until I have you a final post. I have had as many as ten web pages stacked up that are relevant to the conversation.

There is one very important concept that is important about power supplies. Because they 'touch' every component within the computer via supplying the 'energy' (watts = power being used), they are really the component that you, the owner, has to have complete confidence in for 'protection of your various computer components'. You just cannot, knowingly, cut corners by looking for the cheapest, best deal, etc..

More details to follow asap today!!

[zburns]

The OCZ 750 watt unit you initially picked was reviewed by Hardware Secrets in xxx and the comments were both good and bad (depending on your outlook). Here is a significant comment from the reviewer:


The four rails are distributed like this:

+12V1 (solid yellow wires): Main motherboard cable.
+12V2 (yellow/red wires): Half of the ATX12V/EPS12V connector.
+12V3 (yellow/green wires): Half of the ATX12V/EPS12V connector, half of the modular connectors (two for video cards and two for SATA/peripheral).
+12V4 (yellow/black wires): EPS12V connector, half of the modular connectors (two for video cards and two for SATA/peripheral).

We think this is not a good distribution, especially because the rails are not easily identified outside the unit. Therefore, you may end up having your CPU and your video card running on the same rail, and even two video cards and the CPU running on the same rail.

Note the two sentences, just above, beginning with 'We think' and 'Therefore': Also, he had other problems. The reviewer tested the overload circuits and he stated a significant problem with the unit; see this URL: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-Fatal1ty-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/1019/8

In his final analysis he gave it good comments and recommended it; however, his comment on the distribution of the +12volt rails is a big negative, my opinion.
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The Antec High Current Gamer Unit you make reference to above is for mid to high level gaming. As such, it has 4 +12 volt rails of 40 amps each with overload trip points of 53 amps for each rail. If you are really into high energy gaming, you may need this size. The problem is that other circuits have to be protected also by these 53 amp overload trip points. You do not have any other circuit that comes anywhere close to this, so, in effect you put other components at risk using this type PSU. It all depends on the level of intensity you would want to run games at. Also, for certain 'high requirement games' you may need this power level. But there is a conflict!

Here is the URL for the High Tech Gamer Psu: http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=2461&fid=339

There are at least two other Antec PSUs with 4 +12 volt rails and much less amp output than the one above. In fact the OCZ unit you originally picked had 4 + 12 volt rails, each one at 18 amps -- so you can see the difference due to 'gaming'.

The other two Antec PSUs are as follows: The HCP-750 High Current Pro at this URL: http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=704338&fid=343 and the CP-850 at this URL: http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=720&fid=235

The HCP-750 has 4 +12volt rails, 40 amp each, trip point 40 amp each. The CP-850 has two 22 amp +12volt rails and two 25 amp +12 volt rails and all four have trip points of 37 amps. Big differences, the HCP-750 gaming related, the CP-850 not so much gaming related.

[pinnochio]

Thanks for all the tips!

I decided to go with the following CPU and mobo:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R21JJK/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

I am taking the time to review your links about the PSUs. Thanks again for all the time and effort you have put into this.

[zburns]

Good choices on the cpu and the motherboard!!