Brand new computer! What do you think? :)

[symphonia117]

So… I've recently decided to enter the computer science field.  I plan on double majoring in college to get a BS in computer science and a BA in digital media arts.  If all goes well I'll end up making video games.  Otherwise, I'd still have plenty of opportunities available to me in the programming and animation fields.  Since I decided to enter this line of work (and because it was time for an upgrade) I recently built a new computer for myself; named the build "Silph-beta".  I've reviewed all of the items myself and want to know what you guys think of my first build.  Here's the specs and info:

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=11-119-197-TS&ISList=11-119-197-S01%2c11-119-197-S02%2c11-119-197-S03%2c11-119-197-S04%2c11-119-197-S05%2c11-119-197-S06%2c11-119-197-S07%2c11-119-197-S08%2c11-119-197-S09%2c11-119-197-S10%2c11-119-197-S11&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16811119197&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=COOLER%20MASTER%20HAF%20922%20RC-922M-KKN1-GP%20Black%20Steel%20%2b%20Plastic%20and%20Mesh%20Bezel%20ATX%20Mid%20Tower%20Computer%20Case)
**Case: [COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197) ($89.98)

_Features:_

* Five 5.25" external drive bays (one converts to 3.5")
* Five 3.5" internal drive bays
* Two 200mm fans, one mounted on top and one placed in the front complete with red LEDs
* One 120mm fan on the back
* Tool-Free Installation (amazing)
* Supports both liquid and fan cooling
* Has two USB 2.0, eSATA, mic in, and audio out ports on the front
* Has LED, power, and reset buttons on top
* Open side panel for easy visibility and additional fans
* Supports additional fan on bottom

>! This is an absolutely amazing case for the price.  It's easy to change out parts, upgrade and its great at keeping the system cool.  If you're looking for a really good long-term case, this is definitely the model to go with.  The top fan is great for removing excess CPU heat and the lower 200mm fan can be angled to get better airflow.  The only setbacks that I have found include the size (as it is quite large) and the open side-plate for installing CPU cooling.  Usually this is a convenience but this cut isn't large enough to work for all chipsets.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=23-126-012-Z02&ISList=23-126-012-Z01%2c23-126-012-Z02%2c23-126-012-Z03%2c23-126-012-Z04&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16823126012&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=Logitech%20Internet%20350%20Black%20USB%20Wired%20Standard%20Keyboard)
**Keyboard: [Logitech Internet 350](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126012) ($23.99)

_Features:_

* Driver-Free hotkey support
* Spill Resistant

>! This is a great keyboard for the price.  The Driver-Free hotkeys are a really nice addition.  If you aren't planning on doing any extreme gaming then this keyboard would be perfect for you.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=20-231-321-TS&SpinSet=20-231-321-RS&ISList=20-231-321-Z01%2c20-231-321-Z02%2c20-231-321-Z03&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16820231321&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=G.SKILL%20ECO%20Series%204GB%20%282%20x%202GB%29%20240-Pin%20DDR3%20SDRAM%20DDR3%201600%20%28PC3%2012800%29%20Desktop%20Memory%20Model%20F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO)
**Memory: [G. Skill ECO Series F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB)](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321) ($97.99)

_Features:_

* DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
* Duel Channel kit
* Designed for Intel Core i5 & i7 CPUs

>! Great RAM for gaming.  Running at a solid 1600MHz these sticks really speed up your computer's performance.  This set comes with a heat spreader which is small enough to avoid hitting most CPU heatsinks and fans (a common problem with poorly placed RAM slots).  If you plan on gaming you should definitely get at least 1600MHz sticks to help maximize your computer's performance.  These are also great for conventional use, loading programs like Office 2010 and iTunes instantly.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=35-181-011-TS&SpinSet=35-181-011-RS&ISList=35-181-011-Z01%2c35-181-011-Z02%2c35-181-011-Z03%2c35-181-011-Z04%2c35-181-011-Z05%2c35-181-011-Z06%2c35-181-011-Z07%2c35-181-011-Z08%2c35-181-011-Z09&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16835181011&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=CORSAIR%20CAFA70%20120mm%20Dual-Fan%20CPU%20Cooler)
**Cooling: [CORSAIR CAFA70 120mm Dual-Fan CPU Cooler](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181011) ($49.99)

_Features:_

* 1,600 to 2,000 RPM per fan
* Air Flow is 50 to 61 CFM
* Noise levels of 26-31.5 dBA
* Aluminum heatsink with eight copper heatpipes

>! This heatsink keeps my processor and case cool.  The two 120mm fans push air through the heatsink and out towards the rear case fan and straight out of your case.  The eight copper heatpipes really help transfer heat up through the aluminum heatsink since they're in direct contact with your CPU.  Overall, a great cooling system if you're not planning on using liquid.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=27-106-333-TS&SpinSet=27-106-333-SS&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16827106333&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=LITE-ON%20DVD%20Writer%20-%20Bulk%20-%20Black%20SATA%20Model%20iHAS224-06%20LightScribe%20Support)
**Optical Drive: [LITE-ON DVD Burner iHAS224-06](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106333) ($19.99)

_Features:_

* 2MB cache
* DVD+/-R write speeds of 24X
* DVD+/-R DL write speeds of 12X
* DVD+RW write speeds of 8X
* DVD-RW Write speeds of 6X
* CD-R write speeds of 48X
* CD-RW write speeds of 32X
* DVD read speeds of 16X
* CD read speeds of 48X
* LightScribe support
* SATA interface
* Comes with Nero Essentials 8 OEM

>! For only $20 you'd have to be crazy not to buy this drive.  It does everything but Blu-ray.  The included software isn't the greatest when compared to newer versions of Nero but hey, its free!

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=27-106-326-TS&ISList=27-106-326-Z01%2c27-106-326-Z02%2c27-106-326-Z03%2c27-106-326-Z04%2c27-106-326-Z05%2c27-106-326-Z06%2c27-106-326-Z07%2c27-106-326-Z08%2c27-106-326-Z09&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16827106326&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=LITE-ON%20Black%204X%20Blu-ray%20Disc%20Reader%20SATA%20Model%20iHOS104-08)
**Optical Drive: [LITE-ON Blu-ray Disc Reader iHOS104-08](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106326) ($64.99)

_Features:_

* 2MB cache
* 250ms BD access time
* BD read speed of 4X
* DVD read speed of 8X
* CD read speed of 32X
* SATA interface
* Comes with Cyberlink PowerDVD 8 OEM

>! Currently my computer is experiencing technical difficulties with Blu-ray playback but I believe the problem does not reside with this optical drive.  I'll wait until I figure it out before I review this item.  The software that comes with this package isn't the greatest but CyberLink's Blu-Ray Adviser is really helpful when trying to decipher how compatible your computer is with BD playback.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=22-152-185-TS&ISList=22-152-185-Z01%2c22-152-185-Z02%2c22-152-185-Z03%2c22-152-185-Z04%2c22-152-185-Z05&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16822152185&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=SAMSUNG%20Spinpoint%20F3%20HD103SJ%201TB%207200%20RPM%20SATA%203.0Gb%2fs%203.5%22%20Internal%20Hard%20Drive%20-Bare%20Drive)
**HDD: [SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ Bare Drive](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185) ($74.99)

_Features:_

* SATA 3.0Gb/s
* 1TB
* 7200 RPM
* 32MB cache
* 8.9ms seek time

>! With a whopping 1TB of memory running at 7200RPM, this is a really good HDD for the price.  If put into RAID 0 with a second drive, you can really maximize your speed with this device's SATA interface.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=14-125-333-TS&SpinSet=14-125-333-RS&ISList=14-125-333-Z01%2c14-125-333-Z02%2c14-125-333-Z03%2c14-125-333-Z04%2c14-125-333-Z05%2c14-125-333-Z06&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16814125333&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=GIGABYTE%20GV-N460OC-1GI%20GeForce%20GTX%20460%20%28Fermi%29%201GB%20256-bit%20GDDR5%20PCI%20Express%202.0%20x16%20HDCP%20Ready%20SLI%20Support%20Video%20Card)
**Video Card: [GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-1GI GeForce GTX 460](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125333) ($229.99)

_Features:_

* PCI Express 2.0 x16 interface
* Core pre-overclocked from 675 to 715MHz
* Shader pre-overclocked from 1370 to 1430MHz
* 336 stream processor cores
* 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 memory
* Memory clock at 1800MHz (Effective 3600MHz)
* DirectX 11 support
* SLI ready
* DHCP ready
* 1 x mini HDMI and 2 x DVI outputs
* Duel-Link DVI support
* 2 oz copper PCB, 1st tier memory, Japanese solid capacitors, ferrite core chokes and lower RDS (on) MOSFET, results in lower GPU temp, higher OC capabilities, and less power switching loss
* WINDFORCE 2X: Anti-Turbulence cooling
* nVidia PhysX, CUDA and 3D Vision support

>! This is probably the second best GTX 460 GPUs on the market right now.  The best is probably EVGA's version.  However, with GIGABYTE's model you do save some money.  The card comes pre-overclocked and can be overclocked even more since the card has twice the amount of copper PCB administered to it.  The fans are designed to not allow any airflow to work against itself enabling an efficient method of cooling.  I've successfully OC'd my card to 775MHz using MSI AfterBurner with max temps only raising to 67oC.  GPUs can usually be "safely" taken up to temps of around 90oC.  There have been reports of audio problems with this card when using a P55 motherboard.  I also believe that my BD playback issue is either resulting from this card's hardware or the drivers.  I sent the GPU back and when I get my replacement I'll be sure to update this.  nVidia is pretty good about getting new drivers out every month or two so if that is the only problem then hopefully it will be corrected soon enough.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=26-104-178-S01&SCList=26-104-178-S01%2c26-104-178-S02%2c26-104-178-S03%2c26-104-178-S04%2c26-104-178-S05%2c26-104-178-S06%2c26-104-178-S07%2c26-104-178-S08%2c26-104-178-S09&S7ImageFlag=2&Item=N82E16826104178&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=Logitech%20MX%20518%208%20Buttons%201%20x%20Wheel%20USB%20Wired%20Optical%20Gaming%20Mouse)
**Mouse: [Logitech MX 518](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178) ($44.99)

_Features:_

* Optical tracking
* Eight programmable buttons
* 1800 dpi
* Adjustable sensitivity

>! The adjustable sensativity is great for on-the-fly changes in an online game.  You just click the + or - button on the mouse and it changes.  The design is really cool too.  Its a great mouse for the price.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=13-128-409-TS&SpinSet=13-128-409-RS&ISList=13-128-409-Z01%2c13-128-409-Z02%2c13-128-409-Z03%2c13-128-409-Z04%2c13-128-409-Z05&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16813128409&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=GIGABYTE%20GA-P55A-UD4P%20LGA%201156%20Intel%20P55%20SATA%206Gb%2fs%20USB%203.0%20ATX%20Intel%20Motherboard%20w%2f%20USB%203.0%20%26%20SATA%206%20Gb%2fs)
**Motherboard: [GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409) ($184.99)

_Features:_

* LGA 1156 socket type
* Intel P55 chipset
* 4 x 240pin DDR3 memory slots
* Supports XMP memory
* Duel-channel memory support
* Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (one is running at x8)
* Three PCI Express x1
* Two PCI slots
* Six SATA 3Gb/s connections
* Two SATA 6Gb/s connections
* Eight channel Realtek ALC889 audio chipset
* Duel 10/100/1000Mbps LAN
* One PS/2 connection
* Eight USB 1.1/2.0 connections
* Two USB 3.0 connections
* Two IEEE 1394a connections
* Two eSATA 3Gb/s connections
* One Optical and 1 coaxial S/PDIF outs
* Six audio ports
* Supports CrossFire and SLI
* 2 oz copper PCB
* Has a 3x USB powerboost
* Has Duel-BIOS

>! This motherboard keeps GIGABYTE's trend of doubling the PCB copper going strong.  It has two SATA 3 connections and two USB 3.0 connections.  The built in audio is pretty good compared to most other motherboards.  The only setbacks I found in this board is a lack of on-board video card, and no triple channel RAM slots.  Also, when you SLI video cards on this board, it degrades the USB 3.0 and SATA 3 speeds to what they would regularly be (2.0 and 2).

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=17-139-005-TS&SpinSet=17-139-005-RS&ISList=17-139-005-Z01%2c17-139-005-Z02%2c17-139-005-Z03%2c17-139-005-Z04%2c17-139-005-Z05%2c17-139-005-Z06%2c17-139-005-Z07&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16817139005&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=CORSAIR%20CMPSU-650TX%20650W%20ATX12V%20%2f%20EPS12V%20SLI%20Ready%20CrossFire%20Ready%2080%20PLUS%20Certified%20%20Active%20PFC%20Compatible%20with%20Core%20i7%20Power%20Supply)
**Power Source: [CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005) ($89.99)

_Features:_

* SLI and CrossFire Ready
* 650W
* Eight SATA power connectors
* 120mm fan
* Over voltage protection
* Lasts over 100,000 Hours
* Two PCI-E connectors
* Eight peripheral connectors
* One 12V (4/8Pin) connector
* Single +12V rail
* Compatible with i7

>! One of the better PSUs on the market and made by a great manufacturer.  CORSAIR PSUs are self-regulating and have more than enough connections to satisfy all of your computer's needs.  The one drawback that I had with this PSU is that it's cables are designed for it to be mounted from the top of a case.  My case has it mounted at the bottom and because of this I end up having to twist the cables in odd ways to get them to connect to my drives since the cables are all upside down.

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[](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=19-116-368-TS&ISList=19-116-368-Z01&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16819116368&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=Intel%20Core%20i7-875K%20Lynnfield%202.93GHz%20LGA%201156%2095W%20Quad-Core%20Unlocked%20Desktop%20Processor%20BX80605I7875K)
**Processor: [Intel Core i7-875K Lynnfield](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116368) ($319.99)

_Features:_

* Quad-Core
* 2.93GHz
* 8MB L3 cache
* 64 bit support
* Hyper-threading support
* Virtualization technology support
* 95W
* LGA 1156 socket
* Unlocked multiplier
* Integrated DDR3 memory controller
* Intel smart cache support
* Intel turbo boost technology

>! Intel's i7 series is a great one.  The i7 can outperform AMD's hex-core at many tasks including gaming.  This unlocked version of the i7 can easily be OC'd for maximum performance.  If you want to get into the 4GHz club then the i7 is probably the easiest way to get there.

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I plan on eventually getting a second GPU and setting up SLI.    I'm also going to buy another 200mm fan for the side and a 120mm fan for the bottom.  I'll also buy another two sticks of memory so I'll have eight in total.  I've already OC'd my CPU to 3.2GHz and I plan to continue upping it until I either reach 4.0GHz or I find my stable max settings.

EDIT: Oh, and I plan on buying a decent monitor.  But for now I'll just use my TV.************************

[VitinhooxD]

if you have more money buy a GTX 480.Then it will be 5.5 stars :) , Also if i were you i would buy XFX nvidia cards .Dont ask me why i just prefer XFX :D

[symphonia117]

@[Cake:

> Vitin â„¢ link=topic=64551.msg691383#msg691383 date=1284168023]
> if you have more money buy a GTX 480.Then it will be 5.5 stars :) , Also if I were you I would buy XFX nvidia cards .Dont ask me why I just prefer XFX :D

the price gap between the 460 and the 480 is pretty steep.  Also, XFX hasn't come out with any newer high profile cards.

[renzo]

Haha, that is a pretty sick setup you got there.
We should trade computers. ;)

[Murdoc]

In the words of Borat: "Very Niiice"

[Robin]

Needs more cowbell.

[symphonia117]

@Renzo:

> Haha, that is a pretty sick setup you got there.
> We should trade computers. ;)

strap $1300 onto your comp and its a deal! :p