behickma

First time builder, and just getting interested in computers at a more in-depth level. Always been satisfied buying the cheaper deals and not in the quality, but i recently got a solid, good paying job and decided it's time to invest in a better quality platform. I just ordered all my computer pieces about a week ago and they just got here today. After looking through alot of these posts, I think I should have waited to buy stuff until after getting everyone's opinions here first, but hopefully I made at least 1 or 2 good choices along the way. Looking forward to getting everyone's advice that's for sure, glad to be a part of OCN!

kevingreenbmx

Looks good except for 2 things:

1) do not even open that video card. return it ang get your money back. 9500's perform worse than 8800's and are not at all in proportion with the rest of your build.

you should look into something like the GTX260 or better. maybe even two for SLI. you could also look at ati's new 5xxx series cards. they are wicked fast and support DX11.

2) If you will be overclocking at all then you will want a better CPU cooler. The prilomantech Megahalems is currently one of the best air coolers. I7 chips run hot, so better the cooling the better the OC.



also, welcome to OCN! you should go to User CP > Add System and fill out your system specs. that will make them appear automatically in your sig after each post with the same formatting as everyone else's. makes it easier for us to help you out. ;-)

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behickma

awwww, seriously? I know i'm a first-time builder, but I tried to put some good research into it. This gfx card had 178 reviews and earned a 4.9/5.0 rating overall, so I figured it would be a great call. I don't know if it makes alot of difference, but I'm not at all a hard-core gamer, I think the most graphically intense game I've played over the last 6 months to a year has been the last Unreal Tournament! Too busy working to pay bills, but now that my 45 hour a week job will pay the bills I decided it's time to relax a little bit

Again, don't know if it makes a difference, but I got the HAF 932 case for the purpose of getting high air flow to help with the cooling. I know liquid cooling is far better at cooling a system than fan air, but with this being a first time build I did not want to go the liquid cooling route, as it's more expensive and I hear it can be slightly tricky. Along with the case, I bought 7 Noctua NF-P12 120mm Fan SSO Bearing fans to drop into the case and bring the temp of the i7 down somewhat. The CPU fan I bought was like 20 bucks, not too much, so if i need to replace that before i can start OC'ing that shouldn't be too big of an expense...


i totally would, but i just received the notice at work that my parts came in today, I haven't even put my computer together yet, so as soon as I get home from work I will update every category I can, because as a first-timer, I need all the help I can get!!!

_AKIMbO_

Honestly, that gfx card is horrible. About the only thing that it is good for is surfing the internet. If you want to salvage it you might be able to use it as a phsyx card if you go the nvidia route.

Also, as has been said before...if you plan on OC'ing that i7 920 a better after market cooler is a must. The Megahalem would be a really good investment if you don't plan on water cooling your CPU.

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kevingreenbmx

Yea, I am serious about the video card. You will be much happier with something like a GTX 260. what you could do though is keep the 9500 for a secondary monitor and physx in the future if you wanted. that way you would not have to be without your new comp while you waited to get a decent video card. :-)

edit:

actually, he could use it for physx even if he went with ATI since he will be using windows 7.

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BenRK

Also, a word of advice for any first time builder, don't forget the standoffs. I hope to prevent as many shorts and grief from people as possible!

_AKIMbO_

I thought that Nvidia locked out all ati phsyx users and that in order to use phsyx with ati cards you had to use older drivers. Anyhow, to keep this thread on topic. I concur that the only salvage value that card has is as a phsyx card.

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kevingreenbmx

The Newer drivers have some issues anyway. The 180-186 drivers still allowed it I believe, and they are the best one's for Windows 7.

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behickma

well i certainly appreciate the advice on the gfx. I feel kinda like an idiot, I put some time and research into this card and thought it would be a decent card for starters, grr. also, I wasn't sure where to place a thread that involved advice for any other parts that I might want to replace in my current build, where would y'all recommend i post in for that advice? Kind of like a "rate my build" category or something.

::EDIT:: hope my signature looks better now kevin...lol

kevingreenbmx

You could PM a moderator and ask them to put this thread in the intel section if you wanted.

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Got a shiny new I7 but you are new to OCing?
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