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Help with building a new PC

Krypteia
Krypteia
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Krypteia
Hey guys,

I've never built one before, and would like to look in to getting one that will last for a while and be good for 3d work. I'd much prefer someone tell me what to buy, and that's really what I'd like. However, I know you guys want someone who is willing to do research on this stuff - so teach me, and I'll learn. :-)

I'll be using it to do modeling (Maya), sculpting (maybe, I've got learn first :)), Flash animation, Photoshop, Illustrator, maybe some video editing, and gaming (of course). Basically graphic intensive programs. It should be built primarily for work purposes over gaming.

I'd like to use a 64-bit OS, and have at least 6+gigs of RAM. RAM would be something nice to add to as time goes on - so eventually adding above 12gigs of RAM might be a nice option.

The Windows 7 OS is not included in the total pricing - since I don't know that I'll buy it retail, get some sort of deal buying multiple licenses with my family, etc. But I put it in the list.

Here's a list of components I've compiled so far. Note that there are multiple options on some parts, what are your opinions on the most cost efficient/performance efficient combination? I calculated the thing with all the highest priced components and the total is at the bottom.

Please make sure I have everything I need for the computer to work properly, as well as compatibility, etc:

Processor ($279):

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&cm_re=i7-_-19-115-202-_-Product


Video Card:

PNY VCGGTX295SXPB GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133283&nm_mc=OTC-B1zrat3&cm_mmc=OTC-B1zrat3-_-Video+Cards-_-PNY+Technologies++Inc.-_-14133283 ($519)

Zotac ZT-295E3MB-FSP GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896-bit (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 (576MHz/2016MHz)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002D2SS84/ref=nosim/7240466-rg2304-00-20 ($479)


Motherboard ($187.99):


MSI X58 Pro-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130226&Tpk=MSI%20X58%20Pro%20motherboard


OS ($291.99):


Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Full - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116718&cm_re=windows_7_ultimate_64_bit-_-32-116-718-_-Product


RAM:

CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G - Retail

(12 gigs) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145235&cm_re=ddr3_ram-_-20-145-235-_-Product ($319.99)


G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail

(12 gigs [2 x 6 gigs]) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223 ($144.99) [$300ish total]


Case ($69.99):

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137


HardDrive:

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

(2 x 640 gigs) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 ($49.99) [$100 total]



Power Supply:

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022&cm_re=power_supply_550w-_-17-341-022-_-Product ($99.99)


Heat Sink:

Was incompatible with CPU.


Totals:

Highest priced components - $1603.95 [if you buy 2 x 6 gig (6 sticks total) link then it'll take the price down a bit and be the same amount of gigs.

Lowest priced components - $1453.85

Now, of course, if anyone can build a better rig - or at least a comparable one, etc. for cheaper. Please let me know. The cheaper, while still being top of the line, the better!

Getting it under $1000 would be great.

What can I remove, replace, etc?
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  • JackyBoy
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    JackyBoy polycounter lvl 10
    Not looking too bad altogether. Just a couple of points, try and edit your post so people can see what you are linking to, it's a bit of a pain having to click on a couple of different links just to see it's the same graphics card:P

    So:
    I7 920 = good
    295 GTX = good card, haven't ever used those makes, personally i stick with EVGA or Asus. But that can be personal preference. and even though I am an nVidia fanboy you could...*gulp* look at ATI. They have some real good Performance to price ratios atm. Have a look at Tom's Hardware best gfx cards for sep 09 . Then look at the rest of the site :P I used it alot to research.
    MOBO = Can't really say, even the reviews on newegg doesn't seem like it is amazing, i would prefer to go with an Asus board . Something like that. Best to look on your ram manufactures website and see what boards/makes the suggest.
    Case = good
    Ram = looks like good choices, and you could easily get away with 6gb for the time being and upgrade later. Personall I would go for this ram Corsair XMS3 Again, just preference really, but something else to look into.
    PSU = Both your links link to the same item..But i would probably go for something a little higher than that, If you were maybe planning to overclock or maybe add a another GFX card down the line then i would definitely suggest getting 750 at least. Don't forget just because it is bigger doesn't mean it used the extra power, it only uses it when it needs it :) and don't skimp on the psu, i have seen a lot of components not work becuase of rubbish PSU!
    Heatsink = Doesn't work with your CPU. This one Does though.

    Not really definite answers, but other things to look into! It's all about research, take what i have said, and come back with a revised list and see what else people say.
    Hope I helped
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  • Mark Dygert
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    Mark Dygert mod
    It lacks IK/FK blending. Needs some kind of spine control and it would be great but not necessary if the head had Look At functionality. If you really wanted to get tricky it would be awesome if the eyes had independent Look At controls also.

    But seriously... these are rigs:
    character-rig.jpgoil-rig2.jpgMack%2520TruckChunkBaitRig.jpg&usg=AFQjCNEcMlFmbO_XbKjvAQAVBYDKFyqI8A

    These are not:
    bulldozer_1.jpgorac_pc_mod.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGufcCDFgKQ9U991O_YLHTkOe3rqQ
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  • CompanionCube
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    CompanionCube polycounter lvl 12
    just one note, max , maya mudbox etc don't recognise the full 1792mb of the GTX 295 cards, only 896mb. its because its basically 2 cards in one and none of those programs support it or Sli / Crossfire. but doesn't mean you shouldn't get, its an amazing gaming card. you might want to get a GTX 285 which is cheaper and has 1GB of video memory
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  • falcon21e
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    falcon21e
    Vig wrote: »

    But seriously... these are rigs:

    Haha! @ Vig

    @Krypteia
    Most important thing to do in these cases, is to do all your research until you're 100% satisfied with your choices. I bought a new "rig" about year ago, and I spent about 2 months Googling everything. I fine tuned my choices, based on reviews and on user experience. Also cost was a big thing for me too, so try find the hardware that is the most cost effective as well.
    You'll find the higher end products, only increase in performance bit by bit, but the prices go up quite drastically. You're out to find the "sweet" spot in terms of pricing vs performance.

    Good luck with the "rig" hunting! :P
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  • Krypteia
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    Krypteia
    Hey guys,

    Thanks for the replies! I'll look in to them more in depth when I get back to my grandparents - with the family right now for Thanksgiving! Which, by the way, happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

    @Vig

    Lol. If I recall correctly, the same conversation popped up on another similar thread. If any moderator wants to change the thread title to "Help with building a new PC", please feel free to do so!

    I'll edit the post later tonight to include the component names instead of just links!
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  • MoP
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    MoP polycounter lvl 18
    I've changed the title to avoid confusion now :)
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  • Lamont
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    Lamont polycounter lvl 15
    Motherboard is tripple channel - so get 6 or 12 gigs of memory, not 8.
    Videocard - Go BFG. I would say the best when it comes to RMA's, and lifetime is lifetime. They also have a trade-up program.
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  • arrangemonk
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    arrangemonk polycounter lvl 15
    amd phenom II = cheaper + does the same job
    ati 48xx + = cheaper+ does the same job
    ati 58XX = same price + does more

    damn, you could buy a Dell instead for the same price with the same hardware... your doing something wrong
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  • Dippndots
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    Dippndots
    build looks pretty good, personally i7 920 LGA 1366 is the way to go, you'll be able to upgrade to the intel 6 core when it come out. Also nvidia is at least 3-5 months from releasing its next line of DX11 cards to catch up with ATI. That being said you could decide to splurge on this generation or just get a 260 or 275 for now and splurge when the new cards come out. Another thing to think about if your work is a bigger priority over gaming, a Quaddro card like the FX1800 could be the way to go they are a lot more reliable in 3d apps than their Geforce counterparts, nvidia might make the next gen of geforce cards better in 3d apps but its unlikely.
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  • Krypteia
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    Krypteia
    Here's where I'm at, at the moment:

    Processor:

    Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail - $279

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&cm_re=i7-_-19-115-202-_-Product


    Video Card(s):

    Diamond Multimedia 5850PE51G Radeon HD5850 1GB PCI Express 2.0 Video Card. Retail (2 x $279 each - $560ish)

    http://www.directron.com/5850pe51g.html?gsear=1


    Motherboard:

    ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard ($176.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359R


    RAM:

    CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G - Retail($319.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145235&cm_re=ddr3_ram-_-20-145-235-_-Product


    Case:

    COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($69.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137


    Hard Drive:

    SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (1 TB - $84.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=Samsung%20Spinpoint%20F3%201TB


    Power Supply:

    CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail ($107.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


    Heat Sink:

    ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail $36.98

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134


    Total: $1635.93


    Looking at that Tom's Hardware site - I saw the tests and it seems that a pair of ATI Radeon HD 5850s outperforms the GTX 295 pretty much all the time.

    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5850,2433.html

    Of course, need to make sure everything is Crossfire compatible and what not - anyone see any discrepancies?

    Included a 750w power supply in this build, and 12gigs of RAM. The RAM is variable - I can always start with 6. The HD is variable too - but 500 gigs would be the minimum.

    As always, making it cheaper while providing equal or better performance is always good.

    P.S - Updated the original list as well to include the names of the components.

    P.P.S - For a full list of things I'm looking at, feel free to download the .rtf file from this drop: "drop.io/computerSpecs" [Just copy and paste that into your browser without quotation marks - then click on the file named "Computer" and then "Download"]
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  • Dippndots
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    Dippndots
    CompanionCube wrote: »
    just one note, max , maya mudbox etc don't recognise the full 1792mb of the GTX 295 cards, only 896mb. its because its basically 2 cards in one and none of those programs support it or Sli / Crossfire.

    so unless you running like 4 30inch screens the 2nd card is pretty much useless in maya

    good RAM choice, my friend is running the same 12gb and he hasn't had any problems.

    I would recommend the Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB its more expensive at $110, so if you wanted you could get the 640gb. I'm running the 1TB and its easily the best storage drive i've ever had, soo fast

    here's a review of its 2TB counterpart, they're pretty much the same

    http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/western_digital_caviar_black_2tb
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  • vik
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    vik polycounter lvl 13
    If you aren`t overclocking the stock cooler should do just fine. The retail CPU comes with one, but if you wan`t the arctic freezer you could buy the oem cpu which is cheaper and comes without a heatsink. With 12GB ram I wouldn`t bother with overclocking anyway as you couldn`t push the system too far before it becomes too unstable.

    Ram, hdd, cpu, psu: good choices I have the same (except the 850modular psu). My impression of the SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 is that it`s a very fast and quiet hard disk, but heard good things about the Caviar too.

    Radeon HD5850: best bang for buck card atm - for gaming :P I`d probably go with an nvidia card though like the gtx285 or gtx275 depending how much you want to spend. (Personally I went with the gtx275 and think it`s plenty both for 3D and games.)

    edit: also while the SSD prices are keep going up, you could probably find a good deal if you planning on buying one. It`s great to put your OS and apps on it, makes the whole system faster. But even without one your system is still fast enough..
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  • JackyBoy
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    JackyBoy polycounter lvl 10
    +1 for SSDs. probably the best upgrade I have ever bought
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  • Krypteia
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    Krypteia
    I don't plan to overclock. The extra heat sink isn't "expensive" though - would it be beneficial to have it or is it really just a waste of space?

    Let me get some more opinions on the graphic cards:

    Between a GTX 275, 285, 295 - which one is best? What differences should I be looking for?

    Is it basically, no matter what, Maya will only recognize 896mb of memory? Is there a way around that or anything? Do I even need a way around that?

    As far as SSDs goes:

    Would it be good to buy one to install the OS and perhaps other things on - and then have a hard drive to save work files, games, etc. too? (Basically what Vik was saying really)


    Feel free to make suggestions on any other parts as well.
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  • DarthNater
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    DarthNater polycounter lvl 10
    I'd install the OS and have any scratch disks/virtual memories on that drive. Store the files on the regular HHD but PLEASE don't get anything other than SATA if you decide to not get the SSD :)
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  • System
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    System admin
    Good choice on the new video card, atm ATI is kicking NVIDIA's arse on gpu's. I got an Radeon HD4870x2 and the performance is amazing, Crysis on highest settings and no slowdowns. Go for the x2 if you can, you won't regret it :)

    About the hard drives, you can never have enough backup!
    I have two Western Digital internals, one IDE 80Gb for o/s and programs, one SATA 300Gb for backup and an external Maxtor USB 500Gb drive which is a mirror copy of the backup.

    Considering getting another internal SATA at 1Tb, looking back wish I'd spent the extra few pounds and got a bigger capacity because you never know how much you might need.

    O and yeh, agree on Western Digital, they are solid drives.
    Config wise it would be wise to have one internal drive on IDE and one on SATA so that if one set of controllers go faulty you can still have a functioning pc.

    ps: wouldn't bother with Windows7, it hasn't been out long enough yet and so it's buggy, if you want some sort of reliability go with Vista Ultimate x64, turn off all the fancy crap and streamline it till you can see ribs poking through. After that it's a pretty decent o/s.
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  • CompanionCube
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    CompanionCube polycounter lvl 12
    Krypteia wrote: »

    Is it basically, no matter what, Maya will only recognize 896mb of memory? Is there a way around that or anything? Do I even need a way around that?

    when i said that i was talking about how a 295 is basically 2 cards in one, so maya, max, mudbox etc will only recognise half the total memory of the card. same with ATI cards that end in X2, and crossfire/Sli also doesn't work.

    so if its only recognise 896mb of a 295 memory you might aswell only get a 260 or 275. but you might want to get a 285 which has a full 1GB
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  • snemmy
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    snemmy polycounter lvl 18
    GAH!!! I haven't had 6 gigs of RAM between all the computers I've owned!
    And you want 12!
    O.o
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  • Krypteia
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    Krypteia
    snemmy wrote: »
    GAH!!! I haven't had 6 gigs of RAM between all the computers I've owned!
    And you want 12!
    O.o

    Lol, I know right? Totally overkill. :)

    The max I've ever had on a computer I owned is like 2 - and that's my current one which is a laptop.
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  • Krypteia
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    Krypteia
    Alright guys, take the last build I posted and consider this the video card:

    EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Retail ($369.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130480&cm_re=GTX_285-_-14-130-480-_-Product

    So:

    Processor:

    Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail - $279

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-202-_-Product


    Motherboard:

    ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard ($239.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359&cm_re=ASUS_P6T-_-13-131-359-_-Product

    Other one got deactivated - this is the same one I think, just more expensive. :-(


    RAM:

    CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G - Retail($319.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-235-_-Product


    Case:

    COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($74.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&Tpk=COOLER%20MASTER%20RC-690-KKN1-GP%20Black%20SECC/%20ABS%20ATX%20M


    Hard Drive:

    SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (1 TB - $84.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...int%20F3%201TB

    OR

    The WD Digital One - the Samsung is currently sold out, and both seem highly rated. So I think I'll just consider them interchangeable.


    Power Supply:

    CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail ($107.99)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006


    Heat Sink:

    ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail $36.98

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134


    Total:

    Roughly $1500-1600ish

    Unfortunately, the prices are fluctuating as deals go in and out, products are deactivated, etc.


    A few final questions though:

    1) Is the PSU enough for everything? (750w)

    2) Is the Artic heat sink just overkill, or will it be useful? Will the overall system heat be okay?

    3) Is everything compatible? Does anyone see anything that won't work together?

    4) Will that case be able to fit everything?

    5) Since the MOBO suggested above was deactivated on newegg, I looked up one that was the same - just ended up being more expensive. Please double check and make sure it's still a good pick.

    5) And, of course, any further suggestions on price/effectiveness and making everything cheaper are welcome!



    Thanks for all the suggestions so far!
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  • CompanionCube
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    CompanionCube polycounter lvl 12
    1.psu will be enough
    2.artic heat sink is good choice, you'll be glad when you've been working on the computer the whole day during summer, just make sure you put the thermal paste on properly
    3.everything looks compatible
    4.the case will be enough, but will be a tight squeeze, you might want to get a Full tower instead of a midi tower, but there isn't much choice for a similar price.
    5. mobo looks like good choice
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  • vik
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    vik polycounter lvl 13
    I too prefer full tower cases (I got the coolermaster cosmos black and it`s teh sex) but they are huge/more pricey. Unlike other components, however, cases tend to keep their value for a long time so it makes sense spending a bit more on them to ensure you got a case which is easy to work with, has good airflow and is quiet.

    Choices, choices... drive you crazy :)

    All in all you`re good to go as it is, will be a nice system.
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  • ZacD
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    ZacD ngon master
    I want to get a haf case, but that's just me.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=haf&x=0&y=0
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