Guys thanks for your suggestions. After many modifications and changes, I think I have settled on my first PC build! But I need a bit more of your help, to build my ideal PC.(First time building, and getting away from Mac).
Purpose: Video Editing, Gaming, Downloading, all-around workstation 24/7, connected to TV in living room, dabbling as HTPC(I know it's not ideal, but I can't afford a small HTPC right now), music(Itunes), movies, heavy and large media files.
- I am not OC'ing anything. Running stock. Just the way I like it.
- I rely on Air cooling. Water/Liquid cooling makes me paranoid. I'm a pussy.
The Spec:
- GPU: 2x ASUS GEFORCE GTX 470 1280MB (in SLI) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4121400&cm_re=470_asus-_-14-121-400-_-Product )
- PSU:COOLER MASTER SILENT PRO ATX12V 2.3 1000W (80+ Bronze) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...oler_master_pro_silent-_-17-171-049-_-Product )
- Sound Card: ASUS Xonar Essence ST (uses a PCI slot. Not PCI Express from what I can see. Can you put PCI things, in PCI Express slots?) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=asus_essence_st-_-29-132-014-_-Product )
- CPU: INTEL CORE I7 950 3.06GHZ 8MB (Went with this, because it was on sale, and actually cheaper than 920 and 930). ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211&cm_re=i7_950-_-19-115-211-_-Product )
- (Using the CORSAIR A50 CPU COOLER) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181012&Tpk=corsair a50 )
- Case: FRACTAL DESIGN "DEFINE R3" (Decided to go with this case due to looks, price(sale). I have checked that both the GPU length and PSU length, and after cooler fits, and they all fit.) ( http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=48 )
(I am adding 2 optional 140mm fans and 3 optional 120mm fans for better air cooling. I plan to have the system on, all day, so I need it as cool as possible. I hope it will be okay. I am buying Fracl Design R2 coolers. Seem to go well with the aesthetics of the other coolers/machine)
- Optical Drive: LG BLURAY BD-R 10X ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181 )
- SSD: CORSAIR FORCE 2.5" 120GB (for the OS, and perhaps one highly played game) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...25&cm_re=corsair_force-_-20-233-125-_-Product )
- Main HDD: SEAGATE BARRACUDA XT 2TB 7200RPM SATA/600 64MB (for games, and programs) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148506&Tpk=SEAGATE BARRACUDA XT 2TB )
- Secondary HDD: 2x WESTERN DIGITAL CAVIAR GREEN 2TB SATA/300 64MB (4TB for Music, Movies, large video files. Them being green should mean they can handle a bit) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...GITAL_CAVIAR_GREEN_2TB-_-22-136-514-_-Product )
What I don't know about yet:
- Motherboard: I have searched up and down on Newegg and checked reviews, but from the looks of it, Mobo is the item in a computer that seems most complicated. Most of the boards I have seen are either ultra simple Mini-ATX boards, or just high performance overclocking crazy boards. I was looking at the Rampage III, but I dont understand half of that stuff.
I just need a standard ATX board in good quality, that is reliable and can house 2 big Nvidia GPUs(in SLI) and a sound card(PCI slot).
6 GB Sata, and USB 3 would be nice too! I guess I am limited 1366 Boards with my CPU! I understand they cost more, but so be it. I would like a newbie friendly one. I don't even know how/were to put in all the pins to LED, Reset and power.
But I would like one that is just solid, fast, but without being designed for the 1337 OC gamer!!!111111
- Ram: I find, finding Ram difficult as I dont know which Mobo to get, but I am hearing that its best now to get 6GB in Tri. So a Mobo with 3 Ram slots would be fine, but if it had 6, I could double up later to 12 GB ram and directly skip 8! And at what speed? If you have 2000 MHz ram do they need one of those crazy Ram coolers?
Lastly; What do you guys think? Could I put this together? I've been told that SLI is not as scary and difficult as it used to be! I am worried though. What's the Bridge thing? It looks like a little label of plastic you put between each card, to make a little spagetti bridge?
Also the CPU - Does it come with thermal paste for first use? Can I just put the cpu cooler on, without also buying grease and all that?
Also do you think the R3, since it's a midi tower, can cool all these components efficently? It comes with 2 coolers(review here:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2010/10/29/fractal-design-define-r3-review/1 ) and I am adding 5 more! It should be okay, shouldnt it? I mean, if I 6 intake coolers, with one rear as exhaust, it should be okay, since I am on Stock, right?
I really need your help guys on this one before I dive in, along with buying the Dell u2711... I estimate it will be around 4000 USD with the monitor! European, and Scandinavian prices are crazy compared to US. I am getting quite the deal on a lot of these components, like the 470's and the 950 i7!