Hardware About to get new PC

[jargus]

I'm about to get a new PC mainly for video editing but also for PC gaming. A friend works at the microcenter near me and is helping me get a lot of the parts for cheaper. I plan to get the parts over the next few weeks and build by the start of March. I already have a case, mobo, and CPU, but could use some assistance in verifying the quality and compatibility of the remaining components.

Mobo: http://www.microcenter.com/product/399286/SABERTOOTH_990FX_R20_AM3_ATX_AMD_Motherboard

Case: http://www.microcenter.com/product/397293/Z11_Plus_HF1_Mid_Tower_ATX_Computer_Case

CPU: http://www.microcenter.com/product/401796/FX_8320_Black_Edition_35GHz_AM3_Boxed_Processor


RAM: http://www.microcenter.com/product/385182/Ballistix_Sport_16GB_DDR3-1600_%28PC3-12800%29_CL9_Dual_Channel_Desktop_Memory_Kit_%28Two_8GB_Memory_Modules%29

PSU:http://www.microcenter.com/product/399155/HX_Series_HX750_750_Watt_ATX_12V_Modular_Power_Supply

GPU: http://www.microcenter.com/product/397023/HD7850-DC2-2GD5-V2_AMD_Radeon_HD_7850_2048MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x_16_Video_Card

SSD: http://www.microcenter.com/product/402608/840_Pro_Series_MZ-7PD256BW_256GB_SATA_60Gb-s_25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_%28SSD%29

Optical:http://www.microcenter.com/product/322335/Lite-ON_24X_SATA_DVD_Burner_-_OEM

 

[Originality]

You're video editing... Which means you should try and stick to nVidia instead of AMD for graphics (I won't comment on the CPU since you already have it, but the Sabertooth is an excellent choice for AMD). Referring to the other thread, you can get an MSI GTX 660 Twin Frozr for the same price, and an overclocked version for $10 more. Depending on your budget, I would even recommend 660 Ti (which is $300) or 670Ti (if you're working on high resolutions/multiple monitors).

The PSU is overkill unless you plan to stick in a second graphics card in future. Even 650W is overkill, but it is what I recommend for those intending to overclock.

For the SSD, I would suggest going down to a 120GB model and getting a 2TB+ HDD for the price you save. This is purely to have more storage, since SSDs only really help the OS and has little effect on media and games.

What you're missing from your build is a CPU cooler. Consider a Gelid Tranquillo or Corsair H60 or higher.

If you need any more help, just ask. If you want more advice, provide more details.

 

[jargus]

Thanks for the reply Originality. I did some more research.

I added the GPU suggested. Out of curiosity, what makes the nvidia a better choice for video? I always had the impression that those worked best on Intel machines.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...erclocked_2048MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

I changed by SSD to a much cheaper one. I won't be needing to get another HDD as I'm going to reuse the one I have now plus I have 4TB of external storage already.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/...TA_60Gb-s_25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_(SSD)

Here is the cooling I found
http://www.microcenter.com/product/404942/Hydro_Series_H60_High_Performance_Liquid_CPU_Cooler

There are 2 ram kits I see that seem identical except for a $22 price difference.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...l_Desktop_Memory_Kit_(Two_8GB_Memory_Modules)


http://www.microcenter.com/product/...l_Desktop_Memory_Kit_(Two_8GB_Memory_Modules)

 

[Originality]

The difference between the RAM is the timings. It makes marginal difference in performance so it's not worth paying the extra.

nVidia are better for only 2 reasons. Stability of drivers, and GPGPU features (ever heard of CUDA?). This works out to better performance when video editing. On the other hand, if it was just gaming, then AMD would get higher framerates (per price point).

SSDs usually have simply 3 choices. Crucial for value, Samsung for performance and value, and OCZ for performance (at the cost of lifespan, although firmware updates have reportedly fixed that). So Crucial M4, Samsung 840, or OCZ Vertex 4. Intel drives are also good for reliability, but the performance isn't the same. I do not trust other brands simply because they tend to be copies of the more well known brands.

The Corsair H60 is good for cooling (I use one myself on my overclocked 2500K). You just need to be aware that it needs to be screwed into a case fan, which is sometimes impossible depending on how the case is designed. Since its 2AM, I won't be doing the google search to find out if it will fit inside your chosen case.
Edit: just saw a NoobToob vid of it, so it definitely will work.

 

[jargus]

Ah, that's good about the cooler. I discovered an issue regarding GPU. Every one I've seen with specs similar to the GTX 660 require PCIe 3.0 but I haven't been able to find anything about my mobo supporting it, only up to 2.0.

 

[Originality]

Whether it "requires" PCIe 3.0 or not, it will be fully backwards compatible with PCIe 2.0.
Also, I don't know of any AMD motherboards that have PCIe 3.0. Only Intel.

 

[jargus]

Oh that great to hear. I looked into it a bti and seems I won't have any issues then. Here's what is mist likely my final parts list. I should have it built by the end of the month. Thanks so much for your help!

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB DDR3-1600
http://www.microcenter.com/product/385182/Ballistix_Sport_16GB_DDR3-1600_%28PC3-12800%29_CL9_Dual_Channel_Desktop_Memory_Kit_%28Two_8GB_Memory_Modules%29

PSU: Corsair HX750 Modular http://www.microcenter.com/product/399155/HX_Series_HX750_750_Watt_ATX_12V_Modular_Power_Supply

SSD : Samsing 840 128GB http://www.microcenter.com/product/402607/840_Pro_Series_MZ-7PD128BW_128GB_SATA_60Gb-s__25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_%28SSD%29

Optical:Lite-ON 24X SATA DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.microcenter.com/product/322335/Lite-ON_24X_SATA_DVD_Burner_-_OEM

Cooler: http://www.microcenter.com/product/404942/Hydro_Series_H60_High_Performance_Liquid_CPU_Cooler

Gpu : 02G-P4-2662-KR NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Superclocked 2048MB GDDR5

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...erclocked_2048MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

 

[trumpet-205]

Stability point of view is moot. You have both sides arguing driver stability issues. For me Nvidia still hasn't fix TDR bug which GPU driver crashes randomly. I experienced it with GTX 460 and 560 Ti before switching to HD6950 now HD7850.

PCIe 3.0 is indeed only available to Intel at this point. Only way AMD can get PCIe 3.0 is if AMD ditch AM3+ platform & HyperTransport in favor of a new socket. PCIe 3.0 does boost GPGPU performance quite a bit but you will be fine with PCIe 2.0.

Two things I have to say about your build, cooler and DVD drive.

* Get a better cooler. As you know AMD FX-8xxx consumes a lot of wattage, which also means a lot of heat is produced.
* Lite-on drive is known for its loudness.
* Optional: If overclocked, get a better DDR3 RAM kit. AMD benefits from RAM overclock.

 

[jargus]

Stability point of view is moot. You have both sides arguing driver stability issues. For me Nvidia still hasn't fix TDR bug which GPU driver crashes randomly. I experienced it with GTX 460 and 560 Ti before switching to HD6950 now HD7850.

PCIe 3.0 is indeed only available to Intel at this point. Only way AMD can get PCIe 3.0 is if AMD ditch AM3+ platform & HyperTransport in favor of a new socket. PCIe 3.0 does boost GPGPU performance quite a bit but you will be fine with PCIe 2.0.

Two things I have to say about your build, cooler and DVD drive.

* Get a better cooler. As you know AMD FX-8xxx consumes a lot of wattage, which also means a lot of heat is produced.
* Lite-on drive is known for its loudness.
* Optional: If overclocked, get a better DDR3 RAM kit. AMD benefits from RAM overclock.

I researched benchmarks and overall performance for GPUs and nvidia GTX cards have the best results when working with video, which the primary purpose of this machine.
Thanks for the bit about the cooler. I'll look into it.
Drive noise isn't much of a concern. I only need it for installing a few things and then it'll empty and unused 905% of the time.
I had no intention of overclocking, but I'll consider that detail.