# Custom PC build opinions **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 25, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092 "2012-12-25T04:27:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/1 "2012-12-25T04:27:43Z")
Been debating building my own computer for a while now. Was just curious if anyone had any opinions on my part choices. I’ve never actually built a PC before but it really looks fairly easy, as long as I follow a few tutorials online as I go! haha I honestly know that I don’t NEED a top of the line gaming monster, but I want to have components that will be able to keep up with the ever increasing demands for power so I don’t have to replace it for quite a while. My Dell 8500 is still doing me alright, but it’s having trouble playing videos (a bigger new monitor did that), the blue screens are getting more frequent, etc, I think it’s time to replace the old thing before it dies. My uses? I’ll use Photoshop CS3. Adobe Reader. I do have some combat flight sims, stuff like that, so it is used for gaming as well, though nothing too hardcore yet. The hardest part of my computing is my multitasking, having a movie playing while working in Photoshop, etc, so sometimes the ole computer is working pretty hard. Here’s my list of parts so far: [http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tX5j](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tX5j) ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/2 "2012-12-25T05:25:20Z")
That’s actually pretty well thought out. You can save money for “free” in a few areas. There are cheaper 660Tis than that right now ($220-230), or a 670 for like $10 more. Windows 8 I think is like $50 less than that price right now I think, it isn’t a _great_ OS but I don’t think it is worth paying more for Windows 7 either. You can get Shoprunner free, which will kill virtually all shipping charges at [newegg.com](http://newegg.com) (and make it 2-ish day shipping too). I believe the 500R is about that same price on newegg as well right now after rebate. Don’t forget extra 120mm Case fans - the Zalman Fluid Dynamic Bearing ones currently on rebate at newegg are quite quiet and push a decent amount of air. But you want to add more case fans than come with most cases. 660Ti [http://slickdeals.net/da/mem-i/p56364166/k669780/u1709712/r2](http://slickdeals.net/da/mem-i/p56364166/k669780/u1709712/r2) All the rest of the deals I mention you can find on [slickdeals.net](http://slickdeals.net) too. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/3 "2012-12-25T05:31:35Z")
I have no comments on your computer to-be, but I do want to say that building your own is indeed quite easy. The hard part is troubleshooting if something goes wrong. For me at least, because I tend not to fully know what I’m doing, so if something goes wrong, I don’t really know how to eliminate certain options from the root cause of the issue. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/4 "2012-12-25T08:53:54Z")
No ssd? It’s the most noticable upgrade in my computing experience. ---
**Author:** ![andrewbub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@andrewbub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewbub)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/5 "2012-12-25T09:04:08Z")
> [@The\_Librarian](#): > > No ssd? > > It’s the most noticable upgrade in my computing experience. especially if you use photoshop a lot. make some room in your budget for at least a 128gb SSD…the 256gb drives can be had for $150 or less as well. ---
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/6 "2012-12-25T13:29:01Z")
Thanks everybody for the comments so far. I have a 256GB SSD on that list already, it was something that sounded like a good idea to get. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/7 "2012-12-25T17:03:28Z")
Looks like a fine system; no nits to pick. Since this is your first time – Rule #1 when putting together a computer: If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t go there. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/8 "2012-12-25T17:18:32Z")
Or that you’re not applying enough pressure. Put your back into it fer cryin’ out loud! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/9 "2012-12-25T17:24:10Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Or that you’re not applying enough pressure. Put your back into it fer cryin’ out loud! That’s risking an injury if something slips. Use a hammer. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/10 "2012-12-25T17:26:17Z")
But make it a small hammer. You _are_ working with delicate computer parts after all. ---
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/11 "2012-12-25T20:38:48Z")
I’ve got quite a few choices if something doesn’t fit. Hacksaw, cutting torch. Maybe the 20 ton press if things are really tight. If I cut too much off, I can weld or solder it back together. Or duct tape of course. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/12 "2012-12-25T21:50:35Z")
Missed this the first time. Don’t get any RAM with stupidly large heatsinks. They get in the way of any cooler worth buying and unfortunately are just cosmetic (and often indicate worse/crappier ram, ironically). A good one to buy, for example is GSkill Ares: [G.SKILL Ares Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C10Q-32GAO - Newegg.com](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231559) Not that that is a particularly good price - you should be able to find DDR3-1600 1.5v 2x8gb kits with small heatsinks for $60 each pretty regularly (so just buy 2 - often cheaper than the 4x kits) ---
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/13 "2012-12-26T05:45:16Z")
Thanks for all the help and suggestions! I was having trouble with the pcpartspicker website but got everything ordered today, I did end up switching to a Corsair 500R, it was slightly cheaper for more space. It will all be showing up in a week or so, the Frankenstein will be ALIVE! At least that is my hope ha ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/14 "2012-12-26T07:00:36Z")
Cool. Keep in touch and let us know how construction goes and how you like it once it’s up and running. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/15 "2012-12-26T07:04:13Z")
Your CPU is overkill, you’re better off with a 3750k at $200-220. It’s highly unlikely that you’d ever use more than 16gb of ram so 32 is overkill. 7950 is a much better buy than a 660 TI if you’re willing to overclock it. Your PSU is probably adequate but I’d go into the 650w range to give a little more headroom. ---
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/16 "2012-12-26T08:12:59Z")
I’m the first to admit I’m going a bit overkill with the CPU. And definitely with the RAM. I just want something that’s reliable for the long term. The computer I’m using now is probably 9-10 years old if I remember right with only RAM upgrades and an extra hard drive (and replacing a bad hard drive after a storm, and later a DVD drive). I’d love to go that long or even more with this one > [@SenorBeef](#): > > Your CPU is overkill, you’re better off with a 3750k at $200-220. It’s highly unlikely that you’d ever use more than 16gb of ram so 32 is overkill. 7950 is a much better buy than a 660 TI if you’re willing to overclock it. Your PSU is probably adequate but I’d go into the 650w range to give a little more headroom. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/17 "2012-12-26T10:51:25Z")
I don’t see a monitor on the list. For Photoshop you will want to get a monitor that has a full 8-bit (per colour) display. Currently that means IPS - and you’ll benefit hugely from having two monitors. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/18 "2012-12-26T15:00:08Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Your CPU is overkill, you’re better off with a 3750k at $200-220. It’s highly unlikely that you’d ever use more than 16gb of ram so 32 is overkill. 7950 is a much better buy than a 660 TI if you’re willing to overclock it. Your PSU is probably adequate but I’d go into the 650w range to give a little more headroom. I definitely agree with a larger PSU I might even go 750 just to have a PSU thats not running @75%+ load all the time. If hes a heavy photoshop user, as well as a heavy multitasker, RAM is a good idea. I get the idea he is looking for some “futureproofing” ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/19 "2012-12-26T15:33:16Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > I definitely agree with a larger PSU I might even go 750 just to have a PSU thats not running @75%+ load all the time. i7-3770 TDP is 77W. GTX 660 TDP is 140W. Toss in 50W for the mobo (generous) and 10W per drive (how often will those optical drives even spin?), and that takes you to a whopping 307W for a ballpark full load. It’s pretty much impossible to get peak draw from every component simultaneously unless you are intentionally running a benchmark suite aimed at doing exactly that. A quality 350W psu would run this system just fine. 550W gives him plenty of margin for error in my math. PSUs are also more efficient running at 75% load all the time, and larger PSUs are generally less efficient at the rather low power draws that a typical gaming computer sees when it’s engaged in web-browsing or the like and not actually gaming. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092/20 "2012-12-26T17:30:04Z")
The PSU he picked is appropriately sized for what he is getting. The reason so many people have trouble with “400” or “500” watt PSUs that aren’t quality is because the rating is fantasy, not because 400 watts isn’t enough. A quality 500 watt power supply is more than enough for a fully overclocked i7-3770k & 660ti, let alone at stock. I’d probably want to see a 680 or an SLI build before you really would have any need for more than what he picked, if it is a good supply. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-pc-build-opinions/645092.md?page=2)