Building a PC

[CrypticQuery]

Hello my fellow SFO-ers! My current laptop simply isn't cutting it anymore when it comes to what I'm attempting to use it for, and I've been looking into building my own PC. The prospect frightens me somewhat as I've never attempted anything similar in the past and I also happen to be a complete n00b at this type of fanciful witchcraft. I'd mainly be using this computer for HD video editing and gaming, besides general usage. Can anyone help me through the process (i.e. selecting specific parts, tips and tricks on assembly, what tools are required, etc)?

A basic rundown/definition of each part/port of a motherboard would be much appreciated! (i.e. PCIe slots, SATA, etc)

I did happen to find this guide and that seems to have helped me pick out all the parts that I've needed, though I'm not entirely sure that every single one is compatible with each other. If you care to take a look I would appreciate it!

Motherboard

Processor

RAM

HDD

Optical Drive

Case

Power Supply

Video Card

Wireless Card

[^ Did I miss any other components there? ]

As well as Windows 7 and some thermal-compound in case I'd ever want to change the processor's heatsink or fan.

__

Also, I have a few questions pertaining to the meanings of certain slots, names, etc;

-On the Intel Core i7, what exactly does "Sandy Bridge" refer to?

-PCIe slots are for expansion, but what expansions exactly? (i.e. optical drive)

-If a motherboard supports PCI Express 2.0 will it support a PCI Express 2.1 Video Card?

-How difficult is installation and general assembly, and what tools are required for the job?

-Knowing that static-electricity poses a problem to components, would it be fine to ground myself by touching the case periodically, or would an anti-static wristband be a better idea?

___

Thanks to everyone for their time! :D

[conaly]

Hi,

looks quite good so far, but even to a "n00b" I would suggest to buy the 2600K, because you can overlock it that easily to about 4GHz without much knowledge. You just need a 50-100$ fan. Even if you not plan to overlock right from the beginning you should leave this option open for the future. Especially for HD-videoediting a higher clock is benefiting.

But please, don't use Seagate HDDs! They suck, really! I know so many people, who already lost parts or their complete data on a Seagate HDD. You go much better with a Wester Digital Cavier Black. Yes, they are more expensive, but they are much more reliable and also they are the fastest 7200rpm HDDs on the home-market at the moment. If it is too expensive for you (yeah, right now the HDD-prices are extremely high because of the flood in Thailand ), take at least a Samsung Spinpoint. But hand off Seagate!!!

GPU: Although you still can get good results with it, too, it isn't that good anymore. If all other parts stay within your planned budget you should maybe take a HD6950 or GTX560 TI, otherwise leave it as it is.

To answer a few of your questins:

-On the Intel Core i7, what exactly does "Sandy Bridge" refer to?

Sandy Bridge is the name of the CPU-series. At the moment they are one the best series on the home-market, although in April their successor (called "Ivy Bridge") will be published. I'm still waiting for the Ivy Bridge 3770K, which will cost $332 (same price as the release price of the 2700K Sandy Bridge).

-PCIe slots are for expansion, but what expansions exactly? (i.e. optical drive)

PCIe is a connection standard for PC-components and the CPU. Graphic cards use them for example, also new soundcards, USB/Firewire cards, network-cards and i.e. your WiFi card also uses them. There are 16x PCIe (the big ones for graphic cards), 8x (same size, but only half of the electrical busses), 4x (smaller than 16x/8x), 1x (smaller than 4x). The lower the number, the slower the PCIe-slot. Graphic cards need the 16x for maximum performance, a sound- or WiFi-card runs perfectly on 1x.

-If a motherboard supports PCI Express 2.0 will it support a PCI Express 2.1 Video Card?

Yes, the performance is absolutely the same. PCIe 2.1 is only used for additional controlling of some elements (I don't know which, but it doesn't really matter, as PCIe 2.1 did not establish on the home-market). You just don't need it and most mainboard developers don't even use it.

-How difficult is installation and general assembly, and what tools are required for the job?

Actually it is really easy. If you have some experience in using a screwdrive, you can build a PC. Important: don't ever use too much force to put something together. Some parts break easily, if you try to put them into a wrong slot! If the component doesn't fit it is the wrong slot for it

-Knowing that static-electricity poses a problem to components, would it be fine to ground myself by touching the case periodically, or would an anti-static wristband be a better idea?

An anti-static wristband is always the best option, but actually I've never used one so far, because they are quite expensive. I did it like you suggested: touching an electrical grounding (in Europe i.e. the ground-connectors on a power socket) every 10 minutes.

[Gamecuber459]

All of the components you've chosen are perfectly compatible with each other.

Just make sure you you double check the dimensions of your case and that video card.

Being a mid-tower case, it can be a little hard to fit the right size card into it (some times).

I hate for you to get it, then realize that it's half an inch too long for the case.

[CrypticQuery]

I simply cannot thank the both of you enough! Conaly, you've pretty much answered every single question I could come up with as well as alleviated any fear associated with assembly and, more or less, getting this build right the first time. Thanks for all of the input, especially on that HDD and everything else I threw at ya! . Gamecuber's suggestion brings me to a final question; when motherboards are measured, are they measured in length and height or length and width?

Specifically, the motherboard lists dimensions of 12.0" x 9.6", and the case lists 8.35" x 19.89" x 18.86" (WxHxD). Would that sit comfortably?

[Icy]

Conaly answered everything, but I must say, go with that Sapphire 6850. It isn't the best of the best but it will do. And Sapphire is a GREAT company. Never had one fail on me.

[Gamecuber459]

You motherboard and case are both of the ATX form factor.

That means that there are holes specifically placed in your case for a motherboard that's also ATX.

The dimensions of ATX (as well as micro ATX and such) are already set.

If you have an "A" Motherboard and an "A" case, the fact that you can fit the board in that case is set in stone!!

Don't worry, the 8.35 is the width of the case. (If you had the case facing you with the power button in front of you)

[DZComposer]

Kids and their overclocking. It is always worth noting that overclocking comes with some risk. It isn't nearly as bad as it used to be, but keep in mind that operating a CPU out of spec does put extra strain on it.

Also, benchmarks these days are largely penis-measuring contests. Yes, the top-tier Core i7 extremes will blow AMD FX CPUs out of the water, but will you notice it in daily computing? Likely not. Instead of aiming for the high-end of the charts, aim for something that is good value for the performance. I like to build AMD machines because the higher-end boards for them are cheaper as are the CPUs. And I've yet to have one fail me. I think you'll get just as good of traction out of an upper-midrange Intel.

Keep in mind that having a game run at like 600FPS is largely just a numbers thing. The human eye can't really see much more than 60FPS, more than 120FPS is even rarer.