New Computer

**Azathoth** · 11-11-2009, 06:47

I'm thinking of getting a new computer.

I need to know:

a. If the below components are all compatible and should any be removed/replaced with something else.
b. How many hard drives a computer can have and if I could transfer the hard drive from my old PC and use it alongside any new ones. What is the difference between a hard drive and a data hard drive?
c. Where I can get computer parts assembled, and how much that would cost.
d. Whether or not I should by overclocked parts. What parts can be overclocked?
e. What is a PhysX card and should I buy it?
f. Should I get 8 GB RAM? Why is it possible to have 24 GB RAM, who would need that?
g. Wireless Network Cards are...?

Expert advice would be most appreciated.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**pevergreen** · 11-11-2009, 07:01

Ok:

a. All seem to be
b. You can use your old hard drives, thats not a problem. How many it can take is limited by space in the case and the motherboard
c. Local repairs shop? If you give a location, maybe someone can give more detail
d. You can overclock parts yourself, if you look to overclock, better to get normal clocked ones to start with, as they generally charge you extra for having done it. Graphics card, CPU, memory can be overclocked.
e. PhysX is part of the nvidea thing. Its fine.
f. Triple channel motherboard. Get either 3 2gig sticks, or 6 1gig. Or 6 2gig.
g. Wireless network cards simply gives you access to wireless networks. Bluetooth etc.

You'll need a full ATX tower, if you plan to go 2 285 or 295's I'd reccomend a big spacey tower. Also check dimensions of the graphics cards in relation to your motherboard. I have 3 PCI-E slots on my mobo, but only one that can fit my graphics card.

I would go this case: (because I love it and it runs smooth) http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=Njkz

Antec 1200. I can't hear it running on (fan speed) medium, and inside is cold.

I wouldnt bother with a dedicated sound card.

Do you know if this is all within your budget? You're spending a lot, if you were willing to sacifrice a little bit of grunt, you could save quite a bit of money. Top end i7 8-- (something something) is only just below the 975 in performance, but cheaper.

edit:

USB ports are dependent on case for front, otherwise on the back panel.

Just built most of the computer,

Antec 1200 case
Thermaltake 1200W power
That mobo
That cpu
No hard drives
No CD drives
Two Gigabyte 295GTX. 1796MB
No monitor/mice/keyboard
12GB Corsair DDR3 ram (1600MHZ)

3945 AUD

**Azathoth** · 11-11-2009, 07:16

Local repairs shop? If you give a location, maybe someone can give more detail

Uhh, NYC?

I would go this case: (because I love it and it runs smooth) http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=Njkz

Bigger and badder than the rest, Antec's full-tower Twelve Hundred gaming case crushes the competition, with twelve drive bays, seven expansion slots and space for the largest graphics cards. The Twelve Hundred also fits both standard size power supplies as well as the CP Series, Antec's new form factor PSU exclusively designed for Antec cases. As every gamer knows, maximum cooling is a must, and the Twelve Hundred's got that covered with a top Big Boy 200™ blue LED cooling fan, two rear blue LED 120mm fans, and three front blue LED 120mm fans! The Twelve Hundred also features a perforated front bezel with washable air filters, front USB, eSATA and HD audio ports for extra convenience.

Does that mean it can hold 12 hard drives?!!

I looked at the picture, and...where exactly do the CD drives go?

And what about liquid cooling? Anyone? Is it necessary here?

**pevergreen** · 11-11-2009, 07:22

With the 1200, it really isnt. You can certainly do it, it even accomodates for it. But the fans are just so big and badass that they really arent needed.

Yes, 4 cages of 3 bays. Comes with parts to swap out. Can have the setup there. I have two disc drives at the top, but I could have up to 6.

**Azathoth** · 11-11-2009, 10:50

CPU

GPU: #1 and #2 Normal or #2 OC

Cooling: ???

Case: ???

Power

Motherboard

PhysX Card - Isn't this actually redundant if I have a GeForce video card?

Memory: 4 (2x2) GB RAM + 4 (2x2) GB RAM

Hard Drives: Western Digital 2 TB + Slightly Worse 2TB

To be continued...

Something else I don't understand - if discs go into the hard drives, what are the optical drives for?

**pevergreen** · 11-11-2009, 10:59

Discs go into the CD/DVD/BRD drives, but the cages can be set up for 5.25 or 3.5 (I think those are the measurements.

I'll grab a pic now i guess

thats a different mobo as well.

Sets of RAM sticks in 3's depending on mobo, 4 may do it, otherwise 3/6.

Why 2tb HDD?
4 big pictures in spoiler
1. Side view of case
2. Frontish view of case
3. Some parts not inside the case
4. My setup. Dual 23", G15, G9x, G35. Awesome. And its all orange.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: