My First Build

[Strangerz]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post and my first PC build. I have been doing a lot of reading over the past month and (surprisingly) just found TechPowerUp.com which, IMO, trumps every other review site i have visited. The in-depth reviews and community on these forums is outstanding.

Some History: Even tho this is my first build I do know a fair amount about computers but that knowledge would be more based on OS/Software troubleshooting, identifying faulty hardware, and networking. I know that there is a ton to learn about hardware and I have probably only scratched the surface in this past month.

On with the build!

So I want to build a powerful computer that will also have potential for upgrade a few years down the road. With this rig I plan to run virtual machines with VMware and also virtual networks with GNS3 as I am a network engineer. GNS3 is a software that allows you to run the actual switch/router IOS which can tend to be taxing on the system depending on the size of the network.

I would also be using this rig to game and get my hands into Maya, 3Ds Max, and Zbrush which are animation/graphic design programs. Currently my TV entertainment center sucks but when i do start upgrading those devices i would like to be able to incorporate my computer into the entertainment center environment (which can just be done through the home network but i thought i should mention it in case someone had something to add). Speaking of the entertainment center; I would most likely be playing with video and audio files... we could just say i try to get my hands into everything.


Equipment I am looking at:
(All comments and recommendations welcome, good or bad)
Also another reason i have picked some of these parts is because they have overclocking potential which i would like to play with down the road.

Processor: Since I want a high end rig with potential for upgrade later I chose the new 2011 socket and the 3930k processor.

Video Card: EVGA GTX 580 Classified video card. I chose this because it is a gaming card that (as the reviews & autodesk say) also works well with maya and 3Ds Max. There was an issue running in maya but a driver update fixed that so from my understanding everything runs fine on 580. The reason i chose the Classified is due to the 3Gb GDDR5 memory; from my research it seemed that maya and 3Ds Max function better with the extra GDDR5 but this is something I am still wondering about.

Motherboard: Currently looking at the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe and the Gigabyte GB-X79-UD5 for features and because of reviews. I am leaning toward the Gigabyte mobo but the recent issues scare me. Also, I am wondering if some may say this board is unstable due to the fact that when it is not overclocked it draws more power that when it is overclocked. Something just seems odd but again i am learning. Also, does anyone have information on the bluetooth/wireless module on the P9X79 deluxe, I cant find this information and i wanted to know what type of antenna plug it had and whether i would be able to swap with a different antenna.

Memory & PSU - waiting to pick other components first.


So i am looking for any comments and recommendations. Also if anyone knows about Maya/3Ds Max; should i be matching up other components (motherboard, memory) for compatibility with these programs? I couldnt find anything on this so i am just wondering.

Thank you for taking a look!

 

[KingPing]

I'll not recommend you any parts because i'm not from US, others users will help you with that. What i can say you is that with Intel habit of changing sockets every 5 minutes, the potential for upgrade is something you shouldn't count on. My 775 board went from a Pentium D 920 to a C2D8400 and a C2Q9550, i don't think my current motherboard will have that flexibility.

 

[Strangerz]

Hmmmm kind of feel like everyone is silently telling me not to pursue this build...

 

[Norton]

Sometimes it takes a little time to get some responses.... a little more active thread title often helps:

My First Build (Advice/Opinions)

My First 3930K Build

Etc.....

If your thread doesn't start moving along, put a little more info in the title and ask a moderator to change it for you.

The more you put in the more you get out of a post so look over what you've provided for info and see if you can change anything to provide something more.

There's a lot of people willing to help. I build AMD stuff currently and it looks like you are going Intel so I will defer to those who know way more than I do.


Oh, and welcome to TPU

 

[MGF Derp]

Lets see some pics

 

[Strangerz]

I will definitely be posting pics once i finish planning it and start getting parts.

Does anyone know of any issues that the 3930k is experiencing? I just read an article about the 3930k chips "now come with working VT-d functionality." Apparently there was an issue with the virtualization capabilities of the original chips.

 

[TRWOV]

The first batch had a bug. I think the C2s are the bug-free ones.

 

[Play3r]

do you need this pc now or can you wait a while? I would suggest possibly waiting for Ivy Bridge. Or if you need it now just got for Sandy Bridge either a 2500k or higher if you want HT.

Aswell if you are keen for nVidia. there new gpus are rumoured to be coming out within 2 months. possibly worth the wait for that too.

As for Motherboard. If the 'features' on one are what you are looknig for then buy that. if you are going to be overclocking then buy a mid to high end. but if your not going to be then a mid-range will do you fine.

 

[Strangerz]

The first batch had a bug. I think the C2s are the bug-free ones.

Ya, thats what i read. Wonder if there are any similar issues that havent been fixed yet.

do you need this pc now or can you wait a while? I would suggest possibly waiting for Ivy Bridge. Or if you need it now just got for Sandy Bridge either a 2500k or higher if you want HT.

Aswell if you are keen for nVidia. there new gpus are rumoured to be coming out within 2 months. possibly worth the wait for that too.

Ya, ive been contemplating waiting but im leaning more towards the 'E' series due to the increased number of cores and the quad channel memory but Ivy Bridge E doesn't look like it will be released until Q4. The 3D programs i plan to run benefit from these two factors. I dont believe gaming PCs would benefit nearly as much from the increased cores/threads but Maya thrives on addition cores as well as other development programs.

As for the graphics card.... ya its killing me that the new ones come out soon but my concern again is with the development programs and whether the new GTX 680 will be supported.... this is something im currently researching.

 

[Strangerz]

What should i be looking for in memory? Just speed?

I want to get 32Gb in 8Gb sticks.

Also, i would like to play with overclocking in the future so i would like memory that has good overclocking capabilities but i really dont know what else im supposed to be looking for.