Critique my new build

I purchased parts for a new computer off Newegg a few days ago but before they arrive, I'd like more opinions on it. While those on other forums were helpful in selecting the parts, few overall actually commented on the build itself. The main reason I'm posting this is to see where any possible weak points could be for future upgrades. I'm thinking I could have saved myself about $40 if I went with a 550 W Power Supply but I wasn't sure if that would be enough in the future.

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout/Intel Core i5 Combo
Foxconn P55MX LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) Memory
BFG Tech GeForce GTX 260 OC2 MAXCORE 896MB Video Card
Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular Power Supply
MSI CD/DVD Burner - LightScribe Support

I understand the motherboard only has one PCIe x16 slot; I don't really care for SLI and that was the cheapest motherboard I could find that supported the Core i5 Processor. Also, I went with the i5 since I don't see myself taking advantage of the hyperthreading the Core i7s provide to warrant the extra cost. This cost me about $860 shipping and all but, I'm selling my current rig for about $400 to a friend of mine to help out with the overall cost.

P.S: What can you use a PCI x4 slot for? I think the GPU might cover it up but if not, what could I put in there (Not that I would)?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Buddy

I purchased parts for a new computer off Newegg a few days ago but before they arrive, I'd like more opinions on it. While those on other forums were helpful in selecting the parts, few overall actually commented on the build itself. The main reason I'm posting this is to see where any possible weak points could be for future upgrades. I'm thinking I could have saved myself about $40 if I went with a 550 W Power Supply but I wasn't sure if that would be enough in the future.

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout/Intel Core i5 Combo
Foxconn P55MX LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) Memory
BFG Tech GeForce GTX 260 OC2 MAXCORE 896MB Video Card
Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular Power Supply
MSI CD/DVD Burner - LightScribe Support

I understand the motherboard only has one PCIe x16 slot; I don't really care for SLI and that was the cheapest motherboard I could find that supported the Core i5 Processor. Also, I went with the i5 since I don't see myself taking advantage of the hyperthreading the Core i7s provide to warrant the extra cost. This cost me about $860 shipping and all but, I'm selling my current rig for about $400 to a friend of mine to help out with the overall cost.

P.S: What can you use a PCI x4 slot for? I think the GPU might cover it up but if not, what could I put in there (Not that I would)?

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Depending on what you're planning to use it for, that looks like a pretty sweet rig. I'm jealous ;)

As for compatibility, you should be alright for a while. I noticed you only have 2 RAM slots, so you will be restricted to 8GB, but thats much more you will need for a while yet. What sort of things would you want to upgrade?

I think you made the right decision to invest a little more and buy a 700w, especially since you're running such a powerful graphics card. That will be future-proof for quite some time.

A huge varitey of things can be installed in PCI slots. Everything from extra USB ports, network cards, TV tuner cards, modems, sound cards, disk controllers... the list goes on. They aren't used nearly as much as in the early days because so many ports are integrated on the motherboard now. They probably won't be obscured, but I would expect your graphics card to render the PCI x4 slot useless (which they practically are anyway.)

you may have issues with such a large graphics card (very long, and double width) on such a small mobo (micro ATX)

You may the card blocks off other things (SATA ports, etc.)
also, looking at the pictures, it's possible it doesn't physically fit with the audio ports being where they are

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...186-177-17.jpg

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...186-177-13.jpg


http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...98-Z03?$S640W$

but other than that, hardware looks fine

*edit*
by the look of it, the graphics card will also obscure the chipset heatsink,
you may have heat issues as well

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ynot

you may have issues with such a large graphics card (very long, and double width) on such a small mobo (micro ATX)

You may the card blocks off other things (SATA ports, etc.)
also, looking at the pictures, it's possible it doesn't physically fit with the audio ports being where they are

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...186-177-17.jpg

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...186-177-13.jpg


http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...98-Z03?$S640W$

but other than that, hardware looks fine

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I don't think the audio ports will be a problem because the bulk of the graphics card (GPU etc) will hang below the circuit board. So its more likely to oscure the PCIE x4 port if anything.

And you raised a good point about the SATA ports. I think at the very worst, only 2 of them would be blocked off though.

I would be curious to see what sort of case you are putting it in, because overheating could be a potential issue, especially since your graphics card will sit right over your North Bridge chipset.

This is all going into a Coolermaster Scout. I've always had generic cases so I thought I'd upgrade to something a bit nicer. I'm also moving the computer from house to house a lot so the extra ease of portability is a huge plus.

Reviews say the case will fit 10.5" cards although it will be a bit snug. If heat is an issue would adding a few more 120mm fans along the side panel help?

Oh I was thinking that since you're using a micro-ATX board, you might be putting it in a shuttle case or something. That case looks like it has really good airflow, so it should be fine.

I made a few silly mistakes while installing the hardware but nothing serious happened. Once it was all put together and plugged in everything worked flawlessly. Right now I'm in the process of reinstalling all my favorite games (TF2 basically) along with a few other programs. I ran the SystemRequirements test for Crysis and it instantly read:
http://d3pjvfidpfofxp.cloudfront.net...hs/mp_rp_7.gif

Seems like a bit of an improvement from being about a third of the way over on my old system. :P I'll post pictures later.

P.S: That GPU was a LOT bigger than I thought it'd be. It actually covers four of those SATA ports! :(

Here are some pictures:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...ase-Closed.png
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...maker/Open.png
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...CPUCloseup.png

I've installed the sound card from my previous rig because music just isn't sexy enough without it.

Very nice machine.

And you're right - that's a beast of a graphics card you've got there :P