New PC build - excited!

[BSDGuy]

Hello Forum

I am pretty close to deciding on the spec for a new PC build. I have been using a laptop for years now and really miss the performace of a desktop. I'll be using the new desktop for browsing the internet, email, running multiple virtual machines in VMWare or VirtualBox and watching BluRay 1080p movies. I currently own an LG BluRay drive already.

I'd appreciate it if someone could have a look at my choice of hardware to ensure it all works together correctly as its been ages since I have built a desktop:

Case: Corsair Obsidian 550D Black Mid-Tower
CPU Intel CPU Core i7 3770K Quad Core IvyBridge Processor OEM
Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V DELUXE Intel Z77 Socket 1155 Ivybridge Ready
RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) Corsair DDR3 XMS3 (1600)
Boot drive: OCZ Technology 256GB Vertex 4
Data drive: Western Digital 2TB Caviar Black WD2002FAEX Hard Drive
PSU: BeQuiet BN203 DARK POWER PRO 10 850W Power Supply
Monitor: Dell 27" IPS Monitor A12 U2711 IPS Monitor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator and Fan Quiet CPU Cooler
Case fans: Be Quiet BL063 SilentWings 2 (3 of these)
Keyboard: Logitech Illuminated Multimedia Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech Corded Mouse M500
UPS: APC Back UPS ES8 Power Saving Outlet 700VA

You'll notice that I haven't included a video card...at all. I dont play games so I will be using the onboard video on the motherboard.

One thing I should mention is that I like things to be VERY quiet! So hopefully I have chose the correct parts for this.

Also, later on I would like to have two or three monitors. I know I'll need a fairly basic video card to achieve this as the onboard video only supports 2 monitors. Either way, the 27" monitor must run at the maximum resolution.

I do have a few other questions regarding this build but lets start with my choice of hardware and take it from there...thank you

[vinnyT]

Looking good, I think that the only part I would change in your list is the SSD, I would (and have) go for either a Crucial M4 or a Samsung 830 drive. I made this choice because there have been some problems with the Sandforce firmware affecting most manufacturers who use this controller lately, I feel that the Crucial and Samsung drives have been more reliable recently.

You will (I hope) love the Dell 27" monitor, it's a beautiful screen.

[Zenin]

You may want to buy a graphics card if you are watching blurays and using that high resolution a normal £100-£150 range one will do, it just puts less load on the CPU.

If you want to save money on the screen look at
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DGM-IPS-27...ht_3079wt_1396
Damn it used to be £320

Its a korean brand but the screen is top notch (i have one at work) same res, proper IPS. it just has less ports than the dell.

Its a great build. and yeah go with the Crucial M4 - i know the write speed spec says its much less but in real world use it isn't that much.
Google for some benchmarks between the SSD's (i saw the benchmarks in custompc magazine)

[Samwood]

Yea the Samsung 830 outperforms the Vortex 4 (and the Crucial M4) on real life apps. Thats a good shout VinnyT.

The Intel 4000 GPU (built into all the new IvyBridge series) will easily handle Blurays etc and even cope with some new-ish games at mid/low settings (dont even try Metro 2033 though).

The case is also a nice choice, though the 650D has 2x 200mm fans (1 front and 1 on top), if you want a quite system 200mm fans are the best way to go (low RPM but still good airflow).

However, im not sure what bonus' you get with the Asus P8Z77-V DELUXE over the standard Asus P8Z77-V (other than a few extra PCI-e slots, so if your not going for gaming you might be able to save yourself a £100 or so. That said all the Asus P8Z77-V range are very good mobo's.

But overall you've planned/got a very nice system!

[BSDGuy]

Thanks to you both for this suggestion! You have convinced me to change my choice of SSD. I am trying to pick either the Samsung 830 or Crucual M4 now.

I had a look at the Corsair 650D case but its looks just don't appeal to me? I like the looks of the 550D and the fact that it is built to be quiet. From what I have read and watched on YouTube, the 550D is quiet? I will be replacing the case fans with BeQuiets (I won't use any fans tha come with the case out the box).

I'll probably start off using the built in graphics on the mobo and then later on get a dedicated card that can handle up tp three monitors and can take the load off the CPU when playing 1080p BluRays.

I really like the Dell 27" monitor so am going to stick with that ;-)

[Samwood]

Yea that makes sense. If quite is your main category the CoolerMaster silencio or Antec Solo II might be worth a look. Though case looks are always a v.personal thing, so if the 550D is what you want, get it! Its a good case.

[Samwood]

Oh also. The Kingston HyperX might be worth a look for your SSD.

[Jasp]

Couple of quick ones really, pay the extra few pounds for the retail CPU, if memory serves the warranty is much better on a retail version then OEM, again motherboard choice is down to personal preference, currently using a V PRO and its a rock solid board with far more features then i will ever use, the DELUXE does come with 300mps wireless and Bluetooth though so its a trade off. Also as mentioned a crucial or Samsung SSD would be my personal choice for stability.

Rest of it looks pretty good tbh, if quiet is you main concern make sure when building it you use the motherboard fan connectors not the molex ones as the board allows you to tweak the fans, even turn them off if you wish.

[ZakWolf]

The Samsung 830 is a great SSD, which can be found at around £150 in some places for 256gb. How much are you paying for the Vertex 4? I think the 830 outperforms it. OCZ has also had some stability issues, some people have been having problems with OCZ SSDs, so the Samsung range gives you more peace of mind.