Opinions on a gaming computer build

[CrazyKiwi]

Hello I am brand new to this site because I need some opinions and help on a gaming computer build. This so far is what I am dealing with. Yes I realize the i7 runs on triple channel memory but I made the mistake of buying dual channel ram and could not return it. Can anyone give me some opinions on 850 watt power supplies, cpu coolers, and a gaming keyboard? Thanks.

Newegg.com - RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply
Smilodon Case with 400 watt Power supply

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - CD / DVD Burners
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

Amazon.com: Asus Rampage II GENE Core i7 / Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX & SLI/…
Asus Rampage II GENE Core i7 / Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX & SLI/ A&2GbE/ MATX Motherboard

ATI 3850

ATI Sapphire 5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102858&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-858-_-Product

I have a i7 processor also on the way.

 

[tj107us1]

Well my Intel i7 930 is running on just two memery sticks in dual channel, and its doing fine. But would love to have a third just to have 3 channels though.

 

[shozzking]

Hello I am brand new to this site because I need some opinions and help on a gaming computer build. This so far is what I am dealing with. Yes I realize the i7 runs on triple channel memory but I made the mistake of buying dual channel ram and could not return it. Can anyone give me some opinions on 850 watt power supplies, cpu coolers, and a gaming keyboard? Thanks.

Newegg.com - RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply
Smilodon Case with 400 watt Power supply

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - CD / DVD Burners
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

Amazon.com: Asus Rampage II GENE Core i7 / Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX & SLI/…
Asus Rampage II GENE Core i7 / Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX & SLI/ A&2GbE/ MATX Motherboard

ATI 3850

ATI Sapphire 5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102858&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-858-_-Product

I have a i7 processor also on the way.

how much money do you have to spend on the rest of it?

 

[CrazyKiwi]

Not much really maybe 200-250 maybe a little more more like 100-150 for the psu. 50-100 for the cpu cooler and idk on extras

 

[Indigo]

If you can, splurge on a good power supply and piecemeal anything else you need. So many people overlook the merits of a good powerful power supply. I am running an 850 Watt Corsair myself, does great and it wasn't that expensive.

For what it's worth though, 850 watts is a little overkill unless you're like me and have a few extra hard drives and a few more fans and a fanbus controller. There's no reason to go to 850 watts when 650 should be fine, even with some SLI/CrossFire setups. I have the 650 watt version of the Corsair PSU at work, and it handles my i7 system just fine (i7 920, 6 GB memory, GeForce 9500 GT, 750GB HDD and a 40GB SSD).

Due to a bad stick in the tri channel kit I bought for that system at work, I had to run it on 4GB for a while - as tj107us said, you won't hurt much, and I didn't see much, if any, performance differences.

 

[CrazyKiwi]

Really now? I was told I would need at least an 800 watt power supply. I have only 5 fans, no fan controller, and I may get some cathodes when I get the time. But other than that nothing really special. Are you absolutely sure I don't need a 850 watt? I don't want to buy a 600 watt and then find it's not enough and need to buy another.

 

[Indigo]

People always overblow computer power supply specs because almost no one buys quality power supplies. If you're gonna spend $50 on an 800 watt, sure, then you'll need the overhead, but a good QUALITY power supply in the 650 watt range should be enough for most users. I have Core 2 Duos with GeForce 9500's at work running on 380's just fine, but they only have one HDD, a DVDROM and two case fans.

 

[CrazyKiwi]

Well og could you suggest a good quality power supply that can power all of my stuff? Price max is like 150 but I would love to spend less on it to be able to buy other things. Also do you mind me asking what experience you have with computers? I just really don't want to run into any more problems with buying stuff and it not being compatible.

 

[Indigo]

Newegg has a power supply calculator that you can use to check wattage against a basic build, and it's never let me down.

http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

Based on your specs, with an i7, that 5770 video card, a single platter drive, a DVDRW, and a high end motherboard, it comes in at around 470 watts. Add in a few case fans at about 15 watts each (rounded up) and you still only come up with 575, so a good quality 650 should be plenty. If you wanted a little more overhead, a 700 watt would be the most I'd splurge on for now.

 

[Indigo]

. Also do you mind me asking what experience you have with computers? I just really don't want to run into any more problems with buying stuff and it not being compatible.

I understand, my post count is still pretty small in contrast to the kind of help I'm trying to offer.

I have over 10 years in the PC realm. I supported a public school with over 1000 students by myself for 2 years, and I'm currently the Help Desk Coordinator for a nonprofit where I provide all of the end user support for their PCs, software & hardware. I'm A+ certified and I'm taking courses at DeVry University. I have been building my own PCs for at least 10 years. I'd be happy to provide character references from my free lance customers as well.