Questions for 1st Build - Video editing, AE, 3D, gaming

Hi. I've been following this site for some time now, always wishing I had the time and money to build a Hackintosh. Now my trusty old MBP is getting slow and I find myself both excited and nervous to build my first computer ever. I apologize for any ignorance I may display on these forums, but I am excited to start this learning process with so many of you experienced builders as a support and information base.

Anyways, on with my tentative build... Here are the components I have been looking at:

Motherboard:
GA-Z77X-UP5-TH
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTB3QW

GA-Z77X-UP4-TH
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTB3KS

I would love to utilize the Thunderbolt sockets once I actually own Thunderbolt devices, but I was wondering what the major differences might be between these two boards. Right now the UP4-TH has a rebate going for it, essentially making it $85 cheaper than the UP5-TH. What, if anything, might justify the price difference?

Processor:
Intel Core i7 3770K 3.5GHz Quad core
$320
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SZ0EOW

I'm pretty sold on this processor, and it seems to be rather widely accepted in builds similar to mine.

CPU Cooler:
Corsair H60
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A0HZMGA

Not sure if I would need a CPU cooler, but I thought I might as well add it to my tentative build and see what response I got.

Graphics Card:
Nvidia GeForce GTX680
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KC1R9E

Again, I am pretty sold on this particular piece of the puzzle. For those currently running this card, what can I expect in terms of performance in After Effects, Element 3D, and Cinema 4D?

RAM:
Corsair Vengeance 4x8GB
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0068ZWZY0

HDD/SSD:
2TB Seagate Barracuda
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRN2

250GB Samsung SSD
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NHAEXE

I basically chose Samsung just cause the price seemed right to me. Would it be better to go with another brand?

Case:
Corsair Carbide 500R
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E983JW

I have no idea what I really want for the case. I chose the first one I saw on the tonymacx86 buyer's guide. I would prefer a silent case, and the smaller, the better, but the most important thing is just that everything fits and has room to breathe.

Power:
Corsair Enthusiast TX750
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E98I0G

No idea what I'm doing here.

Wifi:
TP-LINK TL-WDN4800
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GMPZ0A

Again, just chose first thing I saw.

OTHER

Optical:
I already own a Blu-ray drive, but am unsure of the specific model. I currently have it housed in an external enclosure and it works well with my MBP. Might I run into any compatibility issues when I mount it in my build?

Additional Cooling:
I have heard things about purchasing specific fans that run quieter than stock, but I have no idea how to start researching what fans would be compatible or whether it would be necessary for my particular build. Suggestions?

Media reader:
Would like to add a media card reader, but that's not super important. It'd just be nice to clear up extra cables running outside the machine. Suggestions?

Other other:
Once I have all the individual parts, will I need any additional cables, etc.?

I assure you I WILL have more questions as I work on solidifying this build and as I am putting everything together. I'm starting to get stressed out thinking about how much work this is going to be for a first-timer such as myself.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Mainboard:
The major diffrences between the GA-Z77X-UP5-TH and GA-Z77X-UP4-TH are that the UP4 has a Realtek ALC892 audio chip and Realtek-LAN. The UP5 has a Realtek ALC898 and Intel-LAN. http://www.gigabyte.us/products/comparison/list.aspx?ck=2&pids=4280,4279
The CPU is OK.
Instead of the Corsair H60 I would choose the HR-02 Macho. It's better and more quiet.
The GTX680 is totally overpriced. Take the EVGA GTX670 FTW Signature2, because it's much cheaper than a GTX680, almost as good as a GTX680(if you overclock it, it's better) and as quiet as the Asus card.
750W are too much. A good 500W PSU would be enough.For example be quiet! Pure Power L8-CM 530W or be quiet! System Power 7 500W.
As RAM I would taake low profile CL RAM because the high RAM sticks could collide with the CPU cooler.eg. Corsair Vengeance Low Profile DIMM Kit 32GB PC3-12800U CL9-10-9-27 (DDR3-1600) (CML32GX3M4A1600C10). But I think that you wont't need 32GB RAM 16GB would be enough.G.Skill Ares DIMM Kit 16GB PC3-12800U CL9-9-9-24 (DDR3-1600) (F3-1600C9D-16GAR) or Corsair Vengeance Low Profile schwarz DIMM Kit 16GB PC3-12800U CL9-9-9-24 (DDR3-1600) (CML16GX3M2A1600C9). The cheapest RAM is the best.
I recommend to boy some extra case fans (eg. Enerermax T.B. Silence are very silent fans)
Some users reported that some Blu-Ray drives work maybe you should try to find out your exact model and google it.

Thanks so much for your reply! I've been learning a lot reading these forums, and it's even better to get a direct answer to a question directly correlating to my tentative build. I have a few followup questions.

Sorry for my ignorance, but I totally forgot to even research anything about the sound card. I tried googling the differences between those two audio chips and couldn't figure out much. I use Logic Pro 9 to record music on my late 2009 MBP with the built-in Intel HD Audio chipset, so as long as I can match performance there, I'm happy. I don't think that will be a problem, so should I be leaning towards the GA-Z77X-UP4-TH to save myself $85 bucks? More importantly, I want to double check that the UP4-TH would be Hackintosh compatible. Also, does Bluetooth work on this board, or will I need a dongle?

Thanks for the CPU cooler suggestion. I will check it out!

I am hoping to build a system that lasts, and I thought the $60 price difference between the GTX680 and GTX670 was small enough to merit the beefier card. However if more people agree that the GTX670 is the better choice, I will happily concede. You guys know better than I do!

Again. Thanks for the leads on the PSUs. The Pure Power unit seems a bit pricey. What makes it worth the extra cost? I can't seem to find the System Power unit domestically (USA).

I apologize for my ignorance, but would I run across any potential compatibility issues outside of hardware fitting when it comes to RAM? I am often running Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator simultaneously, sometimes while encoding footage in the background and I thought it might be best to just pile on the 32GB of RAM and forget about it. Is that overkill?

I am utterly clueless on system cooling. How many fans might one recommend I install?

Thanks again for all the info!

songstaforlife said:

Thanks so much for your reply! I've been learning a lot reading these forums, and it's even better to get a direct answer to a question directly correlating to my tentative build. I have a few followup questions.

Sorry for my ignorance, but I totally forgot to even research anything about the sound card. I tried googling the differences between those two audio chips and couldn't figure out much. I use Logic Pro 9 to record music on my late 2009 MBP with the built-in Intel HD Audio chipset, so as long as I can match performance there, I'm happy. I don't think that will be a problem, so should I be leaning towards the GA-Z77X-UP4-TH to save myself $85 bucks? More importantly, I want to double check that the UP4-TH would be Hackintosh compatible. Also, does Bluetooth work on this board, or will I need a dongle?

Thanks for the CPU cooler suggestion. I will check it out!

I am hoping to build a system that lasts, and I thought the $60 price difference between the GTX680 and GTX670 was small enough to merit the beefier card. However if more people agree that the GTX670 is the better choice, I will happily concede. You guys know better than I do!

Again. Thanks for the leads on the PSUs. The Pure Power unit seems a bit pricey. What makes it worth the extra cost? I can't seem to find the System Power unit domestically (USA).

I apologize for my ignorance, but would I run across any potential compatibility issues outside of hardware fitting when it comes to RAM? I am often running Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator simultaneously, sometimes while encoding footage in the background and I thought it might be best to just pile on the 32GB of RAM and forget about it. Is that overkill?

I am utterly clueless on system cooling. How many fans might one recommend I install?

Thanks again for all the info!

Click to expand...

Fans - 1 in the back blowing hot air out and 1 in the front pulling cooler air in is usually enough unless you have a tight case and air flow is blocked.

For PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119 would do very well.

For gfx card, check reviews for the cards and look at the performance specs. Generally, model + review in the search block of your browser should get you several.

More RAM is always better if you are going to be running several apps that use CPU. Might as well max the board out with a 4x8G set of matched 1600 modules.

BlueTooth - you will probably need a dongle. I have not heard of any board that has compatable OEM BT.

Onboard audio is OK for most people

Going Bald said:

Fans - 1 in the back blowing hot air out and 1 in the front pulling cooler air in is usually enough unless you have a tight case and air flow is blocked.

For PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119 would do very well.

For gfx card, check reviews for the cards and look at the performance specs. Generally, model + review in the search block of your browser should get you several.

More RAM is always better if you are going to be running several apps that use CPU. Might as well max the board out with a 4x8G set of matched 1600 modules.

BlueTooth - you will probably need a dongle. I have not heard of any board that has compatable OEM BT.

Onboard audio is OK for most people

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips! Super helpful. I am adding two Enermax fans to my build and switching out the PSU for the one you recommended.

Would it be necessary to install low profile RAM to make room for the Thermalright Macho 120? What do you think of Corsair XMS3? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21HLA

I'm leaning towards the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP4-TH board now, unless someone informs me of incompatibility issues asides from Bluetooth and Wifi.

songstaforlife said:

Would it be necessary to install low profile RAM to make room for the Thermalright Macho 120? What do you think of Corsair XMS3? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21HLA

Click to expand...

I used this same memory in the 2x8Gb kit in the P8Z77-I mITX build. Works just fine with any CPU cooler, even one that extends over the RAM slots.

I have made some updates to my build and have already purchased the majority of components for my build. I am still hung up on the motherboard. These are the three I am going back and forth between.

GA-Z77X-UP5-TH
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTB3QW

GA-Z77X-UP4-TH
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTB3KS

GA-Z77X-UD5H
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21JK4

I really would like to take advantage of the Thunderbolt ports, so the first two are appealing. I have read about people having problems with the UP4-TH, so I'm hesitant. The UD5H is my backup just in case someone tells me that getting Thunderbolt to work is sketchy. Advice?

I am waiting on the GPU, as rumors say that the GTX 7 series will be arriving soon. Do you think the 6 series cards will drop in price within the next few weeks?

songstaforlife said:

I have made some updates to my build and have already purchased the majority of components for my build. I am still hung up on the motherboard. These are the three I am going back and forth between.

GA-Z77X-UP5-TH
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTB3QW

GA-Z77X-UP4-TH
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTB3KS

GA-Z77X-UD5H
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21JK4

I really would like to take advantage of the Thunderbolt ports, so the first two are appealing. I have read about people having problems with the UP4-TH, so I'm hesitant. The UD5H is my backup just in case someone tells me that getting Thunderbolt to work is sketchy. Advice?

I am waiting on the GPU, as rumors say that the GTX 7 series will be arriving soon. Do you think the 6 series cards will drop in price within the next few weeks?

Click to expand...

IMO I don't see a big advantage in Th.bolt right now. You can do almost everything with USB 3 nearly as fast. Some use a
Th.bolt to dp adapter to connect to a high res monitor, so if you want that then it may be worth the extra $$. I would just go
with the UD5H and save the 50 dollars for something else in my build. The 600 series cards are already dropping in price.
May go even lower after the 7 series come out.

Awesome. Thanks for the input. Okay.. I can give up Thunderbolt after researching the real-life application speeds of the technology.

I just want to confirm that the GA-Z77X-UDH5 is a stable board that I should be able to get up and running as a first-time builder. If anyone has any other mono suggestions, I'm still open.

Here is my updated build. So far, everything is purchased except for the motherboard, GPU, and PSU.

Motherboard:
GA-Z77X-UD5H
$180
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21JK4

Processor:
Intel Core i7 3770K 3.5GHz Quad core
$250.69
http://www.amazon.com/dpB007SZ0EOW

CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Macho 120
$51.11
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008SAOCHG

Graphics Card:
Nvidia GeForce GTX680
$460
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KC1R3A

OR

Nvidia GeForce GTX670
$400
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HZ5438

RAM:
Corsair XMS3 4x8GB
$250.64
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R21HLA

Storage:
2TB Seagate Barracuda
$107.75
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3GRN2

250GB Samsung SSD
$187.27
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NHAEXE

1TB WD Blue (for Windows 7)
$70.83
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088PUEPK

Case:
NZXT Phantom 410
$78.09
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146093

Power:
Seasonic SSR-550RM
$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119

Wifi:
$47.51
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GMPZ0A

Can anyone report on how well the GTX 680 holds up for motion graphics in After Effects and the rest of Adobe Creative Suite? Thanks.