Documenting my new PC (re)build... From Q6600 to i7-3770k

[Der Snoober]

Nice work Art!!! Really like the photo's of your new pc. Have fun with it.

 

[LittleJay]

Really nice work on your new computer Art! And thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

 

[azasadny]

Thanks, guys!

Thanks, guys! Due to some strange circumstances, I got a deal on an nVidia GTX 660 by EVGA (Superclocked edition) and I just installed it. I'll get some pics tomorrow and post them.

 

[Dave76]

Sounds like a good deal, that's a good card.

 

[pparks1]

Did you ever try out the onboard video? For the types of things you mentioned you did, it doesn't seem like a standalone card was even necessary.

 

[azasadny]

You're correct! I'll test the onboard video, but I got this new video card from my church (long story) and I will build our son a PC around it, so I'm testing it out and it's fantastic! I'll use the Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H, i3-3220, 16GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM, 120GB SSD and 2TB hard drive and this GTX 660 (SC) for him.

I've never used a "high end" video card, so this is a new experience for me and I'm enjoying it!

 

[LittleJay]

Hey Art, will you adopt me? That looks like an awesome build you are doing for your son!

 

[azasadny]

My current settings...

Here we are... My 3.5GHz CPU is now running at 4.5GHz and the GTX-660 (sc) video card is running great! I cannot believe how fast this new PC is!! I can spell-check faster then anyone!!

 

[azasadny]

Hey Art, will you adopt me? That looks like an awesome build you are doing for your son!

Better yet, when you're ready, I'll build your PC for you! You won't have to mow the lawn, shovel the snow , etc... like our son has to do!!

 

[LittleJay]

Hey Art, will you adopt me? That looks like an awesome build you are doing for your son!

Better yet, when you're ready, I'll build your PC for you! You won't have to mow the lawn, shovel the snow , etc... like our son has to do!!

Sounds like an offer too good to refuse!!!!

The main part of your new PC is that you are enjoying the capability it offers, more so than your average computer user, who wouldn't notice the difference. My PC doesn't have your specs, but it is still a "beast" and I really enjoy the performance. I think of all the components, the SSD makes the biggest difference. I have an Samsung 840 Pro and it literally flies, when compared to a HDD.

 

[azasadny]

Yes, the SSD gives you the biggest "seat of the pants" performance boost! I always recommend it when I'm rebuilding an older PC or building a new one for someone. I like the Intel 330 120GB and the Samsung 830 128GB, but they're all probably great drives. Mind you, my previous PC was 6 years old, but the Q6600 is still chugging along as I gave the PC to my wife. She loves it and we'll get several more years out of it. The Intel CPU's and motherboards have served us well over the years and I will miss them after Intel stops making them and the supply dries up. The Gigabyte and ASUS boards are good, too. You have to "match" the board/CPU/video/drives to what the person wants to use the PC for, that's the key!

 

[azasadny]

I just built a PC for a friend and he and his wife just came over and picked it up., It was fun seeing how excited they are, they're going to love the new PC and that makes me happy!

 

[LittleJay]

Most people don't realize it, but one advantage of having someone like yourself build a computer for them is getting a Windows installation without all the bloat ware that OEM computers come with. Not to mention the fact that the computer is built with good quality hardware. I doubt that I will ever buy a pre-assembled computer again.

 

[azasadny]

Yes, I do a nice, clean install, update all drivers and apply all patches. I update the BIOS (if necessary) and put copies of all documentation on the motherboard, cards, CPU, etc... in a folder on the hard drive. The PC's run better because I "tune" Windows and then install Microsoft Security Essentials on it. I re-install any applications the person owns and I've been installing LibreOffice, which is a free Microsoft Office clone that is free. I make sure their documents are all in the right places and redundant or duplicate data is deleted. I usually backup the C drive to an image file, using Macrium onto the other hard drive. I do quite a bit of "value add" and my fee is always 0$ as I only do this for friends, family, etc...

 

[LittleJay]

I do quite a bit of "value add" and my fee is always )$ as I only do this for friends, family, etc...

There are advantages to having a friend and/or relative, who is a tech geek and a generous person at the same time!

 

[azasadny]

My results...

My results, so far... The CPU is running at 4.5GHz , effortlessly, I might add...

Component Details Subscore Base score Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz 7.8 7.8 Determined by lowest subscore Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB 7.8 Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 7.9 Gaming graphics 4095 MB Total available graphics memory 7.9 Primary hard disk 86GB Free (111GB Total) 7.9 Windows 7 Enterprise System ​ Manufacturer INTEL Model DZ77GA Total amount of system memory 16.0 GB RAM System type 64-bit operating system Number of processor cores 4 Storage ​ Total size of hard disk(s) 1974 GB Disk partition (C 86 GB Free (111 GB Total) Disk partition (D 714 GB Free (1863 GB Total) Media drive (E CD/DVD Media drive (F CD/DVD Graphics ​ Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Total available graphics memory 4095 MB Dedicated graphics memory 2048 MB Dedicated system memory 0 MB Shared system memory 2047 MB Display adapter driver version 9.18.13.1090 Primary monitor resolution 1280x1024 DirectX version DirectX 10 Network ​ Network Adapter Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network) Network Adapter Intel(R) 82574L Gigabit Network Connection Network Adapter Intel(R) 82579V Gigabit Network Connection Network Adapter Intel(R) Advanced Network Services Virtual Adapter Notes ​ The gaming graphics score is based on the primary graphics adapter. If this system has linked or multiple graphics adapters, some software applications may see additional performance benefits.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Very nice, Art! :thumb: Did you have to bolt it to the desk? That thing must fly!

 

[azasadny]

Tony, Thanks! Yes, it's fast and reliable, two requirements for me. Next, I'll get Win8 on it...

 

[azasadny]

Current settings...

I was experiencing random lockups in Win7 yesterday and so I knocked the overclock down to 4.4GHz and so far, so good! I have not increased the voltage...

 

[LittleJay]

I remember experiencing random lock ups when I first tried to OC my 2500K at anything above 4 Ghz. Never did try to figure it out and have run my CPU at stock speed since.