Information Gathering for future Ultra-mode capable PC

I had this nicely written post made out yesterday with links and all, but the browser ated it...after an inner cry I closed the browser and decided to work on one tonite instead (remembering to copy/paste this time). So if you're reading this, check back in say...a couple hours. :-p

First I wanted to point out the updates at the top…then I came up with a few more questions.

Optical Drive Questions:
So I still have this favorite piece of hardware sitting in the “to sell” box, but I’m kinda wondering if it’s actually worth wild to get a simple IDE/ATAPI-SATA microboard adaptor. The only reason I ask is because of the builtin 8Mb cache on the drive (versus the 2Mb cache on DVD drives) and the fact that the adaptors aren’t terribly expensive. Then again, a newer SATA DVD-RW drive with top specs goes for a smidge more than the adaptor. Beyond that, I’m wondering if I should just simply go with a single BD-RE drive and leave it at that. In the past, one would want one optical drive dedicated for burning and another for reading because of possible laser overheating/damaging discs, etc, but I’m betting somebody’s gonna tell me that’s no longer the case now too.

CPU Installation Questions:
Most of the installations I’ve done have used thermal paste in a plunger type tube, but I have heard of thermal pads. I’ve also read (when working on dads PC build a couple years ago) that certain types of CPUs have preferred methods/locations for the thermal paste depending on the on-die chip arrangement. What type is going to come with the CPU if any and should I bother looking for the pad style?

System Cooling:
Now depending on the model case I end up with, some will have more fans than others and different sizes and options for types/quantity of fans. Considering this build, should I buy extra fans? What’s a good configuration? What am I forgetting to ask?

Video Connectors, but no onboard video?
I’ve noticed that most of the motherboards have multiple video connectors (D-SUB, DVI, HDMI, etc) builtin even though there’s no onboard video controller. Is this a side effect of the CPU’s builtin GPU or is there something else afoot? If I’m wanting HDMI as a current primary connection, then do I need to focus on the PCI-E GPU’s connections or the motherboard’s?

Wireless Internet:
For my current configuration atleast, I’ll need some sort of wireless internet, preferably the 5Ghz band as I have a Dualband router in the Other room and nothing else is on that band. I’ve seen some pretty neat looking motherboards with the cards builtin and even found that one PCI card. Which would be a better idea overall? I’m thinking the addon card as it’ll give me more choices for motherboards.

If you can’t tell, I’m still struggling with the motherboard decision simply because there’s too many choices. Some have more 3.0 USBs, some have more 6Gb/s SATA3s, but they all have a weird range of mixed PCI-E slots. Many of the slots are shared one way or another that would affect performance depending on what’s plugged where. Some of these choices could affect the case decision based on header locations, etc. Maybe not, but never know.

Most of the installations I’ve done have used thermal paste in a plunger type tube, but I have heard of thermal pads. I’ve also read (when working on dads PC build a couple years ago) that certain types of CPUs have preferred methods/locations for the thermal paste depending on the on-die chip arrangement. What type is going to come with the CPU if any and should I bother looking for the pad style?
The pads are generic garbage that come with OEM installations. You should never ever CHOOSE to use one of them. If you buy a CPU bundled with the Intel cooler, the heatsink will have thermal paste on it already. I would scrape it off, clean the heatsink, and apply 'real' thermal paste. If you buy an aftermarket heatsink, it will be shipped clean. It may or may not come with separate thermal paste. I use Arctic Silver.

As for how to apply the paste based on the CPU type, there are plenty of guides online. All the main manufacturers of thermal paste have PDF guides on their sites.


Now depending on the model case I end up with, some will have more fans than others and different sizes and options for types/quantity of fans. Considering this build, should I buy extra fans? What’s a good configuration? What am I forgetting to ask?
You shouldn't need any extra fans. As for configuration, they'll all be installed the same way: front and/or side fans blowing IN, rear and/or top fans blowing OUT.


I’ve noticed that most of the motherboards have multiple video connectors (D-SUB, DVI, HDMI, etc) builtin even though there’s no onboard video controller. Is this a side effect of the CPU’s builtin GPU or is there something else afoot? If I’m wanting HDMI as a current primary connection, then do I need to focus on the PCI-E GPU’s connections or the motherboard’s?
The video connectors on the motherboard are irrelevant since you will be using the connectors on a separate video card.


If you can’t tell, I’m still struggling with the motherboard decision simply because there’s too many choices. Some have more 3.0 USBs, some have more 6Gb/s SATA3s, but they all have a weird range of mixed PCI-E slots. Many of the slots are shared one way or another that would affect performance depending on what’s plugged where. Some of these choices could affect the case decision based on header locations, etc. Maybe not, but never know.
Any decent mobo should have more USB connectors than you'll need. I have 6 on the back of the case and two on the front. Two are USB 3, but I don't actually have any USB 3 devices.

As for the PCI-E slots, how many do you expect to use? I have a video card installed. That's it. My ethernet and audio are built in on the mobo. My video capture is external. If you're adding a wireless card, that won't need a high speed slot. Just make sure you have a 16x slot for the video card and that you won't be doing anything that downgrades it to a lower speed.

Same with SATA 3 - how many devices do you expect to have that will actually need it? I have one (my SSD).

The Socket 1155 CPUs have an internal GPU which is a reason that (I'm assuming you have a Z68 or Z77 motherboard) has all those video connectors. The Ivy Bridge top end internal GPU, the Intel HD4000, is finally on par with a nVidia GT 520.

Motherboard: TLR answer, go with Asus, Asrock or Gigabyte.

If you are not going SLI/Crossfire on Day 1, don't spend for extra PCI-E slots its a huge waste of money. Go with a Z68 or Z77 board for your K processor.

If you have the money, get a Blu-Ray drive. Note that software that can play back and write to Blu-Ray might be an additional cost, unless open source has caught up on Blu-Ray.

Otherwise, I think the SATA bus speed and the drive read speed in general compensates for the smaller cache of your typical SATA DVD drive vs. your 8MB IDE drive. So at the very least, don't get an adapter.

Ok, Motherboard decision, revision, looking for new opinion time. ;-)

ASUS P8Z77-V LK (looking at it again I'm wondering why I chose this model over the other ASUS)
ASRock Z77 Extreme6 (beyond it being another ASRock, I think I might have chosen this one for the variety/number of ports)
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H (I was truely impressed with the head disipation approach, liked the port options, and was really curious about that mSATA thing in the middle. I guess it does something in conjunction with your CPU?)

Does anybody know how many fan headers these have? It's really hard to find out unless someone's done a youtube review vid, but honestly I haven't looked there yet so...

EDIT: Fixed link

Dual VS Quad Channel DIMMs

Since nobody's questioned this so far I kinda forgot about it, but I'm noticing that the Quad (4x4Gb) channel kits are cheaper than the Dual (2x8Gb) channel kits likely because the individual dimms are cheaper. Am I doing right by sticking to the Dual channel (considering it's possible to throw a matching set and max it to 32Gb for an ungodly amount of RAM :-p) or will the build allow me to save a little bit and go Quad channel ([I hesitate to use the word] Limiting me to the 16Gb unless I buy an all new set).

Ok, so we've pretty much covered the basics and while I do have a corded set of these I'd want a fully wireless setup (I don't really use the mouse like most do ingame). Are there any particular types of wireless mouse/KB that seem to work the best? There seem to be two types: BT and 2.4Mhz (wifi?). I even saw this cool solar KB at work right now and vaguely recall it mentioned in a thread here recently. So far I've been stealing my corded Apple mouse (the one with the tiny ball for scrolling) and normally just the builtin 104+ key laptop KB.


While I'm not Totally bind'd all out, I do tend to use the KB unless I need to click dialogs or powers in my top of screen trays. Even on my MM I don't normally use the mouse (I'm not a big buffer) except when first spawning/upgrading the pets. Obviously I'd like some precision for the later purpose of general photo/video editing, but I don't need a $90 gaming mouse with ten million buttons either. Honestly I don't need anymore than two buttons and a scroll.


I do have one important thing to consider though with mice now, unfortunately. Since my arthritis isn't getting any better I find the larger (full sized) mice to be much more comfortable. I'm right handed if that helps too. The one we carry at work (not many choices until recently) that I'd probably get seems to fit the bill. This seems to be a decent combo, but the reviews are all that good, atleast on newegg.


Supposed Gaming Combo I really question this one, but nobody's commented on it yet either.
Microsoft Option I generally question Anything M$FT, but that's a different story altogether. :-p
Another Logitech Option This may actually be a better idea mouse wise.



Cyborg Mouse included simply for the WTF factor. I can't tell if this thing is trying to be a transformer, golf club, or the batmobile!

All in all, there's really too many bloody dongles... >.<