Building my first Windows 7 computer

[jthorpein]

I'm looking to build a custom Windows 7 64 bit desktop computer. So far I have the parts (kind of) narrowed down to these parts, but open to suggestions (as long as it isn't a bank breaker). Yes I know Windows 7 is near EOL, but I'm not a fan of Windows 10 right now. I don't agree with their forced upgrades and the possibility of data collection and lack of support/ for some older tech I still have and use. For now I'll stick with Windows 7, but I can always upgrade later if I decide to and if I chose to. Hence the reason I'm looking for a build that I can upgrade in the future..

Most of what I currently do is web browsing, email, Microsoft Office, and some online gaming (games like Meridian 59 and Smite from Steam).

The parts I'm considering for this Windows 7 64 Build:

Case:

Fractal Design Define R5 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


Motherboard:

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6 Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or the CrossFire X https://www.amazon.com/LGA1155-CrossFireX-Motherboard-Z...

What is the difference between the two?


RAID Card:

Expand the SATA ports to around 12 to 14 total for all drives and optical drives


CPU:

Intel Core i5-3570K Quad Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 core LGA 1155 - BX80637I53750K (6 mb cache) - https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5-3570K-Quad-Core-Pr...
or Intel Core i7-2600 Quad Core Processor 3.4 GHz 8 MB Cache LGA 1155-BX80623I72600 (with hyper threading)

Is the i7 worth me spending the extra cash of? I have an i7 in my Sony Vaio notebook (model: vpcf132fx/b). I'm looking for one that's is pretty quick, able to do multiple tasks, and one that's preferably not $300 + (if possible).


Hard Drives:

1 x Samsung 250 GB SSD - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-850-evo-250gb-inter...
(SSD for Windows 7 OS and programs/files that don't need much updating or write cycles)

1 x Seagate 2 TB Notebook drive - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/seagate-2tb-internal-sata-h...
(for local file storage and programs that update regularly)

Both of these will be mounted in the dedicated SSD slots in the Fractal case.

8 x of either 2 TB, 3 TB or 4 TB Red drives - for mass storage as a RAID 6 or RAID 5 minimum (accessable over the network - mostly wil be used for video storage over 3 current old NAS drives I have around 6 + TB of TiVo files alone not counting the other video/movie files)

RAM:

Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 4-Pack 32 GB DDR3 DIMM Desktop Memory Kit - Model: CMY32GX3M4A1600C9B - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/corsair-vengeance-pro-series-4-pack-32gb-ddr3-dimm-desktop-memory-kit-multi/1655338.p?id=1219058902909&skuId=1655338


CD/DVD/Bluray Writer Drive (optical drive):

Asus CG8480 CG8890 Gaming Computers Lightscribe BH30L BH10LS30 10X 3D Blu-ray Burnder Dual Layer BD-RE DL Bluray Writer Optical Drive - https://www.amazon.com/Computers-Lightscribe-BH10LS30-B...


Network Card:

Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I Rev 4.2 Bluetooth 4.2/Wireless AC/B/G/N Band Dual Frequency 2.4 Ghz/5.8 Ghz Expansion Card, 2 x 2 Tx/Rx, 1 x PCIe Windows 7, 8, 10 Compatible - https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GC-WB867D-I-Bluetooth-F...

The motherboard I'm looking at has a 10/100/1000 NIC, but looking to add bluetooth for bluetooth headphones for ones like the LG Tone Pro HBS-750 - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-tone-pro-hbs750-in-ear-behind-the-neck-mount-wireless-headphones-black/5744021.p?id=bb5744021&skuId=5744021.


Power Supply - what size needed - MSI US says I'll need around a 800 W power supply, is this correct (for the motherboard, all the PCI cards and drives)?


Video Card: suggestions - looking for a decent card with good graphics, good processing, etc. without breaking the bank.

I'm looking to create a generic/moderate gaming PC (so things don't have to be extremely powerful, but upgradable would be a plus) with Windows 7 64 bit OS and capable of grouping the 8 drives that can fit into a RAID 6 or a RAID 5 (minimum) for shared storage across my home network (mostly for un-edited video files).

Preferably around the $1,000 mark max (if possible) (without the Red drives for storage and can expand/upgrade through time).

What would you choose, what would you change? Also, is there a wireless keyboard and mouse set that can control up to 3 different systems (preferably lighted like the Logitech K800)?

 

I'm thinking of adding another small SSD drive for a Windows 7 & Windows 10 dual boot system.

Thanks in advance.

[unidentical]

Just so you're aware, the free upgrade program is ending in like a month. After that win 10 will be full price.

[AresKrieger]

1 minute ago, unidentical said:

Just so you're aware, the free upgrade program is ending in like a month. After that win 10 will be full price.

You actually think MS is going to stick with that, I highly doubt it since windows 10 isn't the product they are selling, the product they want to make money on is it's users not the OS itself.

[jthorpein]

28 minutes ago, AresKrieger said:

You actually think MS is going to stick with that, I highly doubt it since windows 10 isn't the product they are selling, the product they want to make money on is it's users not the OS itself.

This question isn't about creating a battle between Windows 7 and Windows 10 even though I agree that Microsoft is making money off of offering Windows 10 for free some how. I like Windows 7 and have some devices that I don't see Windows 10 supporting, so that's one reason I'm sticking to Windows 7 (64 bit). But what you'd pick for a resonably priced build.

 

Thanks.

[jthorpein]

29 minutes ago, unidentical said:

Just so you're aware, the free upgrade program is ending in like a month. After that win 10 will be full price.

This question isn't about creating a battle between Windows 7 and Windows 10 even though I agree that Microsoft is making money off of offering Windows 10 for free some how. I like Windows 7 and have some devices that I don't see Windows 10 supporting, so that's one reason I'm sticking to Windows 7 (64 bit). But what you'd pick for a resonably priced build.

 

Thanks.

[unidentical]

4 minutes ago, jthorpein said:

This question isn't about creating a battle between Windows 7 and Windows 10 even though I agree that Microsoft is making money off of offering Windows 10 for free some how. I like Windows 7 and have some devices that I don't see Windows 10 supporting, so that's one reason I'm sticking to Windows 7 (64 bit). But what you'd pick for a resonably priced build.

 

Thanks.

K. Well as to the build, for basic use you don't need more than 8gb of memory. 16 max. You will see zero benefit from an i7. 

 

For you, look at the rx480 from AMD, depending on what the budget ends up being and how much you save elsewhere may be worth looking at the gtx1070.

[jthorpein]

36 minutes ago, unidentical said:

K. Well as to the build, for basic use you don't need more than 8gb of memory. 16 max. You will see zero benefit from an i7. 

 

For you, look at the rx480 from AMD, depending on what the budget ends up being and how much you save elsewhere may be worth looking at the gtx1070.

I'll look more into the specs of the two video cards. Just by looking at them I'm leaning more toward the gtx1070 one because of the ports. I'd like to find one that has a VGA port (I have a older Vaio VGC-RA830G desktop running XP that I still use for the DVD/Video/Audio creation programs that uses a Sony SDM-HS95P monitor that I can connect this build to the VGA port as the current desktop is using the DVI port), a DVI port and 2 HDMI ports (one to use on a dedicated monitor when I get one and one to connect to a TV for game play that way).

 

What about the other parts on the build?

 

Thanks.