First Build - Peripherals?

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This is going to be my first build. I initially did many hours of research back in 2010 but lost interest and ability due to hardships in life. Now I am back on my feet, and a little rusty on my knowledge. I've been doing some research and I've assesed that investing in peripherals is smart for my first build as they can carry through with me two or three builds down the line. In other words, they retain their value where a CPU doesn't.

I suppose perhiperals is not inclusive enough. I'm also looking into a case, and a cooling system, most likely a good heatsink.

So far this is what I plan on investing in: If there is something that you think would retain its value better in the future, please let me know. Thanks.

 

Keyboard: Filco Majestouch 2 tenkeyless (I honestly don't know why people prefer tenkeyless, can someone explain this?)

Mouse: ?

Case: Fractal Define XL R2 The review sold me. I enjoy a product that has many uses / is effective.

Heatsink: ?

Speakers: ?

Headphones: ?

 

Is there other peripherals or components that retain their value that I am missing or forgetting?

 

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Okay, so tenkeyless keyboards appeal to people for ergonomics. If you often use the numpad, don't get a tenkeyless keyboard. You can purchase external numpads, but I find them cumbersome. Tenkeyless allows you to put you hands closer together, making it easier to switch from typing to using your mouse. I like both 104-key and tenkeyless keyboards, but it is really personal perference.

The mouse is one of the most opinioated parts of the compter; it is the part that has to feel just right for you. I love my Logitech g600 because of the high dpi (up to 8200), but it is quite wide. I also love my SteelSeries Sensei; it is much slimmer than the g600 and is a bit cheaper. As a brand, though, Logitech and SteelSeries are better than any other in my opinion. STAY AWAY FROM RAZER

I have the R1 of the Fractal Design Define XL and I love it; the XL R2 improves on some of my only issues with it, including the motherboard tray (which I don't like.) I will be modding mine by removing that tray and one of the HDD cages at the bottom in the coming months; Fractal is a great choice, fantastic company!

For a heatsink, you have several options. I went for the high(est) end air cooler, the Phanteks PH-TC14PE in black. It keeps my i7 3770k @ 4.6gHz idle at 29 degrees C, and under load (with Intel Burn Tester) at 70 degrees C. However, an alternative that I may switching out for is the Swiftech H220, which is a closed loop cooler (CLC) that isn't quite closed. Unlike others, like the H100i, Kraken X60, etc., the Swiftech H220 has a much more powerful pump (6x as powerful as the one on the H100i) and allows for opening to the expansion of loop to include additional waterblocks for your GPU, motherboard, etc., additional pumps, additional radtiators, pumps, etc. However, if you don't plan on overclocking, an air cooler will be just fine. I recommend Phanteks for air coolers, as well as Noctua. For fans, Noctua makes the best ones, but they are repulsive brown. They work so well, though, that people either put up with the color or dye them.

Speakers... hmm, well if you want a standard set, Logitech makes several 5.1 setups for a great price. However, higher quality audio recordings would be more suited for headphones, unless you want to spend $600+ on a 7.1 surround setup and a $200 soundcard. I don't have speakers, I just use my V Moda Crossfire M80 headphones for everything.

Well, for headphones, as I said before, I love my V Moda Crossfire M80s. They are a great value for their audio; don't take the word "value" to mean anything about the quality. For about $180, you get a very sturdy, well built pair of headphones that look great, sound fantastic, and are completely worth it. However, if you want something cheaper, go for some lower-end Audio Technicas or even some SkullCandies (I don't like them anymore, ever since I got my M80s :D).

As for monitors, if you have the money, get a 2560x1440p monitor. I am going to be getting the Asus PB278Q later this year, but a budget alternative would be to get a Korean-made 2560x1440, such as a CatLeap, on ebay and hope for the best. The crew at TekSyndicate has lots of Shimians around the office - they are very affordable compared to the Asus and Dell alternatives. However, if you don't want or can't afford that quality of a monitor, the good old 1920x1080p 24" is a great standard. For everyday use and some gaming, a good 1920x1080p will be fine. Just get what you can afford, but ask the community for feedback before you do :)

I hope I helped! Cheers,

 

Brennan Riddell

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Thank you for the reply. That was very helpful. Has the water-cooled world changed? I remember it being very complicated, or at least complicated looking back in 2009/2010. From the glimpses that I see now, it doesn't look complicated at all. Is it a better or at least equal option now? How has water-cooled changed?

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What is this boards policy on bumping? Sorry if I'm breaking it. Bump.

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heyyy dont hate on Razer, My deathadder is working like a champ! 

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Big version of lego with water essentially, there are guides all across the interwebz and you can even buy kits with everything you need and you just assembel yourself. 

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Sorry - I didn't see the post. Watercooling isn't complicated in the construction - as long as you have all of the parts and a basic knowledge of engineering (i.e., screwing...), it is easy. The difficult part is getting a well designed loop. You want the smallest amount of tubing possible so that you get more water moving faster, dissapating more heat, etc. The design can be tricky, but even a poorly designed loop will perform really well, compared to an air cooler. The risk is still there for leaks, but if your loop passes the 24 hour leak test (self-explanatory), and is assembled well - everything is tightened enough, but not too much, all of the tubing is the correct size, etc. - then you are fine. Watch some tutorials/read some build logs of people designing and building their water-cooled computers. There are a lot of overclock.net. Water-cooling is still the best option in terms of performance, but the price makes is less of an "equal" option. I can't wait to either do a custom loop or get a Swiftech H220 and put my 680 in the loop. Do it if you can, but consult the internet before your purchases. Cheers,

 

Brennan Riddell

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My razer naga epic and nostromo work perfect since i can program any key on it the uses are almost endless. I love razer.

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As far as a heatsink i think your money wound be better spent by a closed loop watercooling system.

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What are the more well known or quality brands of watercooling systems?

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XSPC,EK,Alphacool and Swiftech are some companies i know off the top of my head that make a bunch of the components, but a lot of companies make one thing or the other but are still very good, so id dig around for reviews and what you see getting recommended.