[First time computer build] -
First time computer build
Discuss First time computer build
Posted by: sikyon
Hey I was just looking into building a new computer and needed some advice. This is my first time building a computer, so I have some questions... anyhow, this is what I've come up with so far.
Computer Case (450 watts, 12 V, 120mm fan)
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129155[/url]
ABIT AX8 ATX AMD Motherboard
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813127187[/url]
Hard Drive (Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM)
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144394[/url]
Memory (CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel)
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145450[/url]
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103539[/url]
Video Card (GIGABYTE GV-RX80L256V Radeon X800XL 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16)
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814125174[/url]
DVD drive
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152039[/url]
Floppy drive(comes in handy occasionally)
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821103202[/url]
The basic purpose of the system will be for gaming and watching DVD's.
So basically I had a few questions:
1. Is the stuff compatible? I did some reaserch and I don't think I've missed anything, but I'm not sure.
2. I've read a bunch of reviews for the AMD 3700+ socket 764 but couldn't really find any for the 939. So how does it compare... oh, and what would be a comparable Pentium 4 processor?
3. I'm not too sure about the Video card. I'm looking for something with an upper limit of ~300 dollars, but it could go higher if it is worth it.
I also havn't decided on a monitor (19" LCD but no specific model picked out yet), keyboard or mouse (a low-end version will work) or speakers (I'm not that into music, I just need a set that will play DVD's reasonably well). If any of you have recomendations that would be great!
Posted by: Flanker
1. Looks good from what I can tell.
2. Socket 939 is the way to go, 764 is becoming outdated now. The "3700+" means that it is comparable to a Pentium 4 3700MHz (3.6 GHz) or better processor.
3. An alternative could be the 6800GT, though I'm not sure if that is under $300 or not.
One second while I scout out the rest of the hardware.
Posted by: Flanker
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150091]XFX GeForce 6800 GT[/URL] - $346 - $50 main-in rebate.
[URL=http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3321518]Balance 19" LCD Monitor[/URL] - $298.
or
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824168005]This one if you want silver.[/URL] - $250.
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126114]Logitech Elite[/URL] - $25.
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104164]Logitech Mouse, very basic.[/URL]
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836151032]Speakers (High Quality [5.1])[/URL] - $60.
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836151042]Speakers (Low Quality [2.0])[/URL] - $15. Personally, I don't like subwoofers, so I just showed this one.
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106457]Headphones, just in case.[/URL] - $12.
Posted by: damasta55r
Get the newer nec-3540. Don't forget windows if needed. Looks good.
Posted by: sikyon
Hmmm... looks like the two video cards apre pretty comparable in specifications. The only real thing I noticed that the Geforce had that the ATI didn't was the SLI(which I'll assume works with the motherboard since I don't acutally need 2 separate PCIe 16x... right?). Otherwise the ATI has a faster core clock... of course, I know very little about how these cards actually perform in relation to one another. Could you enlighten me please?
Posted by: sikyon
Oh, right, I forgot my last question. I'm kinda worried about heat, as I hear(read, actually) that both the AMD and the 6800GT(If I get it) run really hot. While I don't plan on overclocking right now, I was just wondering if the cooling systems would probably be enough.
Posted by: Flanker
True, the specs for the two cards are very similar, but the 6800GT has some features that enable it to outperform the X800XL in some situations. Basically, if you can afford the extra money to buy the 6800GT, you should.
As for the processor; You bought a 3700+ with a "San Diego" Core. That core gives off less heat than any other processor, with the possible exeption of one with a "Venice" Core. Even some Pentiums run hotter than the San Diego.
However, you DO have to have adequate cooling. Without any cooling (except the stock heatsink and fan) my 3200+ Venice runs at 55*C Idle, and my system temperature is 38*C. After I added a 120mm rear fan, the processor temperature went down to 52*C and the system temp went down to 30*C. Not much of a difference in the processor temp is it? So you will need atleast 2 good fans in your case. More if you want to overclock.
You can buy a Heatsink for your video card if the need arises.
Posted by: sikyon
Cool (hahaha) I'll look into another fan and some heatsinks. Do you have any recomendations for fans (ie. quiet), or any tuturials on how to add a second fan? Oh, and do you think the 450 Watt power supply that comes with the case will be enough, or will I need something more like a 500 Watt?
Posted by: Flanker
Sorry, I can't really recommend any, but if you look on Newegg.com they have the noise level and the amount of air it moves listed below their fans. If you have space for an additional fan already in your PC case, then it should be very simple to add another fan, however, if you don't have any more space, then you might have to take off the front cover and add some more fans there, or carve into the case and add a side fan, but thats a really big hassle.
As for the Power Supply, that 450 Watt PSU should be fine.
Posted by: sikyon
Hmm... a second fan looks like it might be abit of trouble. I might try for a different case, but alot of the ones with multiple fans don't have a power supply, and I want to try and cut the hassles down to a minimum. What would you say would be the minimum number/type of fans needed? Say, 2x80, 1x120 and 1x80, 4x80, 2x120 or what?
Posted by: Flanker
Well your case already comes with a 120mm fan, I'd add another 120mm if possible, or 80mm if short on space.
Posted by: vaderpro
I have that same case. Its great but too small, so dont buy it. You wont fit an aftermarket cpu cooler in there. (you'll want a Zalman 7700). And it wouldnt surprise me if a 6800gt is a little tight too. (they are huge)
I would spend the money on a 6800gt if you can.
Get this case, I think it looks great and is really nice:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129154[/url]
For a combo case I found this:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129158[/url]
For your LCD this is a must if you can afford it:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116277[/url]
If too much $ get one of these:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824179014[/url]
[url]http://www.us.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14961&vpn=LS19MJQKSB/XAA&manufacture=Samsung[/url]
Posted by: sikyon
Thanks for the links, I'll get a 6800GT and one of the other cases. Uhh, another question, what about the hard drive? I thought it was a good deal for 320 Gigs, but should I get something faster or just stick with it?
Oh right, and can someone please explain the SATA system to me or point me in the general direction?
Posted by: vaderpro
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by sikyon [/i]
[B]Thanks for the links, I'll get a 6800GT and one of the other cases. Uhh, another question, what about the hard drive? I thought it was a good deal for 320 Gigs, but should I get something faster or just stick with it?
Oh right, and can someone please explain the SATA system to me or point me in the general direction? [/B][/QUOTE]
Well u could get a Wd raptor 10k hard drive for your OS and files, and a smaller, say 200gb for storage. 320gb seems a little big to me, but depends on what you want to store on there....i have 27gb on my 8month old computer with 160gb drive, i bet i never go over 80gb in a lifetime, just me though.
Also u may want to think about a diff mboard, ie DFI Lanparty Ultra, or MSi Neo4 or Gigabyte.....just thought id throw that in there. Search the forums...read, read...read...
Posted by: GuitarFreak1857
DFI is good for OCing. do you plan on adding another 6800GT for SLi? if so get the SLi verson if not save like 50 bucks and get the DFI Lanparty UT nF4 Ultra-D.
:D
Posted by: Ste
Do not use a PSU that comes with a the case you will regret it and so will your parts, if you tell me your price range on a PSU ill post a link for you.
Posted by: Rich M
Careful on the Walmart unknown branded LCD. Great that it is dvi, but you can find branded LCD's now at those prices and make sure you get dvi and analog which covers today and the future...Viewsonics are awesome and believe it or not Dell has a refurb dvi and analog in their outlet for $258 shipped I just got in that is incredible...Dell monitors rock!!!
Personally prfer ATi cards because fewer driver issues and you have made excellent choices and Newegg is the place to buy!!!
Posted by: vaderpro
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Ste [/i]
[B]Do not use a PSU that comes with a the case you will regret it and so will your parts, if you tell me your price range on a PSU ill post a link for you. [/B][/QUOTE]
There is nothing wrong with an antec psu unit with an antec case.
Posted by: sikyon
Sigh... I live in Canada and Newegg doesn't deliver international... but it does have the most detailed setup. Unfortunatly for my budget, it's also really cheap. about 10% cheaper than where I'll be getting my parts. Anyhow, if someone could just look over this final list to make sure everything is compatible I'd appreciate it. I've tried to duplicate most items from my first set-up, though. BTW I'll be buying these parts physically so I'll be able to inspect them before hand... any tips?
Abit AX8 K8T890 AMD Athlon64 S939 4DDR400 4SATA-Raid(0,1,0+1) G-LAN USB i1394 PCI-Ex16 2 PCI-Ex1 2PCI ATX
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=16384[/url]
AMD Athlon 64 3700+
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=16406[/url]
WD 320G SATA-150 7200rpm IDE 8M 3.5" x 1"
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=17149[/url]
Corsair TwinX1024-3200 PC3200 DDR400 2 x 512M for dual channel or overclocking
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=17280[/url]
XFX nVidia GeForce 6800GT 256MB DDR3 PCI-Express x16 w/ Dual-DVI/TV-Out
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=14249[/url]
Sonata-II : ANTEC SONATA-II TAC Middle-Tower Black SMARTPOWER 2.01 450W 3x5.25" 2x3.5" 4x3.5"
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=16570[/url]
1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive (Black)
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=06114[/url]
SONY 26A-BK 16x Dual DVD-/+RW, dual-layer 4x/DVD+R, 8x/+RW, 6x/-RW, IDE oem ( Black )
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=13476[/url]
2.0 Speaker System 2x2.5W Satellites
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=14164[/url]
Samsung 710N 17" 0.264mm LCD 600:1 300cd/m2 12ms 1280x1024 Black
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=07093[/url]
Posted by: vaderpro
Ya looks compatible, but have you read any of the earlier posts? I wouldnt pay $315 for that lcd, for one....
Posted by: sikyon
Well it is in Canadian. And I'll be looking around for an LCD when I'm there anyways.
Posted by: Flanker
Wow, nice setup, although I would also recommend looking at other LCDs while you're there. Also, I think you could get a better motherboard for that price. I also have an Abit but there are better motherboards avaliable for that price.
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131524]Like this one if you crave SLi.[/URL]
[URL=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152]Or not SLi.[/URL]
Posted by: sikyon
[url]http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=12829[/url]
How about this one (prices are in canadian BTW)
Posted by: Flanker
Thats perfect.
Posted by: sikyon
Excellent, I'm almost set for my trip to vancouver!
So 2 more questions:
Will this system be OK for overclocking? I'm not planning on doing overclocking when I get it, but I know that eventually I'll give it a try. I think it's OK as it's a San Diego Core and the memory is corsair with a decent latency, as long as I go and get some more heatsinks/fans etc. Have I missed something?
I was thinking of a faster hard drive, as everytime I pose this question I seem to get a response that indicates I should probably get a 10k RPM drive (ie my friend's IT department suggested this, but wasn't clear on the gains). Is this hard drive going to bottleneck my system, and what kind of performance increase can I expect to gain if I get a faster hard drive for the OS? Looking at the stats for the Western Digital Raptor, the response times seem to be about 40% faster. Is this the kind of gain I can expect if I get one of those hard drives? Or do the specs not tell the whole story (as they often don't)?