First ever build

[matt_dizzle]

I've been reading the forums and I'm a total rookie with this stuff. I would like to build a pc for gaming. I want to be able to run EQ 2 and Vanguard when it comes out with no problems. I have selected these items let me know what i'm missing, like I said first time building a pc so any info at all would be appreciated. Budget is under 2k, I have monitor keyboard etc. Also I plan to wait until July 24th for price cuts hopefully, I'm really leaning towards AMD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106019

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129152

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130016

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820134114

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103747

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

[blue60007]

I would steer away from XFX cards...the usual here is eVGA.

The memory would be the other issue. Right now, AM2 is very picky about RAM, so unless the RAM is on ASUS's QVL (Qualified Vendor List) then there is no guarantee that it will work, or if you read an article or know someone running that RAM with it and has no problems. Now, there maybe be new BIOS release between now and the end of the month that may alleviate some of that, but we'll just have to see how that plays out.

[matt_dizzle]

ok changed video card and if I did the research right I think that memory works with am2

[jayb1234]

You are missing a hard drive and OS from the list. The KVR800D2N5/1G is on the Asus QVL, so you should be fine there. Download the motherbaoard manual and read through it to see if you are going to need a floppy drive during the setup. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get one anyway. They can be handy for troubleshooting problems.

[matt_dizzle]

Yeah I will pick me up a floppy drive. Can anyone link me a decent hardrive? Also is this setup going to be able to run the latest games ok, am I over doing it? What OS should I use?

[Freakitchen]

I'd recommend this hard drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148111

250GB is a good balance between storage and price at the moment, and Seagate make top quality drives. The version I linked to is the 7200.9, but Newegg also has the 7200.10 which is slightly newer. The only reason I haven't recommended this is because it uses the new perpendicular recording techniques, which are too new to have any details on reliability.

Your setup looks good, but I'd recommend getting 2GB of RAM. Modern games can utlise that much, and it seems a better match for your powerful processor and video card.

Your operating system should be Windows XP Home OEM, unless you have need for the advanced networking features of Pro. Stear clear of the 64 bit versions, their driver/software support is poor.

FK

[jayb1234]

I would get a 16Mb cache version hard drive for a little better performance. Here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701) is a 250Gb Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS for 75 bucks after rebate.

[matt_dizzle]

OK how does this look

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103747

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145039

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130016

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129152

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106019

[Freakitchen]

Nice selection. You're right to go with the Western Digital hard drive that JayB linked to, I didn't realise the Seagate I suggested only has an 8MB Cache.

Double check that the Corsair RAM you chose is on ASUS's QVL for that Board. If so, you're good to go.

FK

[RuM]

If you're willing to shell out the extra cash for AM2 and DDR2, then I leave that up to you.

DDR2's best advantage over DDR is that you can overclock the snot out of it. DDR, however, offers lower a lower latency. If you're not planning to overclock and really push your hardware then I suggest dropping down to a Socket 939 setup with DDR and purchasing the 2x1GB kit of Corsair's 2CL High Performance DDR400 for over $100 less. Otherwise, the price for that DDR2 isn't really worth it especially due to it's 4 latency timings.

When Vista arrives, and it's time to upgrade, simply by 2GB more. DDR2 won't be needed for quite some time.

As for the rest of your setup, 'tis perfecto. The 7900GT is a powerhouse for being under $300. Overall you'll have a computer capable of hitting around the 7,000-8,000 marks in 3DMark05 which will roast on any game you throw at it.

The decision for price/performance on the AM2 socket processors is up to you. I'd save the extra $ for future upgrades.

[matt_dizzle]

The main reason I was going to buy AM2 was so I could upgrade later at lower costs. If I buy socket 939 will upgrading later be more expensive?

[glc]

Problem with AM2 right now is any ram slower than DDR2-800 causes slowdowns, and boards are very fussy about ram compatibility.

[matt_dizzle]

Maybe I should just buy socket 939? Anyone know the real advantage of AM2 over 939?

[glc]

The only real advantage right now is future upgradeability. AMD will be focusing on CPU development for AM2. The 939 with DDR performs just as well if not better unless you buy very expensive high speed DDR2-800 for the AM2. Down the road, DDR2 prices will be less than DDR because DDR will be discontinued - look at the price for SDRAM today in comparison to DDR/DDR2.

[matt_dizzle]

Thank you guys so much for all the advice and input!! I will be building this sucker after July 24th. That is when the prices are going to drop a little right?

[Mr.Ferrari]

For amd im not sure. But intel's is haveing a major price drop around there though.

[blue60007]

Yeah, that's the word on the street. The day after Intel plans on releasing Core 2...

[matt_dizzle]

Will this case be ok with the setup I posted above? Was also wondering if anyone has used it?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2169030&sku=T925-2214

[glc]

Thermaltake cases are generally well made. Without clicking on all your links, what power supply are you getting?

[matt_dizzle]

This power supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

[glc]

No problem - good choice.

[matt_dizzle]

Thanks for all the help, I'm so glad I found this place. One more question, anything I need to buy tool wise before I build? Also maybe some tips on a problem free assembly.

[Staren]

All you really need is a good philips head screw driver. You can do it just fine with that. I have a small tool kit myself since I've gotten into a lot of computer work since my first build. The tools that I find myself using a lot is the magnatised screw driver (you lose a lot of screws under the motherboard if you get careless), neddle-nose pliers (for molex connectors that don't want to come out and front bezel plates that you can't get a grip on), and small tin snips (only if you get one of those cases with metal plates behind the front bezel, or an I/O plate that needs a little clean up). Anything else is just a nice-to-have.

[jayb1234]

And an antistatic wriststrap 3 or 4 bucks at newegg.

[Staren]

And an antistatic wriststrap 3 or 4 bucks at newegg.

D'Oh! I knew I missed something. I never work without an anti-static band either. Just slipped my mind to add it to the list. Ya you don't want to miss that. Don't want to waste money because you forgot to ground yourself. Good catch jayb1234.

[matt_dizzle]

Ordering the antistatic strap and case now, thanks. Using a magnetic screwdriver won't hurt any component will it?

[Staren]

You want to be a little careful. Don't set it down on top of your hard drive or floppy drive just to be safe, but it's really a pretty weak magnet. Just enough to keep you from loseing track of a screw. I've built three systems with one.