New Build, Everquest gaming, <$2k

[rudder]

I am going to attempt to build my first computer. I have read many of the posts in these forums and have tried to come up with a computer to match my needs. Basically, I need a desktop computer that is capable to run at least two instances of EQ1 at the same time, and be able to handle most of the new games coming out in the near future. My budget is $1500-$2000 to include a monitor. Obviously though, the cheaper, the easier to convince my wife that I need it :) Below is what I came up with for the components as well as some questions. Thank you for your help on this in advance!

1) Any comments on the components (should use something else, overkill, need more, compatability)

2) Will someone who can read and follow instructions be able to put this together themself (not sure if my friend is able to take this on--company policy issue)

3) Any words of caution, best practices, etc I should know before stepping out on this?

4) Do I need anything else not listed to complete this build (cables, static guard, specialized tools, etc)

Thank you all for your continued support. Maybe I can get this going soon and actually be able to help out once in awhile

Here is a link to my Newegg wish list, hope this works.

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=5109972&WishListTitle=June+Build

here is a summary of what is on the list in case it didn't work:

CASE:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: Nine Hundred
Item #: N82E16811129021
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129021
($140)

MOTHERBOARD:
ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP
Item #: N82E16813131028
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131028
($190)

GRAPHICS CARD:
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: 320-P2-N811-AR
Item #: N82E16814130082
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130082
($295)

POWER SUPPLY:
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CMPSU-520HX
Item #: N82E16817139001
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139001
($140)

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003
($226)

MEMORY (2X):
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail
Model #: VS2GBKIT667D2
Item #: N82E16820145098
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145098
($150)

HARD DRIVE(2X):
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3320620A 320GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620A
Item #: N82E16822148139
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148139
($160)

OPTICAL DRIVE:
LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write and Replaceable White Front Panel Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-06 - Retail
Model #: SH-16A7S-06
Item #: N82E16827106046
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106046
($35)

MONITOR:
Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: HW-191DPB
Item #: N82E16824254005
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824254005
($200)

OPERATING SYSTEM:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: E85-04741
Item #: N82E16832116059
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116059
($140)

SubTotal: $1600

[Staren]

Drop the IDE hard drive and get the Seagate 320GB SATA 7200.10 drive for $79.99. You don't want to use IDE anything on a P965 motherboard because the controller chip for IDE is a 3rd party design and can be pretty hard to deal with. The one down side of those boards.

I'd switch down to either the P5B Deluxe or P5B-E. I'd personally get a PCI wireless adapter that matches your router brand if you need one and just forget it if you don't. Then put the money saved there into getting an 8800GTS 640mb video card.

You don't need any special tools. I keep some tin snips around just because I find it hard to snap the steel guards behind some drive bays, but really you can do an entire build with a philips head screwdriver. An anti-static wrist band would be a good investment for $5.00 however.

[andper10]

That looks like a very nice computer. I'm not familiar with Everquest, but I am sure that someone will be able to tell you how well your PC will preform in it. I don't know what you plan to store, but I would think that 1 of those 320GB Hard Drives would be enough. EDIT: Staren is right, you should get the SATA 3.0 version of the hard drive(s).

[Mr.Ferrari]

Just fyi, the psu is a bit cheaper at www.zipzoomfly.com and has free shipping.

[tomster2300]

Dumb question, but isn't Everquest fairly old? If so then that computer is going to run it fantastically. Heck, that thing would run anything fantastically.

I might step up to something like a 22" widescreen lcd for the higher resolutions though. The new 8xxx series of cards perform great at higher res's. I also second Staren's video card upgrade.

[rudder]

Everquest is older, but the trick now is I want to play two sessions on teh same computer at the same time without noticeable loss in performance. Also, I need to put myself in a good position for the next game I may try in the near future, so need to stay within sight of the technology wave.

Will look at the SATA harddrive, TY for catching that.

The reason I went with two hardrives was based off of a suggestion that you store your operating system and program files on one drive, and your personal files, photos, music, ect on another drive. Was this logic faulty, and should I go with just a single drive?

BTW, what are your thoughts on the case. Someone mentioned that it is a huge dust collector and that I should look somewhere else, possibly consider liquid colled. What case would you recomend for me?

Thank you again for your replies and guidance!

[rudder]

Hardrive update. Looking into motherboard/wireless adapter/graphics card suggestion.

HARD DRIVE: (2x):
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140
($160)

[tomster2300]

I have two hard drives; one is for storage and all my games / programs, while the other is strictly for Vista and XP dual boot. I like it because I'm often tampering with my OS's, reinstalling them, etc, so keeping everything on a separate drive works out. Also with a dual boot setup everything is accessible from the storage drive - I install it once on the storage drive and can use it in either OS.

Most people use a faster drive, specifically that raptor you picked out, as their primary one for their OS; then they use a larger, regular speed one for storage. It just allows for quicker read time and spiffier performance.

The other reason people use multiple drives is for a RAID configuration, which allows for certain things. Here is a wiki link to explain it in more detail:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID#Hardware_RAID

[Staren]

The Antec 900 is supposed to be a pain in the dust department. I considered it for my new gaming build and and tossed it off the list mainly for that reason, that and you only have 3 outside accessible drive bays. I like the P180 right now. I'd look at it. Personally I don't think water cooling is worth the trouble with a Core 2. They run quite cool and a good case like the 900 or P180 would handle cooling needs just fine.

As far as wireless adapter goes, what model router are you using? That would make a big difference in what I'd suggest.

[rudder]

what are your thoughts on using this case instead? Anything I should be worried about? Is it compatable with the rest of the list?

Thank you!

CASE:
XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: WTBK
Item #: N82E16811103011
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811103011
($130)

[kmillerusaf]

In the two years I have had an avid interest in building computers and general computer hardware, I have never seen a case with that cooling design before.. 2 250mm fans on the side panel. I don't know what to say about it really. Doesn't look like it got any bad reviews from the neweggers but I don't recognize the brand either. So reliability, customer support may be out the window. Maybe someone else knows

[minsonngo]

That case is pretty nice... XCLIO make pretty good PSUs also. :D


I would imagine it may get pretty loud with those fans though.

[Staren]

I know the brand, Xclio makes pretty good power supplies. I have one running an HTPC actually. I would check the reviews and see how loud the case fans are, but if they look good I wouldn't tell you not to get it.

[rudder]

OK, trying to capture everyone's input including friends who have weighed in on the subject locally. Please let me know your feelings on this "new", "new" build.


CASE:
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: ATX-612WB
Item #: N82E16811156063
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811156063
($80)

MOTHERBOARD:
ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5B
Item #: N82E16813131030
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131030
($120)

GRAPHICS CARD:
XFX PVT80GGHF9 GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: PVT80GGHF9
Item #: N82E16814150171
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814150171
($300)

POWER SUPPLY:
COOLMAX CTG-850 ATX12V 850W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CTG-850
Item #: N82E16817159019
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817159019
($300)


CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003
($226)

MEMORY (2X):
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2N5K2/2G - Retail
Model #: KVR667D2N5K2/2G
Item #: N82E16820134046
($140)

HARD DRIVE (for storage):
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3320620A 320GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620A
Item #: N82E16822148139
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148139
($80)

HARD DRIVE (for EQ *2):
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST380815AS
Item #: N82E16822148231
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148231
($90)


OPTICAL DRIVE:
LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write and Replaceable White Front Panel Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-06 - Retail
Model #: SH-16A7S-06
Item #: N82E16827106046
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106046
($35)

MONITOR:
Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: HW-191DPB
Item #: N82E16824254005
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824254005
($200)

OPERATING SYSTEM:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: E85-04741
Item #: N82E16832116059
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116059
($140)

[minsonngo]

Everything looks good except for the PSU... it is overkill for your system setup...

A quality 500 watt PSU is more than enough for your current setup.

Here are your video card requirements:

Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 26 Amps.)

Here is a PSU I would get: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001


***Kingston memory hasn't been as good as it used to be in the past either... take a look at the Corsair ValueSelect line instead. Here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098

Oh... and 4GB of memory would not be utilized in any 32-bit version of Windows... it will only utilize about 3 GB... if you want to utilize all 4GB of memory you are getting... go with the 64-bit version of Windows.


With the money you save by getting a different power supply and memory... you can invest it in a better monitor compared to the one you have picked out. Look at Samsung or Acer displays... they are quite nice.

Here are some that are good:

22 inch: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009102

22 inch: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009094

19 inch: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009091

[rudder]

The thought on the PSU was that my friend's say I will want to upgrade in a couple years to a Graphics card setup (think they were hinting at two cards), and would need the additional power. If I went with the 500 W, would teh one I had listed originally work?
POWER SUPPLY:
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CMPSU-520HX
Item #: N82E16817139001
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817139001
($140)

I was also told to stay away from teh ValueSelect RAM (I had it on my list originally). I was told not to skimp in the RAM selection. If Kingston has fallen, what would be an upgarde to the Corsair Valueselect?

Will look at the monitors. Do you recomend any particular models? i want at least a 19" screen, but can't go overboard on the price.

Thank you!

[minsonngo]

Yes that Cosair PSU is the one I suggested also... that will work great and should allow a good amount of head room for upgrades.

In a couple of years... you may want to build a entirely new system rather than upgrade hehe. No need for the 850W PSU. Besides... you only need something like a 850 watt PSU if you plan to use SLI... which isn't even worth it if you compare the cost to performance ratio.



I would rather use the Corsair ValueSelect line than the Kingston. It works great if you don't plan to overclock and I would highly recommend it.


As of monitor recommendations... look at my previous edited post. :D