First ever build and some random questions

[Llamarama]

Hey everyone, thank you for taking the time to look at this thread and help me out. This will be my first build ever and I'm eager to get started. I've been looking around these forums a lot and I think for the most part I've picked out what I like and what is recommended. I will be ordering my parts from newegg (great experiences thus far with them) and basically I just want to check to make sure I haven't made any huge oversights and I have a few questions. I'm looking to have a budget of around $800-$850 but it's a little flexible if the difference in performance would be worth it.

Using your handy-dandy txt file...

ITEM BRAND/MODEL
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133132)
PSU: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931)
Mobo: ASUS A8N-SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131524)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103533)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 160GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148021)
RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440)
Pri Optical: LITE-ON Black ATAPI / E-IDE DVD Burner Model SHM-160P6S - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106008)
Sec Optical: SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821103116)
Sound Card: None
Video Card: eVGA Geforce 6600GT 128-P2-N368-TX Video Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130214)
FDD: What is this exactly?
OS: Windows XP Home

Bascially I'm looking to get quality components and then when I need to upgrade stuff like the GPU and CPU. SLI is there so I can eventually shotgun 6600GTs while I save to get the next big card. I just don't have enough extra money to fool around with to splurge on 7800s when they'll prally drop in price shortly and the performance isn't a crisis. All I really want to use this computer for is playing World of Warcraft (preferably max settings, terrain 50% at the minimum, and 1028x720 or better at a great framerate). Maybe I'll plunge into Half-life 2 and F.E.A.R. but I'm not really looking for a godly system at the moment.

I have a couple other random questions if you have the time to answer them for me.

1) Is it worth it to get a sound card? I heard it will increase performance somewhat as it takes the load off of the motherboard but is it significant enough to be worth $40+?
2) What is a FDD? Am I just a bonehead or something?
3) I have absolutely no clue what the differences are between the different Hard Drives are and the DVD burner as well. Any help to determine what would be best for my system would be greatly appriciated.
4) Will the Tsunami keep the system cool enough? I assume it comes with fans for the 3 fan slots (2 120mm and 1 80mm) but I don't know if it would be better to upgrade somehow.
5) This is a n00b question and I may get flamed for it, but I figure its better to ask. What exactly is different with AMD CPUs that make them much better? I'm not trying to start a war, its an honest question because I don't get why a 2.2ghz CPU is equivalent to a say 3.8ghz Intel (I'm not sure what it is but you get what I mean). Is it just more efficient? I know that I have a crappy Celeron processor in my current computer (HP *mutters*) and that evidently is only a 1.8 ghz when doing one thing at a time. I don't see how the upgrade is from 1.8 to 2.2 when obviously there IS something there.
6) Am I forgetting anything I should buy or is that it? Extra accessories/cords/anything?

Any advice you guys give would be absolutely wonderful. Your stuff really is super helpful! Oh, one other last thing. Do you guys know of a DECENT step-by-step process for putting together a computer (with pictures preferably)? I've looked around but can't seem to find one I feel confident enough to trust. Thanks!

EDIT: Wow, I can't believe I missed your sites installation stuff. Never mind on that question. Anything else random I should keep in mind when building this? Thanks!

Mike

[flawedreality5]

-I have onboard sound on my motherboard with no problems what so ever. Very satisfied.
-FDD I believe is floppy disc drive?
-For Hard drives, look at the Average Seek times, they are measured in Milliseconds and lower is better. I've been happy with my Seagate Barracuda.
-It looks like the case should hold up well with the intake and exhaust fans. Especially with a 120mm but I don't own one so I couldn't tell you for sure. I have 5 fans in my case (1 120mm, 4 80mm). My case thermometer at the CPU reads at about 110 degrees F under load. I'm overclocked 300mhz also.
-I'd like to know the answer to #5 as well, but I believe AMD is more efficient?
-keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, antivirus/firewall software? I would assume you have these but double checking.

I think your case setup looks good. Best of luck with it.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Llamarama I have a couple other random questions if you have the time to answer them for me. 1) Is it worth it to get a sound card? I heard it will increase performance somewhat as it takes the load off of the motherboard but is it significant enough to be worth $40+?

Honestly, I don't believe so. Try the on-board sound before you buy a separate sound card.

Originally Posted by Llamarama 2) What is a FDD? Am I just a bonehead or something?

Floppy disk drive.

Originally Posted by Llamarama 3) I have absolutely no clue what the differences are between the different Hard Drives are and the DVD burner as well. Any help to determine what would be best for my system would be greatly appriciated.

Don't get the hard drive you've got listed, get a SATA hard drive instead. The SATA hard drives are newer and use a smaller data cable to help reduce clutter and improve air flow through your case.

It's okay to get IDE optical drives.

Originally Posted by Llamarama 4) Will the Tsunami keep the system cool enough? I assume it comes with fans for the 3 fan slots (2 120mm and 1 80mm) but I don't know if it would be better to upgrade somehow.

The Athlon 64s don't run that hot so you really don't have to worry about heat. It does come with two 120mm fans and one 92mm fan. No need to "upgrade" the cooling at all.

Originally Posted by Llamarama 5) This is a n00b question and I may get flamed for it, but I figure its better to ask. What exactly is different with AMD CPUs that make them much better? I'm not trying to start a war, its an honest question because I don't get why a 2.2ghz CPU is equivalent to a say 3.8ghz Intel (I'm not sure what it is but you get what I mean). Is it just more efficient? I know that I have a crappy Celeron processor in my current computer (HP *mutters*) and that evidently is only a 1.8 ghz when doing one thing at a time. I don't see how the upgrade is from 1.8 to 2.2 when obviously there IS something there.

In a nutshell...AMD processors are designed so that they do more work per clock cycle than Intel processors. This makes them more efficient and able to do as much work at 2.2GHz as a Intel processor working at 3.8GHz. But honestly, at these speeds you won't notice if the computer is a fraction of a second slower than the other. People put too much emphasis on CPU clock speed and not enough on whole system integrity and balance.

And you will see a big performance increase moving up from your Celeron 1.8GHz to a 2.2GHz Athlon 64 because the Athlon 64 has more on-chip L2 cache. The amount of L2 cache on a CPU has a direct affect on it performance capabilities. More cache, better raw performance. If you have a plain old Athlon XP 1.8GHz T-Bred it would kick the pants off a 1.8GHz Celeron because it has twice the L2 cache. If you had a Athlon XP 1.8GHz Barton it would really kick the pants off the Celeron because it has 4 times the L2 cache the Celeron has. CPU clock speed isn't the only thing to consider when building a computer.

Originally Posted by Llamarama 6) Am I forgetting anything I should buy or is that it? Extra accessories/cords/anything?

I've been installing internal card readers in the computers I build for others because most people have digital cameras now.

Originally Posted by Llamarama Any advice you guys give would be absolutely wonderful. Your stuff really is super helpful!

Tips: Take your time. Read the motherboard manual front to back...twice. Work in a well lit area. Don't work on your computer if you're tired. Don't work on your computer if you're excited. Take your time. Practice good static precautions. Don't rush. Keep kids and pets away from the work area.

Originally Posted by Llamarama Do you guys know of a DECENT step-by-step process for putting together a computer (with pictures preferably)? I've looked around but can't seem to find one I feel confident enough to trust. Thanks!

This is a good one.

Cricket

[jayb1234]

Also if you get the floppy with the card reader, just hook up the power and the ribbon cable for the floppy up at first. Don't hook up the usb cable for the card reader untill after you have windows installed. That will keep the card reader from hijacking the C drive designation, which is the default installation location for most programs, and some don't give you an option to install to another drive.

Check the ASUS website for the QVL ram list or use the Corsair configurator to make sure you are getting a compatible part number.

I agree about the SATA hard drive. I would get one with a 16Mb cache if you can fit it in your budget. Seagate or Western Digital.

[blue60007]

Personally, I wouldn't get an SLI board, and only get a 6600GT (and on this budget). SLI really only benifits if you put higher end cards in (at least a 7800GT at the moment). Right now, you could probably drop to the regular A8N-E board, and get a single 6800GT, but that will run you at least $60 more. What you could do is, switch your power supply to a XClio 450W (it's about $40 cheaper than the Antec, but still same quality as its made by the same company). A single 6800GT will outperform dual 6600GT's.

I usually don't recommend SLI unless the budget is at least $1200 or more. Just because of the fact that you might have to sacrafice other parts to be able to afford the SLI board and power supply.

[Llamarama]

Thank you for the replies everyone! Very helpful. I've changed the Hard Drive, Power Supply, and Motherboard. Ideas?

Updated list:

ITEM BRAND/MODEL
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133132)
PSU: XCLIO XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003)
Mobo: ASUS A8N-E ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131530)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103533)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148065)
RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440)
Pri Optical: LITE-ON Black ATAPI / E-IDE DVD Burner Model SHM-160P6S - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106008)
Sound Card: None
Video Card: eVGA Geforce 6600GT 128-P2-N368-TX Video Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130214)
FDD: SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821103116)
OS: Windows XP Home

I'm just going to wait on upgrading the GPU for awhile. The 6600GT will be enough for my current needs (I think) and I'll just upgrade when I have enough free cash just floating around to make it worth my while. The huge price increase from 6600GT to 6800GT just isn't worth it for me. If I would bump up right now it would be to a 7800GT and I really can't justify that right now.

[kosova]

your new links dont work for me, that XClio, well i bought it for my rig--your going to live it. Quiet and powerful. Your rig looks rock-solid, have a laptop or another computer near-by when assembling so you can post questions. Also a digital camera would be a great idea, that way you can take pictures of your system and we can see them to help you. Also I don't know if this is a rule but assemble your computer in this order:
Case (well open it)
Motherboard
CPU (heatsink + fan)
RAM (nearest DIMM to CPU)
PSU
GPU
HDD (FDD)
Opticals (CD/DVD)

but dont connect them all..at first put uer motherboard, psu, cpu (heatsink+fan) and ram..boot it..it should BEEP (once). Once you know that's good follow the list above. ALSO good luck, if all goes well you will enjoy this experience...I know i did.

kosova
(and thats my €0.02)

[Llamarama]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I noticed some of the links were dead, evidently Newegg keeps flipping them around now.

I was also looking at getting a monitor as well. How does this one look?
Acer AL1914 AB Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 500:1 0.294mm Pixel Pitch - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009067

Thanks!

[blue60007]

The links don't work because you copied the forum shortened ones from the post above (the "/Produc...123").

Looks like a good monitor.

[jayb1234]

if you get the oem version of XP it is about $100 less than the retail version. Get the one with SP2 on it so that yo don't have to mess around with downloading and installing SP2.