First Build Review

[cgg318]

This will be my first build. I was somewhat PC illiterate when I thought of building my first PC, but thanks to this site and countless hours of research, I think I've come up with a solid build (on a budget). This PC will be for normal everyday use. I'm not a gamer (unless you count internet poker as gaming)but speed is important to me. My current PC is almost 6 years old, it constantly locks up on me and is always hitting up the HD. As you can see, I would like to have the ability to watch TV while computing/surfing/playing poker, and occasionally record to DVD. I believe this MOBO can handle it, but i would like your opinions. The alternative is to go with a MOBO/Video card ($40-$50) combo, but I would have to reduce my processor to a 3200+ due to the budget I have set. Thank you for your time.

Chris

Case:__ Antec Sonata II newegg $91.99
Mobo: __Asus A8N-VM (GeForce 6150 + nForce430) newegg $80.99
CPU: _ AMD Athlon 64 3700+ newegg $212.00
HDD: _WD Caviar SE16 3.0Gb/s newegg $93.00
RAM: _Corsair Value Select 2x512 newegg $69.00
Pri Optical: _LITE-ON DVD+RW newegg $35.99
Keyboard: _Microsoft ZG6-00006 $14.50
Mouse: _Microsoft wireless gift $0.00
Modem: _encore modem newegg $8.99
Monitor: _Tyris T901DB newegg $239.99
Extras: _TV Tuner__Leadtek TV2000XP $27.99


Sub Total $ ________________874.44
rebates:___________________-$60.00 monitor
Freight $ __________________$52.55
Total $___________________$866.99

[Kareeser]

Is the ASUS Mobo/Graphics card a bundle? If it's not, you may want to invest in a graphics card with a built-in TV Tuner.

But that's not that important, and there mightn't be any performance boost

Remember to buy the 184-pin DDR ram, which you've selected.
Everything seems compatible to me (but wait for the experts to give your plan a once-over first)

Except, the Antec Sonata II can fit an ATX motherboard, and you've selected a MicroATX, which, while it'll fit, doesn't have too many expansion capabilities (In my opinion). Just so you know.

[freakitchen]

The ASUS A8N-VM is probably the best socket 939 board with on-board video. If you're not a gamer, there's no reason not to go for it; especially since it has a PCI-E slot for future expansion.

It's a decent parts selection overall, the only thing I'd question would be the quality of the TV card. Leadtek make decent products, but that seems rather low priced! Hauppauge is easily the most popular brand.

FK

[Staren]

Kareeser,

The A8N-VM has on-board video. That's what he is showing, not a bundle.

cgg318,

Looks like a pretty good plan to me. Don't get an All In Wonder or other video card / tuner combo card. What you have now will give you the better set-up. Encoding video does take some work, and it's better to seperate the load a bit when possible. And I wouldn't worry about upgrade options down the line. There is a very nice TV tuner that uses PCI-E x1 if you ever want to use duel tuners, and most people never add more then 2 PCI cards into a basic system like this. You should be good to go.

[cgg318]

Thank you for your replies. There is another option I am considering, and I would like your input.
It would be swapping the Sonata II for a lower priced Antec Solution SLK1650B (350w PSU) and going with the MOBO/Video card combo. The likely video card would be along the lines of a GeForce6200/RadeonX300. Does this sound feasible, or should I stick with the larger PSU?

Thanks again,
Chris

[freakitchen]

I'd actually stick with the SonataII case, it comes with a 450w PSU which is more suitable for an Athlon64 PCI express build, and it leaves room for expansion later. If you're not a gamer, then you wouldn't really gain anything from adding the low end video card.

FK

[Staren]

I would stick with what you have listed. The on-board video on the A8N-VM is pretty much equal to a 6200 anyway. If you do find that you want to game a bit more on this system in the next few years, all you'd have to do is drop a new video card into the PCI-E x16 slot that's already free on your motherboard, and you'd be good to go.

Unless you want to try and shave a few bucks off, I think you're at a pretty good price vs. performace spot here.