Computer Building Newbie, is this build okay?

[Spirit]

Since all the "gaming PCs" out there are waay too much money, I've decided it's time that I should build a computer. I've picked out all the parts on Newegg, and the computer is under $1000 bucks (after rebates)! Now, since I do plan on using a Pentium D 805 and OC'ing the FSB (I think thats the name) to 166 mhz, I'll have to make sure the computer stays cool, which I don't know much about. So, I'm just seeing if this is a good build, or what could be added onto it/changed to make it better.

Case:
Raidmax Ninja (and the PSU? well, thats just gonna get disposed of): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156178

Optical Drive:
SAMSUNG combo drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151118

Hard Drive:
Samsung 250GB sata drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152025

Graphics Card:
EVGA GeForce 7900 GT KO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130015

Power supply:
OCZ 600 W SLI Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817711001 (Oh, question. Could this 520W model also work? It could save me some money if I picked it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817711002)

CPU:
Pentium D 805 (Will OC to 166 mhz): http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16819116001

A nice heatsink/fan for that CPU:
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118003

Motherboard:
ASUS P5N32-SLI Deluxe (socket T):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131564

Ram:
2 GB of DDR2 ram: http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16820141224

Uh... and I think another 120MM fan. If I'm missing something, or you have a suggestion, I'd be glad to hear it.

[ammo]

you also need RAM. Not going to get far without it

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by ammo you also need RAM. Not going to get far without it

Yeah, I know, I know. Forgot to write that down!
2 GB of DDR2 ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141224

[ammo]

If this is for gaming (probably is) get the DDR2 667 Ram. Your mobo supports it but go to the ASUS website and see what memory is compatible as in terms of brand


EDIT: nevermind, the DDR2677 won't have any permormance increase with a 533MHz FSB processor. Might want to go with a more reputable brand such as Kingston, Corsair, or Crucial

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by ammo If this is for gaming (probably is) get the DDR2 667 Ram. Your mobo supports it but go to the ASUS website and see what memory is compatible as in terms of brand EDIT: nevermind, the DDR2677 won't have any permormance increase with a 533MHz FSB processor. Might want to go with a more reputable brand such as Kingston, Corsair, or Crucial

Alright - so you think this thing can still game even with the 533 ram? Like you said, thats the main purpose of the computer, for gaming (not absolute full-power gaming, but I'd like to run HL2 at not low-med settings). Sorry for so much questions, I'm so new to this.

And yeah, I should spend ten extra bucks and get some ram from a better known brand.

[Alaron]

Switch the Samsung optical to a LiteOn. Samsung drives aren't the best quality.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by Alaron Switch the Samsung optical to a LiteOn. Samsung drives aren't the best quality.

Alright, say I get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106019. With that, would this build be a nice working build ready for gaming? And also, could I do the 520W SLI PSU or should I stick with the 600W (I may want to add another 7900 GT sometime...)? Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

[ammo]

well, the cpu you want has a FSB of 533 and dual core at the moment isn't implemented in video games. Since the computer is for gaming I'd suggest an AMD 64 single-core processor like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103531

but if you want dual-core for future gaming then I'd get this for intel (800MHz FSB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116213

or this for AMD (AMD makes great gaming processors)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103735

AMD is more expensive but it's a better gaming processor. Intel is coming out with a new cpu in a month or less so you might want to wait for that

[ammo]

I'd stick with the 600W since you want a gaming rig and OCZ makes a good psu. glc pointed out to me before that SLI support is not the same as SLI certified so if you want to use SLI in the future get a psu that is SLI certified

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by ammo well, the cpu you want has a FSB of 533 and dual core at the moment isn't implemented in video games. Since the computer is for gaming I'd suggest an AMD 64 single-core processor like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103531 but if you want dual-core for future gaming then I'd get this for intel (800MHz FSB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116213 or this for AMD (AMD makes great gaming processors) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103735 AMD is more expensive but it's a better gaming processor. Intel is coming out with a new cpu in a month or less so you might want to wait for that

Hm, the only reason I chose the Pentium 805 D processor is the fact that its pretty powerful OC'd, I'm OCing it to 3.3ghz, so I would think it should be pretty powerful. But, I really don't know much, but maybe I will think about the AMD single core. Only thing is, like you said that Dual Core is the future, and I'd like to have that. Oh, and is there any price estimates for this new Intel processor? I'd like to know more about it, sounds interesting.

[ammo]

AMD has been the best overclocking cpu and don't let the lower MHz fool you. That AMD 3800+ runs like an Intel 3.2 MhZ processor and the new Intel cpu is suppose to be the cpu that puts them back on top. Games won't fully support dual-core for awhile.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by ammo AMD has been the best overclocking cpu and don't let the lower MHz fool you. That AMD 3800+ runs like an Intel 3.2 MhZ processor and the new Intel cpu is suppose to be the cpu that puts them back on top

My only problem is, I just really would like a dual core, cause I'd like this comp to last me a couple, maybe a few years. But if I do get a single core... do I want 939 or AM2 socket? Oh, and do you know how much the 3800+ can be OC'd pretty safely, I plan on getting a nicer CPU fan, so I'm not afraid to maybe give the processor a bit of a boost.

[ammo]

you should get the AM2 since it supports DDR2 RAM. The 939 supports DDR RAM. If dual-core is what you want by all means get it. There is nothing wrong with it but I'd get the intel I posted up there because the front side bus is 800MHz instead of 533. You can then get DDR2 667 and get better performance instead of the DDR2 533. I'm no expert in over clocking so someone should be able to answer that

[Spirit]

Okay.. well switching to the AMD build would cost a little more.. but how does this sound?:
Switch the original motherboard with this AM2 one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127236
Switch the original processor with this one:
http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16819103631
Switch the old 533 ram with this 667 ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220064

Will the AMD processor continue to be a strong processor for a couple or a few more years? Thanks for your suggestions, my old computer was AMD before, so I might as well stick with it.

[ammo]

I would go with this memory. The board you want will support it

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145566

[Alaron]

Let's back up a minute. There's nothing wrong with the system you spec'd out.

ammo, we don't try to dissuade people from one CPU brand to another once they chose one.

I agree that limiting yourself to a Pentium with a 533mhz FSB is not the best choice for gaming. It will work, but you could do better.

To simplify things, switch to Pentium D 930 and go with your original list. (Plus the LiteOn drive). Stick with a PSU from Nvidia's list: http://www.slizone.com/object/slizon..._powersupplies The FSP's are great units. Also, switch the Samsung hard drive to a Western Digital or a Seagate, SATA, 16mb cache.

That will make for a fine gamer.

[ammo]

or this if you want to stick with ddr2 667. It has a latency of 4 instead of 5

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220095

I just noticed you wanted 2gig and not 1 gig so disregard that one up top. The ddr2 800 is significantly more expensive so you can go with the 667

[ammo]

Originally Posted by Alaron Let's back up a minute. There's nothing wrong with the system you spec'd out. ammo, we don't try to dissuade people from one CPU brand to another once they chose one. I agree that limiting yourself to a Pentium with a 533mhz FSB is not the best choice for gaming. It will work, but you could do better. To simplify things, switch to Pentium D 930 and go with your original list. (Plus the LiteOn drive). Stick with a PSU from Nvidia's list: http://www.slizone.com/object/slizon..._powersupplies The FSP's are great units. Also, switch the Samsung hard drive to a Western Digital or a Seagate, SATA, 16mb cache. That will make for a fine gamer.

if you read up top you would see I said if you want dual core by all means get it then i suggested the intel celeron d 800MHz FSB model

[Alaron]

I did read the thread. You recommended AMD to a poster who chose Intel.

There is no reason to change CPU brand. Only a couple changes and Spirit is all set.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by Alaron Let's back up a minute. There's nothing wrong with the system you spec'd out. ammo, we don't try to dissuade people from one CPU brand to another once they chose one. I agree that limiting yourself to a Pentium with a 533mhz FSB is not the best choice for gaming. It will work, but you could do better. To simplify things, switch to Pentium D 930 and go with your original list. (Plus the LiteOn drive). Stick with a PSU from Nvidia's list: http://www.slizone.com/object/slizon..._powersupplies The FSP's are great units. Also, switch the Samsung hard drive to a Western Digital or a Seagate, SATA, 16mb cache. That will make for a fine gamer.

Alright, you know what, I think I'd like to go for this. I get the dual core, and still the intel, keep the mobo, etc.

So the changes I am doing to the original list are:
This hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136010
2GB DDR2 Ram (667 mhz not 533)
The Lite-on drive
And the Pentium D 930.

Sound good? And, thanks for your help

[ammo]

sounds good spirit and good choice on the hard drive. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it's performance.

[Alaron]

You only need DDR2-667 if you're still interested overclocking, you can go with DDR2-533 otherwise.

But those look like good changes.

[Spirit]

Thanks for the help, guys. My next step: getting the money. :P
I can't wait until I build it, seems like I'll save money building it myself, and it'll be fun. One more question: the SLI Deluxe motherboard is on a big sale, but if that sale wears out, I might want the non "Deluxe" model. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131578). Think that'll work fine?

[ammo]

this is one of the next best ASUS boards but I didn't see a non deluxe version of that board. This one is a good board too and will support everything you wanted but it's not SLI so you might want to shop around some more (Since your looking for SLI in the future)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131538

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by ammo this is one of the next best ASUS boards but I didn't see a non deluxe version of that board. This one is a good board too and will support everything you wanted but it's not SLI so you might want to shop around some more. Are you looking for SLI? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131538

Hm, so if I got that mobo, I couldn't use an SLI card? Or just not two SLI cards?
The thing is ASUS P5N32-SLI Deluxe is at Newegg with an awesome open box deal, so I could get that while the deal is still there... only problem is if when I get the other parts for my comp, the mobo doesn't work, I couldn't return it... so I'm pretty unsure :/.
Which is better, the ASUS P5N32-SLI (non Deluxe) or the ASUS P5LD2?

EDIT: Question about SLI, how much of a boost does it give? Is it like double the power, or is it not that huge of a difference?

[ammo]

SLI means you can use 2 video cards so if that is what you want then you need a board that supports that. If your unsure about the open box deal then I would shop around for a different board that supports SLI since that's what you said you wanted for a future consideration (2 vid cards). It's always good to have a backup choice just in case. The SLI chip tranfers data betwwen the two vid cards so they both work like one awesome card

[Alaron]

The P5LD2 is an great board, but it only has one PCI-Expres x16 slot for a video card. So you could never use SLI. The board can only take one card at a time.

You have to decide if you want SLI. I will say that most people find that one video card is powerful enough for games. And by the time most folks get around to a second card, there are better single cards on the market that are more powerful alone then the cards they have in SLI.

[ammo]

The card you want to get now is a great card that can play any games on the market and will play them with great performance for a long time. I have a geforce 6800 and it still plays most games without trouble

[glc]

DDR2-533 is good all the way to 800 FSB, the only reason to get faster is if you want to go higher than 800 FSB. The 805 processor is a 533 FSB processor, and overclocking it to even 800 on air cooling is very iffy.

The above is for Intel processors - the AM2 AMD's are a different story - you need DDR2-800 for optimal performance regardless of bus speed.