First build, from the beginning

[wackybadger]

(see the attached .txt file for background on what I'm trying to do...posting that part as an attachment was the only way I could figure out how to amke this post short enough.)

What I think I need/want:

This was put together with a lot of internet searching and surfing with heavy use of newegg.com:

Case: Antec SLK3800 http://www.antec.com/Detail.bok?no=456
2nd HDD: Seagate 320GB, 7200rpm
2nd Optical drive: something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827131031 or something that can burn CD's, DVD +/- R/RW (I don't know much about dual layer or emerging formats, but if something is imminent I'd like my drive to have that capability as well)
Video: this may wait due to $$, but something that can handle Photoshop etc as well as recording video via an external TV tuner
Motherboard: Intel G965 or Q965 (can't decide between these due to RAM capabilities - the G965 can take 4 GB at 800 MHz or 8 GB at 667/533 MHz while the Q965 can take 8GB at 800MHz)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121056
Processor: Pentium D 950, 3.4GHz 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual Core http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116240
RAM: I'd like to start with 2GB and be able to go up from there to either 4 or 8 (can't decide how much would be enough); Also, I couldn't decide between motherboards in part because of the RAM each one takes (see above)

What I think my main issues are (in order of least understanding):

-compatibility between components, in particular Motherboard & Processor, Motherboard & RAM, Everything & Case
-What I need versus what I think I need

My level of computer understanding:
I know very little about motherboards and processors, so feel free to laugh at my miniscule knowledge...but any help is greatly appreciated!

[AnotherMuggle]

A few things to consider.

I think you should look at the new Core 2 Duo processors that Intel has recently released...they are considerably better than the Pentium D processors.

2Gig RAM is about the top you should be considering, it's plenty for most applications and the maximum Windows XP can handle without some tweaking.

Personally I don't think either of those motherboards would suit you to be honest, other people may have different views. What has lead you to choosing those particular ones?

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by tomkear2006 A few things to consider. I think you should look at the new Core 2 Duo processors that Intel has recently released...they are considerably better than the Pentium D processors. 2Gig RAM is about the top you should be considering, it's plenty for most applications and the maximum Windows XP can handle without some tweaking. Personally I don't think either of those motherboards would suit you to be honest, other people may have different views. What has lead you to choosing those particular ones?

Likely just simple ignorance on my part for the motherboards. Once I chose a processor, I just looked for compatible motherboards that the processor would fit into. If there are boards out there that would be better suited for me, I am completely open to suggestions.

As for the processor, I decided that I wanted a dual core processor based on my searching, and so I ended up choosing the Pentium D 950, 3.4GHz 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual Core because at 3.4GHz it was considerably faster than the fastest available Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz on newegg). Also, the Core 2 Duo processors seemed to be a lot more expensive. What is the difference between the Dual Core I chose versus the Core 2 Duo?

Thanks!

[AnotherMuggle]

First have a look at the Intel Core 2 Duo Processors...read a little online about them and see if you can come to a conclusion as to which would be the most suitable for you

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by tomkear2006 First have a look at the Intel Core 2 Duo Processors...read a little online about them and see if you can come to a conclusion as to which would be the most suitable for you

Okay...I've done some more searching and for $100 more than the P-D I mentioned I can get the Core 2 Duo @ 2.44 MHz. This seems doable. Do you have any motherboard recommendations?

[AnotherMuggle]

I am currently running an AMD system and have to admit I have been relatively ignorant to the Intel front.

Maybe someone else would like to make some recommendations based on experience regarding a Core 2 Duo Mobo!?!?!

Something to think about though: the amount of Ghz a processor works at is not the only thing to consider. I think you should keep at the research untill you have a sound knowledge of whats out there and what you really need before considering a purchase.

[Cricket]

What is your budget for the computer and does that include the monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc or just the computer itself?

When comparing the Pentium D to the C2D processors you can't compare them strickly by the speed of the processors because the C2D processors can execute more instructions per clock cycle than the older Pentium Ds and actually perform better/do more work even though their actual speed is slower.

If I were building a new computer today I would go with one of the C2D processors unless my budget was really limited.

Cricket

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by Cricket What is your budget for the computer and does that include the monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc or just the computer itself? When comparing the Pentium D to the C2D processors you can't compare them strickly by the speed of the processors because the C2D processors can execute more instructions per clock cycle than the older Pentium Ds and actually perform better/do more work even though their actual speed is slower. If I were building a new computer today I would go with one of the C2D processors unless my budget was really limited. Cricket

Thanks for the explanation. It's kinda hard to find explanations for topics such as processors that are more explanatory than "this is what a processor does" but aren't impossible to understand.

As for the budget, I'm looking at $1000 for the computer itself (case,motherboard, processor, HDD, RAM). The other things that you mentioned as well as optical drives, sound card, video card etc will largely come from other PC's or bought if need be.

Okay, to recap:
Purposes of this build: It's my first and it's simultaneously a learning experience while getting a good everyday computer out of it. No gaming or overclocking to be done, just be running a lot of Office and Adobe applications and also doing some video editing of stuff captured via an external USB tuner (Hauppage WinTV-PVR-USB2).
already have: monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, sound card (Audigy MP3+), one HDD (WD 80GB 7200rpm)
to get ($1000 max ideally):
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4GHz, FSB=1066MHz, L2 cache=4M sharing) - $316 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003
Mobo: ASUS P5B Deluxe or P5W DH Deluxe - $210 / $260 - (compare: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131025)
Case: suggestions?
RAM: probably Corsair, thoughts?
2nd HDD: something w/ 300ish GB, 16MB cache

Suggestions / Comments / Recommendations?
Thanks!

[wackybadger]

Also, I forgot to include a video card. The MB's I listed above don't have onboard video so I'll need to get a card. Suggestions on a decent card for what I mentioned above? (no OC'ing, no gaming, lots of Office/Adobe applications and some video editing of captured stuff. The card need not have a tuner since I already have an extenral USB one that I currently use with my laptop. Thanks!

[flanzig1]

A middle of the road video card should do what you want. Something like an ATI X1600 or nVidea 7600. These run in the $110 to $140 range.

[glc]

No gaming, a $50 video card will be fine, but if you can go closer to $100 the X1300 with AVIVO will help with video editing and stuff like that.

Save some money and get the base P5B for under $150.

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by glc No gaming, a $50 video card will be fine, but if you can go closer to $100 the X1300 with AVIVO will help with video editing and stuff like that. Save some money and get the base P5B for under $150.

Thanks for the card recommedations. I assume this is the P5B you refer to? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131030 Forgive my lack of knowledge, but what is the difference between the base P5B and the deluxe one I linked to?

A few more questions: any specific brand of RAM for that motherboard?

I have no knowledge of what kind of case I should get. Will the included power supply be enough?

[glc]

The deluxe just has more features, read the spec sheet for each one.

To be totally safe, I'd use ram on the Asus QVL list for the board, but I'd trust just about anything from Corsair.

An Antec Sonata II case would be an excellent choice, it comes with a proper power supply.

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by glc The deluxe just has more features, read the spec sheet for each one. To be totally safe, I'd use ram on the Asus QVL list for the board, but I'd trust just about anything from Corsair. An Antec Sonata II case would be an excellent choice, it comes with a proper power supply.

I believe I have found the right QVL sheet for the ASUS P5B. For 1GB sticks, it lists only Hynix and MICRON. I haven't really heard of these kinds at all. Would it make more sense to take one of these than Corsair?

Another RAM question...this motherboard can accept 4 sticks. Let's say for cost reasons I want to get 1 GB total. Should I get 1 x 1GB or 2 x 512 MB? If I want to eventually go to 2 MB, does this change what I start out with? Can I have different memory-sized sticks in there at the same time? Can I have an odd # of sticks in there...say 1 x 1GB and 2 x 512 MB? Sorry for all the dumb questions.

As for the different ASUS motherboards, the P5B base has 1 PCI express x16 slot versus 2 for the P4B deluxe or P5W Deluxe; 5 internal SATA ports vs 7 or 6; and 3 PCI Express x 1 slots versus 1 or 2. Also, no firewire on the P5B base. This seems like the P5B base would suit my needs, but I'm not completely sure. (Comparison: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131030)

Lastly, I'm not sure of which video card you mean for the x1300 with avivo. Do you have a link?

Thanks for all of your help for a beginner like me!

[glc]

For proper performance, you need matched pairs of ram, so it will run in dual channel mode. So, get 2x512, and check the QVL for those. DDR2-667 is sufficient, but you can get DDR2-800 if you want.

Hynix and Micron make the actual ram chips, not the modules, that's why you are a bit confused. You may see some recognizable names on the 512mb list though.

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by glc For proper performance, you need matched pairs of ram, so it will run in dual channel mode. So, get 2x512, and check the QVL for those. DDR2-667 is sufficient, but you can get DDR2-800 if you want. Hynix and Micron make the actual ram chips, not the modules, that's why you are a bit confused. You may see some recognizable names on the 512mb list though.

Just to be clear, I can put in 2 x 512MB and then maybe later add in 2 x 1 GB for a total of 3GB? I'll probably stick with the 800 since it's faster. I'm thinking I'll stick with Corsair...unless there's a way to tell which memory stick has which ram chip in it...which I don't know how to determine.

Also, still wondering about the video card (and what type of interface) and motherboard questions if you (or anyone else) can help me. Thanks again for your help and understanding.

[Alaron]

Yes, you can add ram later on.

The P5B base would be fine. Most folks don't need all the extra features of the Deluxe version.

Since you aren't gaming, the X1300 would be a good fit for video card. The X1300 series has a feature called AVIVO that will be a good addition for photo and video editing. AVIVO: http://www.ati.com/technology/avivo/index.html
Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131011

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by Alaron Yes, you can add ram later on. The P5B base would be fine. Most folks don't need all the extra features of the Deluxe version. Since you aren't gaming, the X1300 would be a good fit for video card. The X1300 series has a feature called AVIVO that will be a good addition for photo and video editing. AVIVO: http://www.ati.com/technology/avivo/index.html Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131011

Thanks much for your help. With regards to the video card, I had been unsure of which cards came with AVIVO, which didn't etc but now I understand that it is a feature of all ATI X1K cards.

I wanted to thank everyone for their help so far again. It may take me a few months to get all the pieces (getting paid once a month sucks) but when I'm done or more likely when I run into problems, I'll be sure to post an update. Thanks again.

[glc]

Things will be different next month, keep that in mind. WAIT till you save enough for the whole build and buy at that time.

[wackybadger]

Originally Posted by glc Things will be different next month, keep that in mind. WAIT till you save enough for the whole build and buy at that time.

Pardon my ignorance, but what are the main reasons for waiting? Will prices drop? I'm essentially only getting the ASUS P5B mobo, the E6600, some RAM, and a middle of the road video card. Will there be some significant updates/improvements in the next 2 months that would make it prudent to either buy now or buy later but not buy now and later? I apologize for my confusion.

[glc]

All 4 of those items may be cheaper in 2 months or there will be newer technology by then at the same price.

[andper10]

I would not go with that video card. I doubt that you would notice the difference between 512MB and 256MB of GDDR2. For X1300's I would try one of these (they all have AVIVO):

$46 GIGABYTE GV-RX13128D-RH Radeon X1300 128MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Screen Cooling Video Card - Retail

$68 HIS Hightech H130H256N Radeon X1300 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Ready Video Card - Retail

Or if you want to spend $90ish, go with an X1600. I have one, and it actually plays the latest Need For Speed in pretty high detail at 30 fps @ 768 x 1024, or 40 fps @ 800 x 600.

This one is actually less than the X1300 that Alaron mentioned (and yes, it has AVIVO)
$83 SAPPHIRE 100144ADVL Radeon X1600PRO 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Video Card - Retail

Or a 512MB GDDR2 X1600PRO will run you in the low $100's.

Enjoy your build!

[glc]

No gaming, andper10. Please review the thread.