new build... power supply, optical and monitor help

[nicolivolkov]

I am considering a new build, it would be my first. The components I am pretty settled on at this point are :

cpu = e6600 conroe

gpu = x1900xt

case = p180

RAM = 2g xms

HDD = 320 GB seagate sata

I am having a hard time deciding on a PSU. Why are most PSU's SLI certified but noe crossfire?
Is SLI better? Should I consider NVIDIA instead? Are the "other" card brands as good as the ATI I have noticed that they're a little cheaper.

I don't know much about optical and what kind I should get. I would like something that can read and write both dvd and cd. Do most do this in both + and - ?

I'm also unsure what monitor would make sense with this level of build. I do alot of web design and graphic work and also some games would be nice.

Also can you recommend a good keyboard and mouse?

And last an most importantly ... Realistically can somebody with no build experience pull this off? I've done a lot of readding but after a while it seems to make me more confused. Can this be done by a beginner without and major malfunctions or should I just get reamed by dell?

Thanks for the help.... you guys are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nicolivolkov]

Whoops I forgot a few things...

mobo = I was set on the p5b digital home deluxe but I have read some mags lately that have been ripping this one. What do yo think?

monitor I would like to be between 20 and 22 inches and can't figure out what is the right brand to go with.

finally I would like to do this within 2 grand... is this possible? if not can you offer some alternatives that would get me in that range?

[newbuilder14]

For the PSU look at something from Seasonic, OCZ, Enermax, FSP, etc.

As for the opticals I would suggest a Liteon DVD burner.

Logitech for the keyboard and mouse, or Microsoft.

2k should be enough.

[Mr.Ferrari]

1. Alot of psu's have not yet been certified. I, dont usually look too much at the certifications, rather decide myself if its gonna power or not. Alot of the 700w+ psu's that are sli certified will power a crossfire setup.

2. DVDRW

3. Get something samsung, LG, viewsonic in the size you require. I would suggest 20'', widescreen is good, if not fullscreen is ok. Your preference here.

4. Keyboard and mouse are something you have to try. We dont have your hands. If your gaming look into a logitech G5 or a Razer Copperhead. Keyboard- logitech is good too.

5. P5B Deluxe is the best 965 motherboard around. Its been rock solid as far as I know. Great choice. However if you want to go crossfire get a 975x motherboard.

[nicnmike]

I too am working on putting a new system together. I, by no real means, am an expert, but this will be my 3rd system build. Putting PC's together is basically LEGO. This goes here, that goes there, etc. The big thing is to be freaking careful. Make sure the system your building will all work together, don't apply unreasonable force, and keep the coffee, or beer on the table across the room. I never had to worry about static so much since I live in the south and most of the PC's I work with are not in heavily AC'ed buildings. Since you're doing your homework, it sounds like you know what will work with what. There is some tricks involved, like what order to install things and there can be some procedural things that I completely ignore like, installing one component at a time to determine what really works. Most components are reasonably robust. You can take them out and reinstall them multiple times, so if you put all of your drives in, but can't get to you mem slots, or something like that, you can pop it all out and start over. If you've ever reformatted a hard drive, then you know all about installing drivers.

One thing I learned the hard way, if you're a dumbass, like yours truly, and you touch something metal to the motherboard while the computer is on and you computer shuts off and won't restart, don't cry (again, like yours truly) Flip the 120/220 switch on you power supply back and forth. They have a breaker switch in them (at least the ones I’ve screwed up did).... thank gawd.

-Mike

[newbuilder14]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106019 - that's what you want.

[andper10]

Here are my suggestions:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600, 2.4 Ghz, 4MB Shared L2 Cache
2 GB DDR2 667 Corsair Value Select Ram (XMS is manily for Hard Core Gaming)
Video Card - I'd recommend the ATI Radeon X1900XTX. It should play all the games that are out on Max or settings. What games do you plan to play? You probably don't need that good of a card, but and XTX would last you for a few years to come.
SATA 3.0 HD (choose your size)
CD/DVD Burner Combo Drive
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Sound Card (you only need this if you are an audiophile, or plan on a large speaker system)
FSP Group 600 Watt Power Supply with 4 12V Rails, Active PFC, 12cm fan
Windows XP: Home, Pro, or Media Center; whichever suits you
Case of your chioce

Enjoy your build!

[newbuilder14]

How about the ATI Radeon X1900XTX - best bang for the buck in my opinion.

[andper10]

It depends on what games they want to play. If he (or possibly she) has $2000 to spend and don't want to mess with upgrades for a while, then they might be better off with the XTX. If they want more of a budget card, then a X1900GT or an X1900XT would be good.

[nicolivolkov]

Thanks for the reco on the optical NewBuilder, that looks perfect.

As far as the GPU I'm thinkin the x1900xt looks like the most logical thing... I'm definitely not a hard core gamer... and it is a bout $100 cheaper.

So as far as the RAM should I stay away from the XMS? IS there no advantage to it if I"m not a hardcore gamer? I only asking again because just about everybody has reco'd it up to this point.

how does this PSU look? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005 ?

I've been reading that it's very important to grease the CPU before you install it. Does the grease come with or do I need to find it somewhere?

[nicolivolkov]

oh yeah and the mobo I was looking at was the 975 chipset. Should I go with the 965 or is it worth the money to keep my options open for the crossfire?

[Mr.Ferrari]

1. XMS was just recommended because it had better compatbility and value wasnt available at the time. XMS has better chips meaning for ppl who overclock, they are the ones to get. If theres like a few bucks price difference between the two go ahead and go for xms, otherwise stick to value.

2. HOLD on, you just said your not a hardcore gamer. Then why crossfire??? If you want crossfire go for 975. Otherwise stick to the P5B Deluxe.

[nicolivolkov]

I'm not gonna go crossfire off the bat but I was told that it's worth it to keep the option open. I've never really played many games on the computer ( mostly xbos and ps2) but I need a nice big comp witha big screen for the work I"m doing and I figure might as well have some fun too so I'm just trying to figure out what's the best range to be in for my money... High end or just somewhere in the mid range. The DH deluxe is only like 40 bucks more so in a way it seems that it' sworth it if I'm already spending 1500 hundo... but I really don't know that's why I'm asking...

[Mr.Ferrari]

Alright then. The p5wdh would be a decent choice for a 975x motherboard.

Now this is where you'll have to make a decision.

Do you want to crossfire proof the psu right now, or later? You can either get a psu that will just power your current components, or you can get one that will power full on x19XX crossfire.

[nicolivolkov]

Yeah, check this PSU out and tell me what you think. I read alot of reviews and it seems to be pretty good...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005

[Mr.Ferrari]

Is that a crossfire choice? If so the answer is no. But the psu itself is awesome. Its actually an OEM Seasonic. Very quiet, but the main selling point for this thing is the beasty single 12v rail.

Its overkill for a single card setup, but not enough for 2 cards in crossfire.

[nicolivolkov]

well that doesn't sound all that great then... overkill for one and not enough for two doesn't make sense. what should I look at then?

Also can you explain to me about greasing the CPU before you install it. Does the grease come with the cpu?

I mean what do you personally think? Should I crossfire proof this build or do you think it's more than I'll ever use?

[Mr.Ferrari]

1. I seriously think crossfire will seriously never be needed even in your position. However the price difference between a good crossfire ready psu and a normal good quality psu thats just enough, is about 80 bucks. Thats your decision on whether your not you want one.

Non-Crossfire psu:

-Silverstone ST50EF 500W $87.50
***the same psu is HERE for $69, around 18 bucks less if you dont mind not ordering from newegg.

Crossfire PSU:

-Thermaltake 700W $150.99

-Silverstone ST75ZF 750W $169
*At newegg its a whopping $209!!! Here its much cheaper, they also have decent service.

[nicolivolkov]

ok so basically you need about 700 watts to power crossfire?

What abou the grease for the CPU?

[Mr.Ferrari]

It depends, but yes a quality 700w is good for crossfire. Some 650W.

The thermalpaste is preapplied to the bottom of your stock retail heatsink. No worries there, just mount the heatsink securely and your good to go.

[glc]

Crossfire is strictly a marketing gimmick for high end gamers.