It's all Greek, but still want to Build

[maddawg]

Hi, everyone

Let me just first say that this site and all of you that contribute is incredible. Thanks so much for all you are doing.

I'm looking for some help. I don't even know where to begin. I've looked at your guides and sticky’s. Thanks so much for the info. Here is what I'm looking to do with my build.

We are on a tight budget. Won't say how much because I'm not totally sure yet.

My wife and I are getting a very nice digital camera and camcorder for Christmas. We'd like to be able to make/burn DVD’s and such.

I love video games, but haven't really got into them on the PC yet. I have and Xbox 360, so it not necessary right now but I’d like to have the ability to upgrade components for a nice gaming PC.

My wife and I each have our own small businesses that we run mostly web-based. We do have a Cable internet connection.

I'd live to link the Xbox to the computer wirelessly, be able to access internet from the Xbox through the PC. The PC will have a password, it can be left on but when no one is log on I'd still like access to internet through the Xbox.

I don't know if this gives you all enough info but it's all I have for now. Maybe your question will guide me further.

I’m also a student, so paper/research, email ect. and I dabble in engineering design so I’d like to be able to one day run solid works. Again I’m willing to upgrade to that.

Trent

[tetsuo]

Come up with a budget, and the folks here will figure out what parts you need to buy.

[Cricket]

AMD or INTEL?

Cricket

[maddawg]

I guess if you really want me to set a budget I need to keep it under $800. Although I might be able to go as much as $1000 if a buy a componet of two a month and assemble that way. Is this a good idea?

As far as AMD or Intel I don't really know. I would like a duo processor, but don't know if my budget would allow it. That budget dosn't have to in included a moniter or keyboard. I could proble scounge something up and upgrade when I get into the gaming. Don't know if you all were thinking along those lines or not

Trent

[newbuilder14]

Although I might be able to go as much as $1000 if a buy a componet of two a month and assemble that way. Is this a good idea?

No, buy them all at once.

You could probably go with something like this for a rough idea:

e6300
p5b
evga 7600gt
Antec Sonata II
Liteon DVD burner
1gb Corsair VS DDR2 667
Seagate/WD hard drive

In my signature I have a similar setup and it costs just over $1,000, but it included everything.

[andper10]

Here are my recommendations. It includes a video card that will allow you to play even the latest games without breaking the bank.

$76 - ASUS P5L-MX Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131041

$180 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005

$107 - CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145568

$196 - SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 (RoHS) CrossFire Video Card (The X1950Pro is a little bit better, and usually only $10 more, but at this time, the only versions available on newegg are a newfangled Air Conditioned version, and then a $260 version)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102022

$44 - Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106

$31 - LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106013

$90 - Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116169

$54 - FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

$30 - Rosewill R6AR6-SL 0.8mm SECC 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (This is a basic desktop budget case, if you want to show your rig off, you might want to get a case with a side panel and possibly a nicer cooling setup)(It would also be good to order an additional 120mm fan for the front intake, Yate Loons are very quiet with good airflow)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147045

That comes to $808 before shipping. That would allow you to play games very well. If you have a little bit more money to spend, or think that you could get a basic video card for now (like this $45 one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814125027), I would recommend the following upgrades:

1) Add $31 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (Basically a faster Hard Drive with more storage room)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148144

2) Add $59 - ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard (The motherboard above is the bare minimum for Core 2 Duo. It only has 2 PCI Slots--but only one useable with a video card in place.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131030

3) Add $93 - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory (Upgrading your ram isn't really crucial for what you are using your computer for, but it would help if you start doing a lot of games)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098

4) Possibly upgrade the case. That case would be fine for basic use, but if you want to show off what you have built, you will probably want to put it in something nicer than the one above.

Enjoy your Build!

[newbuilder14]

Look at my build below... those are the parts I would recommend. I chose high quality parts from reputable manufacturers within my price range. That is the only way to do it.

[chuck4456]

P5B option would be better and the Seagate 7200.10 250GB PDR is great. Rosewill has several very good, low cost cases that are extremely well-ventilated and have mucho space.

[maddawg]

I was wondering if I can have a bit more detail on the HDD. I'm having trouble finding it on newegg.

Also I have an OLD dell laptop Inspiron 8100. I would like to put a DVD burner in it until I get my computer built any suggestion. One problem is I only have USB 1.0 can I upgrade what in the slot or will an external work?

Trent

[newbuilder14]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148144

[Staren]

As far as a DVD burner to use until you build, Here is what I'm in the habit if doing.

I'd buy an external enclosure like the ones here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc= and slip whatever drive you like into it. Now the pre-built externals are starting to come down in price to what it would cost to do it this way, but if you don't mind taking the 5 minutes it will take to plug in two cables and screw a cover back together, you can use whatever drive you like with whatever options you might want.

And yes a USB 2.0 external drive will work with a 1.1 USB port. It will be slower transfering data, but it would work just fine.

[maddawg]

What a good low cost DVD drive to use with the enclosure?

Trent

[newbuilder14]

This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106017 or any Liteon for that matter.

[maddawg]

new builder14 what build are you talking about below. The one in the sig block still?

[newbuilder14]

Core 2 Duo E6300
Asus P5B
eVGA 7600gt KO
WD Caviar SE 160gb
2x512mb VS PC5300
FSP 450w
Coolermaster Centurion 5
Samsung 941BW
MS XP Pro

That is just my build, I recommend every part except you could go for a better hard drive than I got.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Core 2 Duo E6300 Asus P5B eVGA 7600gt KO WD Caviar SE 160gb 2x512mb VS PC5300 FSP 450w Coolermaster Centurion 5 Samsung 941BW MS XP Pro That is just my build, I recommend every part except you could go for a better hard drive than I got.

Is this build up and running yet? Or are you still waiting for some parts to arrive?

Cricket

[newbuilder14]

Video card comes tomorrow. Nothing is up and running yet. I really wish I could confirm the quality of the parts, but as of now I have checked and double checked compatibility, and this setup seems to be a winner. I just need another 1gb of RAM and it is complete. I will let everyone know on Friday how it is.

[maddawg]

I think I'm going to go with something like this

APEVIA (ASPIRE) X-CRUISER-AL Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case #: X-CRUISER-AL
$69.00

ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard #: P5B
$134.99

SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (RoHS) CrossFire Video Card #: 100189L
$169.99

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply #: AX450-PN
$53.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor #: BX80557E6300
$180.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory #: VS2GBKIT667D2
$199.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive #: ST3250620AS
$74.99

Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
#: N09-02142


You might have noticed that I didn't included a DVD Burner. I'll be purchasing that very soon to use with my dell laptop until I get the computer built. I put it in a external encloser. I figure because I'm doing that I can get something a little better in the DVD burner any suggestions?

Trent

[newbuilder14]

Your list looks very good. You will want an optical drive in the case itself to set up the computer, though, so include any optical drive.

Have you considered the eVGA 7900gs or Sapphire X1950PRO video cards?

[maddawg]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Your list looks very good. You will want an optical drive in the case itself to set up the computer, though, so include any optical drive. Have you considered the eVGA 7900gs or Sapphire X1950PRO video cards?

I was wondering if I'm going to be using this computer for making and producing DVD for a Buisness/backing up my DVD collection should I put in a CD-R/DVD ROM? (I think that's what they are called) Otherwise I was just going to use whatever DVD R I bought.

Eveyone told be about the Lite-on's. I ask my broter-in-law who's built several computers, he recommened something better. I gave me some diffrent brand names but they have now slipped my mind. I thought I would do that and then stick it in the build. Any ideas?

Can you fill me in on the diffrences between the video cards your prefrense and why?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by maddawg I was wondering if I'm going to be using this computer for making and producing DVD for a Buisness/backing up my DVD collection should I put in a CD-R/DVD ROM? (I think that's what they are called)

You don't need a combo drive (CD burner/DVD reader) since the DVD burner also burns CDs, just get a plain DVD reader.

Originally Posted by maddawg Eveyone told be about the Lite-on's. I ask my broter-in-law who's built several computers, he recommened something better. I gave me some diffrent brand names but they have now slipped my mind. I thought I would do that and then stick it in the build. Any ideas?

I've been installing Lite-On burners in the computers I build for others for about 5 years now and none of them have died yet...must be at least 50 Lite-On burners (CD and DVD). Prior to using Lite-On I was installing Plextor burners (which are considered the best burners around) but I had several die within 2 years of installation so I switched to Lite-On on the recommendation from the members here. I've also installed Sony and NEC burners but I still prefer Lite-Ons. I think they're pretty reliable.

Cricket

[maddawg]

Sounds good I'll go with the Lite-on then. What model come higest recommended by yourself?

[tomster2300]

I have a lite-on cd-rw drive in my current desktop...and it's still going strong after 3-4 years (could be more). They get a little loud though when they access data, but I've never had a problem.

[maddawg]

Do I need a sound card?
Sorry for the silly question, I'm assuming that the motherboard has one built in?

[newbuilder14]

Yes, motherboards have onboard sound - some of which are surprisingly very good.

[maddawg]

I was talking with an IT Guy that work at the bank my wife works for. He was telling me that "you couldn't give me a Asus motherboard" I was wondering what you all think of this comment. I know my Brother in law that builds a lot of computers uses them. Then again he's not an IT guy. The IT guy was telling me to go with an intel mother board

any comments?

Trent

[glc]

I have no problems with either an Intel or Asus board. The only downside to Intel boards is you can't overclock them.

For business builds I *do* use Intel boards to PREVENT them from being overclocked. I use Asus boards for certain customers who I trust not to go crazy.

The Intel DP965LTCK is the equivalent to the plain Asus P5B and a bit cheaper. Go for it if you never plan on overclocking that processor.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Just to add to what GLC has said...

Take a little precaution in the recent 975x boards from intel. I hear they have been having a few quality control type issues.

[glc]

I don't think someone on a budget would be using 975X. My 975X board of choice is the Asus P5W DH.

If you do get a dud Intel board, as long as you buy the retail boxed board and not a bulk OEM, it comes with a 3 year warranty and Intel's RMA process is a lot faster than Asus. However, if you buy any board from a quality vendor and it's DOA, you should be able to RMA through the vendor and not have to deal with the manufacturer. It appears Newegg applies their standard return policy to both brands - which is 30 day refund and 1 year exchange. The only hassle is you have to pay to ship the dead item back. Refunds are subject to restocking fees.

[andper10]

About the video card, if you are buying the parts soon, the X1900GT is at a pretty good price right now, so I would go with that. The X1950Pro would be a good equivalent if the GT price goes up or it goes out of stock. Asus P5B is a good solid motherboard. If you want something with less bells and whistles, Foxconn makes this board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186102 . However, if I were building a new PC right now, I would probably shell out the extra cash for the P5B unless money was really tight. That case is fine, but if you got one with 120mm fans, it would probably be quieter. With cases, just choose one that you like the looks of. But if you think that noise will bother you, you might be better off with a case with 120mm fans. Enjoy your build!