1st time build. Hows it look?

[eqfan45]

Hello to all this is my first post and first time building a pc. I've upgraded before but never built from scratch. Got about half the money saved up. Just wanted someone to look over my list and let me know what you think.

Case: Black XG QUANTUM Mid ATX Case (already have)

PSU: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850w

Mobo: Asus Striker Extreme

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600

HDD: WD Raptor 150GB 10K RPM 16MB

RAM: Corsair Dominator Series Twin2X2048-8500C5D

Pri Optical: Samsung SuperWriteMaster 18x Internal Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX (will add 2nd card for sli when I get extra cash)

Keyboard: Logitech G15 Keyboard

Mouse: Logitech G5 Laser Mouse

Monitor: Gateway FPD2485W 24" Display

Compatablilty look good? Anything I should change? Any suggestions? I'm trying to build a high end gaming rig. After its all set up and working good I would like to overclock the cpu to around 3.2 ghz. Can someone suggest a good cpu fan? Also do I need a floppy drive? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[StykFacE]

dear God... you can buy a new car for all of that. lol

very impressive selection.

[Cricket]

I'd stay away from the Cooler Master power supply and the Samsung opticals.

For the power supply I'd look at Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Zippy, Fortron Source or Sparkle Power.

For the optical I'd look at Lite-On or NEC.

Cricket

[flanzig1]

Start with the stock hetasink that comes with the CPU. If you do run into heat problems when OCing, it's better to get an aftermarket HSU after the system is built. That way you will know if possible size or space restrictions with your system.

[blue60007]

DDR2-800 costs over $100 less...you've got to be pretty serious about the overclocking for what you're spending on the RAM.

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by Cricket I'd stay away from the Cooler Master power supply and the Samsung opticals. For the power supply I'd look at Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Zippy, Fortron Source or Sparkle Power. For the optical I'd look at Lite-On or NEC. Cricket

I picked the cooler master psu because it was on slizone as a compatible psu for a 8800 gtx sli setup and it had good reviews. Some reviewers said they replaced there PCP&C psu with the cooler master and it was better. May I ask why I should stay away from it? I wasnt set on the samsung opti's. I could probably find another with the same features. But why do you not like samsung?

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by Cricket I'd stay away from the Cooler Master power supply and the Samsung opticals. For the power supply I'd look at Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Zippy, Fortron Source or Sparkle Power. For the optical I'd look at Lite-On or NEC. Cricket

If the samsung is no good how about this one from Lite on http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106055 Should I have more than one drive? Do I really need A floppy or is it a waste of space?

Thanks for the help.

[newbuilder14]

See if you can get a retail Lite-On DVD burner so you get the software - they have really raised the prices on those. One drives should be plenty for most people. Floppy drives are obsolete so I wouldn't go for it.

[blue60007]

As for the floppy - do you have one in your computer now? If you do, my opinion is that's good enough. If you do need it you can easily swap it over. Also, ask yourself, do you use the floppy now?

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 See if you can get a retail Lite-On DVD burner so you get the software - they have really raised the prices on those. One drives should be plenty for most people. Floppy drives are obsolete so I wouldn't go for it.

Ok scratch the floppy. I got one in my other pc anyway. Hows this drive look? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106045

[Alaron]

Thats a good choice. As for needing two drives, it is only useful if you do any disc copying. With only one drive, you have to burn first to the hard drive, then onto disc. With two drives, you can copy on the fly. If you need this, pick up a DVDROM. If not, one is fine, you can always add another later.

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by blue60007 DDR2-800 costs over $100 less...you've got to be pretty serious about the overclocking for what you're spending on the RAM.

Will DDR2-800 be ok for overclocking the E6600 to 3.2 maybe 3.4 ghz. If i go ddr2 800 I would probably buy this http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=85025-22

[newbuilder14]

Yes, but no on that memory - I don't think they are using the Crucial D9s like they used to - you'd get much better value with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Yes, but no on that memory - I don't think they are using the Crucial D9s like they used to - you'd get much better value with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

Is that memory good for overclocking. If not can you suggest a 2gb dual channel kit thats good for overclocking the E6600 to 3.2 or 3.4 ghz.

[newbuilder14]

You can hit 3.6ghz with that memory just using it at its maximum default frequency, so yes it will overclock to your expectations with ease (most likely unless they are defective).

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 You can hit 3.6ghz with that memory just using it at its maximum default frequency, so yes it will overclock to your expectations with ease (most likely unless they are defective).

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Cricket I'd stay away from the Cooler Master power supply and the Samsung opticals. For the power supply I'd look at Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Zippy, Fortron Source or Sparkle Power. For the optical I'd look at Lite-On or NEC. Cricket

Now what about the PSU cricket said stay away from Cooler Master real power pro 850w (RS-850-EMBA) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171017
But I'm not sure why seems like it has good reviews. Should I get the Cooler master or SilverStone Zeus ST85ZF 850W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256007 Seems like the reviews on the silverstone are not as good as the cooler master but I dont know what does everyone think.

[newbuilder14]

The Silverstone power supply is much higher quality, I'd go for that one, or even one of similar wattage from Seasonic...

[Darth Revan]

This isn't about the PC hardware. I'd go with the Copperhead Razer instead of the G5 mouse. I've used both and for me at least the Razer has better response time and is smoother. I'm basing this comparison on games. FPS mainly and the Copperhead is a much better fit for the hand. imho.

[glc]

If you are a first time builder, why the obsession with overclocking? An E6600 is a very fast processor stock.

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by Darth Revan This isn't about the PC hardware. I'd go with the Copperhead Razer instead of the G5 mouse. I've used both and for me at least the Razer has better response time and is smoother. I'm basing this comparison on games. FPS mainly and the Copperhead is a much better fit for the hand. imho.

Thanks for tip I'm gonna be building this pc mainly for games.

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by glc If you are a first time builder, why the obsession with overclocking? An E6600 is a very fast processor stock.

My friend is also building a pc for the first time he's posted here Z4Dave and hes always like buy the faster cpu, get faster ram, I'm gonna get a intel quad and overclock it. I wanna make mine as least as good as his if not better while trying to stay under $3g's. Where both trying to build as fast a pc as we can for that price range. Where helping eachother pick stuff but trying to beat eachother at the same time.

[glc]

Do you guys want stable computers or are these just expensive toys?

[StykFacE]

Originally Posted by eqfan45 My friend is also building a pc for the first time he's posted here Z4Dave and hes always like buy the faster cpu, get faster ram, I'm gonna get a intel quad and overclock it. I wanna make mine as least as good as his if not better while trying to stay under $3g's. Where both trying to build as fast a pc as we can for that price range. Where helping eachother pick stuff but trying to beat eachother at the same time.

you know, to be honest, you can start with $1,500k for now, and in 6 months spend another $500-$1000 and save tons of money and still have a rockin' system. you can stay conservative and still have a kickass computer.

if you're lucky enough to have an unlimited budget, or this is your only hobby, then by all means go for it. unfortunately i'm not independantly wealthy. when i think $3k, i think of bills getting paid off. lol

[newbuilder14]

I don't think you will need to overclock your CPU - I'm amazed with the speed of my E6300 at stock, and the E6600 I put in another build was unbelievable.

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by glc Do you guys want stable computers or are these just expensive toys?

I my prioritys are about 60/40 with stability then speed. I think computers are more than just toys but this one is gonna be a gaming pc. So Kind of an expensive toy.

Originally Posted by StykFacE you know, to be honest, you can start with $1,500k for now, and in 6 months spend another $500-$1000 and save tons of money and still have a rockin' system. you can stay conservative and still have a kickass computer. if you're lucky enough to have an unlimited budget, or this is your only hobby, then by all means go for it. unfortunately i'm not independantly wealthy. when i think $3k, i think of bills getting paid off. lol

I don't have an unlimited budget and I have lots of hobbys. I am currently selling some of my stuff on ebay to fund this project check under seller eqfan45 If you wanna buy any of my stuff. Just sold a brand new GB SP and 2 new games for $65 trying to sell stuff cheap to get quick cash.

I just try to fund 1 hobby at a time as to not get to outa hand with spending. The way I'm setting up the pc now is my starting point. Later I'm adding a second 8800gtx eventually upgrading to Vista, then adding 2 more gigs of ram eventually hitting 8gbs and adding a Physx processor then when I think I'm done it'll probably be time to upgrade again.

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 I don't think you will need to overclock your CPU - I'm amazed with the speed of my E6300 at stock, and the E6600 I put in another build was unbelievable.

I'm not gonna overclock right away. I'm going to see how the system performs first before I get into the overclocking stuff. I just want to make sure my system will be able to handle it when and if I decide to go forward with it. I don't want to have to upgrade something to be able to overclock.

[StykFacE]

well the CPU that you're wanting is easily overclockable. i just built a budget system with an E6300 1.86GHz Core2Duo that i overclocked to 2.1GHz, and it ran so good i overclocked it again to 2.4GHz on stock cooling. i up'd the voltage a bit, and it's smokin fast. i did that within the 1st few hours of building it, and it still runs @ 40 deg C on a full load, it's very stable, and it's on a cheap Asus motherboard. lol, so you should be 100% fine for overclocking, especially if you just take it in small steps.

[newbuilder14]

Did you use the stock heatsink fan? I'm surprised mine doesn't even idle 40c overclocked using an aftermarket HSF. Temperature really depends on numerous things, though.

Don't want to hijack this man's thread, though.

[eqfan45]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Did you use the stock heatsink fan? I'm surprised mine doesn't even idle 40c overclocked using an aftermarket HSF. Temperature really depends on numerous things, though. Don't want to hijack this man's thread, though.

All info I can get in this area is useful. So your not really hijacking.

[piXel]

Originally Posted by glc Do you guys want stable computers or are these just expensive toys?

For a PC gamer it's important to overclock.

[StykFacE]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Did you use the stock heatsink fan? I'm surprised mine doesn't even idle 40c overclocked using an aftermarket HSF. Temperature really depends on numerous things, though. Don't want to hijack this man's thread, though.

re-read my post, in the 2nd sentence i said it was on stock cooling. lol, so yes, by all means give it a shot. take it slooooowly tho.... minor steps at a time.