New guy looking for advice

[webhead68]

Hi Guys,
I'm new here and like everyone else I would like some opinions/advice on the compatibility of the components I have chosen for my first build and see if there are better options out there that might save me money without sacrificing quality.

I am not a heavy gamer, I do dabble here and there. I will be using this computer to upgrade to Vista where I would like to do some video editing, photo editing and storing (sometimes very large graphics/images), creating and editing large spreadsheets and downloading very large files, storing pictures and music.

I would like to have a computer that I don't have to upgrade for a while and be able to pass down to my son (who might become a gamer) when it is time to build my next one.

Thank you in advance for your help!!!

Here are the componets I am thinking about:
Case
Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000SNA Silver 0.8 mm All aluminum made ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$105.00

Mobo
Intel BOXDP965LTCK LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $108.99

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $317.00

Memory
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2N5K2/2G - Retail $218.99

Main hard drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $79.99

2nd (back up) Hard drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3802110A 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM $43.99

Monitor
BenQ FP92W Silver-Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$179.99


Power supply
Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail $39.99

OR

SILVERSTONE SST-ST56F ATX12V / EPS12V 560W Power Supply - Retail $119.99


Video Card
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $129.99

OR

eVGA 256-A8-N313-LX GeForce FX5500 256MB DDR AGP 8X Video Card - Retail $59.99

DVD burner
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner included extra White bezel, with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-186 - Retail $34.99


Mouse and keyboard
Microsoft BX200004 Silver & Black PS/2 RF Wireless Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - Retail $62.99

Speakers
ALTEC LANSING VS2220 5 Watts RMS(Front Speakers: 2.5 Watts/channel @ 4 ohms @10% THD @ 20 Hz - 20 KHz 2 Channels Loaded) 2.0 Speaker - Retail $23.99

[freakitchen]

Welcome to the forums

You picked out some good parts there. Just a couple of changes I'd recommend:

1) I'd switch the Kingston RAM out for Corsair Value Select. Corsair memory is great quality, and works well with C2D systems. It's even a little cheaper than the Kingston!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098

2) Don't buy an IDE hard drive. P965 boards only have 1 IDE channel, which you'll want for Optical drives. You picked an 80GB drive for 'backup' purposes - I use an external hard drive for backups which may or may not be appropriate for you depending on exactly what you want the second hard drive for

3) The Thermaltake power supply you list is not suitable - it's only ATX1 specs, and a modern build requires ATX2. The Silverstone is much better, but I'd say 560w was overkill for a non-gaming system. My suggestion would be for this unit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

You mention that the system might become a gamer when its passed onto your son. In this case, it'll probably need a more powerful video card, and hence a more powerful PSU. But I imagine that you'll want to keep this system for a while - and it'd be guess-work on what sort of power gaming cards will require in a couple of years.

4) The cheaper video card you list is not compatible with the intended system, as its AGP. You need a PCI-E video card. For a 'dabbling' gamer like yourself, I'd suggest a 7600GS card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130075

Everything else looks OK to me!

FK

[webhead68]

That's a lot of great info...thank you!

Two more questions if you don't mind:

(1) what mobo do you think is more stable the intel I listed above or
asus

(2) Why an external drive? Wouldn't a internal drive be easier to use, faster and more secure?

[flanzig1]

Either motherboard are good. Pick one that has the options and price that suits you.
IDE drives will work in external cases. If you want your back-up HD in the case, geta second SATA drive. I would get a Seagate 7200.10 for the primary drive(fast and good warranty) and get a second SATA in the size you want.

[freakitchen]

The P5B is an excellent motherboard; when anyone asks us for a C2D build we usually recommend it, and haven't heard of any recurring problems from users. The only reason I didn't advise you switching to it is because the Intel isn't lacking in features (both boards are based on the same chipset). If it was a choice between the two, though, I'd take the ASUS

External / Internal for your second drive depends entirely on what you want to use the drive for. You mentioned 'backup', I ask what kind of backup? For instance, I have a 250GB Western Digital external drive. It's USB2, so very quick, and it's plug and play. I use it to backup my extensive collection of music and photos, and Acronis 'images' of my hard drive for restoring purposes. I think it's better in this instance to have an external drive, for both portability and the safety of your backups. Should your power supply blow up (very unlikely with a quality model, but at the same time, possible) and take out your hard drives, you've lost your backup.

Hope that helps.

FK

[webhead68]

I see what you are saying about the external HD and ...good point!

I was playing with the idea of setting up raid to mirror the primary HD as a back up or just having a place internally to store music, pictures and stuff. I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go, but your example has me thinking twice.

Now that I think about it, external is a good idea because I use both mac and windows based computers. This will be a great way to share music and pictures.

If you wanted to back your entire HD on the external can that be done without a program like norton ghost?

Thank you.

[glc]

If you get an Apricorn external hard drive housing, it comes with an OEM copy of Acronis True Image - which in my opinion is better than Ghost.

There's nothing wrong with Intel motherboards - except they cannot be overclocked (the 975X-based Bad Axe is an exception). They are high quality and very stable. The DP965LT is a good one. If you want to overclock, then you need the P5B and DDR2-800 ram.

[Cricket]

Do you really need the E6600? You could reduce the cost of the system quite a bit by getting a E6300 instead. It's still a potent processor that is more than capable of the intended uses for this computer.

Cricket

[webhead68]

Very interesting suggestions.

Apricorn looks very cool. Not many reviews on newegg, are they reliable? If so what model/specs do you recommend?

Yes, I think I can get away with an E6300 for now. I was hoping to build something that wouldn't need upgrading for a while, but you are right it is more than I need right now, I guess I just have that tool time, more power mentality. The more I think about it, the more I agree with you, that is a good place to cut back on the total price and I can always upgrade to the E6600 when the price comes down... good call!!

This is great stuff, please keep it coming!

[newbuilder14]

For motherboards I'd recommend a P5B or Intel DG965WH.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by webhead68 Apricorn looks very cool. Not many reviews on newegg, are they reliable? If so what model/specs do you recommend?

If glc recommends it you can be sure it's a very good product. This external housing is probably the one you'd want to look at.

Originally Posted by webhead68 Yes, I think I can get away with an E6300 for now. I was hoping to build something that wouldn't need upgrading for a while, but you are right it is more than I need right now, I guess I just have that tool time, more power mentality. The more I think about it, the more I agree with you, that is a good place to cut back on the total price and I can always upgrade to the E6600 when the price comes down... good call!!

Yeah, I think most people get caught up in that "more power" mentality and don't really look at what they really need. For most things I just use my old PIII 800MHz computer as it can handle the things I use it for (I'm not a gamer). If I need more speed/power I can use my wife's P4 631 (3.0GHz) computer or my P4 2.8GHz...but the 800MHz takes care of most of my needs.

Cricket

[glc]

I have the housing that Cricket linked to and I just bought another one for SATA drives. The quality makes most other housings look like crap.

[webhead68]

Thank you, I wasn't doubting your opinion just trying to get more info. Do you recommend the ide or sata versions for this?

[glc]

It depends what kind of drive you want to put in it. If you are going to buy a drive anyway, I'd get the SATA. If your motherboard has a eSATA connector, it will hook right up, cable provided. It also comes with a PCI slot adapter to connect to an internal SATA port to make it eSATA - and it also has USB 2.0, cable provided. It's also a few bucks cheaper right now. EZ-BUS DTS-EKIT. Stick a Seagate 7200.10 SATA in it and you will have a big, fast external drive.

You might want to get a 7200.10 for your main drive too instead of a WD.

[webhead68]

I want to thank everyone who helped me.
I pulled the trigger last night and bought the following items. With shipping it came out to under $1400. I will let you know how the build goes...I'm sure I will have some questions when it come to the assembly of all this. Thank you again!

1 SAMSUNG 941BW Black 19" 4 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824001088 $214.99

1 Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000SWA Silver Aluminum Modern Dream Tower Chassis Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811133133 $105.99

1 Intel BOXDP965LTCK LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813121035 $108.99

1 eVGA 256-P2-N541-T2 GeForce 7600GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130075 $104.99

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115004 $222.00

1 APRICORN EZ-BUS-DTS-EKIT 3.5" SATA External Enclosure - Retail
Item #: N82E16817362002 $39.99

2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Item #: N82E16822148144 $159.98

1 CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail Item #: N82E16820145098 $207.99

1 FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817104954 $53.99

1 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner included extra White bezel, with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-186 - Retail Item #: N82E16827106050 $34.99

1 ALTEC LANSING VS2220 5 Watts RMS(Front Speakers: 2.5 Watts/channel @ 4 ohms @10% THD @ 20 Hz - 20 KHz 2 Channels Loaded) 2.0 Speaker - Retail Item #: N82E16836113157 $21.99

1 Logitech 967742-0403 Black USB RF Wireless Standard Deluxe 650 Cordless Desktop Mouse Included - OEM Item #: N82E16823126014 $25

[glc]

That board doesn't have eSATA - so you should install the adapter. Use it eSATA on that computer, if you want to connect it to another computer just use USB. Wait till Windows is installed before installing the adapter and the drive.

[webhead68]

Do you recommend an external or internal adapter. I have seen internal as low as $5.99 can this be any good?
Premium Single DataPort eSATA II Add-A-Port Slot Mounting Bracket

If this one is not very good can you recommend one? Since I already placed my newegg order I would like to go to a compusa or microcenter to grab one.

Thanks!

[LeftyAce]

I thought that most eSATA enclosures came with a bracket to give you an eSATA port, but wait for glc, 'cause he actually has this one (Mine's in the mail....can't wait 'till monday!)

On my asus mobo, I can set up a raid configuration with the eSATA port; so you might be able to get your raid backup AND the benefits of having the drive out of the case...

Then again, that might mean you can't use the external drive with other computers without messing up the raid, so it's up to you.

[glc]

The Apricorn housing comes with an eSATA bracket.

[webhead68]

Well, I did it, I built my first computer. I worked on it for 12 hours straight (build, tidy up, test, add software/drivers and re-configure my desk setup to make it fit).
I am very happy with it so far and I am really proud of myself for getting it done without too many issues.
I couldn't have done it with the advice of everyone on this board and the building guide. I would like to Thank everyone for their part in this!!!

The only problems I had that slowed me up was the processor fan (goofy installation of pressing plastic clips down onto the mobo) and the fire wire hookup (9 individual connections).

I've heard bad things about the updated drivers for my mobo and haven't downloaded them yet, should I if I don't have any problems?

Here is the list of parts I used.

1 SAMSUNG 941BW Black 19" 4 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824001088 $214.99

1 Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000SWA Silver Aluminum Modern Dream Tower Chassis Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811133133 $105.99

1 Intel BOXDP965LTCK LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813121035 $108.99

1 eVGA 256-P2-N541-T2 GeForce 7600GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130075 $104.99

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115004 $222.00

1 APRICORN EZ-BUS-DTS-EKIT 3.5" SATA External Enclosure - Retail
Item #: N82E16817362002 $39.99

2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Item #: N82E16822148144 $159.98

1 CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail Item #: N82E16820145098 $207.99

1 FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817104954 $53.99

1 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner included extra White bezel, with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-186 - Retail Item #: N82E16827106050 $34.99

1 ALTEC LANSING VS2220 5 Watts RMS(Front Speakers: 2.5 Watts/channel @ 4 ohms @10% THD @ 20 Hz - 20 KHz 2 Channels Loaded) 2.0 Speaker - Retail Item #: N82E16836113157 $21.99

1 Logitech 967742-0403 Black USB RF Wireless Standard Deluxe 650 Cordless Desktop Mouse Included - OEM Item #: N82E16823126014 $25

Once again thanks to everyone.

[freakitchen]

Congratulations on the successful build. The two things that gave you problems are things that give quite a few people problems, so don't worry about that. If you had problems securing the heatsink to the motherboard, it might be a good idea to go into BIOS and check that the processor temperature is at a decent level.

If you installed the motherboard drivers from the motherboard CD, and everything has been picked up ok (no flagged items in device manager), then that's fine.

FK