New Build, point me in the right direction

[Lucky13]

New build using some new and some used parts. The goal is to have a fast reliable desktop with good graphics, using new and some older, but still good parts. I don’t intend to do any OC’ing, beyond my knowledge, maybe some day when I get a lot better at this. Doing it more for the learning experience and to familiarizing myself with the latest technology. Read a lot of posts hear and it definitely looks like the right place to get answers and solid opinions.

A lot of research has lead me to consider the following system:

New Parts
Case = Thermaltake “Swing” vb600bns ATX mid tower
PSU = Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W +3.3v at 20A, +5v at 30A,
+12v at 18A, 5v at 0.5A, -12v at 0.8A, + 5vsb at 2A
DVD = Samsung Model SH-S183L SATA Interface OEM
HD = Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB, 7200RPM, 16MB
CACHE, SATA 3.0GB/S
MB Option #1 = Intel BLK DG965RYCK, LGA775, G965 Express ATX OEM
MB Option #2 = Gigabyte GA965G – DS3 LGA775, G965 Express ATX Retail
Memory = Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/2G, 2GB, DDR2 CL5 DIMM KIT AT 18v
CPU = Intel Dual Core E6400 Conroe, 2.13GHz, 2m shared L2 Cache LGA 775
OS = Windows XP home, SP2, New Install

Used Parts
CD-RW = LiteOn Model SOHR5239V 063, ATA/IDE interface
HD = IBM Deskstar Model DTLA 307035 ATA/IDE 46GB, 7200RPM
FDD = Sony Model MPF920-E, IDE

The reason for the extra HD is to back up critical files just in case.

That’s it; right now I’m just shy of $850.00 would like to keep it under 1K.
Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

[glc]

That's not a suitable power supply for a G965 board, you need ATX 2.0. For the price of the case and power supply, you can get an Antec Sonata II case with a lot better PSU.

I agree with your choice of a G965, but I dont recommend the Intel BLK OEM boards, they don't come with any accessories. Their BOX Retail boards are good. I don't particularly care for Gigabyte. Look at the DG965WH or the Asus P5B-VM.

If you don't plan on overclocking, get Corsair Value Select DDR2-667.

If budget allows, pop for the E6600. If you go over budget, drop to the E6300. The E6400 is kind of a tweener.

The G965 onboard graphics are pretty good, but not gaming quality, just so you know.

[Lucky13]

Thanks for the great info. Wish I would have waited, case and PSU already shipped. I thought I made an informed decision on the PSU, shows how much I know. Anybody need a brand new PSU, still in the box.

Although quite a bit more money, what do you think about the ASUS Atlas A-55A ATX12V 2.0 550W??

For just a couple dollars more the ASUS P5B w/the G965 chip set makes a lot of sense, I really like the external SATA port. The only other build I ever did was with an Intel mobo and everything went so well I didn't look around as much as I should have.

I think stepping up to the E6600 is the right thing to do even though it's more dollars yet again. This is a good example how to go over budge, but your recommendations just seem right. Using the Value Select DDR2-667. will help with the cost.

Total cost $963.00, throw in the $40.00 I wasted on the wrong PSU and I'm right at my $1000.00 budget, and I think this is a much better system then I originally planed. GLC thanks for the great recommendations.

[glc]

The power supply may be okay as long as you don't add a video card. It's not a bad unit, it just doesn't have enough amps on the +12 volt rail for a PCI-E video card. Try it, check for stability. If you'd rather not, the XClio 450BL is very suitable and it is only 40 bucks. Newegg will exchange for you if that's where you bought it - at a 15% restocking fee and you pay return shipping. You may be able to negotiate that.

If you can find a retail box DG965RY or DG965WH, they are both good boards.

[Lucky13]

The price on the XCLIO is hard to beat, but I must be missing something. If ASUS A-55A does not have enough amps on the +12v rail with both 12v rails having 18A. How is it that the XCLIO 450BL with +12v1 at 15A and the +12v2 at 17A has enough. Am I looking at the wrong spec or are the specs listed incorrectly on New Egg, or am I look at the specs wrong? The XCLIO does have better (more) amps on +3.3v. and the +5v. I listed a spec comparison in hopes to understand what's important when looking at PSU, in relation to the system components.

ASUS A-55GA ATX12V 2.0 550W/ XCLIO ATX 450W
+3.3V at 30A/ +3.3V at 32A
+5V at 28A/ +5V at 30A
+12V1 at 18A/ +12V1 at 15A
+12V2 at 18A/ +12V2 at 17A
-12V at 1A (???)/ -12V at 0.3A (Big difference here)
+5V VSB at 2A/ +5V VSB at 2A

Comparing these spec the ASUS seems stronger on the 12V rails, or am I focusing on the wrong thing or thinking bass ackwards. Could be wrong but I believe I read that boards with the G965 chip set need 18A on the 12V rails. I also know I will be happy with the on board graphics for just so long. I would like to use the X3000 graphics for a while, and compare it to my ATI 9800XT AGP8X installed on my stock HP Pavilion a465c before upgrading to a decent card.

I'll be happy to spend less money for a better PSU, just really don't understand how to determine what makes the right one for my system. Thanks in advance I know all the knowledge and help on this board will make my build a happier experience.

[glc]

I'm just saying that the XClio is plenty sufficient for onboard graphics and cards up into the midrange. That's still 32 amps on +12v - nothing to sneeze at. I do not think the Asus is worth 3 times the price - there are better $120 units out there.

[Lucky13]

Thanks for the quick reply. Let me make sure I understand. The +12V rails combined are 32 amps, plenty for what I have in mind, and for the price difference I can live with without the extra 4amps the ASUS provides.

Hopefully this is not too dumb a questions. What spec on the mobo or video card or any other component should I be paying attention to help be determine a systems PSU requirements.

I have use on line power calculators to help, but no 2 ever give the same answer, and always seem to recommend Wattage and not Amps when it looks like Amps are just as important.

A good understanding of the power requirements, and the management of power seem to be the key to how well most everything works from the processor, to the video card, to the memory etc.

Thanks again I will go with the XCLIO, except for the high pitch noise coming from their product when shutting down the computer, all the reports are very positive.

[flanzig1]

PSUs come in two standards: ATX, were for older systems that needed current from the 5v rail and the ATX2.0 is for newer systems that use current from the 12v rail.
For video cards to be happy with the Xclio: Nvidia-up to the 7600 series and ATI-up to X1600 series.

[glc]

We kinda go by the video card manufacturer's recommendation. Their recommendations are based usually on an average quality PSU and a fully loaded system. I think the XClio can actually handle stronger cards than that, it's better than average quality. Average to the video card manufacturers are the Apevia and Ultra turds that sell like hotcakes.

[Lucky13]

Thanks again. When I do get tired of the on board video, may not take too long, I'll probably got for a mid range PCIe card. Will be ordering everything next week, will let you know how it goes. I will be taking it real slow, trying not to make any dumb mistakes. After reading some of the other post, I will be looking for a external HD to take advantage of the eSATA on the ASUS P5B mobo,
Great information and knowledge people. this by far is the best tech form I have seen, would recommend it to anyone.

[glc]

Buy any SATA hard drive you want - and then get this housing to put it in:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817362002

[Lucky13]

OEMPCWorld price on ddr2, pc2-5300 just went up $40.00 overnight. Could you tell me what the better choice is between.

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-5300PHU2-2GBNT - Retail

and

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-5400PHU2-2GBNT - Retail

The only difference I can see in the spec, one is (PC2 5300) and the other is (PC2 5400) and about $7.00 in price on newegg.

Thanks in advance

[glc]

I would personally get this Corsair ram:

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

It is known and proven to work well in 965 boards.

[Lucky13]

Thank GLC ordered the memory you suggested, and everything I ordered from New Egg has arrived in good condition.

I have a concern about the Windows XP SP2 that I ordered and arrived today from Ztech Software in Danville, CA. On the package it states:

"Licensed for distribution only to specific countries within Middle East and Africa??????"
and nowhere on the package (have not opened it yet) does it say SP2. Is this going to cause a problems when I install it on my new build?? Thanks for the help, really need some direction on this issue.

[newbuilder14]

Can you link us to what you ordered from Ztech?

Are you sure you're reading the license of distribution correctly?

As long as it's a brownish envelope with a Microsoft stick on it I think you'll be fine with what you have.

[flanzig1]

I would contact Ztech about it. Looks like they have been in business for only 2 years. If you look at the MS software, a lot of it is outdated stuff. I'm thinking they are selling store pulls or non-sold returns.

[Lucky13]

Ztech's phone number is not listed on their web site, it took a little work but finally found their number 925-413-1003, just in case anyone else has any issues. They do not answer the phone, you have to leave a message for them to call you back.

I also called MS, (first time ever for any reason) and was told this is copy valid. The only problem, I could not and would not be given Tech Support from the US, I would have to contact tech support in the Middle East or Africa. Ya fun fun

I have emailed Ztech about this and about the fact that I ordered SP2 and received SP1, I'm waiting to see how they decide to resolve these issues.

http://www.ztechsoftware.com/servlet...XP-Home/Detail

http://www.ztechsoftware.com/servlet...186/Categories

I have done a fair amount of research for this build and other post here indicate that SP1 will cause problems with the mobo (ASUS P5B-VM) (North Bridge Intel G965 Express) (South Bridge Intel ICH8) recognizing any IDE devises during the install. I have two. a HDD and a CD burner. I also have two SATA drives (HDD and DVD Burner) I don't want to make a problem if none exist, should I be concerned enough with IDE thing to return the software to Ztech for a copy of SP2 version.

Thank for any assistance and advice.

[glc]

You can slipstream yourself a new CD with SP2.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp

[Lucky13]

GLC, that make for some interesting reading.

I never recieved a response from Ztech, so I open the packaging and on the cd in the Hologram was "includes SP2" looks like I did receive the version I ordered, even though the packaging had nothing about SP2, my apology to Ztech .

I'm installing the OS now, I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks , everyone's help has made this a bunch more fun and 100% easier.

[Lucky13]

Everything asembled easily almost too easy. The hardest part was mounting the heatsink and fan on the processor.

I had all my drives attached to the mobo, including my old HDD with files and data when I installed Windows XP SP2. The installation labled my new (raw) HDD as system drive "F:" or as viewed in My Computer as "Local Disk F:" and my old HDD as "Local Disk C:".

Is their a way to rename these two drives, I would like to switch them. Thanks for the help.

[glc]

Nope - you have to disconnect the old drive and start over.

[Lucky13]

Thanks glc, I'm not disputing what your saying, but allow me this,
If I right click "My Computer", then select "Manage", then click on Disk Mangement the right side will show me the installed drives, if I then right click on the drive letter it will give me a drop down menue with the option "Change Drive Letter and Paths...... "
Will this do what I want, just as long as I don't try to have two drives with the same letter???

[glc]

Yes and no. You cannot change the letter for the system drive. You should never install Windows on a new drive with any other hard drives or USB devices such as card readers connected. This includes printers that have card slots. Anything USB other than a keyboard and mouse should be installed *after* Windows is up and running, same applies to any storage device except an optical drive.

[Lucky13]

Understood, no easy way to correct one little oversight.
Should it be a new install, or a repair install?? Thanks

[flanzig1]

Unplug the old HD,do a fresh XP install on the new drive with drivers/updates/etc. Then hook up the old HD to pull any data from it and reformat it for a spare.