First Build CP

[fto]

Well this is my first cp im going to build since i cant get good computers unless i make them myself.

I am planning to use it for gamming, of course, and also others things that require lots of memory for my up-coming job which i cannot tell in detail too much.

So far here are the things i have. (Price is around 1000 to 2000 yay! )

Also going to install WindowsXP into it once i get it together

Case: Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Power Supply: Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
MoBo: ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
Fan: Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Video Card: EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
DVD-rom: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner
Moniter: ViewSonic VX2235WM Black/Silver 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor

Any suggestion? or is this all i need to make a good desktop?

[newbuilder14]

Looks fine to me.

Few suggestions: Go for an SATA DVD burner, Lite-On is a good brand.
Do you really need the heatsink fan? A retail processor comes with one that is fine if you aren't overclocking.
Speaking of which, if you do not plan on overclocking, save some money by dropping down to Corsair ValueSelect DDR2-667.

[fto]

Ok, thanks, and also im wondering, about the case. Ive been looking at some reviews from people and they dont seem good. So im wondering if there is any other good cases out there that would fit 8800GTs since some cases cant even fit it. Im looking for one possibly a nice looking, and hope the Ports are close to the top area so i dont have to worry about the length when im connecting it to other things.

I also said about the fan, since it seems to really heat the cp (Intel Dore Duo) a lot, and apparently the (Artic) fan coolled it down. Of course, it might be fine without it, but i dont wanna wake up in the middle of the night since the cp turns up the temperature in my room. Since i will be overclocking lol.

[newbuilder14]

The P180 is a great case, the only apparent downsides in my opinion are the fact that you'll be needing a power supply with somewhat long cables and the fact that you have to be patient with wire management. I think that case is a great choice, and I think since your power supply is an Antec you should be fine. If you wanted to be on the safe side with cable length you could opt for an Antec NeoHE power supply, which Antec recommends for the P180.

[fto]

Okay after careful consideration, Im not too sure to buy the NeoHE power supply. After i saw reviews at Newegg, it seems that people says that it wont work with Asus MoBo which mine is. But if this info is wrong pls tell me.

So here is what i have so far.

Case: Antec Performance One P180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129154

Power Supply: Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W Power Supply (Again, still considering better ones, but Antec at least has extra long cables so this is why i said this one)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817371002

Motherboard: ASUS P5B Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131045

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003

Memory: Corsair XMS2 2GB DDR2 800Mhz
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145590

Graphics Card: EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SUPERCLOCKED HDCP Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130080

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

Extra Fan: Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

CD/DVD Burner: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with Replaceable White Front Panel

Problem - seems like cables dont come with it, so where could i get them? (Sorry, like i said, this is my first build and im trying to get things right before i build it)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106046

Card Reader: LINKSKEY LKA-CR15B 19-in-1 USB 2.0 Black Card Reader/Writer

I personally wanted this one rather than like a floppy drive.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820300901

Operating System: Windows XP

Was wanting Vista, but saw that it still out too new, and causes problem. Also heard it doesnt help gamming or things like that so i rather just stick with XP

Monitor: ViewSonic VX2035WM Black-Silver 20.1

Still looking for one around 17 to 21 inch if its good.. Took this one since

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824116066

For the moniter, im hoping to have widescreen, possibly windows vista certified (for the future), and hope it would have an adjustable height. (Also DVI cable just in case)

Please tell me any moniter that is better and/or cheaper than this one

[glc]

All the cables you need should come with the motherboard.

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggIma...131-045-08.jpg
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggIma...131-045-09.JPG

[fto]

Ok thanks. Do you think i should change any of the things above. (Will change the moniter later so others except it)

Like above, im not too sure of the power supply as newbuilder did recommend me NeoHE, but some people said it isnt compatible with Asus MoBo, so i need to double check that

Also for HD, my friend who got a similar one recommended me a different one, but what is your opinion?

Again sorry, but still confused to actually buy the Case. Looking for a nice looking (perhaps with some color or lighting) and with possibly firewire just in case and possibly more than 2 USB ports. The only problem im still looking at this case is the position of the power supply which should be fine if i buy one with a long cord, but ill never know until i build.

[glc]

Antec TP's are good PSU's.

We recommend the 7200.10's because they are the fastest 7200 rpm drives made and they have a 5 year warranty.

[freakitchen]

Again sorry, but still confused to actually buy the Case. Looking for a nice looking (perhaps with some color or lighting) and with possibly firewire just in case and possibly more than 2 USB ports. The only problem im still looking at this case is the position of the power supply which should be fine if i buy one with a long cord, but ill never know until i build.

The Antec P180 is a very nice case, and if you go with an Antec power supply, you shouldn't have any problems with the cables reaching.

If you're looking for something flashier, you might want to look at Thermaltake cases. They tend to combine the flashy look with decent build quality, which often isn't the case with other manufacturers. I'd suggest you stick with a full-tower case, since you're buying such a physically large video card. The Thermaltake Armor might be what you're looking for, but you'll struggle to find any case with more than two side/front/top USB ports:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133154

FK

[fto]

Thanks for the help glc and FK..

I guess ill stay with the Antec TP, and ill change the case.

I'm sure i could get a add-on card for extra USB ports (any good ones? or suggestions?)

And ill change the case to a full tower, but does the blue light turn off for the cases or not?

Or actually any cases, allowing good Heat Reduction with some quality (overall view of case)

-Sorry for so many changes, since im still new, im looking through all the possible choices for each thing.

Edit. Some ive been looking are here

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sp?CatId=1510&

but not sure if i should buy it or not

[Nebbers]

If you are still looking for a good case, get a nice big shiney Cooler Master Centurion 5, available with or without a side window, retails on Newegg for about 50 buck, looks better in real life than the pictures lead to believe. I have one and love it.

[Alaron]

Any of those cases that you like will work fine. What is important is a quality power supply, and you chose one of those already.

For the USB issue, easiest thing is to buy a powered hub and put it on the desk for easy access.

Also, be sure to buy from Newegg instead of TD, they have a reputation for poor service.

[fto]

Alright, thanks Alaron and Nebbers. The only problem is if i could find all the cases i see at TD at newegg since some of them may be similar, or dont even have firewire which is something i need.

[fto]

Last question before i decide to buy. Since im using 8800GTS for videocard, do i need to have a full tower or mid-tower to have enough room to insert things above?

[newbuilder14]

Are you sure you cannot find all the parts you need at Newegg?

Which particular case were you looking for on Newegg?

Some Mid-Towers can probably fit an 8800GTS without any problems, others may not.

[fto]

Lets see... One would be

Ultra Silver Aluminus ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports

I have to see if it fits a 8800GTS first though

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...772&CatId=1510

**Looked through Newegg for the items, but came up empty**

The largest problem im seeing on Full Tower is that the cords are too short, so a decent case perhaps mid-tower that fits 8800GTS.

Also looked at nebbers suggestions, and plan to use them for another build, but not this one

[glc]

Antec cases make Ultra look like the junk it is. I'd stick with that P180 myself, that's a great case.

[Mr.Ferrari]

That ultra aluminus is actually pretty nice. Ultra did outsource to a good oem for these. I believe Chenming, same people who made alot of antec's cases.

Only thing I distrust would be Tigerdirect.

The bigger full towers are hard to find under $100, but most decent sized mid towers shouldn't have trouble fitting a 8800GTS.

[Staren]

Originally Posted by fto I have to see if it fits a 8800GTS first though

Where exactly are you hearing that the 8800 isn't going to fit in a normal case? The only problems I've heard of are if you are trying to use a non standard case like a mATX or shuttle, motherboards where a fan or heatsink gets in the way, or another expansion slot is a problem. It is a big card that takes up one of your other PCI or PCI E slots but that isn't usual an issue unless you have a lot of expansion cards. Any standard mid-tower should work fine with a decently designed motherboard.

[freakitchen]

The reason I recommend a full-tower case for the 8800 series of cards is that I watched a friend of mine curse at his by no means small Thermaltake Tsunami case when he tried to fit in a 7900GTO - a good few mm shorter than the 8800s. The card protruded into his hard drive bays, making 3 totally unusable.


This *might* be a fault of the hard drive tray in the Tsunami Dream - I'm yet to install such a large card in a mid-tower case. But I'd personally get the full tower and not risk making things difficult for myself

FK

[LeftyAce]

Just my 2 cents, I had the same problem with a 7800GT in my Thermaltake Soprano case; the card sticks out so far that it blocks two of the harddrive slots.

[Staren]

It looks like mostly a Thermaltake problem to me. If you look at pictures of pictures of those two cases compared to others, Thermaltake seems to pull their drive bays beck from the front intake fan some while most cases only leave just enough space for the fan between the drive bays and front of the case.