1st Build!

[JL1234]

Just recently got into PC building after upgrading my parents P4 2.6 865neo2. I am looking to build a 90% gaming machine for my room, trying to keep budget low as poss (being 1st build and all) but want SOME OC'ing fun, future upgradability etc, gonna start with one GPU (trying to resit 8800!). Below is wot i have found on the net so far and noted down, wot do you think? willl this be compatible?
1st timer so any help is Appreciated! TY

CASE---Antec 900 £70
PSU---Hiper HPU-4M580 Type R 580W ATX2.2 PSU - Black £60
MBoard---asus p5n sli £85
RAM---Geil 1gb low lat £80
GPU--- 250
DVD/CD--- Samsung SH-S182D 18x18 DVD±RW ReWriter (Black) - OEM £20
PROCESSOR--- E6300 £100
OS--- XP home £60
KEYBOARD--- G15 £50
MONITOR---LG L204WT 20" LCD 5ms 1680 x 1050 1600:1 Tilt TCO99 £170

£ 695

[flanzig1]

The Asus board would be OK for a single video card but to run Sli with Intel CPUs, should use the 680i chipset and a Sli Certified PSU. The Asus board with that chipset is about 4 times as much.
Ram: go with Corsair Value Select DDR2 667
DVD: You want to get a retail version to get the software/look at Lite-On.

[Mr.Ferrari]

1. That hiper is actually a 550w unit, and it also has poor stability. I would pick something different. Here are some better psu's, go with the Corsair if you want to upgrade to a DX10 card:
Corsair 520W HX
Akasa 500w PaxPower

2. SLi with intel isnt a budget friendly choice. Go with a Asus P5B instead. Nforce chipsets are a no no with intel.

3. Swap that ram out for some Corsair or Crucial Ballistix

4. If you want to play games on high right now, go for a X1950PRO or a X1950XT. If you want to upgrade to DX10 soon, go for a 7600GT or GS.

5. See if you can get a lite-on or sony drive.

[JL1234]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 The Asus board would be OK for a single video card but to run Sli with Intel CPUs, should use the 680i chipset and a Sli Certified PSU. The Asus board with that chipset is about 4 times as much. Ram: go with Corsair Value Select DDR2 667 DVD: You want to get a retail version to get the software/look at Lite-On.

Yea i would of gone with the p5n32 sli but will that funny sound card be compatible with my case?? (Ihave a xfi music i will prob use anyway). That or the EVGA 680i board, any preference? I will def OC on a 680 so any idea on ram. Thanx for input

[Mr.Ferrari]

You also need an HDD.

Can you afford 680i? I mean I would rather get a cheaper motherboard and 2gb of ram..An intel chipset will also oc better and be more stable.

But it depends on how far you want to oc and how low of latencies you want to use. Now 680i is pretty finicky with memory. I would go with some Crucial ballistix or Corsair Dominators.

[JL1234]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari You also need an HDD. Can you afford 680i? I mean I would rather get a cheaper motherboard and 2gb of ram..An intel chipset will also oc better and be more stable. But it depends on how far you want to oc and how low of latencies you want to use. Now 680i is pretty finicky with memory. I would go with some Crucial ballistix or Corsair Dominators.

I think your right i feel now i might aswel go with a 965 chipset for a while then go out for a (more mature) 680i. would that hit performance a gr8 deal? Will be back with a revised (complete) list shortly. Noted HDD THXX! is a cheap 320mb 8800 worth gettin, with a view to sli' ing one day?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Performance wont be hurt to any noticeable degree. If you can afford the 8800 go for it.

Dont forget a proper psu. If you plan SLi, you have two choices, either buy a psu that will power a single 8800 and upgrade to a SLI psu certified for 8800's later. Or buy a psu with SLi in mind right now.

[JL1234]

MBoard--- £85
GPU--- £200
CASE---Antec 900 £70
PSU---Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)
£73
RAM---corsair dom £170
DVD/CD---LiteOn 18x DVD+/-RW/RAM IDE Multi Bezel Retail £20
PROCESSOR--- E6300 £100
OS--- XP home £60
KEYBOARD--- G15 £50
MONITOR---LG L204WT 20" LCD 5ms 1680 x 1050 1600:1 Tilt TCO99 £170
HDD---Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB PATA £40

about it so far..... undecided on mobo/Graphics combo tho!! grrr

[Mr.Ferrari]

How about something like this for motherboard?:
Asus P5B

If you have 200 quid, I would definitely spend it on nothing less then DX10. This would be good:
8800GTS 320Mb

Just want to clarify, that is a great psu and will power that single videocard, but if you want to add another later if you go 680i, you will have to upgrade the PSU as well.

Oh and I would opt for a SATA HDD.

[newbuilder14]

Here you go: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=HD-079-SE

I would drop the idea of SLI and get the P5B, but if you wanted to stick to SLI, here is a good power supply to handle two of those cards: Silverstone ST75ZF.

[JL1234]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Here you go: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=HD-079-SE I would drop the idea of SLI and get the P5B, but if you wanted to stick to SLI, here is a good power supply to handle two of those cards: Silverstone ST75ZF.

Yer im wanting to run most newgames at 1600x1050, single display, so i dont rly need to go sli yet. Will check out p5b specs. Will i be ok installing windows XP straight onto sata drive?

[newbuilder14]

Remember, there is also the P5B Deluxe and P5B-E that offer more if you are looking for some fancy feature(s).

[JL1234]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Remember, there is also the P5B Deluxe and P5B-E that offer more if you are looking for some fancy feature(s).

MBoard--- p5b e £100
GPU---8800gts £200
CASE---Antec 900 £70
PSU---Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)
£73
RAM---corsair dom £170
DVD/CD---LiteOn 18x DVD+/-RW/RAM IDE Multi Bezel Retail £20
PROCESSOR--- E6300 £100
OS--- XP home £60
KEYBOARD--- G15 £50
MONITOR---LG L204WT 20" LCD 5ms 1680 x 1050 1600:1 Tilt TCO99 £170
HDD---Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB ST3160811AS SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM
£45

£1058 That will do for tonight. Will see if i can shave any ££££ off tommoz. All lookin good?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Will i be ok installing windows XP straight onto sata drive?

Yes just make sure you connect the sata cable to the motherboard onto where it says "master".

Otherwise looks good.

[newbuilder14]

Looks good to me. I would drop down to the Corsair XMS2 memory to save some memory, it will give you fine overclocks. With that saved money I'd go for a Seagate 7200.10 SATA hard drive. If you can get a SATA optical drive that's nice, but if not, one IDE drive should be fine.

[freakitchen]

A SATA optical is a good idea with a p965 build (see GLC's sticky at the top of this forum). Their availability is scarce in the UK - I'm struggling to find one at any of the major retailers.

BUT, I've managed to find one at a vendor I trust - I use them for my blank media. This one in particular is an OEM drive - but they've bundled it with Power DVD and Nero.

http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pid=2121

FK

[JL1234]

Thats gr8 thx for checkin this out, I had planned to add more sata devices, but just wanted somethin to get up and running. Yea i'll go with the cheaper xms. Is it worth just sticking with a base model p5b? Thats cool freakitchen, nice and cheap!

[glc]

If the base model has all the features you need, then why get a more expensive model?

[JL1234]

So, thx for the help guys, this is my final list of components:

MBoard--- p5b e plus £100
GPU---8800gts 320mb £200
CASE---Antec 900 £70
PSU---Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)
£73
RAM---corsair xms2 pc6400 £150
DVD/CD---LiteOn 18x DVD+/-RW/RAM IDE Multi Bezel Retail £20
PROCESSOR--- E6300 £100
OS--- XP home £60
KEYBOARD--- G15 £50
MONITOR---LG L204WT 20" LCD 5ms 1680 x 1050 1600:1 Tilt TCO99 £170
HDD---Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB ST3160811AS SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM
£45

£1038

Not sure on graphics card.... Anything i should know b4 buying all this!!?
may find cheaper psu...

[freakitchen]

If you're not sure about the 8800, you could always buy a low-end 'placeholder' video card - like the 7600GS - until the full range of Direct X10 video cards from Nvidia and ATI have been rolled out. This will give you a much wider choice for one thing, not to mention the fact that the ATI cards are supposed to be very good.

I wouldn't find a cheaper power supply. If you buy the 8800 now, then it needs quality power. If you decide to wait, then the future video card you buy will need quality power. The Corsair model you chose has that in spades.

FK