My Maiden Build

[ExPA]

Hiya! After a little reading and a gathering of some advice from a few experienced others, I'm currently thinking about the build described below, which would be my very first. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated! The machine is targeted to run very intensive 3D graphics applications (e.g., Poser 7, which can use a dual or quad core) as well as occasional gaming (e.g., Oblivion, but no DirectX 10 games, at least yet). I would probably be inclined to set the HDDs up in RAID 1. Thanks!! ExPA

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Intel BOXD975XBX2KR "Bad Axe" LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

EVGA 512-P2-N635-AR Geforce 7950GT KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

[TWO:] Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Onboard sound

SONY Black 2M Cache E-IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner - OEM

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black - OEM

COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Thermaltake Purepower W0129RU ATX12V 600 W Power Supply 115/230 V CE, FCC, UL, CUL, TUV certification - Retail

NEC Display Solutions 90GX2-BK Black 19" 4ms DVI LCD Monitor 400 cd/m2 700:1 - Retail

OPTI-UPS SS1200BLK 6 Outlets Voltage Stabilizer

Microsoft Windows XP Professional X64

[glc]

Don't waste the storage space - just set up the 2 drives independent. Raid 1 does you no good unless 1 drive physically fails - any viruses or corruption will wind up on both drives.

Intensive 3D graphics applications will run better on a workstation card such as an ATI FireGL or a Nvidia Quadro.

I'd think twice about X64 - driver support is just bad.

I would not get that DVD burner unless it comes with software - most OEM drives don't.

[hitchface]

Go with an LG or LiteOn burner. You can grab them retail for the OEM price most times, and it will come with software. Probably a fair bit cheaper than the Sony too, without compromising quality.

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by glc Don't waste the storage space - just set up the 2 drives independent. Raid 1 does you no good unless 1 drive physically fails - any viruses or corruption will wind up on both drives. Intensive 3D graphics applications will run better on a workstation card such as an ATI FireGL or a Nvidia Quadro. I'd think twice about X64 - driver support is just bad. I would not get that DVD burner unless it comes with software - most OEM drives don't.

Thanks for the advice glc!

I'll definitely focus on retail rather than OEM for the burner, and I'm also now thinking about either using the 2 HDDs in RAID 0 or maybe just save some $ and go with one drive for now.

On the graphics card, my understanding is that Poser's firefly renderer doesn't get any boost from the graphics card so I'm not sure I should spring the extra $ for a top of the line card. Also, someone told me the 7950GT would run virtually all currently available games at a good clip (though I know it wouldn't work with any new DirectX10 games).

My biggest anxiety now is about the OS. I thought x64 would be good, especially for Poser which can do multi-thread rendering and relies heavily on RAM (for which I thought using x64 would help, especially if I eventually boost above 2GB). Should I be thinking instead about regular XP Pro... or perhaps the media center edition I've seen some assembly houses put into their gaming rigs?

Thanks!

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by hitchface Go with an LG or LiteOn burner. You can grab them retail for the OEM price most times, and it will come with software. Probably a fair bit cheaper than the Sony too, without compromising quality.

I will definitely check out LG and LiteOn, both of which I recall seeing get good reviews in places like PC Mag. Also, someone suggested Pioneer is good too, so I will look at that option as well.

Thanks for the input!

[hitchface]

I am using MCE right now, and if you are looking for good tools, it doesn't really have any more that Home does. It has some bells and whistles that MIGHT be useful, like the ability to use a remote control and some simplified TV-directed functionality, but besides that it just looks prettier. Thats in my experience anyways.

[Cricket]

You really don't need the Zalman heatsink since the retail E6600 already comes with a heatsink (which you must use to retain the 3 year warranty).

And this is just me, but I wouldn't use a Thermaltake power supply...I'd get something from Seasonic, Fortron Source or Sparkle Power instead.

I've had a Lite-On DVD burner for about 3 years now and I'm satisfied with it's performance, no problems at all...but it is a little noisy at times. Just be sure to get the retail version so you get the burning software with it.

And when you get everything you might want to just put the floppy drive in storage as you'll probably never use it unless you have to run diagnostics from a floppy disk. I haven't used the floppy drives in any of my 3 computers in years. In fact I removed one floppy drive from my main computer to make room for an additional hard drive (which is much more useful). I doubt I'll ever miss it.

Cricket

[glc]

RAID 0 is DEFINITELY not recommended - if one drive hiccups the whole array goes down with total data loss. For NOW - stick with XP Home - then upgrade to 64 bit Vista when it's all debugged and drivers are all sorted out.

If DX10 games are in your future, just stick a 7600GS in there as a placeholder for now.

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by hitchface I am using MCE right now, and if you are looking for good tools, it doesn't really have any more that Home does. It has some bells and whistles that MIGHT be useful, like the ability to use a remote control and some simplified TV-directed functionality, but besides that it just looks prettier. Thats in my experience anyways.

Thanks for the insights on MCE, hitchface. This machine won't be in the same room as my HDTV, so seems like MCE wouldn't be that useful... but the info you gave WILL be helpul on my NEXT build, which I hope to set up as a media center PC in the room that DOES have the HDTV. cheers...

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by Cricket You really don't need the Zalman heatsink since the retail E6600 already comes with a heatsink (which you must use to retain the 3 year warranty). And this is just me, but I wouldn't use a Thermaltake power supply...I'd get something from Seasonic, Fortron Source or Sparkle Power instead. I've had a Lite-On DVD burner for about 3 years now and I'm satisfied with it's performance, no problems at all...but it is a little noisy at times. Just be sure to get the retail version so you get the burning software with it. And when you get everything you might want to just put the floppy drive in storage as you'll probably never use it unless you have to run diagnostics from a floppy disk. I haven't used the floppy drives in any of my 3 computers in years. In fact I removed one floppy drive from my main computer to make room for an additional hard drive (which is much more useful). I doubt I'll ever miss it. Cricket

Thanks for the very helpful advice, Cricket! Someone else had suggested I not bother with the Zalman CPU cooler. Looks like I'll save a little more $$, thanks to you guys!

I had also heard someone else say good things about Seasonic PSUs. Since I'm shooting in the dark on the choice of PSU, I will look again at Seasonic!

As for the floppy drive, I think I have an internal in a box off old computer parts somewhere. I guess I could just cable it up temporarily then stash it away again. On the other hand, a new one on newegg looks like it's only $6-8, so I'll look again at the case I end up getting to see if it's just as easy to throw one in permanently.

Will definitely get the retail version of the burner, and will look hard at the LiteOn, which I have now seen many folks recommend.

Thanks again!

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by glc RAID 0 is DEFINITELY not recommended - if one drive hiccups the whole array goes down with total data loss. For NOW - stick with XP Home - then upgrade to 64 bit Vista when it's all debugged and drivers are all sorted out. If DX10 games are in your future, just stick a 7600GS in there as a placeholder for now.

Thanks for the additional, excellent advice glc! Now I'm having doubts about ANY RAID setup, though I have seen references in some forums to RAID 5 or RAID 10. I'm wondering if I should look into those options, or just bag the idea of doing RAID at all.... confusing stuff.

On the OS, I'm a little worried about using XP Home, even as an interim OS. I have that on an old, hand-me-down-from-my-dad machine currently hooked up to my HDTV and it is a pain to network with the other PCs in the house. The machines I have which use XP Pro (e.g., the work laptop I bring home and plug in every few days) network nicely. But I'm definitely going to stay away from Vista for now. I don't want to be beta tester for a new OS AND a first-time PC builder at the same time!

Thanks again!

[flanzig1]

RAID 5 or 10 are for basiclly data storage with servers. If you were building a big file server then RAID 5 or 10 would be practical.

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 RAID 5 or 10 are for basiclly data storage with servers. If you were building a big file server then RAID 5 or 10 would be practical.

Thanks flanzig... I get it now! I'm now starting to think I might go for one big honkin drive... and leaving RAIDing to the experts! cheers

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ExPA I'm now starting to think I might go for one big honkin drive...

There's an advantage to having two hard drives...you can install the operating system and programs to one hard drive and save all your personal data to the second hard drive. That way if the operating system gets corrupted or crashes, or if the hard drive dies, you still have all your personal data saved on the second hard drive (that hopefully hasn't died too) and will have access to it once your reinstall the operating system or replace the dead hard drive and install the operating system to it.

You can just go with one hard drive but make sure you back up your personal data regularly.

Cricket

[LeftyAce]

Speaking of backups...I'd highly recommend getting an internal drive and putting it in an Apricorn enclosure. If you get one with eSATA, the transfer rate will be as fast as if the drive were inside your computer, and the Apricorns come with backup software. Just my 2 cents.

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by Cricket There's an advantage to having two hard drives...you can install the operating system and programs to one hard drive and save all your personal data to the second hard drive. That way if the operating system gets corrupted or crashes, or if the hard drive dies, you still have all your personal data saved on the second hard drive (that hopefully hasn't died too) and will have access to it once your reinstall the operating system or replace the dead hard drive and install the operating system to it. You can just go with one hard drive but make sure you back up your personal data regularly. Cricket

That certainly makes sense, so that is what I'll do. I suppose too that if the first drive is large enough, I can use it to make manual backups of my personal files stored primarily on drive #2. Thanks for the advice!

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce Speaking of backups...I'd highly recommend getting an internal drive and putting it in an Apricorn enclosure. If you get one with eSATA, the transfer rate will be as fast as if the drive were inside your computer, and the Apricorns come with backup software. Just my 2 cents.

Good advice LeftyAce... thanks! I do have a couple old Maxtor external HDDs sitting around with onetouch backup button plus software, but those might be too small at 60GB to be useful for the new rig. So I am definitely writing your option down as an alternative!

[ExPA]

Latest tweaks to the plan:

1. Substitute Antec 900 case for Cooler Master Mystique
2. Dropped Zalman CPU cooling fan in favor of stock for E6600
3. Substitute NEC floppy drive for Sony (save $2!!)
4. Substitute Lite-On DVD burner for Sony
5. Substitute Corsair 520w PSU for Thermaltake 600w
6. Substitute Win XP Pro with Vista upgrade coupon for Win XP Pro x64
7. Substitute DirectUPS power block for Opti-UPS stabilizer (due to out of stock)

So the current plan, culled from my newegg wish list, is pasted below. My main residual anxiety is about the RAM speed and whether I should be thinking about 800 rather than 675.

Any last words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

And thanks again to everyone who has helped me with this first build!

cheers... ExPa



Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Intel BOXD975XBX2KR LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

EVGA 512-P2-N635-AR Geforce 7950GT KO 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail

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

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4 - Retail

NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM

[TWO:] Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

NEC Display Solutions 90GX2 Silver 19" 4ms DVI LCD Monitor with 4-port USB 2.0 hub - Retail

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-185 - OEM

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

DirectUPS XP400 400VA 200 Watts UPS - Retail

$1,763.88

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ExPA My main residual anxiety is about the RAM speed and whether I should be thinking about 800 rather than 675. Any last words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

You only need DDR2 667 to run the E6600 at stock speeds. You don't even need XMS memory, ValueSelect RAM is fine. You would only need XMS DDR2 800 if you plan to overclock.

Cricket

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by Cricket You only need DDR2 667 to run the E6600 at stock speeds. You don't even need XMS memory, ValueSelect RAM is fine. You would only need XMS DDR2 800 if you plan to overclock. Cricket

Thanks for the help Cricket!

I guess I need to figure out, then, whether my games (e.g., Oblivion) and/or my 3D app rendering (e.g., Poser 7 firefly) would be enhanced significantly if I overclock. If so, then I guess Corsair XMS DDR2 800 RAM would be a good match for my overclocked E6600?

[hitchface]

What you should also consider is whether or not you can afford a new system should overclocking cause damage. I wouldn't be too excited about replacing some of the parts you have on there, so you might take that into consideration. You can't get anything replaced under warranty if you overclock. This is significant because unless I am mistaken, you switched back the the stock CPU cooler in part so that you could still have a warranty on it.

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by hitchface What you should also consider is whether or not you can afford a new system should overclocking cause damage. I wouldn't be too excited about replacing some of the parts you have on there, so you might take that into consideration. You can't get anything replaced under warranty if you overclock. This is significant because unless I am mistaken, you switched back the the stock CPU cooler in part so that you could still have a warranty on it.

Ulp! You're right! I did switch back to the stock cooler. Well, I'm thinking I should go back to my original, no-overclocking plan... and see if I can't save a little more $$ on RAM!

Thanks for keeping me out of trouble!

[glc]

Take a look at the Tripplite line-interactive UPS units.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842111031

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by glc Take a look at the Tripplite line-interactive UPS units. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842111031

Looks good to me, so I swapped that one onto my wish list. Thanks!

[haggard21]

You do not need the Arctic Silver 5 either, the stock heatsink will have a thermal pad installed.

[hitchface]

Well, you might be able to squeak a degree or two if you use AS5, but if you aren't a stickler for the perfect temps, don't bother with it.

[ExPA]

Thanks Hitchface and Haggard21! I'll delete the AS5.

And I might apply the savings to a dremel tool since I saw an interesting thread on the Antec 900 and might try to route some of the cables so they're less conspicuous.

cheers!

[glc]

Removing the stock pad will void the processor warranty too unless you use Intel's replacement material.

[hitchface]

Yeah, didn't think about that I guess. Unless you can really afford to replace the parts, play by the rules. That's what I'd do anyway.

[ExPA]

Thanks for the timely warning glc and hitchface. I shall indeed play by the rules.

I do have another question: what is the best way to monitor these critical temperatures folks are always talking about (esp. CPU temp). Is a temperature probe of some sort standard equipment with the CPU or motherboard? If not --and if it really is useful to monitor these temperatures-- do you have any recommendations on brands or models?

Thanks!