Soon to be 1st build

[UncleS]

Due to changing jobs (read getting fired) a little over 3 years before getting everything I needed to make a computer I am now in a position to make myself a quality PC. Although I had the CD already I decided to get the book because I like the ability to have the book there instead of running across the house to the other computer if I run into a problem. Here is what I am thinking of using.

The only things I can salvage from my previously planned build are the Antec SoHo server case, the Thermaltake 420w PSU, and a Western Digital 60 GB Ide Hd that will be a secondary drive for music, picture and video storage.

aBit AW9D Max
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813127011

Intell E6600

XFX 7600 GT videocard (placeholder until DX10 cards come way down)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814150213

2GB (1gb X 2) Buffalo Firestix DDR2 800 Ram
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820150054

Seagate Barracuda 250GB Sata HD (this will be primary drive)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148144

Hanns G monitor
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824254001

Since Newegg doesn't have a Sata DVD-ROM I am looking at 2
Samsung 18X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827151141

Lastly for WiFi I am adding this Abit Airpace card
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16833347001

I plan on using XP media center for this build. I will probably upgrade to Vista when I get the DX10 card. I also plan on witing to after 4-22 when the E6600 price goes down.

I know that the normal recommendation is the Asus P5B and Crucial RAM. I just saw too many problems written up about those on Newegg and other sites.

So any thoughts or advice on what I selected or what else I may want to look at?

[chuck4456]

You'll need a better POWER SUPPLY. Unless you need lots of extra SATA connectors and some fancy LEDS, just get the AW9D. That will save you some money. If you're planning on doing some overclocking, get the FIRESTIX. DDR list indicated they are MICRON. If you don't need to overclock, CRUCIAL PC5300 1.8V C5 (2gigs) will work perfectly. Get LITE ON DVD Burners. I personally prefer PC POWER&COOLING when it comes to PSUs. We have a POWER SUPPLY REFERENCE THREAD PART 2 which highlites all known very good PSUs in bold blue. You'll be very satisfied with that board.
I'm not being bipartasan - ABIT wins with the i975X, ASUS wins with the P965. No one wins with the 680i. Call us if you need us.

[UncleS]

I thought that Thermaltake was one of the good PSUs. I followed another thread here to a wattage calculator that came up with a 340W usage. Based on that the 420 W looked like planty. Especially since the Mobo and video card use passive heat pipes instead of fans. I DO however know that I will have to upgrade the PSU if I upgrade to a DX10 video card.

The Micron chips is the reason I wanted to go with the Firestix vs the value series. Well that and it seems that Crucial is having DOA trouble as of late. I know that I have to up the RAM voltage to 2.1 v for the firestix and will probably try to see how well I can tweak the other variables to the 2.1 RAM voltage. Not planning to extreme OC.

[chuck4456]

Good morning. THERMALTAKE is marginal. If it's an older one, it probably doesn't feature an 8-pin connector that you will need for the CPU. You can use a 4 but it's better to use an 8. I'm focusing on stability. Amp ratings are another factor. Fans or not, a good graphix card can cause stumble on boot if the PSU can't back it up. You also need secure, stable voltage to your hubs and peripherals, or that system will fall flat on its face with even mild overclocks. I haven't heard of CRUCIAL having many problems. I've got 3 sets for my main rig. PC5300 (as I recommended), PC5300 TAE (which I currently use) and PC6400. 4 household PCs with CRUCIAL. No RMAs yet. Used it in my most recent client builds. No comebacks. I could be an isolated case. CORSAIR actually has a more extreme death rate these days. Buying XMS is like bobbing for apples. You don't know which revision you're getting until you have it. Some have been real duds. You're the one that must decide and my opinions are based solely on personal experience and a little preference. Gotta go to work. Good luck!

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by UncleS Since Newegg doesn't have a Sata DVD-ROM I am looking at 2 Samsung 18X DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827151141

I just ordered a Lite-On SATA DVD-ROM from newegg and they're still in stock at the moment.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106039

Good luck with your build!

[glc]

That Thermaltake is a good PSU, but not for PCI-E builds. It's not ATX 2.0 and only has a single +12v rail. Save it for an AGP system. If that Abit board has a 8 pin CPU connector, get a EPS-compatible PSU.

[UncleS]

Thanks guys. Looks like a new PSU will be added to the build.
Chuck sorry I mixed Crucial and Corsair up in my head. I was thinking Corsair problems but wrote Crucial.

[UncleS]

So is this 485W Enermax what I'm looking for? Especially if I upgrade to a DX10 vid card in the future.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194015

[Mr.Ferrari]

I would go for a Corsair HX 520W instead.

$106 + $10 Mail in Rebate at www.zipzoomfly.com

I can't gurantee that the memory will boot without first setting the proper voltage in bios first. If you wan't to be safe get some Corsair XMS.

[UncleS]

Actually after posting here I was browsing newegg some more and saw that Corsair. I do realy like the modular plugs. I had been hoping to spend a little less BUT I know better than to skimp on the PSU. But since I want upgrade room and plan to play with OCing a bit that more power is better.

As for the RAM - as I understand it, it will boot but will autodetect 5-5-5-18 667 at 1.8v. To get a 4-4-4-12 800 it needs 2.1v.

[glc]

5-5-5-18 667 at 1.8v is all you need if you aren't overclocking.