Check My Spec..?

[madjohn]

Hi all!!
This be my first post but I have been browsing the forums for a couple of days and think I am set to ask for opinions on my proposed New (and first) Build:

Here goes..! (And thanks to PanamaRed for the checklist!! )

I will be using my PC for multiple tasks but mostly music, video (watching, not editing), CD & DVD Burning, Internet & downloading from. I’m not really a gamer so a high-end Graphics Card wouldn’t be needed or HD compatible – but I would like DVI and TV out options.
I also use lots of Office s/ware and image editing s/w (FireworksMX, for example).

I have ‘researched’ the following (as much as I can! lol) and am going to go the AMD2 way. I have tried to “future-proof” my PC so I won’t necessarily have to upgrade in the near future but have allowed for it (I hope).

ITEM BRAND/MODEL SUPPLIER PRICE / FRT

Case: Maplin Aluminium Case (local company in UK) £30 / $57

PSU: 580W HiperPower Type-R Modular Black PSU Quiet Dbl Fan aPFC ATX2.2 20/24 Pin (RoHS)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...=<b>228620</b> - £57.57 / $110

Mobo: MSI K9N SLI Platinum NF570 SLI, S AM2, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 533/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=398861 - £70.37 / $133

CPU: AD04400DDBOX - AMD AM2 Athlon 64 4400 Windsor Core, Dual Core 2.2GHz, 1MB x 2 Cache, Retail Energy Eff' Version
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=401102 - £96.35 / $183

Or
ADO4200CUBOX – AMD AM2 Athlon 64 4200+ Dual Core 2.2GHz, 2x 512KB Cache, Retail Energy Efficient
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=445618 - £91.65 / 174

CPU Fan: Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro - (Socket 754, 939, AM2) + ALL AMD Opteron
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=340993 £14.67 / $28

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB S300 16mb
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4GNP £175.98 / $334 (for x2 HDDs)

RAM: 1GB (2x512MB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-15
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=202607 £73.60 / $140

Pri Optical: I need a good DVD-RW for up to £50 / $90. I’m fed up of the cheaper ones I’ve got crashing and not burning..! Sony..?

Sec Optical: n/a – or a good one for about £25 / $50. What’s a good make, nowadays?

Sound Card: n/a – I’m ok with the MSI onboard sound.

Video Card: I have absolutely no idea, here! I like the look of this from one of the other posts here, though….

Gigabyte 7300GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125036

The eVGA 640mb 8800GTS is nice but waaay to expensive!! 

FDD: n/a – I’ll use my old one

Keyboard: n/a – I’ll use my old one

Mouse: n/a – I’ll use my old one

Modem: n/a – I’ll use my old one

Lan: n/a – I’ll use my old one/onboard

Monitor: n/a – I’ll use my old one (19” Widescreen TFT)

Speakers: n/a – I’ll use my old ones

OS: XP or Vista…?

Extras: X-Micro 108Mbps PCI Wireless Adaptor
http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...ufacturer_id=0 £15.87 / $30

TV Tuner Card…? I have no idea here, either, but not HD (if that’s an option here – As mentioned; I know nothing about graphics!!)

Have I over-cooked it in places or got the compatibility wrong anywhere..? e.g is the PSU too powerful..? Any help would be appreciated – especially where some items are missing (not including the ‘n/a’ stuff cos I don’t need/want them).
Also, I know most of the fab people on this forum are American but most products can be found worldwide (i.e in the UK) and I can always look for something similar to any suggestions I may receive.

Thank yooo!
MJ

[Avalanche941]

You should go with XP if you don't want much hassle, Vista for the cool factor, and some additional features. Since you're not gaming, you can pick either one, although I recommend XP, because you won't have many compatibility issues.

The Gigabyte 7300GT is good for non-gamers, and can run Vista well, but can also game, albeit at low resolutions.

That PSU sounds iffy. I've never heard of it, but Hiperpower seems to be ok from the reviews I have seen on other sites.

For processor, I am pretty sure 2 x 1MB L2 cache is better than 2 x 512KB. Get the 4400+ if
budget allows.

Get a retail lite-on drive. It comes with Nero, so you can burn stuff. Here's a combo drive from lite-on, for an example. You live in Europe, I take it? You can't shop at Newegg, but here's an example anyway.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106058

Your PSU can never be too powerful, unless it is more than 1Kilowatt. The Power supply draws only what is needed, so no matter how powerful, you electric bill will be the same. It is just the efficiency of it that makes it different. Keep the PSU, you might need extra for upgrades.

[madjohn]

Thanks Avalanche!

I had the other (4200) Processor in there as the 4400 was not in stock. It is now and I'll plump for that.

How does the PSU sound iffy, do you think..? As you mention, if other sites are saying Hiperpower is ok, should i go for it?
Any PSU around the same price would be helpful if you know of one. As long as it's relitively quiet.

Other than than, a fair attepmt at a first build..?

[YukonMaster]

I looked around and found some good reviews on Hiperpower in general and it is also listed on our site in the Power Supply Reference Guide under the good section so I would say go for it.

YukonMaster

[Alaron]

I'd switch out the Hiper power supply. They are popular overseas, but that unit had a reputation for dying (in the best way, without taking components with it, but still dying) after about a year or so. I'd choose this Silverstone: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=355398 Plenty of power and comes in at the same price.

Best to get a wireless card that is the same brand as your wireless router.

Also keep in mind that the extra heatsink is not needed unless you plan on overclocking. The retail CPU will come with one that is just fine. And you'll have a full 3yr warranty. Using another HSF voids that warranty.

[madjohn]

Invaluable advice. Thanks for looking these things up!
I'll look up both devices/review pages, cheers!

At the moment I do not have a wireless router but may go that way. I have a Pinnacle ShowCenter that is wireless so that would need a good transmitter. Still hunting...

[madjohn]

I'm liking this... more http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=462690 (x6) SATA connectors (and the mobo allows for 6) but it has a 12V EPS - what does that mean..? And am I making sense..!? lol

[blue60007]

I wouldn't recommend a Coolermaster unit, the quality might be a bit of a gamble. Alaron's choice looks like a good choice.

Some motherboards have an 8-pin auxillary power connector (instead of the 4 pin) and that's where the 8-pin would go. I would imagine the 8-pin connector would split apart to be backwards compatible.

[madjohn]

Ok blue, I'll stick with Alaron's sugestion. Thanks!

About to buy..!