New Build Component Check

[APFU]

This will be my first build. I've read through several of the build threads to get started. That being said, I'm looking for input on the components I selected so far. I am not married to any of these so please your input is appreciated. I don't have a specific budget that I have to stick to but I'm hoping to stay under $1500 for the computer itself not counting the monitors, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

In addition to learning how to build a computer, my goal is a reliable computer that will be easily upgradeable in the future and will be up to the task of handling anything I decide to throw at it. I am not heavily into gaming, but I would like this computer to handle any games that I may want to play. I would like to run dual monitors. I will also probably load MS Vista as opposed to trying to upgrade the OS in a year or so.

Case - Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Motherboard - ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6420 - Retail
Video Card - EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Memory - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3400833AS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Optical Drive - LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail
Floppy Drive - SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
Card Reader - SABRENT CRW-UINB 52-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port - Retail

So, does everything look ok? Compatible? Did I leave anything out? Anything else I may want to consider? Thanks again for your help.

Edits: removed sound card, changed motherboard to E from deluxe, changed memory to standard XMS, switched to EVGA video card from ASUS

[minsonngo]

Looking pretty good.


I would just get the regular Corsair XMS2 modules though... the one you picked out is good if you plan to overclock.

On board sound is usually more than enough. You can ditch the sound card and add even more memory to your system too.

[bill_bright]

What about your OS? If you purchase your Vista license with hardware, you can save a few $$$.

Also, for just a couple $$$ more, I recommend you get a round cable for the floppy drive. They look nicer, but more importantly, they do not hinder good front to back air flow as the big flat ribbon cables can.

I agree that on-board sound is "good enough" for most people. But not me. But then I've been involved in audiophile quality audio reproduction equipment longer than I've been involved in computers, and that started in 1975!

That said, if you are going to hook up a $100 set of speakers to your computer, then on-board will be good. But if you intend to do some serious listening with some good speakers then a quality add-in card is needed. I prefer the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 over the Creative offering. Of course, you can try on-board for now, then upgrade to a card later if you are not happy.

[doubledragon5]

Id go with this EVGA card and ditch the ASUS... EVGA is more reliable and is highly recommended and about $30 cheaper..

[SpydaMan]

So what does a sound card give you that onboard sound does not???

[bill_bright]

Originally Posted by SpydaMan So what does a sound card give you that onboard sound does not???

Fidelity!

[XenaWP]

Originally Posted by SpydaMan So what does a sound card give you that onboard sound does not???

And more importantly, how much do those speakers have to cost to be able to resolve the differences?

I'd say, about $500/pr.

If you're not in that class of speakers, then you're wasting money on a better sound card.

[minsonngo]

I rarely add any sound cards to my personal builds and I don't even notice a difference really.

My HTPC hooked up to my big screen is using onboard sound and everyone that comes by to the house loves the sound quality coming from a 50 dollar set of harman/kardon speakers hooked up to that machine.

[Staren]

I'd drop the P5B Deluxe down to the P5B-E myself. What features of the deluxe do you actually need? If you can't think of any get the P5B-E. My rule of thumb with upgrades like that is if you neeed it, you know you need it.

[Mr.Ferrari]

If this is a gaming build, which it probably is, then you will notice better sound quality and effect when playing games. Especially those supporting eax3.0.

Cases are a personal thing, but im not really a fan of thermaltake cases. Poor quality for the price and over blinged. Just my opinion.

And I would personally shoot for a 7200.10 drive, but the 7200.9 is fine too.

[bill_bright]

Poor quality for the price and over blinged.

I agree that TT cases are a bit pricey, but I have never seen one (and I've a dozen or so come through) that was of poor quality, at any price.

However, I do agree with "over blinged". In fact, I complain and caution all the time about fancy lights and a pretty facade. A good case will carry you though years of upgrades as your computer evolves through the future. The pretty facades are faddish, and soon look outdated, IMO. But what bothers me more is fancy lights. I see no purpose for them. They do nothing for performance, they consume power, they add some heat, and they do nothing for performance (worth repeating). IMO, a case is suppose to house and protect the computer within, then sit indiscreetly and quietly out of the way. And besides, I tend to pay attention to my monitors, and not the case. JMHO.

[Mr.Ferrari]

I just meant that in the sense that there was better quality to be found at the prices they charge. I have owned two of TT's cases, the Armour, and Tsunami. The armor wasn't so bad, but the Tsunami was annoying when installing components and routing cables, nothing too bad, I just expected more for $100. Lotta sharp edges too.

Ended up selling both.

This is definitely just a personal opinion. The TT cases seem to be very popular nonetheless.

[bill_bright]

Lotta sharp edges too.

I call that a sign of poor quality - I am surprised, I don't remember sharp edges on either case and my knuckles always seem to get in my way.

But I've never owned one, or built a system with one. Just fixed a few PCs in them. I like Antec cases. Not too fancy, sturdy, nice fan options, and quiet. The older I get, the more important noise - or rather lack of noise - is to me. I've been using the lots of Sonata II and P180B cases lately.

[APFU]

Thanks for the info, keep it coming. I'll look over everything again. From what it looks like, I may drop the sound card if you say it is not needed and then if I want better sound upgrade it later. I'll switch to the P5B-E, there really aren't any features that I can see that I will need that the E doesn't have that the deluxe does. Also with the rebate on the memory it does make sense to go with the standard XMS memory. After a little more searching today, I think I'm going to check out a few more cases before placing an order. It looks like there are less expensive cases out there that will do what i want.

[bill_bright]

It looks like there are less expensive cases out there that will do what i want.

Yes there are. But be warned that many cases, even very good cases, often come with a cheap generic PSU thrown in, often just to make the case sell. Don't let the presence or absence of a PSU influence your case decision. I have a small pile of brand new PSUs that came with cases I wanted. If nothing else, you can get yourself a nice FrozenCPU Ultimate PSU Tester or a cheap CompUSA PSU Tester to use as a dummy load for the discarded PSU, then use that cheap PSU to test fans.

[APFU]

Question on software and operating system.

I'm pretty much ready to order up the parts and am trying to put together the software and operating system. I plan on running Windows Vista Ultimate and installing Microsoft Office Pro 2007, are the prices I'm seeing on Newegg ($378 for Vista and $419 for Office) the cheapest I can get on these or am I missing something? If not, I sure wish Bill G. would have taken me out to dinner and a movie before having his way with me. Thanks again for your help.

[minsonngo]

Are you looking at the Retail version? OEM version is much cheaper here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116213

[APFU]

Originally Posted by minsonngo Are you looking at the Retail version? OEM version is much cheaper here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116213

I was looking at the retail version. What is the difference between the two?

[Duffasaurus]

There's also something known as the bittorrent discount. Expecially wonderful for overpriced nescessities like Vista.

[LeftyAce]

Duffasaurus: Please review this forum's strict zero tolerance policy on piracy: (#9)

http://forum.pcmech.com/rules.php

The difference between OEM and retail is that retail comes in a nice box, and costs 20-30 dollars more. I've used OEM no problem on all my builds.

[APFU]

Thanks for the info Lefty, I'll do without the nice box.

[bill_bright]

If you have a student or faculty member in the house, look into the academia editions for Office.

[kwbbpc]

Should he be going for the 32 bit Vista or 64 bit? Wouldn't 64bit Vista utilize the 2nd core?

Also- I thought the difference between the OEM and Retail was that the Retail version may be uninstalled and moved to a different computer (only on one computer at a time), while the OEM version could only be installed on the original computer and could not be transferred.

[LeftyAce]

You don't need 64 bit vista to use the second core, and your processor isn't 64 bit compatible, so definitely stick with 32 bit.

I'm not sure on the transferability difference between the licenses.....

[XenaWP]

Originally Posted by bill_bright If you have a student or faculty member in the house, look into the academia editions for Office.

It's worth adopting or marrying a student.

I got WinXP and Office 2003 for $15 each with my roommate's student/staff discount.

[APFU]

Originally Posted by XenaWP It's worth adopting or marrying a student. I got WinXP and Office 2003 for $15 each with my roommate's student/staff discount.

I can see my wife now.....what do you mean you brought a coed home because she came with software.....

Thanks for all the info everyone... parts should be on there way, hopefully by next week I will be up and running.

[XenaWP]

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do ....

[SpydaMan]

Regarding the software, does it matter how old the student is or what grade they are in??? Is the student version the same as the regular version???

[XenaWP]

Spyda, I don't think pre-school qualifies ....

[SpydaMan]

Originally Posted by XenaWP Spyda, I don't think pre-school qualifies ....

Good one, LOL. No, my oldest will be in 7th grade, but I was unsure if they meant high school or college age.