PC Build-First timer

[kflip445]

First, what I plan on running:

Asus A8V-XE (already have)
AMD Athlon A64 X2 3800+ 2.0GHz 939 Socket Toledo (already have)
WD Caviar SE16 250GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
XFX Geforce 8600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-e x16
Rosewill power supply 600W ATX 12V V2.01
Patriot 1GB PC3200 RAM CAS 2
Zalman CNPS9500 Heatsink/fan

And a CD drive and floppy from a friend. Also the case will be from a friend. I know it's ATX but don't know anything else about it.

For my questions.

I am leaning towards getting a 32-bit OS because the whole reason for this build is to play Supreme Commander. lol I want to be able to run this program at the very least. I was reading elsewhere that a 64-bit OS would run most 32-bit applications but if it has any 16-bit in the program that it will not run. So, I've decided to run a 32-bit OS just to be safe. My concern is if I should just go with Vista now knowing that it takes a good deal of RAM to run smoothly or to run XP and be happy that it runs well like that. Any input?

Another thing I would like to know is if that particular heatsink/fan will fit on my board. If anyone has the same board and has tried this cooler let me know!

Lastly, in the mobo's manual it says that I have to install Windows 2000 SP4 or XP SP1 before using SATA. Will I be able to install windows on the SATA HD? Or is this just screwing over my SATA ideas?

Thanks for any and all help! If you have some other suggestions for different parts that are around the same price as offered on Newegg, or if you have anything to say about my buildup that could help me out, I'd love to hear it. Thanks again!

[minsonngo]

I would stick with Windows XP for now. XP works great now... Vista is still buggy. If you go with Vista... I would bump the memory up to 2GB.

You should be able to install the OS just fine on the SATA drive without any hitches.

I have no experience with that heatsink in the particular board you have... but looking at the specs of both... I believe you should be fine. If the processor has the retail heatsink and fan... I would just use it instead.

The only I would change... is the power supply... Rosewill is iffy... go with a QUALITY power supply... a ATX 2.x PSU with over 450 watts should be more than enough... here is my recommendation: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

The video card is fine... if you want a better brand... look at the eVGA lineup.

[kflip445]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085

How about this card then? It's only $10 more. The only thing is that the XFX's core clock and memory clock speed is higher than the eVGA. Would it still be a better buy for the eVGA?

The power supply I was going to get is this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182032

But the power supply you posted looks like it has all the connectors I need and is a tad bit cheaper too.

Edit: Any thoughts on 32-bit vs 64-bit? Other than the driver issues.

[perkster]

32/64 debate is only if youre going vista as far as i am aware, go XP 32bit

[minsonngo]

Read about 64 bit vs 32 bit here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit#32_vs_64_bit

[kflip445]

So nothing on the video card thing? lol

Eh, I was just wondering about the 64-bit deal. I'm already set on XP SP2. Does anyone know if there is a OS package that comes with word and excel and stuff? That way I don't have to buy Office for like a bajillion dollars. ><

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by kflip445 So nothing on the video card thing? lol Eh, I was just wondering about the 64-bit deal. I'm already set on XP SP2. Does anyone know if there is a OS package that comes with word and excel and stuff? That way I don't have to buy Office for like a bajillion dollars. ><

I dont know of any package deals unless you are buying a computer also. But, if you are a student, or know a student, you can save alot on office by getting it through a school. They also have pretty good deals for some work places. So check around before you just go buy a retail copy and see if you or any or your freinds qualify for student or work deals.

Kat

[doubledragon5]

That video is a good choice, but that PSU needs to go.. Here is a list of quality psu to get and poor ones to avoid.. Rosewill are junk and if it goes it can take out your entire machine with it..

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[kflip445]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121031

What about this video card? In some tests I found off of this site and others, most games have a higher FPS compared to the 8600GT I was thinking to get. The only think is that it doesn't support DirectX10, but I am going to run XP anyways so it really wouldn't matter. Any comment?

On the PSU, I will be going with the one minsonngo recommened.

Thanks for all the help!

[grunge_avenged]

Im not too farmiliar with Patriot RAM but I suppose it should do the trick? Another (possibly cheaper) alternative would be to go with Corsair Value Select RAM

[kflip445]

I got my PC built and it's up and running. It was easy as cake to get everything in and install the OS. I went with Windows XP for now and I got a EVGA 7600GT for now since XP doesn't even support Direct X 10. I'll upgrade to Vista and a new video card probably next spring when Vista has been out for awhile. Oh, and I used the FSP power supply, worked great. For ram I got in on the sale at Newegg for 2x1GB of DDR400 G.Skill ram. Looks pretty cool.

The case I got from my friend was a old P4 case and it was that weird off white color. I sanded it down with my DA sander and then painted it this red anodized color spray paint from Wal-Mart......it sucked. lol I'll be sanding it down again and then I'm going to take it to get powder coated a candy red. Freakin expensive at $35 a panel. 3 panels so $105. I'll post pics when that gets done. The only thing is the front is a plastic and it's white too. Does anyone know what kind of plastic paint works good? Like a black. And any tips on spraying the dang thing would be nice too.

Thanks for all the help so far!

[flanzig1]

Krylon has a paint for plastic, check at your local mega-mart. For prep, the plastic should be sqeeky clean. If it has a smooth shining type surface,lightly sand it with some 200 grit sand paper. Clean again. Paint in light coats. First 2 or 3 coats should just cover the color of the plastic.

[kflip445]

Cool, I'll try that.

Another thing. My computer smells funky when it's been on for awhile. The Asus PC Probe says the CPU is at ~38-40*C at all times. It never goes over that. When I installed the heatsink/fan (Cooler Master that looks kinda like a OEM one) it had a patch of thermal paste already. It seemed like a lot though. Could this just be the paste curing or something?

[flanzig1]

Some new parts like a PSU may have something on the heatsinks leftover from the manufacturing process and that may be what your smelling. If have old parts, dust could have gotten onto heatsinks or other heat producing parts. Could be the thermal paste, some aftermarket pads/paste may have a slight chemical smell.

[kflip445]

Cool. I've had it on over 2 days already and it hasn't had any trouble at all. It just smells funny. lol