First Computer Build....Need some input...

[RazR]

I have been wanting to upgrade my computer because it is pretty much past it's life span
So i have decided about building my FIRST computer
This computer will be used for listening to music, watch movies, and playing games
As for the gaming aspect, i chose a graphics card that will enable me play my games with smoothness as well as providing awesome gameplay graphics
i potentially might go with 2 graphics card but for now i just need one

I just had a couple questions...
1. Is everything compatible with each other? (for the most part i am about 95% sure that everything is)
2. Will the 600W PSU be enough to power this computer? AND how do you determine a sufficient power supply?

I AM OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTS THAT ARE MADE

SPECIFICATIONS(ignore the prices):
PC Case: Antec 900 Gamer case (1 200mm top fan, 1 200mm back fan, and 2 x 80mm front with LED)
$119.95

Hard Drive: Seagate 500GB Barracuda 7200 SATA II w/NCQ 16mb Cache
$139.95

CD/DVD Rom Drive: LG 52x32x52x CD-RW w/ software
$29.95

DVD-RW Drive: Pioneer DVR - Dual Layer DVD+/- Drive, SATA
$44.95

Motherboard: Asus M2 CROSSHAIR w/ DualDDR2 800, SupremeFX 7.1 Audio, Dual GB Lan, 1394, Dual PCI-E x16
$284.95

Processor: AMD Athlon 64X2 5600+ w/ 2x1 MB Cache (Socket AM2)(2.86Ghz)
$229.95

Memory: Kingston 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM Kit (2 x 1GB)
$79.95
WITH
OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 Gold Gamer eXtreme XTC Edition Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)
$119.95

Power Supply: OCZ 600W StealthXStream Power Supply w/ Quad +12V
$99.95

Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon X1950 XT 256MB PCI-E w/ VIVO, Dual DVI, HDTV-Out (Lite Retail)
$314.95

So is it ready to be followed up on?

[RazR]

oh i forgot one thing...
i will be running a Windows XP operating system

[whubbard]

1) Why are you getting 2 sets of different ram? (we suggest corsair our here as well, kingston has lost its touch)

2) you should get Lite-On Sata Optical drives.

3) Intel Core 2 Duo is much better price/performace (well performace in general), So i would suggest..for your setup a Asus P5K, and an intel E6600.

4) If you want 4gb of ram...you should go vista 64-bit. if you want XP...stick with 2gb.

5) that PSU is fine, but i would suggest this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341002 (becuase i have it...and i love it)

[RazR]

I heard that Lite-On optical drives don't have that long of a life span compared to the LG's or Pioneer's.....but i might have heard wrong

and i wanted to just stick with xp because i have heard too many compatibility issues
either way i can always upgrade to vista when i need to

I have looked at reviews comparing the AMD 5600+ with other processors like the Intel E6600 and there wasn't much of a difference when comparing them. they were pretty much par for par

[jer888]

Originally Posted by RazR I have looked at reviews comparing the AMD 5600+ with other processors like the Intel E6600 and there wasn't much of a difference when comparing them. they were pretty much par for par

I haven't seen a benchmark that the 5600 beat the E6600. Although they are pretty close and the 5600 is 50 bucks cheaper so perhaps
you have a point.

Stick with Lite-On opticals. You also don't really need two opticals, unless you are going to use them to burn directly from disc to disc.

Why the two different sets of RAM? You don't need 4 gigs anyways.

For that much money, you might as well get a 8800GTS and have DX10 compatibility.

The corsair 520 and 620 are being recommended for gaming builds alot now. They will handle anything and are superior quality. Watts isn't everything.

[Mr.Ferrari]

You would get alot more bang/buck if you go with intel. Especially with the motherboard.

You could get a future proof, P5K at $100 less, and spend that towards a better processor.

Also your going with a ATI card, thats fine, but your once again wasting money on a SLI motherboard.

On average a Core 2 Duo with 2mb cache will be ~20-30% faster clock for clock then a AMD X2 AM2. The 4mb cache C2D's are even more so. They also run cooler and take up alot less power.

The Corsair 520w via ZZF is $5 cheaper and includes free shipping. Better choice then the OCZ.

[kev7555]

Another vote for the P5K M-board in Intel core2 duo. I just built a computer with this board and processor and it rocks.

-Kev

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari Also your going with a ATI card, thats fine, but your once again wasting money on a SLI motherboard.

I wonder why they named a SLi motherboard "CrossHair"? I initially thought it was a CrossFire motherboard.

Cricket

[RazR]

so i switched the PSU to the Power Supply: SilverStone Strider ST60F 600W Modular Power Supply w/ Quad +12V, EPS 12V
for about the same price as the OCZ

also switched up the memory with the Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400C4 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

and i'm still having a dilemma on whether if i should go ATI or Nvidia for the video cards...
i have read all sorts of reviews, some say ATI over Nvidia, and others say the opposite

what would you guys suggest?

and how do you determine how much wattage you need to power you PC?

[Windu]

If you are going to go with AMD, go with the M2N32 SLI. Cheaper than the crosshair with the same chipset.
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131011

I would go with a 8800 GTS. For what you are spending on the DX9 ATI card, you could get into a 8800 for a few dollars more. The differnce in the price of the motherboard would pretty close.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by RazR and i'm still having a dilemma on whether if i should go ATI or Nvidia for the video cards...i have read all sorts of reviews, some say ATI over Nvidia, and others say the opposite. What would you guys suggest?

If gaming performance is a high priority to you, go NVidia.

Cricket

[RazR]

But if you had to go ATI, what would be a good a good graphics card that is in the Mid-High range??

[Cricket]

Just so you know...you can't do SLi in a SLi motherboard with ATi video cards...must be matching NVidia video cards.

If you want to do dual ATi video card (CrossFire) you have to get a CrossFire specific motherboard.

Sorry, I'm not a gamer and don't really follow the video card market so I don't know which ATi video cards are mid-high range.

Cricket

[jer888]

The only one DX10 card released by Ati at this point is the 2900XT. They will be releasing cheaper models soon I think.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Stick to the Corsair powersupply. It is of higher quality then both the Silverstone and OCZ. Just as cheap if not cheaper. (95 @ zzf)

And stick to the C5 kits from Corsair. Not the C4.

The best performer from ati's lineup is the 2900XT. Albeit the 8800GTS 640mb is cheaper, takes up less power, runs cooler, and will outperform it on most games. And this is coming from an ATI fan.

@Cricket.
LOL who knows, I suppose its all apart of their new military naming scheme, "Striker", "Commando" haha.

[RazR]

Originally Posted by Cricket Just so you know...you can't do SLi in a SLi motherboard with ATi video cards...must be matching NVidia video cards. If you want to do dual ATi video card (CrossFire) you have to get a CrossFire specific motherboard. Sorry, I'm not a gamer and don't really follow the video card market so I don't know which ATi video cards are mid-high range. Cricket

oh i know that for sure...but i decided to stick with the crossfire motherboard and went with the X1950XTX....later on i might decide to get a second card, but for now all i need is one

i also had to UP the power supply to 1000W after i found a useful power supply calculator..
i even added in the worst case scenarios and added a few extra things and it said that it would be outputing about 865W so scrapped the 650W and upped it to 1000

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by RazR oh i know that for sure...but i decided to stick with the crossfire motherboard and went with the X1950XTX....later on i might decide to get a second card, but for now all i need is one

CrossFire motherboard? I didn't see you list one, only the Asus M2 CROSSHAIR which is a SLi motherboard.

Originally Posted by RazR i also had to UP the power supply to 1000W after i found a useful power supply calculator.. i even added in the worst case scenarios and added a few extra things and it said that it would be outputing about 865W so scrapped the 650W and upped it to 1000

Those power supply calculators always estimate towards the high side because of all the crappy power supplies out there that novice builders may pick...unless you're planning to run two 8800 Ultras I really don't think you need a 1000 watt PSU.

Cricket

[Mr.Ferrari]

The Corsair HX 520W is MORE then enough for your needs (single card).

Even the best psu calculator will give you the numbers based of the highest power consumption of any component running at its maximum.

Be sure to post a final list of your choices.

[RazR]

so here are some of the following changes that i have made..

Motherboard: Asus M2R32-MVP w/ DualDDR2 800, 7.1 Audio, Dual GB Lan, 1394, Crossfire Dual PCI-E x16

Memory: Corsair 2GB XMS2-5400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

Power supply: SilverStone Zeus ST75ZF 750W Power Supply w/ Quad +12V, EPS 12V

Upgraded CPU Heatsink: Zalman CNPS7500-AlCu LED Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

and an Additional Case fan: Scythe S-FLEX™ S-FDB 120mm Quiet Fan, Med Flow

[flanzig1]

For AM2 socket systems, you should use DDR2-800 ram.

[RazR]

how are OCZ's for memory?
(i do not plan of overclocking ANYTHING in my computer)

[RazR]

THE FINAL DRAFT

PC Case: Antec 900 Gamer case (1 x 200mm top fan, 1 x 200mm back fan, and 2 x 80mm front with LED)
Case fan (120mm): Scythe S-FLEX™ S-FDB 120mm Quiet Fan, Med Flow
(this fan will be going on the clear side of the case)
Fan Filters: Startech High Flow Mesh Air Filter for 120mm Fans (3)
(2 for the front, 1 for the side)
Motherboard: Asus M2R32-MVP w/ DualDDR2 800, 7.1 Audio, Dual GB Lan, 1394, Crossfire Dual PCI-E x16
Processor: AMD Athlon 64X2 5600+ w/ 2x1 MB Cache (Socket AM2)(2.86Ghz)
Upgraded CPU Heatsink: Zalman CNPS7500-AlCu LED Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler
Hard Drives(In a RAID 0 set up): 1) Seagate 500GB Barracuda 7200 SATA II w/NCQ 16mb Cache
2) Seagate 250GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache
DVD Writer Drive: Pioneer DVR-212D 18x18x10 Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, SATA, Black (OEM - No Software)
CD/DVD Drive: LG 16X DVD-ROM, Black (OEM)
Floppy Drive: Mitsumi 7-in-1 Internal Card Reader + Floppy Drive, Black
Memory:Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)
Power Supply: SilverStone Strider ST75F 750W Modular Power Supply w/ Quad +12V, EPS 12V
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon X1950 Pro 256MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 4 SE 7.1, OEM
Speakers: Logitech X-540 5.1 Speaker System

i'm still a bit see-saw about the power supply
but for the most part i'm pretty confident about the whole build

[Mr.Ferrari]

I would use the filters sparingly, only where necessary.

Stay away from ATI chipsets, yes they are made by AMD, but they have a bad trackrecord and I have yet to see more then a few of them run without problems.

You'd better make sure it worth it before you go into the Raid0 setup, data corruption and loss are frequent. And why not just go with a single and third 500GB HD instead of two 250Gbs.

Go with the liteon sata drives. Retail.

I would not use the aftermarket heatsink, not necessary and underperforming for its price.

The 75F is quiet and quality, but the Etasis/Silverstone 750W ET/ZF series are higher up on the quality scale for less. For a single card a Corsair 520w will be more then enough, for dual cards, it depends on what cards you finally do choose.

If you want to stay with single card the x1950 is fine. If you plan SLI, stick to the 570 or preferably 590 chipset. If you want crossfire, go Intel.

[RazR]

i'm not going with 2 x 250gb hard drives
just 1 500gb and 1 250gb
i was just listing them like
1) first hard drive
2) second hard drive

sorry about the confusion

and what sort of raid set up would you recommend?