Final Draft: First Build Component List

[HeightenedSensei]

After much deliberation, these are the parts I have settled on for my first build. This rig will be used primarily for gaming, home theater, and music.

Motherboard
ASUS P5B Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $179.99

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail $139.99

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $222.90

RAM
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail $131.00

GPU
EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $536.99

HDD
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail $114.99

DVD
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail $37.99

SOUNDCARD
bluegears b-Enspirer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $94.99

OS
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM $139.99

CASE
Thermaltake Soprano DX VE7000BWS Black 0.8mm SECC Chassis/ Aluminum Front Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $115.99

MONITOR
SAMSUNG 244t-BK Black 24" 6ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height & Pivot Adjustments - Retail $689.99

KEYBOARD
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard - Retail $71.99

Total Cost: $2476.80


Already have a decent mouse. Plan on using my home theater reciever/speakers for audio. If there's anything you would upgrade/scale-down on this list I would be glad to hear it. Should the mid-tower Soprano be a large enough case for all this? Are there any compatability issues that you can see? Also, do I need to purchase a network card or is there one integrated into the motherboard? I dont see any definitive answer in neweggs specifications list. Other than that, all of this will be ordered in one weeks time as I am currently installing new carpeting in the house and cant bother with it this week- barring any last minute changes that is

Let me know what you think..

[LeftyAce]

The Soprano will work with what you have listed (my friend built pretty much the exact same computer a month ago in the Soprano....the GTX is a HUGE video card, but it fits).

Unless you plan on overclocking, downgrade the RAM to Corsair ValueSelect DDR2 667: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%2bvalueselect

This Seagate harddrive is only $80, and has a 5 year warranty: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

Unless you know of something that XP Pro has that home doesn't, just get home. The main differences are in network management stuf (setting up a medium size network is easier in pro). Save yourself some more $$ and get home: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ws%2bxp%2bhome

You probably won't need a sound card unless you're an audio nut or do lots of sound recording . The onboard sound on that motherboard is fine for most people.

The board does have an onboard network card.

[Jimmy0]

Personally I would get the P5K over the P5B to be set for future upgrades.

[Mr.Ferrari]

This is just my personal opinion, but that soprano is a decent case, but a bit overpriced for its build quality and features. Cases are a personal choice however.

The corsair is $95 after rebate with free shipping here.

[HeightenedSensei]

LeftyAce: Im trying to stay away from OEM where possible as this is my first build and I'd feel more comfortable having some documentation. Ill pick up a seagate when my knowledge base matures and I need more storage. Im getting the sound card for the optical-out feature to connect to my reciever. (kind of an audio nut)

Mr. Ferrari: Thank you so much for the price break heads-up! Definately taking advantage.
P.S. what are some cases that you would recommend?

Jimmy0: You've read my mind. I am currently spending hours sifting through page upon page of information reguarding my motherboard/RAM choice. It will be nice to have the option to upgrade. I realize the Asus P5B is going to be outdated pretty much as soon as I fire it up. As I have never built a computer before I am weary of switching over to the P5K which seems to have much less information available on the web in comparison to the P5B. Also, the only RAM that seems to be officially supported by the P5K is DDR3- which looks to be a bit too pricey because its new.

I would switch over right now if someone could fill me in:

Will my selected RAM choice be compatible with the P5K?
I think DDR2 800 will satiate my needs for now. I realize that to attain the speeds and timings I want virtually no RAM is going to be plug and play, however, I want to be certain that I can at least reach POST with it or ill cry. After that, with you guys backing me up, I'm not worried about finding tight times and stabalizing. I should mention that I'm dead-set on Corsair memory. Im not sure why.

If not, what is my next step close to the same price range?
I dont mind spending a few more greenbacks now if it will save me the coin later. The Dominator 8500's looks to be nice and reasonably priced. (though still not DDR3)

Is there a motherboard that falls in-between the P5B and P5K that might solve all my worldly problems?

My research marathon continues... (if only I had this kind of diligence for college work)

priorities

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by HeightenedSensei LeftyAce: Im trying to stay away from OEM where possible as this is my first build and I'd feel more comfortable having some documentation. Ill pick up a seagate when my knowledge base matures and I need more storage.

The documentation you get with a retail HDD really isn't much. The biggest plus with a retail HDD is you get a CD with some utilities on it and the data cable and a colorul box.

Originally Posted by HeightenedSensei I am currently spending hours sifting through page upon page of information reguarding my motherboard/RAM choice. It will be nice to have the option to upgrade. I realize the Asus P5B is going to be outdated pretty much as soon as I fire it up. As I have never built a computer before I am weary of switching over to the P5K which seems to have much less information available on the web in comparison to the P5B. Also, the only RAM that seems to be officially supported by the P5K is DDR3- which looks to be a bit too pricey because its new.

DDR3? The specs for the P5K on Newegg says it supports DDR2 up to 1066MHz...nothing about DDR3. Besides, DDR3 stick won't fit in DDR2 memory slots...the keys are in different locations.

Originally Posted by HeightenedSensei I would switch over right now if someone could fill me in: Will my selected RAM choice be compatible with the P5K?

The Corsair XMS DDR2? Yes, it's compatible with the PK5.

Here's my take on your motherboard dilemma...The P5B has been around awhile and has proven to be a very solid motherboard to build on. The P5K is brand new and still needs to mature a bit. Seasoned builders would be able to handle any quirks the P5K might present them but a newbie will probably freak out. For a new builder the P5B would be a better choice. A friend of mine just built his first computer with the P5B and Corsair ValueSelect RAM and it powered up first time and works fine. Only thing I did was help him pick out the parts to use.

Cricket

[HeightenedSensei]

Originally posted by Cricket DDR3? The specs for the P5K on Newegg says it supports DDR2 up to 1066MHz...nothing about DDR3. Besides, DDR3 stick won't fit in DDR2 memory slots...the keys are in different locations.

Haha, I'm such a noob. I was looking at the P5K3 board, not the regular P5K for specifications. I think this may be hard evidence proving that I should just stick with my P5B. Really, I'm not normally this DUH-able. I'm still going to think long and hard over the next couple of days about this decision before diving in. It may end up saving me some money.