Building 1st mid range PC and need a couple suggestions (RAM)

[Square]

I'm looking to build my first PC. I've lurked here for awhile, but just recently signed up as I could use a little guidance. I'm aiming for a mid-high gaming rig(used for some HD video editing as well) and will use some of the components from my old Dell XPS Gen 3 system to keep the cost down. 1) I really need a suggestion for the RAM. I haven’t gotten my head wrapped around the timing. I started to read up on building a computer a few years ago, but then I won my old XPS system in a sales contest. (re)Learning this stuff can be quite an endeavor. I have picked some pieces together and estimate my overall cost at around $730. 2) If you could suggest any improvements or potential compatibility problems it would be greatly appreciated. Please see my list below (newegg links are just for reference. I’ll get these items from wherever I can find the best deal).

Video Card: $250 - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail LINK
MOBO: $90 - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail LINK
CPU: $190 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor – Retail LINK
Case: $45 - AnteAntec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail LINK
Power Supply: Antec NeoHE 550W Power Supply LINK
HD: Already have - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD4000KD 400GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive – OEM LINK
Arctic Silver: $10LINK
RAM: about $100 for 2GB-3GB??? - Need some suggestions here on amount and speed.

Items I already have:
Monitor: Dell 2407WFP
Mouse: Logitech MX518
CD/DVD burner: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-20A1P-186 – Retail
Floppy: probably just steal the one from current system
Sound Card: stolen from current system - Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Audio Card
OS: Microsoft XP Home – OEM from current Dell system

Well, I can’t think of anything else. Any opinions or suggestions are appreciated. I’ve never done much overclocking. I may get into it some, but I’m trying to make a build that will stand on its own (slight overclocking would just be extra gravy). Thanks!

[shadowpr]

If not going to overclock, you can skip the Artic Silver for now.

For ram you could get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184
That's in your budget after rebate, or this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

Also, the oem xp from dell won't work on your new build. It's locked into the dell's mb. You will need to get a new one.

[Square]

Originally Posted by shadowpr If not going to overclock, you can skip the Artic Silver for now.

Well, I figured I might as well beat the christmas rush and just do it now. I probably won't want to go apply it later and it doesn't cost that much. My buddy says its not that hard to apply (but maybe he is wrong).

Originally Posted by shadowpr For ram you could get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 That's in your budget after rebate, or this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

Thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by shadowpr Also, the oem xp from dell won't work on your new build. It's locked into the dell's mb. You will need to get a new one.

Yea, I had a feeling I wouldn't get buy that lucky. I know some people are Vista fans, but is that the general consensus? I have Vista on a laptop I got 8 months ago and I don't really see the upside other than it being "newer". Granted I just use this lappy to surf the web and it is a bit underpowered with just home basic version. Have most of you "upgraded" to Vista home premium when doing a new build?

EDIT: Another quick question. If I plan on using the HD that I have currently in my system. Do I have to wipe it to install it into my new computer? It does have XP from Dell on it. Can I just backup to my external HD and then put Vista on my new build and restore? I suppose I could just backup the docs and pictures and just copy them when its all done, but it'd be nice to find out if there is an easier way (application like Norton ghost?).

[shadowpr]

As far as vista versus xp, that's a personal choice. I went with Vista home premium and like it. Others will say to wait till after vista releases sp1.

[Katreat]

A few thoughts.

First, newer MoBos dont have native IDE support. What support they have is by a 3rd party vendor and it can be problomatic. I would recommend maybe picking yourself up a new SATA HD for your OS and an external enclosure so you can use your older IDE HD as another external. Same goes for IDE burners although I know people who have used them so it might be fine.

The CPU comes with a pad to replace the use of Artic Silver. If you are planning on no OC or just mild OC with the provided stock heatsink you really dont need Artic Silver and it is actually kind of hard to use because you have to scrape off the privided pad. Artic Silver is more for when you use an aftermarket heatsink or cooler.

I helped a freind with a build in the 180 case and wire managment is not fun. It can be done, but just takes some patience. It is also very heavy. The good side is once put together it is also very quiet. I think they fixed some of the wire managment issues in the newer 182, you might give it a look also.

Generally speaking 2G of memory is good. it is the minimum I would use if you are running Vista and should handle most of your needs. To go for 3 G might help but because you add them in matched pairs it is generally best to go with 4G. The problem here is you are paying for unused memory because XP and Vista 32 will only recognize about 3.2 G. As I already posted, 2G is plenty for most applications so I wold stick with 2 G for now and save the extra for a future upgrade if it needed.

If you are changing to Vista you will have to do a new install. If staying with XP you can probably get away with a repair install and leave the OS on the HD. The big advantage of Vista, if you are playing new games, is it supports direct 10X. If you want to take advantage of your new 10X video card you will have to go with vista.

Kat

[Square]

Originally Posted by Katreat A few thoughts. If you are changing to Vista you will have to do a new install. If staying with XP you can probably get away with a repair install and leave the OS on the HD. The big advantage of Vista, if you are playing new games, is it supports direct 10X. If you want to take advantage of your new 10X video card you will have to go with vista. Kat

I appreciate all the info Kat. I gotta say this is one of the friendliest boards I've ever been (a lot of places want to ignore noobs....I guess we just aren't that interesting). Anyway, I'll skip the Arctic Silver as I don't think I'm going to get crazy enough to actually need it anytime soon. I can use some extra funds to do the Vista upgrade. I'm not really tight on money (I'm just a cheap bastage sometimes ). I just ordered the P180, but from all accounts I've been able to find they have upgraded it to P180v1.1 which does have a lot of the same upgrades as the P182. I'll see what it looks like when it gets here but I have my hopes up for now. I could use the quiet. My current rig has a X1900XT and is so loud that the wife complains.
I'm a little confused on this part:

Originally Posted by Katreat First, newer MoBos dont have native IDE support. What support they have is by a 3rd party vendor and it can be problomatic. I would recommend maybe picking yourself up a new SATA HD for your OS and an external enclosure so you can use your older IDE HD as another external. Same goes for IDE burners although I know people who have used them so it might be fine.

Ok, I'm a little confused because my link to my WD Caviar says that its a Serial ATA150 drive. Isn't that a SATA HD? I appreciate the advice. I just want to double check if this will actually work. Here is the link for the specs http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144423. I can do a fresh install and just backup the docs on my current external. Then just copy and paste them when I get the new install done. I see your point on the DVD Burner though. I can probably pick up a new one online. A lot of my friends use Liteon, but I'm not sure if there is a specific brand that is better or worse. Any opinion on a certain burner or brand? Again, I really appreciate all the help you guys.

[shadowpr]

That hard drive is a sata drive, and will work.

The most recommended dvd burner here is lite-on. Get a retail one and it will come with nero software for only about $3 more.

[Katreat]

My mistake. You said IDE on your burner and it got stuck in my head. If you have a SATA HD you should be fine re-using it. As for IDE burners I have heard mixed results. I have a freind using one on a P5K and he had no problems, but others have posted difficulties. If you decide to upgrade now, or have problems with the IDE one, then the most highly recommended on this site is the Lite-ons that shadow posted above. They have a good track record and are reasonably priced.

As for wire management in the 180 it is defficult, not impossible. Just make sure you have some of those zip ties to bundle things together and radio shack sells those little sticky hooks that allow you to connect the bundle to the case out of the way without having to drill holes to put zip ties through. The end result looked great, it just took awhile.

Kat

[Square]

Originally Posted by Katreat My mistake. You said IDE on your burner and it got stuck in my head. If you have a SATA HD you should be fine re-using it. As for IDE burners I have heard mixed results. I have a freind using one on a P5K and he had no problems, but others have posted difficulties. If you decide to upgrade now, or have problems with the IDE one, then the most highly recommended on this site is the Lite-ons that shadow posted above. They have a good track record and are reasonably priced.

No prob. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. I'll have to take a look at the Liteon burner (kind of crazy how cheap DVD burners are anymore isn't it?).

Originally Posted by Katreat As for wire management in the 180 it is defficult, not impossible. Just make sure you have some of those zip ties to bundle things together and radio shack sells those little sticky hooks that allow you to connect the bundle to the case out of the way without having to drill holes to put zip ties through. The end result looked great, it just took awhile. Kat

Its a bit of a crapshoot with the case. If everything works out, I'll have the newest version which basically copies all the good ideas from the P182. As I understand it, Antec figured out where they went wrong with the P180 and decided it was stupid to just keep making a bad case so they upgraded the case but left the part number alone. Besides, I found a deal on the P180 silver case for $45 after $50 mail in rebate. Rebates suck, but that seemed too good to pass up for a case of this quality. The other part is that this is my first full build so its going to take awhile regardless. I'm trying to prepare myself to struggle and just hope that everything goes smoothly. Kat, (since your the Vista fan) do you suggest going to just home premium or ultimate. It doesn't look like there are too many differences. Just figured I'd see what you typically suggest.

[Katreat]

For the average home user premium seem to fit the bill, at least that is what I decided. Ultimate gives you alot of features that I would never use so figured I would save a bit.

If you have not already check out this page, it is what I used to decide.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...ns/choose.mspx

As for being a Vista fan, I am not sure yet. I went that direction just for the 10x support, I still find XP eaiser to work with. Vista is a bit like the little office assistant in microsoft word, always poping up with suggestions and ideas you dont want. In word you can turn the guy off, I have not yet figured out how to get vista to stop being so helpful The good news is that everything I have so far loaded or ran on my machine has tolerated Vista just fine so the problems are dealing with Vista itself.

Kat

[Square]

Are you talking about shutting off the UAC? Seems like this article has an easy solution:

http://www.pcmech.com/article/stop-v...g-disable-uac/

I was planning on doing this early if I do go Vista (probably will though).

[waxpants1]

wait a few days till the e8400 comes out. it cost just as much as a e6750