My first build, need advice

[jordano]

Ahoj,

I know you must get a pile of “what do you think about this set up” type posts, so my apologies in advance, but this will be my first time building a rig and I want to get it right – not to mention that I am cheap and it pains me to spend money I don’t have to.
I would, therefore, really appreciate receiving your feedback and advice.

Motherboard ASUS P5K-V (G33) $142.00
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...52&modelmenu=1

CPU Core2Duo E8200 2.66 6M/1333 ($190) $190.00
http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SLAPP

Video Card ASUS HD 3870 (209) $209.00
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?mo...=8&l3=603&l4=0

Sound Card Integrated

RAM Crucial 2x1gig @ 800 $59

Hard Disk 1 SG 250 SATA 7200 16mb (HD-ST3250620A) $83.00
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.js...&reqPage=Model

DVD Burner Pioneer 212D Black (SATA) $39.00
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...iters/DVR-212D

Case Antec Sonatta III w/ PSU $120.00

PSU Antec Earthwatts 500 w/case
Case Fan $20.00

Bluetooth Mouse/keyboard $106.99

Monitor LG 19 wide (L196WTY-BF) $187.00

Total with Tax $1,429.43

Budget:
~$1400 Canadian (taxes in)
This computer store serves as a good basis for pricing here: http://pccyber.com/).

Demanding tasks:
High-Quality video conferencing, Blu-Ray playback (down the line), music server, and some gaming – however, I don’t expect to have the best gaming rig around on this budget. If I can get around 30-40 FPS at Medium settings in Crysis (768p) I would be happy.

Thoughts:
- I do not plan to overclock, or at least not aggressively.

- I am open to the odd upgrade over time but not too frequently. I may upgrade to a Quad CPU in 12-18 months when they come down in price and maybe a new video card. RAM and a sound card are possibilities in the future as well.

- Motherboard: I don’t want to have to upgrade this component as it would require a new OS purchase and would like to stick with Intel or Asus as I want stability and as few headaches as possible.

Questions:
- How important is the new PCIe standard for me?
- Guess I should go with 800 ram since it’s not that much extra?

I really appreciate your feedback.

Jordan

[Masaki 7-11]

I wouldn't bother with a micro-atx motherboard like the one you have since you don't need integrated video. An ATX motherboard has better performance, upgradablitiy options, and overclocking features than a micro-atx motherboard and sells for about the same.

http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=MB-AS-P5K
This motherboard has better performance and upgradability options, also supports the 45nm processors, and crossfire video card configurations, it's also slightly less expensive then the motherboard you picked out.

The new pcie standard doesn't really affect your build since it's backwards compatible with the older pcie standard. Going with 800 ram will help out if you intend to do modest overclocking. Otherwise, you can change it to 667 through the bios to make it match your processor's FSB, everything else looks good.

[jordano]

The Asus P5K-V is a full ATX size board (the P5K-VM is the mAtx version). As far as I can tell, it has the exact same features as the P5K but for $3 extra, has integrated video and a D-Sub connection. I figured that for $3 that it would worth it just to have the D-Sub out for trouble-shooting purposes.

Am I missing something? Is there something about the P5K that the P5K-V lacks?

I will go with the 800 (6400) RAM to give myself a little overhead in case an overclock is in my future.

Thanks for your reply. Anything else that I should be thinking about? A few people have tried to steer me away from the HD3870 to a 8800GT. Would this be worthwhile?

Cheers,

Jordan

[Katreat]

The 3870 is getting great reviews but in ratings it is a slight step behind the 8800Gt (512). It is also less expensive so it kind of depends on how much you want to spend. Check out this compairison, both cards are very nice so it really comes down to how much you want to invest.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/01/...ming_graphics/

I am not sure of the difference between the P5K and P5K-V so will leave that to others. I see it uses the G33 chipset while the P5K uses the P35, but dont really know the difference. Generally, chipsets developed for on-board video are a bit slower then their non-video counterpart, but I am not sure that is a rule so wait for a more informed response.

Kat

[Masaki 7-11]

Most motherboards with integrated graphics come in a micro-atx package, since I couldn't get the link to work the last time I went on, I assumed it was micro-atx. The G33 is slower than the P35, but not by all that much, it integrated graphics may be of use to you, then the Asus P5K-V is a good choice, if you don't need the integrated graphics, the Asus P5K is a better choice.

Regarding video card, the HD3870 is really good at high definition video decoding, and it can be used later in crossfire for additional performance.

[jordano]

If I understand correctly, the P5K (P35) is a better overclocker than the P5K-V. Other than that, what are the differences? I can't seem to find any.

[Masaki 7-11]

There are only some slight performance differences between the G33 and P35 with the P35 being slightly faster. Both are good choices, but if you don't need integrated graphics the P5K is a better choice.

[jordano]

Thanks mate. It seems like I have the motherboard figured out but now I am agonizing over the GPU.

Been reading on the 8800gt. It seems to outperform the 3870 by a fair margin so I'm seriously considering it. What have your experiences been regarding:
1) its power consumption?
2) heat (the 8800gt is a single slot card - venting heat into the case whereas the 3870 vents heat outside the case)?

Thoughts?

[Katreat]

Well, the 8800 GT, if you can find one, is about $50 more than the 3870 so it is kind of a "you get what you pay for" game. The game never ends, check out the new GTS with the G92 . Also, as Masaki remarked, the MB supports crossfire, and two 3870 rank very well against two GTs so the 3870 gives you a nice upgrade path if you ever think you would go that direction. I personally tend to just buy a single new generation card, but it is a viable option for some.

As for power and heat I personally have not read about many problems in most newer cases unless you start OCing systems. I think as long as you buy a good case with decent air flow you would not have a problem with either.

Kat

[jordano]

Good insights Katreat. However, like yourself, I do not see myself using 2 GPUs either. The game certainly does go on and on.

It seems that I have most of my questions sorted out. Then again, in two months time when I am ready to pull the trigger things may have changed.

Thanks for all the help.

J

[liambl]

The 3870 uses a little less power than the 8800GT and is also a tad quieter (compare the coolers on the 3870 and 8800GT). It also runs cooler due to its much bigger fan and heatsink.

[jordano]

most things except for the whole Vista 32 versus 64 thing.