Advice on new build needed...

[viracocha711]

Hello,
This is my first build so I want to make sure I have everything I need and that it all is compatible...I am on a budget of $2000 and I want a system that will meet my current needs(general computing; internet; photo editing; HD movies; and games) while allowing me to learn the basics of OC if I choose to and expanding and/or upgrading if I choose to do so.

I have spent the past few months reading and trying to learn what I need to build my own system. The following list is what I have so far...

Update ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5K-E
Item #: N82E16813131225

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$139.99 $139.99

Update BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOCE GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: BFGE88512GTOCE
Item #: N82E16814143118

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$279.99 $279.99

Update ABS Tagan BZ Series BZ700 ATX12V / EPS12V 700W Patent Piperock Modular Power Supply - Retail
Model #: BZ700
Item #: N82E16817814015

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$179.99 $179.99

Update Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80562Q6600
Item #: N82E16819115017

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

In Stock
$279.99 $279.99

Update Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AL804 - Retail
Model #: BL2KIT12864AL804
Item #: N82E16820148076

Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

Out Of Stock
Auto-Notify
$74.99 $74.99

Update Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD5000AAKS
Item #: N82E16822136073

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$104.99 $104.99

Update LG Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GGC-H20L - Retail
Model #: GGC-H20L
Item #: N82E16827136133

Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

Out Of Stock
Auto-Notify
$299.99 $299.99

Update Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate DVD - Retail
Model #: 66R-00002
Item #: N82E16832116140

Return Policy: Software Return Policy

In Stock
$319.99 $319.99
Subtotal: $1,679.92

What type of CPU cooler should I buy for this set-up?


Any suggestions/opinions are welcome...

[Katreat]

Parts look good.

If you are sure you are going to OC then a cooler might be necessary. Personally, if it is just something you might do down the road I would stick with the stock cooler for now and upgrade when you decide. Not using the stock cooler will void your warranty on the CPU. You can do mild OCing with the stock cooler, where an after market cooler becomes necessary as I understand it is when you start messing with the CPU voltage. I am not an OC'er, tried it once but I like my system rock solid so have not messed with it for years, so you should wait for a few more responses on what is best.

I would check out Windows Premium for an OS. There is just not that much useful stuff in Ultimate to justify the price. However, if you are one of those people who needs something it has then go for it.

Blu-ray is a very expensive option so be sure that is what you want. It will cost you an Extra $270 over a stock burner but if you like making movies it is the best game out there. Personally, I think I wouold wait for prices to drop some before I jumped, but to each there own.

Intel is releasing there new faster quads in first quarter so if you are not hot to buy right this moment you might watch the news and see what they do to the market when they are released.

Kat

[Jester]

look at a corsair 620hx for the psu. better quality and cheaper. As far as a cooler goes get the Thermalright Ultra-120 with a 120mm scythe case fan. If you want to spend and extra 20 bucks you can bump the fsb speed of the ram to 1066. It is the Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500). Not needed but better for the OC. The system listed in my sig was about 1300. I wouldnt go with blu-ray in the PC unless that is your primary movie media viewer.

[viracocha711]

Thanks Katreat...No OCing for me right now so I will stick with the stock cooler...Speaking of which, this may sound dumb but I assume the cpu will come with a fan?

I will be buying my parts late Feb early March, if the new Quads are out I may get one if the price is right. It is so funny you said that because I have been putting this build off for over a year now due to waiting on not just VISTA to clear up some issues but waiting to see what new piece of hardware may come out, whether it was the new GPU's or CPU's. Well, I have promised myself I will buy a complete system within a month, so we will see if Intel gets them out b4 I buy?

You maybe right about waiting on the Blu-ray but I just want it...I will hate myself in 6 monts, huh?

[viracocha711]

Thanks Jester, I am looking into your suggestions and if I have any questions I will ask...OK?

Thanks!

[Katreat]

Anytime you build or buy a computer you have to accept that some part of it will be out of date in a matter of months if not days. I used a 8800 GTS 320 video card and the GT came out within a month both cheaper and more powerful....... such is life. The GTS is working wonderfully so I cant complain. Build it when you need it and dont look back or you will be waiting forever.

Kat

[amdalex]

I think I'd hold off on the blu-ray. You can deal with plain old DVD for a while, otherwise it looks like a great build.

[viracocha711]

I am two days from ordering all my parts...Do I need to buy any cables or an after market heatsink?

I would love to hear from those who have built one or more computers as to what problems I may run into or advice I could use in terms of what else I would need to buy before I start construction...I want to have everything I need and then some so that I do not have to stop right in the middle of construction to order a part.

Thank-you to all that have helped me and to those who will help me in the future! You guys and gals are great!

[FalvinP]

I built my first computer in late October. Like you, I had very seriously researched and learned as much as I could before I ordered parts. When the time came, I felt I was prepared for the adventure.

As far as needing any additional cables etc. is concerned, it looks like you’ve done exactly what I did, based on advice gleaned in this forum. The motherboard will have the sata cable for your oem hard drive, so you’re set there.

One thing I noticed as I read your parts list several times is that you didn’t indicate a case selection. My case selection was important to me. I don’t have the best manual dexterity so I needed something big that would be easy to work in. I ended up getting a full tower Lian Li case (model in sig.) It’s a very expensive case, but I decided it was worth it. The thing that really sold me was the removable motherboard tray and as well as the overall superb build quality. It really made installing the cpu, heatsink, video card, and ram much easier. The massive space inside made connecting all the various cables much easier. Cases are always a very personal choice. I’ve seen very few cases like mine listed in this forum.

Make sure when you start the build that you perform the “out of case” build before you start putting components into the case.

I ended up having a defective video card with my new parts. Before I had it diagnosed I had many doubts that I had done something wrong in the build process. The only way to diagnose something like that is to swap parts in and out to narrow down the cause of the problem.

Good luck on your new adventure. Please let us know how things go!

[Katreat]

All of your cables will come with the MB. The out of the case build is a good idea, but must admit I have never done it. I figure someday when I get a doa part I will get religion.

suggestions:

Read MB manual carefully, before you panic, make sure you have all the cables in the right place. That second power cable to the MB up by the CPU fools alot of people.

Be sure to attached the power cable to the Video card, that is another common mistake.

Be sure the heatsink is properly secured. That is probably one of the best reason for the out of the case build, you can take a peak behind the MB and make sure it is secure.

Start the first time with the minimum stuff. I usually put both sticks of ram in, but only one HD (if you have more add them after you load windows).

I have been very lucky on each of my builds and never faced the doe problems that happen regardless of the quality of your parts.

And remember, the forum is your freind. If you run into a problem post and someone will come by to help. But also remember, this is a forum, not a messenger, so dont get impatient, no one watches it all the time.

Kat

[viracocha711]

Thanks!

I also have bad problems with my hands due to a spinal cord injury so I too elected to go with a full tower...My case is APEVIA X-JUPITER G-Type X-JUPITERG-BK Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811144205

[viracocha711]

I will be ordering my parts today...I want to know if I should buy an after market heatsink for my Intel Q6600? I know it comes with one but I would like to buy a dif one that is cert for the cpu but looks better...And cools better, of course.

I am open to suggestions, I like blue light but really want one that cools the cpu better than the stock cooler.

Thanks!

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5K-E/WIFI-AP


BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOC2E GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: BFGE88512GTOC2E


ABS Tagan BZ Series BZ700 ATX12V / EPS12V 700W Patent Piperock Modular Power Supply - Retail
Model #: BZ700


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80562Q6600


Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AL804 - Retail
Model #: BL2KIT12864AL804


Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3500320AS


SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM
Model #: SH-S203N

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate DVD - Retail
Model #: 66R-00002

[shadowpr]

I would change that samsung dvd burner to a lite-on dvd burner. Get a retail version too.

An don't bother with an aftermarket cpu heatsink unless you're going to over clock. It will void the warrenty, and besides, the retail heatsink will cool it perfectly fine at stock speeds.

[viracocha711]

Thanks...Can you help me understand why you say I should go with "Lite-On" vs "Samsung"?

...And "retail" vs "OEM"?

I really appreciate your time and help, thanks!

[Katreat]

People on the forums have been reporting quite a few problems with Samsung opticals. Lite-on has had a much better track record so far and they are very competitive price wise. Plus, if you buy retail you get Nero for like $2. So it is really a quality issue. Samsung is a top contender in monitors, but more in the middle of the pack for opticals.

Kat

[RODOS]

HELLO,

I have one serious problem and I don't know how to find other solution except from that already know…

1) Right Click on Desktop (Free Space)
2) Properties
3) Click on Desktop tab
4) Customize Desktop
(now is my problem)
5) I have mark only on My Documents
My Computer
Internet Explorer

And right the My Network Place is hide but on my start toolbar I have my desktop (next to language tab), also. But there, when I open the desktop list icons; the icon of My Network Places is already exists. And as I said before I haven't mark on this icon and finally I can't delete it.

I'm really confused...

I hope to help me.

Thank you for your time!

[shadowpr]

RODOS, Please start your own thread.

[viracocha711]

Is this burner the one you would buy?

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06

[shadowpr]

That looks like a winner.