First time build part selection - need advice to finish it off

[Kenneth John]

This will be my first time build and I'm trying to do all the homework to get it right. I've been reading lots of posts and believe I have selected components that are both highly regarded on PC Mech and also work well together.

I'm looking to build a system that I will use for moderate digital image editing (PhotoShop Elements), modest Word / Excel usage and Internet browsing. I'll also be ripping some CDs to mp3 files. I won't be doing any gaming with this computer. Also NO overclocking planned.
The onboard sound should meet my needs fine.

Here are the components I'm planning on using:
Case(Comes with PSU)
Antec Sonata Designer 500 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...L3L-_-11129036
MBO
ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029
RAM
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034
Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136074
DVD
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057
Monitor
Samsung SyncMaster 910t (already own)
Keyboard/Mouse (already own)
Logitech MX 3200 wireless
OS: Vista 32 Home Premium

To start, here are a couple of questions:
1) I would appreciate a video card recommendation. I would like to use the DVI feature of my monitor if possible. I'm using analog now. Is DVI noticably better?
2) Can I use my wireless keyboard / mouse when booting up my new build for the first time or do I need a wired keyboard / mouse?

The case / PSU and RAM are on promo code right now at newegg so I'd like to order them if I get a thumbs up from the folks out there that know more than me.

All comments / suggestions are most welcome. I look forward to working with you all!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Kenneth John Here are the components I'm planning on using: Case(Comes with PSU) Antec Sonata Designer 500 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...L3L-_-11129036 MBO ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225 CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029 RAM CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136074 DVD LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057 Monitor Samsung SyncMaster 910t (already own) Keyboard/Mouse (already own) Logitech MX 3200 wireless OS: Vista 32 Home Premium

Your part selection looks fine to me. But I would go with a Seagate HDD, wired keyboard and mouse, and WinXP Home instead...but that's just my preferences.

Originally Posted by Kenneth John To start, here are a couple of questions: 1) I would appreciate a video card recommendation. I would like to use the DVI feature of my monitor if possible. I'm using analog now.

I can't recommend a specific video card for you but I think you should go with a ATi based video card.

Originally Posted by Kenneth John Is DVI noticably better?

On my own computer I tried both analog and DVI with my Samsung LCD monitor and couldn't see any difference in everyday use. But a friend of mine said it made a big difference with the games he plays.

Originally Posted by Kenneth John 2) Can I use my wireless keyboard / mouse when booting up my new build for the first time or do I need a wired keyboard / mouse?

Sorry, can't answer this one...I don't like wireless keyboards and mice.

Cricket

[shadowpr]

If your not doing any gaming, you might want to consider a mb with onboard video.

[Katreat]

check out this review for video cards. If you want a good all around card the 8600 GT is hard to beat. Another good choice would be the 2600 XT. Both of these card will perform very well for overall use and can game adequately.

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

the rest of your list looks good and that is a very good case/psu combo.

I am not sure about starting up with a wireless keyboard at start up. I have never had a wireless keyboard and dont want one so have never looked into them

Kat

[Icyman23]

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...1058&chart=318

A link to go with Katreat's link. If I were cricket, I would have reccomended an Nvidia, but thats my choice of preference.

[Kenneth John]

Thanks for the feedback. Here is what I ordered from Newegg so far:
Case(Comes with PSU)
Antec Sonata Designer 500 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...L3L-_-11129036
MBO
ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029
RAM
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034
Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262
DVD
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057

I also ordered a simple wired Microsoft keyboard and will pickup a wired mouse too.
I changed the original Hard drive to a Seagate OEM.
I know that Windows XP home is still a great OS as that is what I'm currently using too. I just want to move to Vista as this should be fine for the modest type of work I do on my computer.

Regarding the video card, I can see that I'm going to have to educate myself on this topic more before I purchase one. My video requirements are so minimal (no gaming) so I don't want to buy more than I need.
Thanks for the video comparison links. They will be helpful.

[Katreat]

You might also look at the new E8400 CPU. About $30 more but it looks to be taking the sweet spot held by the E6750.

Kat

[Kenneth John]

I did some research and it looks like the following video card might be more than adequate:

EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085

I'm wondering if I should consider adding an additional fan to my case (has one 120 mm in rear) as this video card might benefit from the added cooling. Not having the case yet I'm not sure where the additional fan might be installed although owners say there is a place for one.

One other question concerning the DVI outputs for this video card. Can I use the DVI cable that came with my Samsung SyncMaster 910t to connect this card to my monitor? I currently use an analog connection.
Thanks.
KJ

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by Kenneth John I did some research and it looks like the following video card might be more than adequate: EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card – Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085 I'm wondering if I should consider adding an additional fan to my case (has one 120 mm in rear) as this video card might benefit from the added cooling. Not having the case yet I'm not sure where the additional fan might be installed although owners say there is a place for one. One other question concerning the DVI outputs for this video card. Can I use the DVI cable that came with my Samsung SyncMaster 910t to connect this card to my monitor? I currently use an analog connection. Thanks. KJ

To answer the fan question. That case will provide adequately good cooling. Just make sure when you put the parts together that there's good room for airflow. That video will be ok with your build as you won't be doing any gaming at all. The video card shouldn't have any major overheating issues. If it does, increase the fan speed of the GPU.

[amdalex]

This card would probably be strong enough for you, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127296 . Also if your monitor has a DVI cable that would work fine with a DVI card.

[Kenneth John]

I checked out the MSI video card and it looks like it is just what I need for my purposes and the price is great too. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Kenneth John]

I'm expecting my parts to start arriving mid week with the case coming on 1/30/08. I'm reading through the "Build Your Own PC" book in the meantime to prepare for the build. Based on what I've read I have a few questions regarding my specific build. I'm sure they will show that I'm new to this but this is a great learning experience for me.
1) Once I have my processor, heat sink and fan and memory installed on my motherboard, will I have to do any further configurations to the board before I install it into the case? I think I will just have to wait until the PC is powered up but I thought it was worth asking.
2) I'm curious what the difference is between OEM Vista and full retail. I ordered the OEM version but I'm wondering if, being a first time builder, it might have been better to order what I guess is called the "retail" version. What is the difference?
3) Similar to question 2, I also wonder what the difference is between my OEM Seagate HD and a retail version. Will I have to do any preparation / configuring to this drive or can I just start loading my OS onto it? I now use the NTFS format for my two HDs in my current PC and have been happy with this format. I also just want the new Seagate HD to be one partition. I might add a second HD for data to the new build once I get it up and running. What format does the OEM Seagate come in? i.e. NTFS , FAT32 or maybe it doesn't come formatted. Will I need any additional cables to connect my HD and DVD?
That's it for now. I may have some more questions when I read on.
Thanks!
KJ

[shadowpr]

1) No, but I would power it up outside the case first before installing just to make sure everything works.

2) The difference between oem and retail operating system is that the retail version comes with a little booklet talking about windows vista, and a pretty box. The oem will be fine. If there's something you need to figure out how to do, there are plenty of resources online.

3) Same concept applies to the harddrives, except the retail version also comes with some software. OEM is the standard for everyone when building their own. Just install one hard drive, then put the vista disk in, and it will guide you through the rest. You would only have to worry about partitions if you decided to partition it for a specific reason. Windows will set up in the ntfs format for you.

[amdalex]

Your motherboard should come with at least 2 sata cables and IDE cable.

[Kenneth John]

I have the case, motherboard, RAM, DVD-R, HDD, CPU so I'm starting the build. Video card, keyboard, mouse arrive on 1/31.
1) Reading through the P5K-E user guide, it looks like I connect my Sata HDD to the SATA1 connection on the motherboard. Does this sound correct?
2) It looks like I connect my SATA DVD-R to SATA2 on the motherboard.
3) The connector for the chassis fan looks too big for the CHA_FAN1 connector on the motherboard. I'm not sure how to handle this. The chassis fan connector has four pins and the CHA_FAN1 connector is a three pin setup (GRD, 12V, Rotation)

I'd welcome some suggestions on how to connect my 120 mm rear chassis fan to CHA_FAN1, which is where the ASUS motherboard guide said to connect it.
Thanks!
KJ

[Kenneth John]

If I have a specific question regarding connecting devices to my P5K-E motherboard should I continue to post them in this thread or jump to a different forum. I'm not sure of the proper protocol and I don't want to "double thread" if that is the correct term.

I would like to figure out the correct way to connect my rear chassis fan.

Thanks!
KJ

[shadowpr]

I connect all my fans, other then the cpu fan, straight to the power supply.

[Kenneth John]

It looks like there is a place for a PSU connector to fit into the back of the fan connector so that is the way I'll power it. The Asus manual says to use the CHA_FAN1 connector when you have a duo core processor so that you have the best cooling potential. I know that you can use a ASUS feature called Q-Fan2 to have the motherboard control the fan speeds for several of the chassis fans.
Does anybody out there use the ASUS Q-Fan2 feature on their P5K-E motherboards?
Thanks shadowpr for the reply.
K J