Building my first PC

[T-Kasper]

Hey all,

Been looking forward to building my own PC for quite a while now, and now ive got my stuff in order to do it. I'll be using it mostly for gaming, but also for school and a little video editing.

Heres my build, any criticisms or thoughts quite welcome!

Case - ANTEC Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case ( $109.95 )
CPU - Intel - Core2Duo Processor E6850 3.00GHz w/ 4MB Cache ( $279.95 )
Memory - Corsair 2GB XMS2-8500D Dominator (2 x 1GB) ( $204.95 )
HDD - SEAGATE - 250GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache ( $69.95 )
MoBo - Gigabyte - GA-965P-DS3 w/ DualDDR2 800, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, SATA II, PCI-E x16 ( $149.95 )
DVD - Lg Super Multi Security DVD Writer 20x DVD +/-RW Dual-Layer, Black (OEM) ( $29.95 )
PSU - OCZ 600W StealthXStream Power Supply w/ Quad +12V ( $82.95 )
OS - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium x86 (32-bit) DVD, OEM, 1-Pack ( $119.95 )

UPDATED LIST:
Case - ANTEC Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case ( $109.95 )
CPU - Intel Core2Duo Processor E8400 3.0GHz w/ 6MB Cache ( $209.95 )
MoBo - ASUS P5K-VM w/ DualDDR2 1066 ,Video, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, 1394, PCI-E x16 ( $119.95 )
Memory - Crucial BallistiX Tracer 2GB PC2-6400 Dual Channel DDR2 Kit w/ LED (2 x 1GB) ( $109.95 )
HDD - SEAGATE - 250GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache ( $69.95 )
DVD - Samsung 20X SpeedPlus DVD-Writer, SATA, Black ( $29.95 )
PSU - OCZ 600W GameXStream Power Supply w/ Quad +12V ( $104.95 )
OS - Microsoft - Windows Vista Home Premium x86 (32-bit) DVD, OEM, 1-Pack ( $119.95 )

I have already purchased a few things;
GPU - eVGA 8800 GTS
Monitor - Samsung SyncMaster 22in, 3000:1, 2ms
Logtiech 2.1 speaker system
and a G15/G5 keyboard-mouse combo.

Also, just 2 quick questions.

1- This is my first build, ive installed expansion cards and the such before. But never put together a pc from scratch, think its worth buying a guide as a reference or would the pcmech byopc guide be enough?

2- Whats the deal with Electrostatic shocks? Is it enough to constantly ground myself or should i be buying a wrist strap? I live in southern alberta, so this time of year its fairly cold and dry.

Thanks very much
-Kasper

[alex530]

I'm sort of a beginner as well but I can give you a couple recommendations. First of all, the video card you chose is very nice for gaming. As far as the CPU, for a newer and cheaper option you might want to go with the E8400 and take advantage of the new 45nm technology. Also, many people here like the Asus P5K mobo paired with an intel processor. I don't know much about power supplies so I'll let someone else help you there. To answer your questions, it might be worth it to buy a guide since the free byopc doesn't include pictures, but I believe there is an option to purchase a hard copy of it. A wrist strap is not necessary, if you're building the computer on carpet or something, just use common sense and ground yourself and you should be fine.

[T-Kasper]

Grounding myself can just be touching say a metal leg of a chair or something?

[alex530]

Sure, or simply touching the pc case.

[BcB]

I would agree with Alex530, the E8400 sounds like the ticket, as well the Asus MB, wish I would have done a little more research, but Im happy so far with my Gigabyte MB. Check out the pwr supply sticky to see if your choice is in the good/bad selection.

As for the reference manual, I would just read as many posts as you can, so your fully aware of the sequence and process of assembling the unit. ( I had mine assembled and posted in about 2 Hrs, first time build for me as well)
As for the ESD issue, get a Strap they are only a couple dollars and it will give you some peace of mind.

Good luck with your system !

BCB

[perkster]

a lot of gamers prefer to stick with XP over vista, though not got an opinoin myself on it.

switch LG DVD to lite-on SATA model.

you dont need 8500 RAM, get cheaper 667 or 800mhz

[T-Kasper]

I updated the parts list with your reccomendations, and it actually shaved $150 off of my total!

And yeah i think i'll pick up a wrist strap, just to be safe.

[Katreat]

Going off the updated list.

I would suggest going with a P5K mobo. Intel CPUs work better with Intel chipsets and the P35 chipset in the P5K series boards was designed for the new 1333 FSB processor you have chosen. Also, there is very little reason to have an SLI board if you are not going SLI. And very little reason to go SLI unless you are rich.

I would switch the Samsung burner for a Lite-on. Quite a few people have been having problems with Samsung burners lately it seems and Lite-on has always been a rock steady brand. Get retail and you get a full copy of Nero for about $2.

Rest of the build looks good. Samsung makes great monitors and the 22 in widescreen is at a very good price break point for size and performance. You might take a look at the G11 keyboard instead of the G15, unless you have a special package deal going. Basically the G15 gives you a little monitor to build macros and stuff with but it does not work with many games and it is pretty easy to build them without the screen so I personally did not see any added value for the feature. But maybe I am missing something.

Kat

Edit: Just noticed you already have the G15 which is fine, if anything it has more features. I love the feel of the G11 so I am sure in that way they are basically the same.

[T-Kasper]

Ok i have updated the MoBo to

ASUS P5K-VM w/ DualDDR2 1066 ,Video, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, 1394, PCI-E x16 ( $119.95 )

[shadowpr]

Just get teh plain P5K or the P5K-E. You don't need onboard graphics if you're getting a graphics card.

Get teh lite-on burner that Katreat talked about.

[T-Kasper]

Could you link me that board? I'm buying from a local retailer, www.memoryexpress.com
and i can't seem to find a "plain" p5k.

and the lite-on is out of stock at all locations, so how about LG?
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...18079(ME).aspx maybe?

[shadowpr]

you could buy from newegg. That is whre most of us shop, in the US at least.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...17414(ME).aspx

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...16357(ME).aspx

[T-Kasper]

That board is crossfire, will my eVGA 8800 GTS still be compatible with that?

[shadowpr]

It will. I have a P5K and an 8800gts myself. So does Katreat.

[T-Kasper]

Oh k, nice.

I'll make the change to that DVD and MoBo then, thanks.