My first build! Help/advice please=)

[RifRaf]

Hi everyone!

I've decided to build my first PC and I've started doing some research and picking parts and before I start ordering I want to make sure the parts will all work together and will run my games.

I'm looking to be able to play Age of Conan and Warhammer Online, but also hoping to spend no more than $1000 on components (monitor/keyboard/accessories can go over that). What I've picked so far is below. I'm also hoping to get at least a 22" monitor, possible even 24" so I need a card that can display high resolutions fine.

When it comes to cases, I'm pretty clueless as to how to pick one/if I should get an integrated power supply or if I'd need additional cooling.

Thanks in advance for the help/advice!

Xeon 3100 Wolfdale CPU or the E8400:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=Xeon%2bE3110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...5037&Tpk=E8400

Gigabye GA-P35-S3G LGA 775 board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=GA-P35-S3G

MSI NX800GT 512mb OC GeForce card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127329

G.Skill 2GB DDR2-800 RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098

Creative Sound Blaster 2 Channel audio:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102182

Seagate ST3500630AV harddrive or Samsung SpinPoint HD301LJ:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=St3500630AV
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152052

Samsung SH-S203N - OEM Optical Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151154

-RifRaf

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech.

Choose the E8400 CPU. Xeons are for servers.

I'd skip that sound card. Your motherboard has onboard sound you can use. If you want a card, look at the X-Fi series instead.

Go with a Seagate hard drive. Better quality brand. You want a newer model though, go with this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

I'd swap your optical drive for a LiteOn Retail drive. They come with Nero buring software.

You'll also need DDR2-800 RAM. We recommend Corsair brand.

As for the power supply, check out Corsair units. The 520watt will be fine for this system. You can add that to any case you like. It's all personal preference for cases.

[RifRaf]

Thanks for the quick reply! I just realized I completely forgot to list the RAM I had selected. I'll go edit my post but it's also right here.

G.Skill 2GB DDR2-800:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098


With this kind of setup do you think I'd be ok to run the listed games? Maybe even Crysis?

I'll sub out the soundcard and maybe get a TV Tuner...those have really appealed to me. Any suggestions?

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Alaron Welcome to PCMech. Choose the E8400 CPU. Xeons are for servers. I'd skip that sound card. Your motherboard has onboard sound you can use. If you want a card, look at the X-Fi series instead. Go with a Seagate hard drive. Better quality brand. You want a newer model though, go with this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288 I'd swap your optical drive for a LiteOn Retail drive. They come with Nero buring software. You'll also need DDR2-800 RAM. We recommend Corsair brand. As for the power supply, check out Corsair units. The 520watt will be fine for this system. You can add that to any case you like. It's all personal preference for cases.

The Xeon 3110 is a repackaged E8400 that has been binned (sorted out) for higher tolerance (since servers are supposed to be as stable as possible). If the E8400 is sold out or the Xeon is the same price, you should go for the Xeon, it is supported in all motherboards that support the E8400.

The X-Fi and Audigy sound cards are better than the one in your build list and better than the integrated soundcard.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by RifRaf Thanks for the quick reply! I just realized I completely forgot to list the RAM I had selected. I'll go edit my post but it's also right here. G.Skill 2GB DDR2-800: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098 With this kind of setup do you think I'd be ok to run the listed games? Maybe even Crysis? I'll sub out the soundcard and maybe get a TV Tuner...those have really appealed to me. Any suggestions?

What kind of tv tuner are you looking for, one to use for video game systems, or one for TV (cable, ect.)?

You have a good set-up for games, I have a slower build than the one you are planning on and can play Crysis on a 22inch monitor with high settings (Average of 20FPS +/- 2FPS with 1680x1050 resolution).

[RifRaf]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 What kind of tv tuner are you looking for, one to use for video game systems, or one for TV (cable, ect.)? You have a good set-up for games, I have a slower build than the one you are planning on and can play Crysis on a 22inch monitor with high settings (Average of 20FPS +/- 2FPS with 1680x1050 resolution).

I plan on using the monitor as a TV as well so definitely one for cable. I figured I can plug my PS3 directly into the monitor but my Wii only has the standard red/white/yellow cables. If it can take cable and inputs that'd be great. Are most tuners set up to read digital cable? I only ask because of the conversion that's happening next year...

I also hope to get a 24" monitor for the HD capabilities but they're still pretty pricey so who knows. Would a higher resolution still be supported by my build?