I know this is probably the millioneth, time but PC Building

[KiticanaX]

I'm currently building a PC and I was wondering if everything I'm buying checks out and is a good deal. (Note: I already own a great sound card, hard-drive, and case).

XION XON-630P12N ATX12V 630W Power Supply 115/ 230 V RoHS

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400

ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP

[Katreat]

Welcome to PCMech

Build looks good. I dont know that brand of PSU so you might wait for others to comment. PSU is very important so make sure that one is manufatured by a good company before buying.

Check out this post for the Good/Bad list for PSUs.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

If you have HD is it SATA? Also, you will need a Burner to load up an OS. you will also need an OS. Would recomend going SATA with a new build if possible.

Kat

[KiticanaX]

^^^Oh I already have a Hard-Drive and a Disc Drive. Sorry I didn't mention that.

Also how much power (watts) do I need to run this stuff?

[Drunner611]

600 watts would be fine for that PC. However you may want to go higher incase you decide to upgrade that vid card down the road. Look at the corsair 650 unit.

Also, are you running a 64bit OS? You might look into picking up a 2nd 2x1gb ram kit.

That motherboard is open box, meaning it comes with no cables and a limited warranty. I wouldn't do it considering you can get that board new for another $40, but it's your call.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by Drunner611 600 watts would be fine for that PC. However you may want to go higher incase you decide to upgrade that vid card down the road. Look at the corsair 650 unit. Also, are you running a 64bit OS? You might look into picking up a 2nd 2x1gb ram kit. That motherboard is open box, meaning it comes with no cables and a limited warranty. I wouldn't do it considering you can get that board new for another $40, but it's your call.

Well what cables do I need to be for the motherboard?

Also if 600 watts is fine, how is 500? I mean I already have a 500 W power supply for my PC.

Here it is.

(I'm not going to upgrade my PC again)

[Katreat]

500w would be right at the minimum for your system. The problem is Apevia PSUs are not known for quality. I would really suggest getting something off the GOOD list i posted above. You want a PSU you can rely on and that wont take out the rest of your computer if something goes wrong. The last review I read on Apevia I think it melted under load

The problem I have with open box is it likely means someone returned it. They dont tell you why it was returned. So, you might get a board from someone who made a mistake and needed AMD or you might get a board from someone who shorted it out against the case. I am sure Newegg does some basic tests or at least inspects it, but it is a lot like buyinig used.

Kat

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by Katreat 500w would be right at the minimum for your system. The problem is Apevia PSUs are not known for quality. I would really suggest getting something off the GOOD list i posted above. You want a PSU you can rely on and that wont take out the rest of your computer if something goes wrong. The last review I read on Apevia I think it melted under load The problem I have with open box is it likely means someone returned it. They dont tell you why it was returned. So, you might get a board from someone who made a mistake and needed AMD or you might get a board from someone who shorted it out against the case. I am sure Newegg does some basic tests or at least inspects it, but it is a lot like buyinig used. Kat

Will I've been using it for 2 years and it's worked fine.

[shadowpr]

But you haven't been using that power supply on a build that is as high end as this. This build will tax that power supply.

If you don't want to change it, then don't. We're just telling you what we know from research and experience. It's your parts, and your money.

Same with the motherboard. If you want to take a risk and save a few bucks on a open box, then go ahead, but most people here will recommend that you don't cause it's not worth it.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by shadowpr But you haven't been using that power supply on a build that is as high end as this. This build will tax that power supply. If you don't want to change it, then don't. We're just telling you what we know from research and experience. It's your parts, and your money. Same with the motherboard. If you want to take a risk and save a few bucks on a open box, then go ahead, but most people here will recommend that you don't cause it's not worth it.

Well how likely is it that the Powersupply will annihilate my stuff?

[shadowpr]

Based on apevia track record, and the parts you're going to use, I'd be surprised if it didn't eventually take something out when it died.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by shadowpr Based on apevia track record, and the parts you're going to use, I'd be surprised if it didn't eventually take something out when it died.

Okay I'll update.

So how are these two PW's?

Foxconn FA-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply

ePOWER ZU-550W ATX12V Version 2.0 / EPS12V 550W Power Supply

[Drunner611]

Both of those are poor choices. Read above and click on the recommended PSU list here.

Or check out the one at XS Here

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by Drunner611 Both of those are poor choices. Read above and click on the recommended PSU list here. Or check out the one at XS Here

Well what's the cheapest power supply I can get that is good and will work?

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by KiticanaX Well what's the cheapest power supply I can get that is good and will work?

Take a look at the coolermaster power supplies, the 500W should work fine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171018

[liambl]

I use this PSU. It is a good quality brand and has good output and is $79 after rebate.

[Drunner611]

That liberty is an excellent PSU, I would stay away from coolermaster. Just to go Newegg and use those lists as a reference. Just browse by company.

[Drunner611]

Originally Posted by KiticanaX Well what's the cheapest power supply I can get that is good and will work?

That's kind of like saying. Wow, here's my new lamborghini. On second thought, let's put a crappy transmission in it to save me some money.

Point being, do not cheap out on the power supply, it is very important.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by Drunner611 That's kind of like saying. Wow, here's my new lamborghini. On second thought, let's put a crappy transmission in it to save me some money. Point being, do not cheap out on the power supply, it is very important.

Well is it going to effect the performance of my PC?

I just want something that will work.

Though if it really is that important I'll take this one you recomended then.

[shadowpr]

That's a great power supply there.

[KiticanaX]

I have a question though. Are there new versions of the CPU or RAM coming out soon that will thus make price cuts to the ones I listed any time soon?

[Katreat]

Ram is basically at an all time low. DDR3 will be dropping in price but it will be a long wait to get it at the price you can buy DDR2 at right now. Just watch the sells and rebates.

CPU drops will likely be gradual. Right now Intel and AMD are pretty agressive pricing at anything below the very top so doubt you will see any major movement. If you wait tell the end of the year Intel is bringing out their new chip (unless it is late) which will probably start a whole new pricing structure as Intel and AMD re-aligns themselves with the market.

Kat

[KiticanaX]

What tools do I need when bulding a PC?

[shadowpr]

Screw driver.

[liambl]

To be specific, a medium Philips head one.

[KiticanaX]

That's it?

EDIT - Also how long do you think this PC will last me?

[liambl]

It should last at least a year, probably two, depends on what for. For gaming it won't last as long as for word processing.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by liambl It should last at least a year, probably two, depends on what for. For gaming it won't last as long as for word processing.

Alright that's good to know.

Though I have another question.

Is this card worth the extra $50 compared to buying this card?

[Katreat]

I get 3-4 years or so from my main gaming rig. It is suffering some at the end, but I am cheap. In that time I usually have one video card upgrade as the only major upgrade. Ususally when I start thinking about a CPU upgrade I find I need a new MB because of socket changes so I just build new and keep the old machine for back up.

The 8800 GT is a pretty big step up from the 3850. The 3870 would be a closer compairison but I still think the 8800 GT is ranked a bit higher. Check out this ranking:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ards,1805.html

Kat

[Drunner611]

Originally Posted by KiticanaX Alright that's good to know. Though I have another question. Is this card worth the extra $50 compared to buying this card?

Yes, and the 8800gt was just selling for $160 last week. Currently on Newegg the lowest is $180.

Definitely worth it!

[KiticanaX]

Well "The Witcher Combo" ran out with the other one. I'm thinking of getting the other one instead due to it not being that expensive. I mean is it worth the extra $100? (Besides I could always upgrade it right?)

Also would I be able to upgrade the video card by using this motherboard?