First Time Build (joining the club)

[Quiksilver]

I am interested in building/upgrading my PC. I say 'upgrading' because I would like to reuse any parts I can; but it wouldn't surprise me if none of them are worth keeping, and it wouldn't bother me much either. That said I'll go ahead and list the current specs for my computer.

Case- ATOP Gladiator (An older version than the one pictured)
Power Supply- X-Blade 450W, model number KY-550ATX (Could not find on Newegg)
Motherboard- K8N Neo3 (MS-7135) v1.X ATX (I hope this is the right information; I had trouble finding any at all. I could not find this on Newegg.)
CPU- AMD Sempron 2800+ 1.61GHz
Hard Drive- I honestly don't know (And I'm not sure how to find out. You can see how much help I really need. ). I assume I will purchase a new one.
RAM- OCZ pc3200 (Again, I hope this is the correct information. I searched Newegg and this looks like what I have, though I am judging by appearance only.)
Graphics Card- NVIDIA Geforce 6600 (I could not find this on Newegg. These recurring failures are making me worry that I'm making a complete fool of myself by posting incomplete, garbled, or completely erroneous information. )
OS- Windows XP Home Edition


You see why I wish to upgrade.

Now, for what I want to do.
This will be primarily a gaming computer, but I also do some media work (Music playback/recording/editing), and I often multi-task (say, listen to music while working in Microsoft Word while surfing the web while modding for Oblivion). Games that I currently play include Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

My goal is to build a computer that can run most games out right now, as well as handle the media and other tasks I mentioned, quickly and smoothly. I do not want an uber gaming rig, or a professional media center; I just want a computer capable of handling the applications I run on it. I don't mind turning down the settings on any particular game I might be playing; I'm more worried about a smooth experience than eye-dazzling graphics. Basically I want a computer that can run just about any game on the market right now, though possibly at low settings.
My goal is unique in that I have no fixed budget. Obviously I would like to spend as little money as possible, but I do not want to set a fixed budget yet, as this leads to simply choosing the best parts for the computer while still bringing the build in just under the budget. If I were to state a budget, I could be confident that I would get the best list of parts for the money I specified, but for a hundred dollars more I might have been that much closer to the rig I was aiming for. If the general consensus is that build X will be suitable for my needs, but I don’t have enough money on hand, I'm perfectly willing to set aside money until I have enough, as long as the price isn't so high that the technology will be outdated before I get the funds. But I hope it will not be that expensive.

Side notes: I am currently using a Sharp Aquos LCD TV as a monitor, but it is not suitable for all purposes so it was my goal to run dual displays. I would like to use Windows XP Home edition for the new build; I will purchase it again. I will reuse the Case/Mouse/Keyboard/Speakers/and Monitor.

Well, I think that covers it. I hope I have not been too confusing in my ignorance. Any advice would be greatly welcome. I appreciate your time.

[jon_e_33]

You probably won't be able to use any of the parts from your old computer apart from the case, and the Hard drive if you really want to keep it.

It's rather hard without any type of budget to outline a build for you. $500? $1000? You get quite a difference in there.

You can start from this though, as it's a good base.

Mobo: Asus P5k 93$
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131189

CPU: Q9300 285$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115043
or cheaper q6600 220$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

Graphics Card: 9600gt 150$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130334

Power Supply: Corsair 650tx 110$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

RAM: Corsair DDR2 800 45$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

Hard Drive: Seagate 7200.11 100$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

DvD burner: Lite-on Sata w/ lightscribe 35$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

Prices aren't exact since they change but they are close enough.

[Katreat]

Jons list looks like a good start.

I would probably recommend upgrading to the P5K-E, it is a bit more but has a better souund chip and some other nice features.

For what you want it for the quad likely is the way to go, if pure gaming you can get faster C2Ds for the same or less money, but if doing a bunch of multi taskinig the quad should shine. If budget is not a huge factor go for the E9300 for the larger cache and newer technology. If planning on OC'ing then I think the 6600 has some advantages.

I would also look the the 8800 GT video card. Performance is close but I think the 8800 GT still has advantages over the 9600 GT for not much more money. But they are very close in performance so cant go really wrong. There are better cards if your budget will allow but they start getting pricey the next step up.

Kat

[Quiksilver]

Originally Posted by jon_e_33 It's rather hard without any type of budget to outline a build for you.

Yeah, I know I'm probably just being difficult; but as I said, I would rather have your best judgment of what rig would be adequate, and then look at allocating funds (a.k.a. siphoning budget money off of "food" and other unnecessary categories) or downgrading/upgrading different components if the price is more (probably) or less (probably not) than I expected.

A couple of (not so) minor things I forgot to mention in my original post (Sorry, it was late.): 1) I definitely would like the build to be very upgradeable. 2) As I am a first time builder, the more documentation there is on each component, the merrier I'll be. 3) I have DSL in my home and the computer will obviously need to be compatible. 4) Sound card! I can't believe I forgot this. Sound is much more important to me than graphics, and as music media will be a significant part of my use of this computer, I definitely would like a solid sound card. 5) Would a heatsink be necessary?


Thanks for the advice, the piece list looks great. (Just the thought of owning a quad core makes my mouth water.)

[jon_e_33]

Originally Posted by Quiksilver A couple of (not so) minor things I forgot to mention in my original post (Sorry, it was late.): 1) I definitely would like the build to be very upgradeable. 2) As I am a first time builder, the more documentation there is on each component, the merrier I'll be. 3) I have DSL in my home and the computer will obviously need to be compatible. 4) Sound card! I can't believe I forgot this. Sound is much more important to me than graphics, and as music media will be a significant part of my use of this computer, I definitely would like a solid sound card. 5) Would a heatsink be necessary?

Your motherboard manual ought to have pretty good documentation about installing most components, and of course people on this forum would be happy to help you with any questions.

The motherboard will have a LAN port for your DSL so you don't have to worry about that. However if you run a wireless network you can buy a motherboard with built in WIFI for a tad bit more money.

Generally the advice regarding sound cards is try out the sound on the motherboard first, and then if it is not satisfactory buy a soundcard. I've heard some great things about this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132006 However, I find onboard sound to be ok for me most of the time.

Processors marked as "Retail" will include a heatsink, while OEM CPU's will not have a heatsink included generally.

[Quiksilver]

I have a D-Link DWL-G510 wireless adapter. My signal strength is not always what I would like it to be, but I do hope to run cables from the router to my computer, and I'm fairly patient- I've gamed online so far with an inferior PC and poor signal strength, so I can handle a less-than-perfect connection.
On the flip side, I don't want to spend money on a brand new rig just to have it rendered useless for online gaming by a lousy connection. I do hope to run physical cables at some point, but not in the foreseeable future. Is it worth spending the extra money to invest in integrated Wi-Fi?

Originally Posted by jon_e_33 Processors marked as "Retail" will include a heatsink

I found this in a customer review of the Q6600:

The stock heatsink will not effectively cool a B3 under full load across all 4 cores. I know this from personal experience and I'm sure others you ask will vouch for that. Do yourself a favor and buy a semi-decent aftermarket.

Does this apply to my build?

Also, I noticed that both outputs for the video card were DVI, and the card comes with two DVI/VGA adapters (which I would necessarily be using). Will I experience any loss of performance using these adapters?

[Katreat]

As for the stock heat sink not working I would say NO. I personally dont have a quad but have helped put a few together with the stock cooler and none of the systems have heat issues. My guess is the person writing the review is OC'ing the system and just did not mention that fact. At stock speed I would not think you would have any problem as long as your case has decent air circulation.

I dont think you would see any loss in performance. But I have never compaired with anything so will maybe someone will stop by who has some experience with it. The adpators are pretty standard and used often so if there is a downfall it is probably not really noticable.

If you are really into sound you should maybe make a post in the audio forum explaining exactly what you are looking for in a sound card. Most of the recomendation in this forum will probably more gaming oriented and that might not be the best sound card for your needs.

Kat

[Quiksilver]

I think I'll take jon's advice and wait to see what kind of sound I get out of the mobo before I go ahead and buy a sound card. I care about good sound quality, but I don't think I'd qualify as an audiophile. I'll see how it works out.

I was reciting my component list to a friend, and when I mentioned the hard drive, my friend directed me to this. Great, buy a new hard drive, and the next thing you know someone's gone and stolen your game logins.
Whether or not Seagate has completely taken care of this problem, is it wise to patronize a company that lets it happen in the first place?
Got any suggestions for a different HDD?

[Alaron]

That article is from nearly 7 months ago. Seagate drives are safe, we recommend them all the time.

[Quiksilver]

All right, just double checking.


SO! Here's what it looks like I'm down to:

Mobo- Asus P5K-E/WIFI AP
CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Graphics Card- EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR 9600GT
Power Supply- Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W
RAM- (2x1GB) Corsair XMS2 DDR2
Hard Drive- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB
DVD+RW- LITE-ON Sata w/ Lightscribe
Sound Card- (optional) Asus Xonar DX 7.1
Surge Protection- CyberPower 1080 surge protector

Any suggestions before I finalize?
Any extras (cables, connectors, etc.) that I missed or might need?

[jon_e_33]

I think it would definitely be a good idea for you to follow Katreat's advice and go with a Asus p5k-E motherboard for the better sound chip. Since you already have a wireless card don't bother with the more expensive WIFI motherboard imo. Although on 2nd thought it is only 10$ more for the wifi board so /shrug.

Also, I was browsing around newegg and found two 8800gt video cards that come with free games so that's always a nice little bonus I suppose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125088
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150252

Both at near the same price so most likely worth an upgrade to the 8800gt.

[Quiksilver]

P5K-E is a go, and I'm going to go ahead and get the WIFI. As you said, it's only ten bucks, and the absence of the wireless card means there's one less thing for me to potentially screw up.

As for the 8800GT...meh, it's thirty bucks more for a slightly better card and a game that I wouldn't buy if it was thirty bucks by itself. I already have a (rather large) list of games that I would like to get, and this build has landed almost exactly in the price range I was hoping for, so I think I'll go ahead and stick with 9600GT.

Anything else you can think of?

[Alaron]

Looks like a good list to me.

[Quiksilver]

All right, then! Now the only thing left to do is 'allocate funds'. Thanks everyone for all the advice, I really appreciate it. I'll be sure to ask if I've got any more questions, and I'll try to let you all know how it turns out! Thanks again!

[bd1886]

Just wanted to add to the info on the stock Intel Heatsink/Fan. I hear people slamming it all the time and IMO it just doesn't deserve it. It is super easy to install and works fine. But...I don't use it on my personal builds because I'm over the top on needing silence from my components. Ive used them on builds for some friends and family though (and they aren't a problem for them at all). The trick is installing on mobo before installing it into the case.

[Quiksilver]

Great, thanks for the tip.