Final Build: Please Review

[rickybobby]

HELP!!! Trying to order by tomorrow morning here, so any and all immediate advice would be wonderful. Here is the parts list...

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299

MSI R4850-512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127370

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135156


1) Basically what I'm trying to do is setup this thing in my room and feed a wire through the wall outlet to my Sony 50 inch rear projection LCD HDTV (720p/1080i), which has one HDMI port. Can anyone tell me what I need to hook up the computer to the TV so that it looks as good as it would on a monitor/play in high definition?

2) Already have the OS (WIN XP and/or VISTA) and will eventually pick out an appropriate wireless keyboard and mouse to use on the couch in the living room. Should I use my copy of XP or Vista?

3) I'm still going to need a case, but I haven't decided which one to use yet. I want something preferably under $100, black, with a see-thru side panel and no cover flap on the front. It must be no taller than 18 inches and obviously must supply a good amount of airflow for the Radeon 4850 without having a fan on top of the case. Any recommendations?

4) Decided to go with the MSI R4850 because it's basically a Radeon 4850 that runs much cooler according to reviews from Newegg. Anyone know anything about it?

5) Could I consider putting in a blu-ray drive to watch hi-def movies? Any blu-ray drives out there that are cheap and high quality that can take the place of one of the ASUS DVD burners?

6) Do any of these parts have superior alternatives, better bang for the buck?

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech. Your parts list is good.

Your video card has a DVI to HDMI adapter. I'd use that for the TV.

XP or Vista is a debate that continues to rage on. Feel free to forum search for points and counterpoints. However, if you're gaming, most seem to have made the switch to Vista.

The Antec 900 is a popular option right now for gaming cases.

The 4850s are great cards for the price. Can't really comment on brands.

I'd skip a BluRay burner right now, as the cost is too high. For just reading movies though, the price is more reasonable. Check out this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136133

[Reista]

First off, i would use vista due to its media options and better support lines for the future.
Secondly, The case your looking for is the NXZT Tempest found here
Third, MSI is safe for graphics cards for a fair bit but not mobo's
and lastly i would get a Q6600 and overclock to 3ghz *it runs just fine ^^* its a quad with the ability of a dual. it you run alot of media you'll want that.

[rickybobby]

Ok well i just placed my order, and Reista you're saying that MSI isn't good with motherboards over time...could you clarify? Do you mean they tend to wear them out or whatnot?

I also decided not to order the case right off the batt, because I'm still not sure what I want in terms of a box. The order should all be 3 day shipping, so if I just placed the order here at 1 in the morning on August 6th, does that mean it would probably arrive by Saturday afternoon?

[Reista]

i don't know about the shipping. it depends on who you buy it from it might be busyness or not and it ifs busyness then its getting to you on Monday. My comment on MSI was that their board aren't PARTICULARLY known for having good quality such as DFI, ASUS *excluding bios problems*, and EVGA. their boards normally get a 50%-75% rating opposed to 80% and up on the other manufacturers. MSI also doesn't have good motherboard customer support from what Ive seen.

[vtfanmv5]

First of all, I would use Vista.

As for the video card, I wouldn't buy that card just because it doesn't have heat problems. In fact, none of the 4800s have heat problems, they just have driver problems which are easily fixed (to turn the fans up).

Oh, and I'll put in a vote for the Antec 900.

[Rigone]

I'm using a Corsair psu and memory and they are both working beautifully and are very relaible, so you should be good to go there.

If you don't plan on doing a lot of multi tasking, video encoding, etc. the E8400 is a nice choice, but don't go for it, buy the E8500 that just dropped in price at new egg. I bought the E8400 and it overclocks like a beast, very fast chip, but the 8500 just dropped to the same price I paid for the 8400 and its a bit faster so I'd go for that if going easy on the multi tasking.

I have the same Asus burner and I'm a little frustrated with it. It takes forever to load a disc. I don't know if I just got a dud but I'm not pleased with it. And the lightscribe comes out very very light, even on fine quality.

[Alaron]

When your items ship from Newegg, your tracking number will let you know when the items are scheduled to arrive. Depends on where you live and where the parts ship from. Newegg has warehouses in CA, TN and NJ.

If things don't come by Friday, you'll have to wait till next week. There is no weekend delivery.