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11-08-2008, 11:29 AM
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#1 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
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First Time Building My Own: How's it Look?
This is my first experience building a computer and I'd like to get some reassurance that this build will function properly and that everything will be compatible. I'll be using it for college and I'm hoping to be able to use it as a decent gaming computer for at least a few years. The current price just a few bucks over $1200. I'd welcome any advice on comparable parts that are cheaper, and I'd also be willing to spend a bit more if anyone has a particular enhancement that would be worth it.
-Thanks for any advice/input! CASE: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042 POWER SUPPLY: Antec NeoPower 650 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371011 RAM: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664AA80A - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148212 MOBO: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 MONITOR: Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009145 HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136039 VIDEO CARD: HIS Hightech H487F512P Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161236 DISK DRIVE: SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171 PROCESSOR: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488 HEATSINK/FAN: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835207004 PCI WIRELESS CARD: EDIMAX EW-7128G PCI Wireless Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833315041 Any opinions on whether to go with the Radeon 4870 or the GTX 260? I origanally had the 260 but due to my mobo choice and the fact that the 4870 is a bit cheater and at least equal in performance I was swayed to get the 4870 instead. -Is Ballistix quality RAM? I was hesitant but someone suggested it since it currently comes with a $50 rebate so it's a really good price and all the reviews on newegg are positive. -And since the Disk Drive is OEM will I need extra SATA cables or software to get it up and running? -thank you! |
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11-08-2008, 11:42 AM
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#2 |
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I like me
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 7,332
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Not a bad list.
I would change the ram for something that is cas 5 instead of 4. Also, seagate hard drives come with a 5 year warrenty, while western digital only has a 3 year. I would get a lite-on or asus dvd burner instead of samsung. Also, you don't need the heatsink unless you're going to overclcok, and even then I would get a different one. If you overclock you void the warrenty on the processor. Just use the stock heatsink that comes with it. For a wireless card, you might want to get the same brand as your wireless router. I think they might work together a bit better. Not too sure though.
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It's coming....just you wait. |
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11-08-2008, 11:51 AM
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#3 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
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Well to clarify one thing. I don't plan on doing any overclocking.
Why would I want a higher cas value? I don't know much about RAM but I know a lower timing generally means better/faster. I originally had a Lite-on dvd burner but many of the reviews complained it was too loud, but I can't find a retail version of this Samsung that isn't much more expensive so I'll just go back to a Lite-on. Do I really not even need an extra heatsink? I thought because of the video card I might need it. My router at home d-link, I don't think they make pci cards and i'll be using the computer at college anyway. |
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11-08-2008, 12:06 PM
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#4 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,358
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Your links don't seem to be working. Both the Radeon 4870 and the GTX 260 are a good choice for a video card, go with whichever one you prefer, from reviews that I've seen, the Radeon is a bit faster than the old GTX 260 (192 shader processors) but a bit slowern than the new GTX 260 (216 shader processors).
I've heard of people having trouble with Ballistix ram, so it may not be the best option, Mushkin and Corsair(there are more companies than Mushkin and Corsair, but I'm most familiar with these two) make good, reliable ram. If you get an aftermarket heatsink, you will void your Intel warranty (I'm pretty sure you can still use the newegg warranty though), however if you are still looking for an aftermarket heatsink you'll want to take a look at heatsinks made by Arctic Cooling, Thermalright and Zalman, Sunbeam isn't very well known for it's heatsinks, but the one you have in the list should be fine. The motherboard will come with the necessary SATA cables for the hard drive and disk drive, normally you won't need any drivers for the disk drive to get it running. Here is a slightly less expensive (about $100 before rebates, about $155 after) alternative to your parts list that will have about the same performance as in your parts list : LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106264 $25.99 Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042 $54.95 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073 $59.99 Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009145 $169.99 SAPPHIRE 100257L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102797 $249.99 Antec NeoPower 650 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371011 $89.99 mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146731 $62.99 ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 $119.99 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 $164.99 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488 $99.99 D-Link WDA-2320 PCI Rangebooster G Desktop Adapter http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127075 $24.99 Subtotal: $1,123.85
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Core i7 2600K @ 4.2GHz | Corsair H100 w/ Scythe S-FLEX 120mm Med. Flow & AC MX4 | 4 x 4GB Corsair Vengeance PC3-12800 | HIS 1GB HD6870/ HIS IceQ X Turbo 1GB CF | Asus P67 Sabertooth | OCZ Vertex 3, WD Velociraptor 150GB & Seagate 1.5TB in Tt iCage | LG 22X DVD+/-RW | D-Link DWA-556 | Corsair TX 750W | Coolermaster Cosmos 1000 | Windows 7 HP 64-Bit | LG Flatron L246WH-BN 3D Mark11: P8491| 3D Mark Vantage: P30840| 3D Mark06: 29912 Last edited by Masaki 7-11; 11-08-2008 at 12:09 PM. |
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11-08-2008, 12:09 PM
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#5 |
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I like me
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 7,332
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Cas 5, and a lower voltage usually has less problems with intel. Not saying that the cas 4 wouldn't work, but I would be more confident with cas 5.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146692 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211188 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122 And no, you don't need that heatsink at all. The stock cooling for the processor is fine for stock use. |
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11-08-2008, 03:14 PM
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#6 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
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Thanks for the tips. I'm changing to one of the Mushkin RAM sets you recommended.
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11-08-2008, 10:46 PM
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#7 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 207
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For a case...another recommendation is the Cooler Master CM 690. It's a bit cheaper and I like it more from a building perspective. I've built one w/ an Antec 900 (mine) and just finished one with a CM 690. The 690 features tool-less installation and the internal wiring was great. Cooling is just as good...just doesn't have that huge fan up top. Can't go wrong with either.
I recommend Corsair for both memory and PSU. I've heard bad things on Antec PSU stuff...but their cases are top notch. If you go Corsair, I can't recommend modular enough. It really helps keep the inside of the case cleaner since you only hook up the cables you need.
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Gaming Rig(March 2008 Build): ANTEC 900 Case w/ Stock Cooling, Intel Q9300 2.5GHz Quad, 4GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz, 750w Corsair PSU, WD Caviar 500GB 7200RPM, EVGA nVidia 780i SLI, EVGA GTX-470, Pioneer DVD+/-R w/ Lightscribe HTPC (May 2010 Build): nMEDIAPC 2000B ATX, AMD Athalon II Regor 2.8GHz Dual Core, 2GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz, 400w Corsair PSU, WD Caviar 500GB, MSI 770T-C45 Motherboard, EVGA nVidia GeForce 210 512MB, Lite-On DVD+/-R w/ Lightscribe |
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11-09-2008, 12:59 AM
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#8 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,358
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Most Antec PSUs are made by FSP and are of very good quality, I've had two so far, and they've both worked perfectly.
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11-09-2008, 01:21 AM
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#9 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 207
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Oops...I was probably thinking of Apevia. Good to know somebody has had good luck w/ Antec PSUs. I guess it was strange to think Antec would make good cases but bad PSUs. But it seems most people agree that Samsung makes awesome monitors...yet they always say to stay away from Samsung optical drives. Things that make you go hmmmm.
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11-09-2008, 02:04 AM
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#10 |
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Member (7 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: e-town,kentucky
Posts: 75
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i have had 3 antec psu's and they have all been great. as far as samsung optical drive's
i disagree with anyone who say's they aren't good.i have rma'd two lite-on drive's one was dead after 6 month's and the other sounded like a 747 take'ing off lol. i now have a samsung and let me tell you it is super quiet and flawless. but i'm not saying one's better than the other. just that sometime's you get bad one's of either brand. so it's up to you purchase what you like. good luck with the build cheer's. Last edited by toolowdown; 11-09-2008 at 02:07 AM. |
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11-09-2008, 08:31 AM
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#11 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,557
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Antec had some problems for awhile with their PSU's but I believe they were the ones that were included with some of their cases. I had a 450W Antec go bad that came with a Sonata case.
I've used a good 20 Lite-On DVDRW's in the last few years and have yet to have a bad one. The ones I own have all burned a good 500 discs each. I will agree they are a little louder than some. |
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