Building a PC, some help please

[commandokoj]

Hi everyone!

Im wanting to build a new computer and need some advice...

I plan on getting this computer case, so please work around that if you can:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119138
If there is a case that is nice looking, good cooling, room for some upgrades and preferably an esata and usb at front panel (AND CHEAPER!) please tell me...

I dont have the case above, just planning on getting it...

Need some advice with:

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad Core; will use some photo and video editing but also some Gaming!

Motherboard:
- Lots of USBs - not way important, and eSata
- PCI-Es for massive gaming card
- Firewire is a bonus but not necessary
- Support for up to 16GB of RAM, 8GB is ok as well
- At least 4 slots for RAM
- No Micro ATX; whatever is easily compatibile with the mentioned Case and also the CPU
- COST IS ALSO AN ISSUE.

RAM:
- 4GB of some good quality RAM, can be 2 x 2GB or 1 x 4GB.
- Cost is also an issue!
- Compat. with CPU and Motherboard

Powersupply:
- Not sure what power is needed, but I plan on having C2D or Quad and an intense grahics card. Price is also an issue; no need for one of those "super duper" watt supplies...something that will give the juice necessary to all the grahics and components...

CPU Cooler:
- One that will work with Motherboard, Case and CPU.
- One of those REALLY COOL and FAST ones that will have no issue with a C2D or Quad
- Cost also an issue but $50+ or - is OK.

I plan on using this comp. for Photo/Video editing and for Gaming as well! Cost is an issue, I dont have a set budget, since I have no idea how much I have

Want this thing to be cool without water/thermal cooling.

Any Advice or recommendations PLEASE!

[shadowpr]

Do you also need hard drive, dvd burner, os, monitor?

Will you be overclocking?

[Rev_pizzaguy]

You also don't want to skimp on a cheap power supply.

[commandokoj]

Well by cheap I mean inexpensive but good quality, reliable and having all the power, connections that I need...

I have no issue with choosing DVD, Hard Drive, OS and Monitor. Just those above.

Dont think I will be overclocking (is it safe, or risky???)

[commandokoj]

forgot to mention:

Will this CPU Cooler fit?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tem=35-887-011

[Larix8]

You really need to just tell everybody how much you are willing to spend for a budget gaming machine, +/- $100, not including the case you have picked out. Do you already own that case?

Buying a cheap power supply might work for 2 hours with an intense video card, long enough to read some interesting error messages you may never read again after you buy a decent power supply, for around $75.

Just my .02 worth.

[commandokoj]

Changing "cheap power supply"...haha. I meant inexpensive...

I DONT have the case.

[flanzig1]

The case you picked is a high end case, if you want a quailty case at a lower cost, look at the Antec line. The antec 900 is a popular case for around $110.
For your needs would look to a E6600 Quad, good bang for the buck and do want you want. Unless your looking for absulute silent running case, the CPU heatsink that comes with the CPU will work fine.
Motherboard: Asus P5K series- pick the one with the options you want.
ram: Corsair XMS DDR2 800 2 or 4 gig kits
PSU: Corsair 620 or an FSP in an equal size
DVD: Lite-On/Asus/ are good brands.
HD: Seagate 7200.11 pick your size
Video card: ATI will let a video card guy help with a model

[Larix8]

Ok I can see why you are so delirious about the case. Delirious meaning you seem a little disorganized, and want everything cheap, or inexpensive now, but the case @ a whopping $180, holy cow!!

But you know what, that is a gorgeous case. Now I want to own the case. I can feel the urge to babble coming on its such a beautiful case....I will resist though.

BRB with a list of parts. I dont usually do this because im still a newbie.

[commandokoj]

Thanks guys! very helpful indeed

Yes, the case is expensive but I have to have it, haha. I will take a look at the Antec cases as well..

[Doom]

- CASE: The Antec 900 doesn't have an e-SATA on the front panel. Take a look at the Cooler Master CM 690. It's only about $90 and looks very nice. It will fit everything you need to include any high end graphics card (I put a GTX 260 in one). It does have an e-SATA on the front (top actually) panel. Also, check out the nVidia version if you want one with some pizzaz.
- PSU: Corsair is a good brand without being too expensive. You can use a 520-650w and be just fine. The only way you'll need more power is if you plan to do SLI or CrossFire (which I don't recommend).
- RAM: Again, I use and recommend Corsair. Their 2x2GB package is good and not too expensive. Just stick away from the "Dominator" series as it does get expensive and the regular stuff works just as well.
- MOBO: Asus P5K or EVGA 780i if you don't mind spending a little more (though it's price has dropped a lot recently. The EVGA will preserve an SLI option if you ever want to and it's an all around good board. I've built with two and had good results.
- CPU: For better gaming results, go with a faster Dual Core (E8400 or E8500) vice a slower Quad Core.

[Larix8]

Alright, heres an idea of what you could do using an E8400 CPU. I hardly ever use Intel at all. Actually not a bad looking system if I say so myself.

Motherboard, you said you wanted 16Gig RAM capability $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358

CPU Ta' Dah!! The E8400 itself, comes with heatsink $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

RAM, 4Gig $74
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130363

Video Card, EVGA, $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130363

PSU, Corsair 650W $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

Hard Drive, Western Digital 500Gig $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136040

Add on the case you were looking at for almost $200, and this system comes out to almost $1000.

Only thing different I did with my system: I used AMD, I paid half for my video card, and will buy a better card when I get the money. I paid about $50-75 for Cooler Master PSU 550W, I got half the Hard Drive, almost half the price, etc.

So you could knock off $100 from case, couple hundred from parts, etc. I really dont see a really good reason to because you most likely will spend the money on computer anyway.

Once again, Im new to this, cant recommend these parts based on experience with the parts, just experience with Newegg.com, havent been disappointed yet.

4-5 years ago I bought 2 CPU's online from an unknown source to me now, and they were both bad. Newegg has been great, havent bought any bad parts from them yet.

I ignore bad reviews under parts, on Newegg.com, because I know I can figure out anything wrong by checking on pcmech, if there is anything wrong with the part.

So what do you think?

[commandokoj]

Thanks for all the help guys!

So here is what Im wanting (after looking over your advice):

CASE:
- Nice looking; silver or black.
- No bright lights (with fans) or clear panel sides.
- Lots of cooling fans (included) would be very nice, something that has good, effective cooling without needing water/thermal cooling.
- Front panel with a bunch of USBs, maybe eSata and firewire is a plus.
- COMPLETE max at $200, but wanting something less than my "desired" case
(less than $180)


MOTHERBOARD:
- PCIe x 16, 2 x would be nice
- A bunch of USBs (More than 4) , the typical connections, eSata and firewire would be a plus.
- Onboard connections for 4 USBs, eSata and Firewire (for front case panel)
- 2 x LAN connection would be nice (if possible)
- BASE all the stuff above on a equal or less than $150

*** MOTHERBOARD and CASE that will fit a large CPU Fan; Like the ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120

Other than those things, I have my other components pretty much set...

THANKS

[Doom]

It's a litte more than $150 without rebates taken into account... but the EVGA nVidia 780i mobo I use meets a lot of your specs.

- 6x USB in the back and connections for four more.
- 1 Firewire in the back and one for the front panel
- 3x PCI-e
- 2x LAN connections
- No e-SATA... but if you get a CM 690 case or one with a front panel SATA you're golden.

If you're looking for no lights and no clear side panel.. I once again recommend the Cooler Master CM 690. It does have one blue LED fan up front... but for $5 you can replace that with a regular fan. Air flow is very good and I really like its look. I've actually considered moving my current rig in an Antec 900 into an CM 690 in a little bit.