New Build

[Ribosome]

Hey everyone this will be my first build.

I've been lurking the forums for awhile and look forward to being able to actually contribute sometime. Although, for now I am a newbie.

My budget is less than $700 but that's negotiable. I'm in college so it's mostly going to be daily tasks, but I do like to game when I get some time off (i.e the upcoming winter break).

Anyway, I know you've been swamped lately with first builds but I just want to run this by the experts first:

Mobo: Asus P5KPL

Processor: Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale

RAM: Corsair 2gb (2x1)

Video Card: Asus GeForce 9600gt

Hard Drive: Seagate 7200.11

PSU: OCZ 500w

CD Drive: LiteON

Case: NZXT Mid-Tower

OS: Vista 32bit

I have a monitor, keyboard and mouse already.


I know I'm going to catch some flak for the case. However, the Antec ones are pretty expensive and the Cool Master cases are rather ugly. Is there really a huge difference in performance? I will go with the community and get an Antec or a Cool Master if there is a significant reason other than preference.

Anyway, I've seen a lot of different RAM recommended, do you think 2gb is enough? RAM is relatively cheap so I don't want to cut corners on that end.

Also, the biggest concern I have is the power supply. The motherboard is 24pin, but the PSU is 20+4 pin... is that the same as saying 24pin? Also, is 500w good enough to cover?


Thanks for your time, I really appreciate it. Let me know if you need any more information.

[Rev_pizzaguy]

Looks like you have a pretty good build going so far! 20+4 pin PSU just means the "extra" 4 pins can be disconnected for use on 20-pin mobos. A 500W PSU is fine as long as you aren't running SLI. I would try to get an Antec PSU if possible, such as this one:

Antec Basiq 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371019

I would also check into a 2x2GB kit of ram if possible. Doesn't cost much more and will be a lot better in the end.

G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1066 (more overclocking headroom)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231226

A 32-bit operating system won't make use of the entire 4GB, though, and if you want to add more ram later, you wouldn't be able to.

Vista Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488

[tomtoon]

Ram Question: yes for your use thats should be ok. if not you can always add another 2GB but then for 4GB in total you would need Vista 64-bit.

Case: Its personal preference really

PSU: Thats the same thing. That will be sufficient enough

[Ribosome]

Ok thanks for the quick feedback. I'm glad it looks good.

Since the 64-bit Vista is the same price as the 32-bit, I might as well get that instead. Also, Pizzaguy recommended the G.SKILL 4gb RAM which I'm going to get now.

I know that cases are preference mostly, but it seems like every thread recommends an Antec or Cool Master.

I will probably order all the parts in the next couple days.


Edit: Should I get a fan for the front?

[Rev_pizzaguy]

That case has a rear 120mm fan as well as a side 120mm fan on the door. You might want to get one for the front eventually, especially if you start running 3 or 4 hard drives, but I don't think it would be necessary right now.

[not important]

The reason Coolermaster and Antec cases are suggested frequently is they are very solid cases.
I prefer using no more fans than is necessary....but I like quiet. You can always add more fans if the need arises.

[Ribosome]

Thanks for the input so far everyone!

I've done a little tweaking to what is on my list.

Case: Cooler Master RC-690

I decided I would go with Cooler Master because the case I had listed before didn't have a fan on the front, which sort of worried me. Also, Cooler Master seems to be a reputable brand around here and I trust what everyone says. One thing is, would I be able to change the blue lights to red ones?

Also, I have chosen to go with G.SKILL 1066 4gb for potential future of overclocking.

Now I realized that the motherboard was a Micro, and I really don't want to skimp on the motherboard.

So, I'm having a bit of trouble figure out which motherboard will be sufficient. I'd like to keep it to $120 or less.

I am looking at P5Q LGA and the P5Q Pro LGA.

In the specs it seems as if the Pro only has a different PCI Express and an on-board audio. The P5Q LGA doesn't have an onboard audio, does that mean I'd have to buy a sound card? I guess I just don't get the "Pro" part. The Pro comes with a rebate, so that's a good thing.

[not important]

The COOLER MASTER RC-690 is a great case (roomy-great ventialtion) and I think you will be very happy with your decision.
I would go with the P5Q Pro LGA simply because it has the PSU connection in a more convenient place for a case with a bottom mount PSU.

[Rev_pizzaguy]

Uh, P5Q LGA has onboard audio. Pretty much the difference that matters on the P5Q Pro is the addition of a second PCIE x16 2.0 slot and the ability to run ATI cards in Crossfire.

P5Q back plane

[Ribosome]

Originally Posted by Rev_pizzaguy Uh, P5Q LGA has onboard audio. Pretty much the difference that matters on the P5Q Pro is the addition of a second PCIE x16 2.0 slot and the ability to run ATI cards in Crossfire.

Oh ok I see now. Do you think it's worth it to get the Pro as well as change my video card to ATI and Crossfire ready? I don't know much about ATI cards.

[Rev_pizzaguy]

Here's a great test showing what differences crossfire can make:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ress,2095.html

You can use the extra PCIE x16 slot for other things besides graphics cards, so the addition over the P5Q is a nice feature, even if you don't do ATI cards in Crossfire.

[not important]

One good graphics card is all you'll need. I suggested the P5Q Pro because of the location of the PSU/MOBO connector placement. Either board will be fine.

[amdalex]

You might want to get a 650w PSU for some of the new graphics cards coming out need more than 500w. Here is a very good 650w PSU
Clicky- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

[Ribosome]

I agree that one good graphics card is good enough for now. I did notice that the psu connectors were in a funky position on the P5Q- kind of in the middle. Almost worth the extra 10 bucks right there.

That test was interesting too because it seems like the average gamer doesn't really benefit from Crossfire. I would be using 1440x900 which they didn't have listed.

I think I'm going to go with the Pro because it has the extra features, if you could call it that, for the future.

Should I stick with the same graphics card that I have now, or go with something else?

Edit: Didn't see your post until right now Alex. Should I upgrade to the 650w even if I keep the 9600 graphics card? I see in another post you recommended EVGA GeForce 9800gt

[amdalex]

The 9600GT will be fine with a 500w PSU but the new cards such as the Radeon 4870 X2 require a 650w PSU so I would get the 650w PSU so you can eventually be able to upgrade to a newer graphics card.

[Ribosome]

Hey all, so I've done some tweaking to my build and it comes to about $800 which is about $100 over budget. I would like to get it to $700 or below if possible. The video card comes with the new CoD which I would be buying anyway, so that is a pretty big plus there. I don't really want to skimp on the motherboard.

Case: Cooler Master - $80

Motherboard: P5Q PRO - $130

Processor: Core 2 duo E7200 - $120

Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9800gt - $132

RAM: G.SKILL 4gb 1066 - $50

HD: Seagate 500gb - $65

CD: LITE-ON - $21

PSU: CORSAIR 650w - $100

OS: Vista 64bit - $100

[not important]

Looks like a good solid build! ENJOY!!!

[shadowpr]

To save money:

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131288

After rebates, that should get you about $100 less.

[Ribosome]

That's motherboard is micro though, will that make any difference in the long run? I mean, it's great for $55 now, but in the future if I am looking to upgrade the other parts will it hinder me at all?

[not important]

The ASUS P5KPL-CM MOBO won't hinder you in the future, with the exception of dual graphics cards capability which is pretty much a waste of money if you have one good card, and it will keep you i your budget.
The RAM shadowpr linked to would also be a good choice.

[shadowpr]

The only way that mb limits you beyond what NI said is with only 4 sata ports, and only a max of 4gb ram. It's a great budget board.

[Jester]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=antec%20300

Antec 300 is 20 cheaper than the Cooler Master. Still the bottom mount PSU.

[not important]

I own both cases, like them both and I'd buy both again but I do prefer the CM a little more to work with.
The Antec 300 is a very nice case but the CM is a little more spacious inside and a little better design for my preferences.

[Ribosome]

Hey all, just want to say thanks for all your help. It wouldn't have been possible without all the recommendations here.

I ordered the parts last night. The only differences I made to my last post were the cheaper RAM that shadow posted and a different case, the Cooler Master Centurion. I was still a little bit over budget but that's okay. I just had a bad feeling about the micro motherboard.

[Ribosome]

I won't be getting the monitor for a few days, but I already have everything in the case. The motherboard suggests turning the monitor on first, then the system when booting the first time. I just want to see if everything works, is it really inadvisable to turn the system on without a monitor?

[Alaron]

It's not going to hurt anything, but I'd connect a monitor to see the POST screen.

[shadowpr]

Yep. No real point in turning on a system if you can't see if you get a post screen.

[Ribosome]

Ah, well. I was able to hold off my curiosity until this morning when I found an older monitor that I could use.

Everything was all assembled in the case but when I tried to boot up there was nothing. One time it booted up and I got to the BIOS but it froze and I was never able to get that far again.

Anyway, I took everything out- PSU, MB, VC, RAM and did that tutorial HAL posted. Everything worked, both fans were going and it seemed like all the components were functioning.

Now, I put them back in the case and same thing happens, I didn't even plug anything new into the MB just put it in the case and nothing happens. The heatsink fan spins for a second then stops.

The tutorial says there might be a short in the case, but if nothing is plugged in then what could it be?

[shadowpr]

Did you install the standoffs? Make sure there are no extra standoffs either.

[Ribosome]

On the chassis it has the top right and bottom left holes marked for an ATX MB. I have screws in both of them. There are no extra ones lying around.

I reset the CMOS, and no luck. I'm going to try and get the battery out and reset it that way, although I can't seem to work the clip.