Another Newbie

[audipr]

Hi Folks,

Here is another newbie who is thinking about building his Computer. I’m not into gaming, just looking for a new box that will be extremely fast in anything I want to do, such as developing software and working with photography.

Obviously, like all those before me I am scared sh__less. I know that will probably go away, but right now, I need any help I can get.

Below is a list of the parts that I have come with thus far. Does anyone see any problems with these, any suggestions or changes? The only thing I have thought about would be to up the memory, but I thought this was a good start. I would prefer a case that I don’t have to open the front to get to the externals. Need something to last a few years, but be able to handle upgrades. Also hope it is quiet for when working late at home.

Again, I am looking for something that will be absolutely fast, able to do more than one thing at a time. Need to be able to run some old business software (Win2K vintage). Have a budget of around $700; anything that saves money would still be appreciated.

Case Thermaltake Element T - $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133087

PSU Cooler Master Extreme Power Plus 460W – $33.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171028

CPU Amd Athlon II x2 250 - $79.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103681

MOBO ASUS M4A78-E AM2+/AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX - $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131368

Memory CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241

HDD Western Digital Caviar Green WD7500AADS 750GB - $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136359

Optical LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 2MB Cache IDE - $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136144

Flash Media Rosewill RCR-IC002 74-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader - $15.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...N82E1682022310

OS Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1 64-bit – 149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116676

Video&Audio Use what is on MOBO

Some of the questions that have come up for me -

1) Is it better for airflow to use the round cable instead of the ribbon on things like IDE?
2) Would it be better to get the DVD burner that is SATA as opposed to IDE?
3) Is Vista Business really necessary to run all the old software I may have? It would help go the Windows 7 Pro.
4) Is it better to order all of the components from one vendor or use many because you can save a little by mixing?
5) Please point me somewhere that will tell me how to update the BIOS and Drivers on a new machine, if I get that far.
6) Lastly I thought about using the likes of Cyberpower or AVADirect to build it, but I get a funny feeling after trying to talk to them on the phone, any suggestion on these builders?

And finally thanks in advance, I joined PCMECH just because of all the info that is posted for people like me. Been reading for a week. Thanks!!

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech. Good list you have there. My two suggestions would be to go with a better PSU such as this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%20400w CoolerMaster units are ok but not great. And second, go with SATA drives, not IDE.

1 and 2. Go with SATA, IDE is old tech now.
3. Check with the maker's of your software to be sure it will work with whatever version of Windows you buy.
4. We recommend buying everything together. You might save a couple bucks shopping around but Newegg is a top quality store.
5. You shouldn't need to update the BIOS on your machine unless the old version has a specific problem you need resolved by a newer version. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.
As for drivers, your motherboard will come with a CD, just pop it in after Windows is installed.
6. Building it yourself is the best way to ensure choice, reliability and to learn something new.

[audipr]

Thanks Alaron for the feedback.
Changing to the new PSU should be no problem, will do so.

I was sort of leaning the way of the SATA on the Burner, you helped my decision.
It also helps with my concern about the ribbon cable.

New question about the OS, I was hoping that with the XP Mode, Virtual PC which are in both Vista and Windows 7, I would be ok with the software. Because I have that stuff also running on an XP Machine. Am I right or wrong?

Thanks again for you input.

[glc]

Why not just build it with XP for now?

[audipr]

Thanks GLC,
Why not, the machine I'm working on is running Win2K. I have another that's running XP. I have stayed away from Vista as long as I can and since we will probably have to go to Win 7. I figured the was as good time as any. The free upgrades to Win 7 from Vista also helps, with not having to buy two or three new OS.

I figured also I could install the old software one at a time and work the problems out as they may come.