Building my first computer

[GabrielQc]

Hi everyone,

Like the title say, I am building my first computer ever and I would like to have some input on the components I have chosen. Please note that I am from Quebec, so excuse my bad spelling, english isn’t my first language.

So I decided to build my new computer for the same reasons as everyone (to save money, for fun, to learn and being able to choose every components). My new PC will be used mainly for gaming and will be running games like Empire Total War, Mass effect and Dragon Age (when it will come out). Note that my budget is around 2500-3000 CAN$ and that I don’t want to replace my PC in 2 years.

Here’s the components I will use for my custom PC :

Motherboard : AM3 ASUS M4A78T-E AMD790GX PCIE (155$)
PCU : AMD Phenom II x4 965 3.40G/3800/8M/AM3 NR (305$)
Memory : Kingston Hyperx 1600MHz DDR3 6Go (3 x 2 Go) Kit CL9 (205$)
Video Card : ATI Radeon HD 4870 (200$) or 4890 (260$)
Hard drive : Western Digital SATA2 300 Go V-Raptor (315$)
Optical Drive : LG 22X Dual-Layer DVD Burner (37$)
Sound Card : C. Labs Sound Blaster X-FI XTREMEGamer PCI sound card (105$)
OS : Windows Vista
Case and Monitor : To be determined (100$ + 500$)


I hope all the information is here. What I would like to know is if the pieces will work with each others, if the prices are resonnable (it’s in $CAN) and if there’s better choice for the same price.
Any help or advice is welcome!

[shadowpr]

I would get a western digital caviar black drive instead of the raptor. It's not worth the extra cost in my opinion.

Also would go for the 4890 over the 4870.

And would leave out the soundcard for now. Try the onboard audio first. You can always add that later on if you don't like it.

[flanzig1]

Cases are kind of a personal choice, what I like you may hate. To find a style you like go to Newegg.ca
The hi-end case makers are Lian-Li/Antec/Thermaltake/Coolermaster.
You will need a good PSU, look to Corsair in the 650 to 750w range.

[jdeb]

are you looking for a quite pc?

[GabrielQc]

Thx Shadowpr for the good advices! The hard drive swap will save me 200$ And like you said, the sound card can wait.

Thx for the website flanzig1, and I forgot about the power supply!! I'll check for Corsair.

jdeb: well it's not a priority, but a quiet PC would be nice (if possible).

[jdeb]

If you want the PC to be quiet you may consider staying away from the raptor hard drives, they are real loud. In terms of a case, I have found that Lian Li are the quietest. If they are a little pricey for you, just make sure that your case has a couple of 120mm fans, that helps a lot.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by GabrielQc Hard drive : Western Digital SATA2 300 Go V-Raptor (315$)

Low reliability in my experience, had to RMA a ton of them last year, they offer no noticeable performance boost over WD Black hard drives. As Jdeb said, they are loud. Way too expensive.
Here is what I recommend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

For monitors, Asus and Samsung are the best!