First Time Build -- Pull the Trigger?

[pdxgolf]

I was asked these questions on another forum... I dunno if they're applicable, but who knows, they might help

1. Do you have a fry's or microcenter nearby?

Fry's < 20 miles... however, I would have to be saving a significant amount of money to do my shopping there. I'd prefer to do it online and all in one place (Newegg). 

2. What is this PC going to be built for?

A little of everything I suppose. Day to day surfing, downloading, media burning, possibly light gaming, and poker. I don't know if it should be noted, but I plan on using my Sony 46Z4100 as a monitor via HDMI.

3. *** If Gaming... what resolution/monitor will you be using?

Not sure...

4. What is YOUR budget?

$550-$700 

5. If YOU have any unreasonable brand preferences?

From what I've read, no Seagate... :drool:

6. Have YOU performed any research yet?

Some... but mostly window shopping.

7. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts?

Nope

8. If YOU plan on overclocking?

I think so... I want to delay obsolescence as long as possible :P

9. When do you plan to build it?

Sometime before the end of this month, preferably.

I'm building this in lieu of buying a new laptop and I do like the extensibility of a desktop. I planning on adding other things over time.I used to think I absolutely had to have the portability of a laptop, but I've realized I really don't... and if I ever need one, I'm going to get a netbook as a cheap, small, and hassle-free fill in.

I know this is pretty barebones for now and I'm sure there will be some bottlenecks, but I'd like to start something half decent and continue to build into it over time.

Please feel free to give any advice or thoughtful recommendations... I'd definitely appreciate it. I'd much rather do this the right way, the first time (and within budget!).

This is what I'm eyeing so far:

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945FBGIBOX - Retail

Mobo
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

1. AMD HDX945FBGIBOX: $165.99
2. ASUS M4A78T-E: $129.99
Combo Discount: -$50.00
Combo Price: $245.98
$15.00 Mail-In Rebate Card pdf
Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $230.98

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Price: $55.99


RAM
OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3OB1600LV4GK - Retail

Price: $93.99 ($63.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate Card pdf)


RAM is where I could use a good recommendation if what I chose is completely wrong or just overall garbage. I hate cutting corners, but I don't mind doing it on something that is easily upgradable down the road. Helpful suggestions and advice is appreciated.

Optical Drive
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM

Price: $28.99


Power Supply
This one is a bit lost on me... not quite sure what to get. It seems there is a huge disparity in price some that are advertised as the same (or more) wattage. Helpful suggestions and advice is appreciated.

Any thoughts on these?

Thermaltake TR2 W0379RU 500W ATX 12V v2.2 Power Supply - Retail -- Price: $59.99


OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail -- Price: $64.99


Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail -- Price: $64.99


Diablotek PHD Series PHD650 650W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply - Retail -- Price: $59.99

If anyone has any recommendations or advice on a power supply dilemma, I'd surely listen.

Case
Still totally up in the air here. Flashing lights and windows aren't a necessity here (I don't care one way or another though), but I know I'd like something that will keep everything cool with overclocking a definite possibility. Helpful suggestions and advice is appreciated.

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $54.95
RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $69.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $49.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price $59.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $49.99
GIGABYTE Triton 180 Black 0.7mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $64.99
SIGMA PLUTO Pluto-WB Black 0.7mm STEEL SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $69.99
XCLIO Nighthawk Black Finish 0.6mm SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $69.99
XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Price: $89.99



If I were to choose a power supply and a case, it adds up to about $565 shipped, give or a take a few bucks. How did I do? Any suggestions or advice?

A few more questions:

What is the best way to manage all the cables inside the computer? Mesh sleeving?

I purposely left out a video card, as the mobo has onboard video, but I would like to get one to add once I get everything off the ground -- any suggestions? I don't need a world-beater, but a nice blend of performance and price. Something under $120 shipped would be nice.

As it stands now (and when I get a video card), do I need more cooling?

Do I have a big enough power supply for future upgrades? Honestly, I don't think I plan on SLI or Crossfire... but who knows about anything else.

Also, I've become interested in a RAID array... is this something I can eventually do on the cheap (if I already had a handful drives)?

[David M]

You can make yourself a decent computer for $700. It wont be a barn burner that can play Crysis at high settings but it will be good enough for most games and most everyday tasks.

Don't buy your parts at Fry's retail or Fry's.com. You will not get the lowest prices nor the best service if you have problems. Go with an online retailer like Newegg.

Don't go with SLI or Crossfire. Just buy a single more powerful graphics card. This is more reliable and a better bang for the buck. Doubling the number of graphics cards does not double your graphics processing power.

Don't bother with RAID. RAID one will not prevent HD corruption and is not an effective backup. With RAID zero, you wont notice much difference at all in your read/write times. Just buy a fast single hard drive and back up your data externally.

Keeping things simple makes for a more reliable computer.

As far as managing cables, I use sticky cable tie mounts. It holds the wires down really well and looks professional. Its also easy enough to cut the wire ties when you need to add or subtract hardware that has wires. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1

[glc]

Of those 4 power supplies, I'd pick the Antec. Of all those cases, I prefer the Coolermaster RC690, it has an excellent cable management system and the modular power supply makes it even neater. Its cooling system is excellent and it doesn't need any additional fans. I don't like RAID for desktop computers.

Hold off on a video card for a bit - we are in the middle of a model changeover. The best value cards are a bit scarce right now.

[12twelve12]

I would go w/ this HDD instead of the 500GB 16mb cache one that you listed. A little more $ but a better performer and a bit more capacity...

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
------------------------------------

Those sticky tie mounts that David suggested are very useful in cable management. I used some of those on my last build and came up with a pretty tidy cable management (interior pic of Popeye).

Also a modular PSU will go a long ways in cutting down on cable clutter as well as right angle SATA cables. Creative cable routing and patience is a big key also. Do a 'test fit' of your mobo, hdd's and such and see how you want to route your cables. Depending on the case you can hide excess cables/length behind the mobo tray such as this. I bought case fans pre-sleeved and that helped a bit also.

[pdxgolf]

You guys are great -- thanks for the responses!

I'm going to get the RC690 case, pick up some cable tie mounts, and swap out the WD Blue for the 640GB Black.

12twelve12, I took a peak at your your computer build pictures and it looked like you were giving everything a test run before actually installing it in the case. In the interest of ease and saving myself potential headaches, is that something I should do too?

It seems I have the go ahead from the gurus here, so I think I'm ready to buy... right?

[glc]

The RC690 doesn't need cable tie mounts - as I said, it has a cable management system built in. Cable ties make it difficult to do maintenance and add components. Build it first, then if you decide you want cable ties, then go get them.

Here is the "test run" we recommend - to validate the core components:

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

[pdxgolf]

Originally Posted by glc The RC690 doesn't need cable tie mounts - as I said, it has a cable management system built in. Cable ties make it difficult to do maintenance and add components. Build it first, then if you decide you want cable ties, then go get them. Here is the "test run" we recommend - to validate the core components: PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

Oh, I missed that, but that's perfect.

I'm putting in a WD 750 GB Caviar Black drive now... the price seems to have dropped on Newegg, so I'm gonna snatch that up.