First time, new build!

[krackerbox]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and I'd like some help if you guys have time. I know there are a ton of new build posts here, but I don't have many friends that are tech savvy, so hopefully you guys can be a good resource of knowledge on this type of thing.
I'm nervous about building my own computer since I've never done it before. I'm looking to build a computer under $600 total. I generally use the computer for simple browsing/word processing/photo-video editing. I do game at times, but I want to build a computer where I can easily upgrade my video card in a year or two to something respectable. For now, I'm fine w/on board video card.

So, I put together a list of items from tigerdirect. Can someone help me out if the list of components I have will work together ok? Is there anything on this list that does not look right? Again, I have limited computer tech knowledge and I'm afraid of messing up. I especially don't know what mobo to buy.

Corsair Dominator DHX TW3X4G1600C9D 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM - PC12800, 1600MHz, 4096MB (2x20248MB) $166.99

Lite-On DH-24AAS Internal DVD Writer - DVD+R 24X, DVD-R 24X, DVD+RW 8X, DVD-RW 6X, DVD+R DL 8X, SATA (OEM) $27.99

Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200rpm, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM $49.99


OCZ StealthXStream 700-Watt Power Supply - ATX, 120mm Fan, SLI-Ready, SATA-Ready, PCI-Express $79.99

MSI 785GM-E65 Motherboard - AMD 785G, ATI Hybrid CrossFireX, PCIe 2.0, USB 2.0, RAID, HDMI, DVI, VGA $89.99

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition AM3 CPU HDZ955FBGMBOX - 3.20GHz, Socket AM3, 6MB Cache, 2000MHz (4000 MT/s) FSB, Retail, Processor with Fan $169.99

Ultra X-Blaster Black ATX Mid-Tower Case $44.99



All this totals $629.93 plus the 15% bing cb = $535.44, plus there are a few rebates for some of those products, which would put the total price a little under $500. Plus tax/shipping puts this around $600. How does this look? Thanks again for any help, it's much appreciated!!!

[glc]

You are way overpaying for ram. You do not need Dominator. Any standard 1333 or 1600 speed is fine, a 4gb kit should only cost you around $100. I'd also recommend an Asus motherboard instead of a MSI. Replace that Blue drive with a Black. The price is good on that OCZ, but you would be better off with something like an Antec EA650 power supply.

Put a cart together at Newegg.com, they have much better customer service. No tax either.

[krackerbox]

Thanks for the advice. I was going w/tigerdirect b/c of the 15% cash back option from bing. But here is a build from newegg:

COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $50

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor $160

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard $140

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $80

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop $105

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $70

MSI Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner $34

The total comes to $628.93, plus there is $25 worth of rebates.

How does this look? Again, I have no clue esp. on motherboards, so any advice is appreciated.

[krackerbox]

glc,

I've just been reading some of the other threads and your comments on the i5. It is more expensive than the phenom I currently plan on purchasing, but do you think it's worth the extra money?

I don't program or anything like that. At most, I would play current games and do some video editing.

[glc]

I'm just biased, I don't do AMD builds. The i5-750 benchmarks better than the 955, but onboard video is not a viable option. With your budget you may want to stick with what you have there. If you want to buy from TD to get that rebate, just choose the components more carefully.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by glc If you want to buy from TD to get that rebate, just choose the components more carefully.

And make sure what you get is not restocked previously returned items. TD has a habit of reselling returned merchandise without inspecting it, you could end up with lots of frustration!!

[krackerbox]

Thanks for the sound advice. I'll probably go w/newegg instead then. W/the tax and shipping I have to pay at tiger, the total price comes out to be very similar, and I'd rather go with the company w/better service and quality.

With that said, how does my build look? Are there any concerns with the components that I'm piecing together (will they work well together)? Also, are there either any areas that I can go cheaper for similar performance, or pay a little more for much better performance?

[orbrit]

Do you have an OS to install on your new system?

[krackerbox]

No, I have to buy that as well. Windows 7.

[orbrit]

On the PSU - for the same money (after mail in rebate) I'd get the Corsair 650TX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-005-_-Product

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by orbrit On the PSU - for the same money (after mail in rebate) I'd get the Corsair 650TX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-005-_-Product

I agree totally, Antec is excellent but Corsair are made by Seasonic who are hands down best of the best!

[krackerbox]

Thanks for the suggestion on the psu. However, I was actually thinking of getting one w/less wattage since I probably don't need all that power. At most, I'll be upgrading a new vid card, ram, adding a hd, and blu ray. So I think 550w would be plenty since it's cheaper. What do you guys think?

Here is what I have to replace the Antec 650w:
Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply $65 plus $10 rebate = $55



Also, I wanted your opinions on what motherboard I should get. I don't know what the specs mean for a mobo, so I don't know if I'm buying something I don't need. Here are my three choices:

ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $120

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $80

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $130 plus $15 rebate = $115



Lastly, I wanted some thoughts on cases, here are two that I have chosen. But if there are others that would work better in the general price range, I'm all ears:

COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $50 plus $10 rebate = $40

RAIDMAX Hurricane ATX-248WB Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $40

Also, do I need to buy a kit for building a computer?

Once I've fielding some suggestions, I think I'll be set on what to buy. Thanks for your time guys!!

[glc]

That's a good budget PSU. From an Intel standpoint, that's a good basic socket 1156 board, but it does not have onboard video. Cases are personal preference. No kit needed, just a Phillips screwdriver.

[krackerbox]

Oops, didn't mean to include that mobo. It was in there when I was initially going w/i5. What about the choices between the other two AMD boards?

[WalterK]

I just finished building with the M4A785TD-V EVO, for which I paid $100 a couple of weeks ago.

I like the board. I'm using it with XP SP3, an Athlon II X3 435, and the same 4 GB Crucial RAM kit that you have listed. The system boots into XP fully in less than a minute after I press the power button. It runs pretty cool (around 37 C for the board and 35 C for the CPU), and easily serves my limited needs (browsing, office applications, no gaming).

The build was easy, although I wasn't thrilled with the fit of the input/output shield, nor the seeming flimsiness of the VGA connector. On the other hand, I'm not complaining, I'd buy it again!

[krackerbox]

Thanks for your thoughts.

Also, I plan on running Windows 7.

Do I need a grounding strip?

[krackerbox]

Ok here is my final build. Let me know if there is anything missing, or that I should change. I will buy this tomorrow or late tonight, thanks!

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $80


Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply $65 plus $10 rebate = $55


COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $60


AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor $160

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop $105

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $70

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM $27




Thanks again for all your help with this. I greatly appreciate it!!

[ASaranko]

I have just ordered some of the same items from newegg.com including the psu, mobo and cpu and the alternate case you had previously listed. My Build and I'll post once I get everything done should be in late this week and finished saturday night if all gets to me in time. Hope your build goes well and same with mine.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by krackerbox Ok here is my final build. Let me know if there is anything missing, or that I should change. I will buy this tomorrow or late tonight, thanks! ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $80 Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply $65 plus $10 rebate = $55 COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $60 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor $160 Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop $105 Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $70 LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM $27 Thanks again for all your help with this. I greatly appreciate it!!

You chose well, this will be an excellent rig!

[krackerbox]

For the operating system, I should be going Windows 7 - 64 bit right?

nm, I found my own answer - 64 bit it is.

[krackerbox]

So I bought the above build. Now can anyone point me to a resource that helps guide me through this process of building the computer? I've found a few on the internet, but I would feel more comfortable if people w/experience could recommend a resource. Thanks!