First time build, looking for any advice

[mostlyharmless]

Okay, so I've never built my own computer from scratch before, but I've taken apart several computers, as well as the laptop I'm currently using, so I feel fairly confident in the fact that I can build a desktop from scratch. I'm basically looking for any feedback on the components I've chosen so far.


Lian Li PC-7FW Case - Black

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

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard

OCZ Gold 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1333LV8GK

XFX PVT86SYHLG GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card

Western Digital AV-GP WD2500AVVS 250GB 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive X 2

Rosewill RNX-G300EX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP with 100cm cable external 2 dBi Antenna

[ryuk999]

What are you using this computer for?
What are your limitations on money?

Caviar green 500GB Twice the size, $10 more and still saves energy if your that type of person.

However if you want more speed with opening applications/startup times, you could get this drive for the speed. Caviar black 500GB

A-data 4GB DDR3 1333 8GB can be overkill, if you get this kit instead and find that your satisfied with 4GB then you saved yourself a ton of money.

[mostlyharmless]

What am I using it for? Gaming, school stuff, internet, etc.

Money limitations? I'm actually planning on building it a bit at a time, so no real limitations. Accordingly I'm willing to upgrade as better things come out.

[glc]

Don't plan on gaming with an 8400 GS - that's a bare entry level graphics card. Look at something like a Radeon 5770.

OCZ ram has been having quality issues, look at Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, or A-Data - and don't waste your money on 4gb modules.

You are missing a power supply and optical drive.

Get a single Western Digital Caviar Black drive.

Don't buy one part at a time - save your money and when you have enough saved to buy everything, do that. Put together a budget and a time frame, and don't even bother picking components till you are ready to buy. The market changes too quickly.

[Doom]

It's far better to wait and build an entire system in its entirety than in getting some components and building over time. It can be frustrating to wait, but I really think it's worth the wait. Also...

- Case is nice, but at ~$150 you can do much better on price. I'd recommend looking at an Antec 900 or Cooler Master CRM 690. I've built them them before and they're fantastic for under $100. Don't get me wrong, Lian Li is highly recommended...but unless you're hard set on a particular look you can get better values.
- If you want a gaming rig that can do anything serious, graphics cards are going to set you back at least $150. If you want to be as cheap as possible, you could go with something outdated like a 9800GTX+... but expect to be putting more money into another card in two years max (probably sooner). An ATI 5770 can be obtained for under $200 with good performance.
- Check out Corsair for both power supplies and RAM. If however, you look at Antec cases...their integrated power supplies are good. They're the only brand I can think of where I'd buy an integrated PSU. Otherwise I stick with Corsair.
- Motherboard and processor look good for your purposes.

[Nikon]

if anything you could go with a GTX 260. about 200 bucks ATM, but you wont really have to worry about turning around in 3 months to buy a new one, plus they are SLI capable, giving you all the more possibilities in the future.

if that is too much money ATM, you could go with a 9800 GTX or a 4650 like other above posters said.

[glc]

The 5770 is at a very good price point, and it's current tech and DirectX 11 compatible. The 9000 and 200 series Nvidias are not, if you want a current tech Nvidia you only have Fermi (400 series).

[Nikon]

agreed, glc.

but on the gaming stand point, (and please correct me if i am wrong) ATI cards arnt really built for gaming right? i know they hold their own well, but arnt nvidia cards generallty better @ gaming, especially on the 3d aspect of it?

like i said please correct me if i am wrong. this is only what i have read elsewhere.

[glc]

You are somewhat behind in your information. It used to be that way for many years, but no longer. Since AMD bought out ATI, their cards have been every bit as good, and Nvidia is having some major business problems - if they don't get bought out fairly soon they may go under. This is why Fermi is so late to market, with bugs and an incomplete product line.

You should read this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...-480,2621.html

Score: ATI 13, Nvidia 4.