New System for a Newb

[al.]

I've lurked through the forums but I'm a little lost as to what kind of computer I need. I assume a gaming rig is a PC capable of processing the latest video games. However, video games aren't for me. I've 2 situations:

1. I need a PC to replace my old unit. It's 8 years old and slowing down as my family grows. I plan to give it to my kids and use a new system. As for needs, I play lots of online poker. Essentially, poker is my part-time job. To play, I need 2 monitors, prefferably 24 inch each. Poker software is not unusually heavy, nor is poker support software. So I don't think I need much beyond normal, whatever normal is. I'd like to be able to watch videos and multi table poker software at the same time.

2. Maybe I should just buy a generic PC to meet those needs. However, I'de really like to consider building a PC if I can save a few bucks and build a computer that meets my needs better. I'd build it with my kids because I think it's important that kids get a feel for how things work, a forgotten virtue these days.

I don't think I need much of a hard drive? Just processing speed and something that can handle 12 hour days of video and poker software running.

I'd really appreciate any insights before I decide what to do. I don't mind spending a few grand. I'm Canadian so I assume Tiger Direct is the best source?

Thanks for any help.

[David M]

You dont need to spend near that much money to get a suitable computer for your use.

Look at some of the builds in this forum with ASUS boards. You do not need a powerful graphics card or CPU to do video poker. Look at one of the lower end 5000 series Radeon cards. As far as your drive goes, you probably don't need more than a 500 Gig card. Given you do not need a powerful graphics card, a PSU in the 500 watt range would work fine.

Dell, Samsung and now ASUS are making some good 24 inch monitors. Don't get the very cheapest ones. Your eyes will hate you for it.

Come up with a parts list so we can take a look.

[orbrit]

here is a starting point for you. Around $1000CDN before shipping and mail in rebates - that includes the OS and 2x 23.6" LCDs.

Case:
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811119203

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817139008

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813131398

Video Card:
Integrated HD 4200 with motherboard

CPU:
AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819103843

Memory: (this may be overkill - 2 x 1Gb may well suffice)
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMV4GX3M2A1333C9
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820145278

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16822136320

Optical:
ASUS 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 - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16827135204

OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16832116754

Monitors:
ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16824236052

[al.]

Thanks Guys,

I agree that I don't need anything 'high end' and I'm thrilled that we've come in at this price. Here's my list (mostly from Orbit):

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, $35 at newegg.ca

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply, $32 at newegg.ca

Motherboard: ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard, $115 at newegg.ca

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

RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TW3X2G1600C9D G , $74

Optical: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM, $28 at newegg.ca

Sound card? Do I need this? suggestions?

Video Card? Any suggestions on a good dual plug card to match above items?

What is FDD?

Monitors: VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers , $400 for both at newegg.ca

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM, $104 at newegg.ca

Any thoughts on this list? Do I need more?

[Khalil]

Here is the video card I recommend for dual plug and it is really cheap, I always recommend a video card with Widnows Vista and Windows 7 anyways. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814161282

[glc]

You don't need Dominator ram - save your money and just get standard DDR3-1333 ram.

Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/2G
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820134637

You don't need a sound card, the motherboard has onboard audio. FDD is floppy disk drive, not needed these days and that motherboard does not have a floppy controller anyway.

I think I might get a lower priced motherboard - if you are going to use a video card there's no need for one with onboard video. I'll let someone else familiar with AMD recommend one.

[al.]

Originally Posted by Khalil Here is the video card I recommend for dual plug and it is really cheap, I always recommend a video card with Widnows Vista and Windows 7 anyways. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814161282

So I should buy 2 of these and they'll both fit in the board? I assume I need 2, 1 for each monitor, because the plugs are different on the card?

[strollin]

Originally Posted by al. ... What is FDD? ...

Floppy Disk Drive. Not typically used anymore.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by al. So I should buy 2 of these and they'll both fit in the board? I assume I need 2, 1 for each monitor, because the plugs are different on the card?

Nope, all you need is the one video card. Those cards will come with an adapter from DVI to VGA so you can use both monitors with the 1 card.

Here is the motherboard you want http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813131656

[orbrit]

The two interfaces are DVI and VGA. You only need 1 card to run two monitors.
You have two options - plug one in with DVi cable and the other with VGA or plug the VGA one in to the DVI port using a DVI-VGA adapter - no difference really - it'll still be analog signal on that port of the video card.

Personally I can't really tell the difference between digital and analog signal when I compare them side by side.

[orbrit]

Originally Posted by Khalil Here is the video card I recommend for dual plug and it is really cheap, I always recommend a video card with Widnows Vista and Windows 7 anyways. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814161282

Are there problems with using the integrated video cards or is it more of a performance thing?

[Khalil]

We found Vista and 7 to perform poorly with onboard video even with 4GB of Ram, unless all you do is check your email. Even with Multimedia playback and basic browser games the machine will drag.

[orbrit]

Good to know. Thanks!

[al.]

Seems I did not add the CPU Orbit recommended to my original list. Here's the list as things stand today. I plan to order in the next 24 hours:

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, $35 at newegg.ca

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply, $32 at newegg.ca

Motherboard: ASUS M4A77T/USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard, $90 at newegg.ca

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

RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TW3X2G1600C9D G , $74

Optical: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM, $28 at newegg.ca

Video Card: HIS H435H512HDP Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card, $47 at newegg.ca

Monitors: VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers , $400 for both at newegg.ca

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM, $104 at newegg.ca

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX; $77 at newegg.ca

Are we sure this is enough RAM? Any other changes for a non-gaming old man who wants to play some poker, watch some movies, check email while downloading a song or 2?

[glc]

Again, please read my ram recommendation. The 1600 speed Dominator is not necessary. 2gb is plenty unless you multitask a lot, in that case I'd get a 2x2 kit. Standard 1333 speed is the best match.

[al.]

Originally Posted by glc Again, please read my ram recommendation. The 1600 speed Dominator is not necessary. 2gb is plenty unless you multitask a lot, in that case I'd get a 2x2 kit. Standard 1333 speed is the best match.

Thanks again. I've switched to this ram and ordered. Next dilema will be assembly.

[al.]

There are 4 slots available for RAM in this mother board. I have 2 memory sticks. It's not clear in the user guide which slots to use. 2 slots are blue, 2 are black. The Black slots are DIMM A2 and DIMM B2. The blue slots are DIMM A1 and DIMM B1. Do I use the blue "1" slots for my 2 sticks?

[David M]

Interesting, its usually pretty clear in the motherboard user guide.

This is generally true for ASUS boards although I could not find the User Guide PDF for your particular board.....

If its a single DIMM, then it goes in the blue DIMM_B1 slot.

If its two DIMM's, then the blue DIMM_ A1 and blue DIMM_B1 slots.


Don't worry about it if you had it wrong and powered up the board. You did not do any damage.

Check your BIOS or something like Belarc Advisor to make sure your computer is recognizing all of the DIMM's.

[glc]

You can put them in any slots you want, it's just you have to put them in specific slots to enable dual channel mode.

[al.]

OK, I think the RAM is installed properly.

Next issue; my SATA cable will not plug into my optical drive? Do I need a converter for this??

Edit....wait, now I see that I may not need to use the IDE cable at all? I can just run SATA cables to hook both the optical and hard drives. Am I correct in assuming that I can hook the drives to any of the 6 SATA ports on my motherboard?

[glc]

If the hard drive and optical are both SATA, you use only SATA cables - one data cable and one power connector each. I'd recommend you use the lowest number connector for the hard drive and the next lowest for the optical, but this isn't critical. No IDE cable required if you don't have any IDE devices.

[al.]

Thanks GLC.

I'm assembled! Everything sounds smooth upon initial boot-up. Fans are working and I hear some healthy beeping when I boot. However, I'm not getting any video. Monitor is powered up and I've tried both types of cables into the card. I'm wondering if I installed this card correctly? I simply popped it into the mother board. I don't see any plug that would connect the CPU to the video card? After all, there is no fan in the video card.

Anyone have any simple checks before I list off every single connection I've made?

[David M]

Motherboards have had different connectors over the years. Let your User Manual be your checklist.

Make sure your monitor is on the correct setting...D-Sub, DVI, S-Video, Composite, Component. Whichever connector you are using. This is done on the monitor itself. Or just scroll through the menu till it works.

[al.]

Thanks David. I've tried a second monitor...no go. Here's a summary of where I'm stuck:

All fans are operating and system seems to boot but I`ve no video? I’ve checked the following connections:

Motherboard
• CPU fan connected to the 4 prong CPU plug on the motherboard. Fan turns when PC boots.
• Case fan connected to CHA fan plug on the motherboard. Fan turns when PC boots.
• 4 pin ATX 12V from the power supply was not originally connected to the motherboard. It is now connected. I’m a newb and unfamiliar with builds but I assume it is perfectly normal to have several dead cords running from the power supply and several identical plugs from which to choose when plugging in. In this case, the 4-pin ATX 12V has a few plugs from the PS. One is now pugged in.
• The 24-pin EATXPWR from the power supply is also plugged into the motherboard.
• The IDE cable remains unattached as this is a SATA optical and hard drive. OK?
• Both the optical and hard drives are connected to 2 of the 6 SATA ports on the motherboard. I’m using SATA1 for optical and SATA2 for the hard drive.
• The system panel connecter is a little tricky for me. I`ve used the labelling on the cords from the box to match up with these small plugs.
 One is a 2 pin connecter for the system power LED...I assume this is the light at the front...it works.
 Another is Hard Disk activity LED. These are 2 separate cables, one is green labelled `power LED+`. The other is white labelled `power LED-`. I`ve connected these as per the manual but the LED does not activate when the PC boots. I assume this is because the hard drive remains empty?
 Another is for the system power button which works so I assume it is properly connected to Power and Ground.
 Last connecter is Reset button. I’ve connected the blue wire to the ‘reset’ prong and the white wire to ‘ground’ prong. The PC reset button does not seem to reset the PC?
• There is a double plug line running from the front of the case. One plug is labelled HD Audio and I’ve plugged it into the motherboard audio connector. A second plug, AC’97 remains unconnected.
• The USB line from the front of the box is plugged to the USB 910 connector on the motherboard. USb78 and USB1112 remain unused.


Optical
• Connected to the motherboard via SATA cable.
• Connected to power supply as well. It seems to work.

Hard Drive
• Connected to the motherboard via SATA cable.
• Connected to the power supply as well. I’m not sure the hard drive is going? There is an additional empty 8 prong plug that is unused. I assume this is for a different motherboard?

Video Card
• It’s nicely plugged into the motherboard, not other connection. I’ve tried both video lines to 2 different monitors and I still cannot get video?

[Kidd]

For troubleshooting, start here:

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

[al.]

Originally Posted by Kidd For troubleshooting, start here: PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

I did. My specs are listed. Also, that link is 9 years old.

My current problem is no video. Unless someone can find fault in the connections I've described I think I'm forced to buy a new video card. Any suggestions on an alternate card from newegg.ca?

[glc]

I did. My specs are listed. Also, that link is 9 years old.

Don't care how old the link is, it's still valid. What happens when you follow the procedure?

I’m using SATA1 for optical and SATA2 for the hard drive.

Not that this is the issue, but:

I'd recommend you use the lowest number connector for the hard drive and the next lowest for the optical

I think I'm forced to buy a new video card.

Why? All new components have a warranty, and Newegg has a 30 day exchange policy unless specifically listed as otherwise.

Did you read the review of your motherboard?

Cons: First arrived with a dead PCI E port, but newegg got it back to me in a couple of days.

[al.]

OK...I'm proceeding through this. I set out to learn a few things and build a PC. I'm no tech genius but I'm a determined and patient problem solver:

I removed the MB from the case and placed it on the cardboard box. I disconnected the drives. I powered the board with the 2 PSU connections, ran one stick of RAM, kept the case switch intact for power up and diconnected as much as possible. The board booted up and the video worked! I continued building the unit one step at a time and testing it. When I re-inserted the MB in the case i used the brass spacers that I forgot the first time. Obvious to you but not to me! I must have been shorting through the case.

System is nicely booted up now. Everything works. Do I need to format the Hard Drive or can I just insert the Windows disc and proceed?

Thanks for your help/support/ideas....

[glc]

Just insert the Windows CD and boot from it.