First Config/Build

[jgoonld]

Hello! I'm currently deciding what components to use to build my first computer. I'm currently a college student who does tons of multi-tasking (many applications open at the same time on any computer I use). I'm planning on eventually dual-booting Windows 7 (64) and Ubuntu. I will use the pc for gaming, school work, and the programming I do for school and research. I use the psychtoolbox in MATLAB which always yelled at my old computer for not having precision timing. I also use some cell modeling programs that are somewhat intensive in graphics and memory (pretty much equal to running a game). For gaming, I just want the computer to be able to play the next few years of games without lag on reasonably high graphics settings.

The price for this configuration (all parts from newegg) when a $220 tv monitor is added is $1050.87. I definitely wouldn't mind spending less if possible, though. So if you think any of these parts are overkill (or if any of the parts aren't good for what I plan to do), please tell me.

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $59.95

SILVERSTONE ST50F-ES 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $59.95

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $139.99

SPARKLE SXX460768D5NM GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - $189.99

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750 - $194.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - $92.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $74.99

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM - $17.99

Thanks!

[glc]

I'd recommend an Asus P7P55D-E instead of a Gigabyte.
If you are going to get a GTX460, get the 1gb version. The 768mb model is crippled in more respects than just the amount of ram.
G.skill ram has been having quality and compatibility issues, and you don't need 1600 speed unless you plan on overclocking. I've been recommending A-Data ram lately.
I'd recommend a Western Digital Black drive instead of a Samsung.

[Nikon]

I second everything in GLC's post, especially the video card. the 460 1gb is the one you want/need.

afaik the i5 760 is the same price.

[jgoonld]

Thanks for the input! Here are the changes I made...

Processor:
Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760

Motherboard:
ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory:
A-DATA G series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AX2U800GB2G5-2G

Video Card:
Palit NE5X460SF1102 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Sonic 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

About the hard drive, a comparable model to Samsung's was at least $30 more. Would it be worth it to change? I found a WD black for $15 more: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive. I'm probably going to switch to this.

Anything look blaringly wrong? Probably gonna put the order in tonight so it gets shipped by tomorrow if it looks like it's alright.

Thanks for the help.

[David M]

If you can afford it you may want to get an i-7 870 multi-threaded CPU for running your cell modeling and MatLab software.

[glc]

Wrong ram - you need DDR3.

I would also get a EVGA or Asus video card.

[endriuska]

Why just not to get something like that:
Gateway LX6810 Refurbished Desktop Computer - Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz, 8GB DDR2, 640GB, TV Tuner, DVDRW, Vista Home Premium 64-bit at TigerDirect.com ? - i got that one 2 months ago - very satisfied, it has a defect - CPU is being cooled good enough, so just add 2 fans to it for 10$ and good to go!
or
Micro Center - Gateway DX4300-03 Refurbished L-PT.G830X.003
?

[Khalil]

Sorry endriuska but we do not recommend junk on this forum and a Gateway is pretty much junk!!

[rwest]

Brrrr. Someone got a coat?

Endriuska, the Gateway maybe an option in another situation. But Gateway components do not even come close to the quality parts reccomended on this forum. Dollar for dollar, quality parts will win hands down. There just isn't a Gateway made that can touch any pc build reccomended on this forum. Most of the guys, (and gals) that make these reccomendations do it based on the best quality available, and Gateway is just not in this class.

[glc]

Why are you trying to pitch a Gateway in a forum titled BUILD YOUR OWN PC? Not only that, the original poster put up a parts list for comments, he/she did not ask what brand PC to buy.

[jgoonld]

Hey, guys, I got all of the parts that I had decided on from the last post and have had a lot of fun putting it all together, however I'm having some problems.

First of all in the BIOS, none of the SATA drives are recognized (just the cd/dvd and harddrive both in 6.0 ports). I've checked about 4 times to make sure the power is plugged in right, and the sata cords are good and everything seems perfect besides it not working.

Second, the CPU temp is registered at 98 Celcius after 3 minutes of running. After reading some posts, I'm definitely going to get some thermal gel which I forgot about doing before; but still, this seems somewhat ridiculous. Anyway, tommorow I'm going to recheck (/add gel) to make sure I got the heat-sink/fan installed right , but everything seemed pretty good. Are there any other issues that could cause this?

Thanks for the help!
Jon

[jgoonld]

Ok, I'm good on both ends. I reinstalled the heat sink/fan and it's fine (stays around 40C). Only the SAT 3 ports were shown on the bios, but the 6 ports were actually detected (could set boot priority).

Thanks!