Help with 1st PC build

[jebbrown]

I'm tired of Dell's proprietary stuff and want to build my own PC for the first time. I've replaced boards and such before but never built a PC from scratch and have no idea what a good build would be. I was hoping for some suggestions. I could spend $1000 - $1300.

The following components I DON'T need as I already have them (some I will upgrade later):
Monitor (22" lcd)
OS (I have a retail Vista Ultimate).
Keyboard and Mouse.

I'll use this machine for everything - programming, office work, musician stuff, some video & gaming - This is not intended to be a high end gaming machine, but should be able to play most games without all the options turned on, and be able to drive multiple displays, a 19" and a 22" widescreen (maybe a 8800 GTS 640 or 8600 GTS).

I think the minimum CPU should be Core 2 Duo E6550, but definately an Intel. Hard drive -> 500 GB or larger. Onboard audio is fine, I'll replace it later with some type of high end musician's card.

Most important is it has to be upgradable for a few years to come, so a decent power supply is a concern.

I'm not planning on overclocking currently (know nothing about it), but it would be a nice option if it only cost a few dollars more.

I'm in the US and will probably be buying most of the parts from NewEgg.

All suggestions (and comments on suggestions) are highly appreciated (and give you karma points).


Thanks,

jebbrown

 

[MarcVenice]

You forgot to mention budget. I think music and video stuff could benefit from a q6600, but if it doesn't fit the budget it's useless to suggest. And, 8800gts 320mb should be fine, pretty good bang for buck card. Only other real option is a 1950pro/xt but that's going to struggle with newer games.

You should at least get a p35 mobo, so you can upgrade to penryn, although the performance from penryn over conroe isn't that big so nothing to really worry about. It might be nice if you go dualcore right now, and want to go qaudcore later on. Right now I'd prolly buy a e6750 if you're on a normal budget, e6550 should do too and pair either of those with a p5k-e, ds3l or so for 100$. Maybe theres a new deal on a abit ip-35 for 70$ like there was some time ago.

I suggest the samsung t166 500gb spinpoint, quiet, runs fairly cool and is plenty fast. If not, then go WD 500gb. Don't go seagate.

 

[jebbrown]

The budget ($1000 - $1300) was in the 2nd sentence. But thanks for the reply. If you have any further info given the budget, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[MarcVenice]

Sorry, I forgot to read about the budget If you don't mind getting into overclocking, and honestly, overclocking the q6600 is easier then putting the whole rig together, then I'd go with the q6600. p5k/ds3r for 100-130$ will be fine. Spend 40$ or so on a HSF, like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185038

Some people might say, no buy a thermalright 120 ultra extreme instead, but that will cost double, and this one will still perform pretty darn well and keep your q6600 cool at 3-3.4ghz. The thermalrigh is the best, but if you don't need the best, there's lot's of other good options too. And yeah, pair it with a 8800gts 320mb, is the 22" 1680*1050 or 1600*1200? That's it right? More questions?

 

[jebbrown]

thanks for the info.

1680 * 1050 for the 22".

I think the q6600 is right, and I hear a lot of good stuff about both p5k and dsr3 - any preference?

Do I need a HSF if I don't overclock yet - I'm not sure if I will OC or not, but if I do it will be much later - I just wanted the option to be able to.

Should I get a case/psu combo (like an antec or such) or pick em seperate? there's such a enormous amount of cases it makes my head spin - it doesn't need to be whisper quiet, just decent (after all I'm coming from a dell XPS gen 4 )

Also, is the 8800 GTS 640 vs 320 worth the price diff? I'm not sure about upgrading - If I go to a 24" monitor with the 320 still drive it?

 

[MarcVenice]

Many games still seem to run just fine at 1920*1280 with the 320mb version, but I think it will be pushing it in newer games. But if you aren't such a big gamer the 8800gts 320mb should be fine for you. And I would pick the case/PSU seperately, except for 2 combo's I know of that aren't to bad. Thats the antec sonata III with the antec earthwatts 500w, and there are arctic freezer silenx cases with 500w seasonic build psu's. Usually you're better of picking them seperately though.

And no you don't need a aftermarket HSF if you're not going to overclock right away, can always buy one later on...

 

[jebbrown]

How about the Antec sonata III case/psu combo for a start - its on sale at compusa for $90. It supossedly has problems with the feet, but is good other than that.
everything else from newegg:
8800 GTS 640 ~$370
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield $280
ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard (don't need the wi-fi - is this the board i should get?) $165
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 Desktop $208 (w/ $80 in rebates)
SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $120


totals ~$1233 so far, not counting the memory rebate

I have the dvd burner, OS, monitor, keyboard & mouse.

I think that's it - what am I forgetting?

 

[MarcVenice]

No just buy the p5k for 130$, or even buy the gigabyte ds3l for 100$ or so. And hmz, personaly I'd still go with the 8800gts 320mb depending on the games you play. If you are into FPS only the extra 320mb might come in handy, but if you are into other games, like strategy, rpg, mmo's and such, 320mb should be fine ...

And yeah, the antec sonata III is a pretty good deal if you ask me, the PSU usually costs 70$ by itself, and imo the case looks pretty darn nice. With 2 decent casefans preinstalled it should be fairly quiet and still provide good airflow in the case.

 

[jebbrown]

I've changed the motherboard (some of the reviews for the p35 were scaring me) - so my build is now
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $95 shipped
Sonata III case/psu combo $90
8800 GTS 640 ~$370
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield $280
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 Desktop $208 (w/ $80 in rebates)
SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $120

Any comments on the gigabyte? I don't use 1394, and don't need the onboard raid, so it looks ok, though I will miss the e-sata connectors on the p5k. The Gigabyte gets good reviews, and For 95$ shipped, I can always upgrade at a later time when I have a better idea of how the build runs. what do you think?

Also any recommendations on which 8800 GTS 640? I'm a bit nervous on getting an overclocked one because of the extra wattage. It seems like it might be a bit tight with the 500 watt earthworks.

Lastly (I'm not gonna OC for some time) am I safe without a CPU cooler? (if not - suggestions?) The sonata III only come with 1 120 fan stock and 1 optional (which I'll put in - does it really matter what fan?).

Thanks very much for all the help. My cart at newegg is full and I'm chomping at the bit to push the button .

 

[MarcVenice]

PFFF don't worry about your PSU, it will power your rig without breaking a sweat. Like I said, depending on the games you are going to play and at what resolution, the 320mb version is often the better choice. And why do you keep asking if you are safe withouth a CPU cooler. Do you think the stock HSF Intel is supplying you with won't be able to cool the CPU properly? Do you think Intel is stupid?

And as for the casefan you should be buying if the Sonata III only comes with 1 fan, you should buy a quiet one Like a yate loon, s-flex or nexus fan, 120mm. Low-Medium will do, on high they will be a bit noisy.

 

[jebbrown]

I've been playing FEAR and oblivian for the last two years - play them over and over - I just love em. However on my XPS with nvidia 6800 and 3.4 p4, trying to drive a 22" lcd, I can't come close to the visuals the games are capable of. Fear runs well at low settings, though oblivian stutters in scenes with too much action. I'll be playing games like these at 1680 x 1060 for now. I also worry about if I buy a 24" monitor next year.

 

[joex444]

You should go with the 320MB GTS. The 640 doesn't provide anything really tangible over that. I've got the 8800GTS 320, an E4300 @ 2.93GHz (366x8), and can play BioShock in Vista at 2048x1536 with all the detail settings on High (DX10). Granted, AA & AF are off, but I'm still getting more than a playable frame rate.

Looks like a good build, be sure to use that 64 bit version of Vista you have

 

[0roo0roo]

antec p182