First-time build

[ratsch]

I was wondering if I could get some advice on building my first computer. I've read a lot of stuff online and I think I sort of know what I'm doing, a litttle bit.

I'll mostly be using this system for internet, editing video/burning DVD's, gaming (not too hard core), and some assorted photoshop/illustrator. Possibly some mixing software down the line.

Does this system seem appropriate? Will it even work? I greatly appreciate any advice you could give me. Also -- I have no intention of overclocking at this time. The mere thought of trying to figure that out might make my head explode. Baby steps.

Rosewill TU-155 Black 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Rosewill ATX12V 400W with P4 support Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811147001

SOLTEK SL-K890Pro-939 Socket 939 VIA K8T890 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813180068

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103535

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145440

Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
[/url]http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148065 NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X ...-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner - OEM http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827152047 eVGA 128-A8-N350 Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130220 Thanks in advance for the help. I can sure use it. [/b]

 

[pickxx]

Bad Mobo
Bad PSU


Get a chaintech VNF4 Ultra
Get a 350W enermax or FSP one...whichever is 350+ and cheapest from these brands will be fine.

dont get that case because it comes with a PSU, find a case without one....put the 350W one in....


other then that everything is alright.

 

[ratsch]

Thanks for the advice. Is the Soltek bad quality or is it a compatibility issue?

 

[pickxx]

it has the VIA chipset....which some people hate. personally i would go tiwht the NF4 boards. but its you call its not that things wont work...its just a personal thing.

 

[Rugger]

For $8 more you should get this WD Caviar SE16 - 16MB cache instead of 8MB.

I agree with the VNF4 Ultra mobo. Other great options are the Epox 9NPA+ Ultra and Abit AN8 Ultra.

Soltek actually makes good quality boards - the problem is VIA. Via has historically had bad customer support - not resolving hardware conflict issues and poor drivers. A lot of people were burned by their ambivalence when VIA was the king of chipsets. Now there is nForce - as good or better than the Via chipsets and better supported.

If I was doing a new build I really would not go below 400W. Something like this FSP 400W. About the only PSU/case combo that I have seen as acceptable were from Antec. The Sonata I with a Truepower 380W was a great little combo that I think would be good. The Sonata II is not quite as good - the PSU was downgraded to a Smartpower 450W - PSU is lower quality than the Truepower but still ok.

 

[ratsch]

Thanks. I appreciate the input. As far as the mobo, there's about a $40 difference between the chaintech and the others. What would be the advantages of going for the more expensive ones? Would they just be overkill for my needs or do you think it would be worth it?

 

[Rugger]

The Chaintech will work great for your needs. I always like to have options, so i was giving you some for your decision. Chaintech has historically been a second tier mfr, Epox/Abit are first tier. The VNF4 is a great board, but some people will only buy first tier.