Please critique my first build

[CabDriver]

This is my first build and I would appreciate any comments, warnings, assembly advice, etc...

1. Can I expect reasonable temperatures using the stock CPU, GPU, and case fans and heatsinks? (No overclocking planned, since reliability is more important to me than pushing performance beyond what this system should provide at stock speeds.)

2. Is the 500 watt PSU adequate for this configuration?

3. Is it reasonable to use the Mobo sound since I am just using ordinary stereo speakers?

4. Have I left out any necessary or appropriate pieces?

I have ordered the following components (total $1378 US):

Intel Core2 Duo E6600 Retail
Asus P5W-DH Mobo
Sapphire X1900XT 512MB Video card
Antec Super LANBoy Case w 2 120mm fans
Ultra XFinity 500 2nd gen PSU (ATX12V 2.0, dual rails, SLI certified, 120mm fan)
OCZ Platinum PC2-6400 2GB Dual Channel RAM Kit (DDR2-800 CAS 4-5-4-15)
2 Seagate 160 GB SATA Hard Drives
Sony DRU-820A DVD writer
Mitsumi FA404M Floppy / card reader
Windows XP Home with SP2

I will be using an existing Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 91TXM 21" CRT at 1600x1200 and existing keyboard, mouse, stereo speakers, and UPS.

This is going to replace my 5 year old P4 1.6 GHz system (FX5200 video) so it should be an enormous step up in performance.

I will use the system for MS Flight Simulator, Photoshop, MS Office, Quicken, Web browsing via DSL, email, viewing videos, and other general computing tasks. I have not gotten into gaming, but with a system like this I might try some.

I've probably gone way beyond justifiable components for these applications, but I tried to choose components for top reliability and to have a system that would remain usable / upgradeable for another 5 years. In particular, I would like to upgrade to Vista once it is released and reasonably stable.

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions on this build.

 

[Pepicek]

I would really question the continued use of an UPS, especially an old one. ESPECIALLY for supporting CRT monitor. I had an UPS for several years, and it only saved me long enought to shut down in a power outage shortly after I purchased it. Later, these units simply couldn't hold the job, even though the rating said they could. In fact, I had an UPS that simply stopped passing power through when line current was adequate, because of end of battery life.

But if you feel UPS is necessary, think about a new one, unless the one you have is some reliable commercial monster that you have really good experience with in power outages. Also, consider switching to LCD monitor.

good luck

 

[phreejak]

Power Factor Correction - protects against things like voltage fluctuations and electrical irregularities that can affect the efficiency of your power supply. There are three types of PFC: active, passive, and non-PFC. Active PFC provides the best protection, while non-PFC provides the worst. With a more efficient PSU there is less waste and, therefore, less heat produced by the PSU. This, in turn, means a reduction in it's contribution to overall system heat. With that in mind here are some very good 500w PSUs - all of which have Active PFC and good amperage.


SeaSonic S12-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply ($129)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151024
dual 12v rail with good amps (17, 16 amps), excellent rep, Active PFC

SILVERSTONE SST-ST50EF ATX12V 500W ($89)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817256001
dual 12v rails, strong amps (18 per rail), excellent rep, Active PFC

Thermaltake W0057RU-01 PurePower TWV ATX 12V 2.0 500W ($129)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153031
dual 12v rail with good amps (18 amps per rail), excellent rep, Active PFC

ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W ($105)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194003
dual 12v rail with STRONG amps (22amps per rail), excellent rep, Active PFC

XCLIO X14S4P3 500W ATX 500W ($95)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189012
triple 12v rails (18, 18, 16 amps), modular, Active PFC, Good Rep

ENERMAX Noisetaker II EG495P-VE ATX12V 485W ($90)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194009
dual 12v rails, strong amps (22 per rail), excellent rep, Active PFC

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-A, 2.0 version, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 500W ($90)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934
dual 12v rails, amps are ok (15 amps per rail), excellent rep, Passive PFC

COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W ($50)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817159040
Great buy for the price because it has dual 12v rails with strong amps (18 per rail). It has the added bonus most in this price range do not with Active PFC.

 

[ikjadoon]

Looks good.
But:
Ultra makes quite crappy power supplies, and will eventually burn the whole rig, and make the system crash consistently.

Either get Fortron Source, Antec or Enermax (anyone willing to add other good PSU makers?) power supply. Those are most reliable. A 400W can probably run your setup, but go for at least a 450W PSU from one of those brands.

Second that. Supposedly their newer ones are better, but I trust FSP with my cash more than Ultra. No offense, but the FSP 350W has more amps on the 12V+ rail than the Ultra 500W does. 36A>34A.

~Ibrahim~