Critique my first computer please.

[Leedizzle]

This is my very first attempt at making a computer for around 1000 dollars.

I've added a Keyboard, Mouse, and a DVD drive which comes around 60 dollars.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119106

$64.99

Internal Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136039

$149.99

Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131011

$198.99

Video Card: MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814127217

$174.99

Power Supply: Rosewill RP550S-2MK 550W Modular Cable Power Supply/Black-ATX 12V V2.01

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817182027

$79.99

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4200CUBOX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103747

$187.00

The total comes out to be $894.93.

I would like to try to attempt to overclock this computer as an experience thing.

Any advice or changes will be appreciated.

Edit: It seems I forgot memory XD.

Memory: CORSAIR XMS 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145416

$69.00

 

[laxman04]

The memory you've chosen won't work with that. Socket AM2 switched over to DDR2. I'd get at least 1Gb or ram as well. You also might want to consider a Intel C2D as they are much faster. You can get an e6300 for the same price as that 4200 and the e6300 is faster, and has better OC potential.

 

[Leedizzle]

If I get that Intel e6300, what Motherboard and Memory would be best suited with it and would be the best for it also if it matters for overclocking the computer?

 

[shadowduck]

This is my very first attempt at making a computer for around 1000 dollars.

I've added a Keyboard, Mouse, and a DVD drive which comes around 60 dollars.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119106

$64.99

Internal Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as

p?item=N82E16822136039

$149.99

Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131011

$198.99

Video Card: MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814127217

$174.99

Power Supply: Rosewill RP550S-2MK 550W Modular Cable Power Supply/Black-ATX 12V V2.01

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817182027

$79.99

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4200CUBOX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103747

$187.00

The total comes out to be $894.93.

I would like to try to attempt to overclock this computer as an experience thing.

Any advice or changes will be appreciated.

Edit: It seems I forgot memory XD.

Memory: CORSAIR XMS 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145416

$69.00

Like the other poster said, C2D might be better option. If you go AMD:

1) Don't buy that motherboard.. no reason to spend $200 on that. Get the M2N-E for $96 instead.

2) Yeah, you need DDR2. DDR-800 CAS4- at least 1GB.

3) Look at the Seagate 7200.10 drives instead- they are faster.

4) Rosewill PSUs are not that great. Look at Antec, Seasonic or FCP.

5) Do not even consider SLI with a 7600 (hence the non-SLI motherboard).

 

[Leedizzle]

What would be a good choice to go if I go the Intel C2D?

 

[Robovski]

What would be a good choice to go if I go the Intel C2D?

Budget/overclock answer: E6300

Furthest into high performance low cost corner of the price/performance chart: E6600 & E6700

Top spec: E6800 (out of your budget)

Are you overclocking? The E6300 is cheap and can do a lot. If you aren't then the E6400 or the E6600 will give you extra oomph for not too much more on the sticker price.

 

[Leedizzle]

I would like to experiment with overclocking so e6300 seems to be the Intel processor for me, but what kind of other stuff do I need with this processor? It seems like I would need a different motherboard and stuff, which is something I do not understand.

 

[godman]

okay maybe get:

gigabyte 965p ds3 or ds4 for a motherboard should give enought headroom for overclocking (500mhz fsbs are reported)

get some good corsair xms2 ddr2 800mhz (cas 4 if you can, if not then get cas 5)

get the artic cooling freezer 7 pro (or equivilent good heatsink/fan), should allow for a nice overclock.

tey should all alow for a sweet overclock, a nice fsb speed as well.

 

[Leedizzle]

Thank you for your advice.

I was wondering if there is another video card I should get instead of the one I am getting.

 

[Robovski]

The 7600GT is a good card, quite capable in the current environment so long as you are running a single display of 20" or less. I like them, and nearly bought one recently. Why not? Well there is a thought process to the purchase of components in general and video cards in particular.

See, tech keeps marching on, but vid cards have new stuff going on all of the time and games keep using all of this extra oomph and peripherals get more and more demanding (bigger screens, going to LCD/TFT from your old CRT, having more than one screen, higher resolutions). As such the one thing you are most likely to end up upgrading if you game is the video card. I went with the 7900GT because while Dx10 spec cards will be along soon, I won't be moving to Vista right away and Dx10 will be Vista only. Plus it takes time for games to come along that need the new spec. So my 7900GT should last a good while before I feel I must upgrade.

Now should you reconsider? How you use your rig will likely be different from how I use mine. Do you like to play new games? Do you want them to be "pretty"? If no, then I'd say your 7600GT will far outstrip your needs. If yes, then you will want that card and you'll need to consider upgrading down the line. Are you wanting bigger and/or more displays? If yes, than you will probably need more oomph to make that happen effectively. When will you step up to Dx10? If less than 6 months, I say the 7600GT is just fine. If you want to wait a year though, maybe you'd want something stronger.

ATI vs. nVidia is a matter of what games you play and what fits best to your plans. I've used both, and like both well enough - I just want a good card for my money, I don't care whose chipset it is.

 

[Leedizzle]

Thank you for your advice.

 

[Leedizzle]

Here is my build from all the advice:

Internal Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136033

$159.99

Video Card: MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814127217

$174.99

Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

$89.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128012

$149.99

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005

$185.00

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400PRO - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145589

$368.00

It comes to around $1100 dollars.

Is there anything else I would need if I wanted to overclock this computer and is there any other switching of equipment I should do?

Another question is that the memory I bought had what seems like equal memory from the same company for a less price. What is the deal with that? Is there a cheap/better memory I can get that will give me the same/better performance?

 

[f1nal_0men]

Here is my build from all the advice:

Internal Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136033

$159.99

Video Card: MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814127217

$174.99

Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

$89.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128012

$149.99

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005

$185.00

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400PRO - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145589

$368.00

It comes to around $1100 dollars.

Is there anything else I would need if I wanted to overclock this computer and is there any other switching of equipment I should do?

Another question is that the memory I bought had what seems like equal memory from the same company for a less price. What is the deal with that? Is there a cheap/better memory I can get that will give me the same/better performance?

I'd recommend dropping the raptor and going back to your original choice, take the money you save from that and get the 7900gs, wich is currently the best bang for your buck videocard (it's about 10-15% slower than the 7900gt and is about 25% cheaper). This is what I would buy if it was my heard earned money:

Case
$59.99
Why? Everyone has there own tastes in cases, and since it is what you originally listed, I'm assuming you like the look of that case. Cooler Master is also a very reputable, quality brand.

PSU
$124.99 ($114.99 after MIR)
Why? This power supply has quad 12v rails, active PFC, 600watts. Amazing power supply and it doesn't cost a fortune either. Alot of people have only good things to say about this unit. And a 10$ MIR as well.

CPU
$185.00
Why? Because this is the best overclocking processor for the dollar. Amazing potential, and of course everyone knows by now C2D is the fastest processor out there.

Motherboard
$149.99
Why? This board is an amazing overclocker with the latest bios. And you don't need to spend a small fortune either. All solid caps are used so you know this board will last under stress.

Videocard
$219.99
Why? As I explained earlier this card performs just below the 7900gt, and it's not much more then a 7600gt. No one should be spending to much on videocards anymore anyways, seeing as DX10 will be here in a few months. This card can be easily overclocked to surpass the 7900gt, even though it lacks 4 pipes and 1 shader.

Memory
$292.00 ($252.00 after MIR)
Why? Corsair memory seems to run flawless with most Intel chipsets, and the 965p is no exception. May not have the tightest timings, but Intel systems don't benefit enough to justify the 40$ higher price tag. This memory currently has a 40$ MIR too.

HDD
$77.99 ($67.99 after MIR)
Why? I have been using the exact some harddrive for some time now, and I am amazed at the speed these things have. I'll admit, it wont touch a raptor in access times, but in raw write/read speeds it can definitely keep up. You can get two and still spend less than the 74gb raptor (500gb vs 74gb?) and you could put them into raid0 if you wanted more speed. Extremely affordible, extremely fast. And another 10$ MIR.

That totals to 1050$ after MIR. I left out cpu cooler, and your dvd drive(s). I would recommend getting a better HSF (HeatSink and Fan) so you can cut the noise level down and get a cooler overclock, although it really isn't needed for conroe. I hope I helped .

 

[angry_ducky]

Here is my build from all the advice:

Internal Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136033

$159.99

Video Card: MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814127217

$174.99

Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

$89.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128012

$149.99

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005

$185.00

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400PRO - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145589

$368.00

It comes to around $1100 dollars.

Is there anything else I would need if I wanted to overclock this computer and is there any other switching of equipment I should do?

Another question is that the memory I bought had what seems like equal memory from the same company for a less price. What is the deal with that? Is there a cheap/better memory I can get that will give me the same/better performance?

Change the video card to this BFG 7600GT OC for $114 after a $30 MIR. Change the hard drive to the Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpindicular Recording), save money, get a lot more space, and almost the same performance.

 

[Leedizzle]

Thank you all for you input.

Here is what seems to be my final build.

Internal Hard Drive: 2x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Video Card: MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

Fan: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler - Retail

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail

Memory: Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PDC22G5300LLK - Retail

The price comes out to be $1100 with shipping and my case and other accessories.

I was looking up the memory, even though it is DD2R 667, the reviews say it would work with my motherboard and be able to overclock even though the motherboard is DDR2 800. Is this true? Or should I change memory.

Also, is there anything else I need to have a good overclock such as additional fans or more power?

 

[AesikNaos]

As to my understanding when it says the supporte memory is DDR2 800 that is the maximum kind that it will take.
So if you have the 667 it will work fine just will be a bit slower than the 800.
I could be wrong about this but, I'm 99% positive I'm right.
I'm sure someone will correct me if not.
Hope it helps.

 

[Dahak]

All looks good man.except for the video card.but you are probably one of those guys waiting for dx-10 to come out and then purchase a dx10 compatable card.i would just bhuy the 7900gt and buy the newer cards after they have been out for a bit.wait for the bugs to be worked out you know.main reason i have not gone for a conroe system.too many bugs right now.

Dahak

EVGA VF4 SLI MB
X2 4400+@2.4 S-939
2 7800GT'S IN SLI MODE
2X1GIG DDR400 MEMORY IN DC MODE
WD300GIG HD
520WATT PSU
EXTREME 19IN.MONITOR
3DMARK05:11,582

 

[f1nal_0men]

All looks good man.except for the video card.but you are probably one of those guys waiting for dx-10 to come out and then purchase a dx10 compatable card.i would just bhuy the 7900gt and buy the newer cards after they have been out for a bit.wait for the bugs to be worked out you know.main reason i have not gone for a conroe system.too many bugs right now.

Dahak

The 7600gt he is getting is 115$ vs the cheapest 7900gt for 233$. Stick with the 7600gt as it performs better for the price.

Thank you all for you input.

Here is what seems to be my final build.

Internal Hard Drive: 2x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Video Card: MSI NX7600GT-VT2D256EHD Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

Fan: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler - Retail

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail

Memory: Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PDC22G5300LLK - Retail

The price comes out to be $1100 with shipping and my case and other accessories.

I was looking up the memory, even though it is DD2R 667, the reviews say it would work with my motherboard and be able to overclock even though the motherboard is DDR2 800. Is this true? Or should I change memory.

Also, is there anything else I need to have a good overclock such as additional fans or more power?

I would still recommend the corsair ram, but thats because I have no expierence with Patriot memory. However when you get your system and put it togethor, you will want to run the memory at 1:1 with your fsb, memory bus is double of your fsb. The effective fsb speed is 266mhz x4, so your memory bus will be 266mhz x2, or 533mhz. So 1:1 your ram still has headroom for a faster bus, or if you decide to upgrade, your memory will still stay in spec. 1:1 ratio will yield the best performance on any platform.

 

[Leedizzle]

Thank you guys for your input, but what is a 1 to 1 memory ratio? I don't understand very much sorry XD.

 

[f1nal_0men]

Thank you guys for your input, but what is a 1 to 1 memory ratio? I don't understand very much sorry XD.

First off, a 'bus' is essentially a highway of data, 'bus speed' determins how fast data could move through a 'bus'. In your computer, there is quite a few of 'bus' lanes that move data around through your computer. The most common ones regarding overclocking, is FSB (Front Side Bus) wich moves data between your cpu and northbridge.

The northbridge is basically the centre point for all your hardware. Your videocard, for example, goes through the northbridge before it hits the cpu. (But it has it's own bus, PCI-X, that takes data to the northbridge first, and then northbrdige to cpu.)

And of course your memory, or ram (Random Access Memory) is where temporary data is stored. As fast as harddrives are, memory is many many times faster, and is needed for a smooth expierence in using your games, programs, whatever.

Now when I mean a 1:1 ratio, that means the FSB and memory bus (usually just refered to as memory) run at the same speed. RAM determins it's own speed, because the chip that process how fast IO (Input Output) calculations are done is on the memory sticks. And your FSB is determined by your motherboard. The northbridge is the chip that calculates how fast IO calculations are done between your cpu, and northbridge.

To run a 1:1 ratio you need your northbridge bus and memory bus running at the same speed, and to do this, the options are usually located in your bios. I wont explain exactly how to set these options now, but if your unsure let me know.

This is when things get a bit confusing though, because as you and I know, DDR RAM is a bit elusive, and it's actually speed is half of what you usually see. For example, DDR2 PC6400 is 800mhz, when it's actually 400mhz with essentially two lanes. One moves data to the memory, and the other moves data away.

This is the same with your FSB, except instead of it being 2x, it's actually 4x 'slower' than the listed speed. Again, it essentialy has 4 lanes, and for Core 2 Duo, the FSB is 266mhz x4 (1066).

Now, finally, to achieve a 1:1 ratio your memeory speed and FSB speed have to match. Although there is one thing I don't understand, when you are calculating this, you have to divide the effective speed of the FSB by 2. Making it, in this case, 533mhz. If someone could explain this part, that would be great.

So if your FSB is 533mhz, your memory has to run at 533mhz as well. Again this is changed in the bios. With maching bus speeds you have a more efficient system. Your FSB and memory can move data at 'similair' speeds, making your computer more efficient. If you have faster memory, then your fsb, it will get cloged and wont run efficiently. Think of a 4 lane highway merging into a 3 lane highway.

Essentially a 1:1 ratio is keeping your memory speed and FSB speed the same.


*I probably made a few errors in my explanation, but this is the basic ideas of it. And if I did make any errors I would hope someone would correct me.