Critique my first time build ($1500 budget)

[AndeeG]

Recently I've been looking at components to put into my first computer build. It feels like I'm getting pretty close but there are still things a few things that I can't decide on, most notably the motherboard. All the parts have to add up to $1500 or less after shipping, tax, and rebates. This includes only the actual computer, no monitor, speakers etc. As this is my first time building a new computer, I'll probably avoid overclocking initially but I definitely want to keep that option available for later. So far I've come up with the following (Prices are listed before shipping and after rebates):

Case: Antec SOLO ($90)
CPU: Intel e6600 ($315)
HDD: WD3200KS 320g ($100)
GPU: HIS x1900xt 256mb IceQ3 ($276)
CD/DVD: 1 DVD burner, 1 DVD-ROM player (about $50)

PSU: Either Antec NeoHE or Seasonic S12 (Is 430 watts enough or will I need 500?) ($80 - $120)

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) I'm really just guessing here. DDR2 667 should be fast enough for mild overclocking, right? ($220)

MOBO: Once again I'm really not sure. The three top ones I've been reccomended are probably the Gigabyte DS3, Asus P5B Deluxe, and the Asus P5B-E. Apparently the DS3 has no firewire support. Does this just mean that it has no firewire port or that it is incapable of taking advantage of firewire cards? If it's the latter, I'll have to pass on this one. Basically, I want a MOBO with firewire and RAID capability and one that is EASY to overclock MILDLY. I don't want the one that has the highest capability, but rather ease of use and reliability for slight increases. ($160 ish)

How does it look?

 

[WR2]

Its a good looking list.

There is another HIS 1900XT 256MB video card over at NewEgg (out of stock at the moment). HIS Hightech H190XT256DVN-R Radeon X1900XT 256MB $215 after rebate
Is there a DX10 card in your PCs future? If so I'd bump up the PSU one size to allow for that - 500W should be fine. Going for a DX10 card early in 2007? You might want to save a bit more money on the video card. Remember you'll need VISTA to to run actual DX10 games.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s $95 seems to be the "hot" hard drive of the moment.

Good choice on the RAM CORSAIR XMS2 DDR2 675 (PC2 5400)
Another good choice would be Patriot DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
A lite overclock of the E6600 to just over X6800 speeds (3.0Ghz) is ideal for that PC2 5300/5400 RAM.

Gigabyte DS3 & Firewire - its just not built into the motherboard like it is on the Asus P5B Deluxe and Asus P5B-E. The P5B-E is out of stock at NewEgg at the moment. The Asus P5B Deluxe should do all you want your new system to do for you.

 

[AndeeG]

Its a good looking list.

There is another HIS 1900XT 256MB video card over at NewEgg (out of stock at the moment). HIS Hightech H190XT256DVN-R Radeon X1900XT 256MB $215 after rebate
Is there a DX10 card in your PCs future? If so I'd bump up the PSU one size to allow for that - 500W should be fine. Going for a DX10 card early in 2007? You might want to save a bit more money on the video card. Remember you'll need VISTA to to run actual DX10 games.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s $95 seems to be the "hot" hard drive of the moment.

Good choice on the RAM CORSAIR XMS2 DDR2 675 (PC2 5400)
Another good choice would be Patriot DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
A lite overclock of the E6600 to just over X6800 speeds (3.0Ghz) is ideal for that PC2 5300/5400 RAM.

Gigabyte DS3 & Firewire - its just not built into the motherboard like it is on the Asus P5B Deluxe and Asus P5B-E. The P5B-E is out of stock at NewEgg at the moment. The Asus P5B Deluxe should do all you want your new system to do for you.

Thanks for the post, it was very helpful!

The reason I'm going for the card I chose is because the normal x1900xt 256mb is supposed to be very loud. I'm shooting for a pretty quiet computer so the IceQ3 card will decrease noise as well as help with cooling.

I do plan on getting a dx10 card, but it will probably after the second wave, once they've worked the bugs out . I'm guessing that will be mid to late 2007 or so. I'll probably be able to get vista quite cheap through my school. (XP Home is only 25 bucks!).

The reviews seem to suggest that the drives are similar but i believe the western digital was quieter. I'll look into the seagate though.

Is there any reason I should pick one RAM over the other?

Firewire isn't a deciding factor as I already have a firewire card I can add on If i need to. Does the "lack of firewire support" mean I couldn't run an up front firewire port? If so, I will opt out. Finally, are there any reasons I should pick the P5B deluxe over the other boards?

 

[rwaritsdario]

Feel free to pick cheaper 667 with the same timings. Cheaper and will do for mild OCing.

OCing wise:
P5B Deluxe>DS3>P5B-E
Not sure if the P5B-E wont have trouble reaching 400Mhz. The DS3 will be perfect tough.

 

[AndeeG]

Does anyone have suggestions as to what motherboard to choose?

This is probably the hardest decision at the moment.

 

[rwaritsdario]

The DS3 will be perfect tough.

 

[AndeeG]

The DS3 will be perfect tough.

Ya ya I didn't forget, I just want to get as many opinions as possible before making apurchase.

 

[someguyy]

"No fire wire support" just means the mobo doesnt come with it. It will still accept add in fire wire cards.

 

[AndeeG]

Arghh!!!

I was almost ready to buy (though I'm still undecided on RAM) until Newegg discontinued the HIS x1900xt 256mb IceQ3. Then I looked online and found one other retailer but they discontinued it the next day! What should i do?

 

[rwaritsdario]

Right now its really tricky. All the X1900XT 256mb are GONE.
The eVGA 7900GTO is the best deal ive seen around but its out of stock, so feel free to pick a 7950GT if you need the card now.

 

[AndeeG]

Right now its really tricky. All the X1900XT 256mb are GONE.
The eVGA 7900GTO is the best deal ive seen around but its out of stock, so feel free to pick a 7950GT if you need the card now.

Do you know why the dissapeared? Are they being phased out already or is everyone just out of stock?

How does the 7950GT compare in terms of performance as well as noise? The game I'll be playing most for now is Oblivion, and most people tend to prefer ATI for that in particular.

 

[rwaritsdario]

The huuuuge demand for them and theyll be phased sometime around next month. Definetly ATI is better for Oblivion but you can see how a 7950GT would stack up. Compare to the middle btw the 7900GT and 7900GTX.

 

[3nd3m1c3d3n]

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5008315

2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 800MHz CL 4-4-4-15 / Platinum / Revision 2 /

Print the coupon right away & read it carefully if consider this deal. 219

 

[rwaritsdario]

Hey, welcome to the forumz

@theOP
BUY THAT THING NOW :twisted:

 

[AndeeG]

Right now I'm looking at a x1950 pro to tide me over till next year. That gives me the following components:

PSU: 500w Seasonic S12 (I might downgrade)
GPU: Sapphire x1950 pro
CPU: C2D e6600
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320gb
Optical: Sony IDE DvD drive
MOBO: Asus P5B-E

All this from Newegg adds up to $982.56

+ Antec SOLO from zipzoomfly
+ OCZ DDR2-800 from Fry's

Grand total after rebates, tax, shipping, all that is about $1277.56. This should give me plenty of extra money to buy a new graphics card next year. What do you think?

 

[purdueguy]

Now that"s a nice system. I was going to recommend the X19050Pro. It's the best bang for the buck. There's was an ASUS version for $171. Don't know if it'll be back. Only thing is that it doesn't have VIVO. If that matters to you get another X1950Pro.

Since you are buying other components at zipzoomfly, get the video card there also. Save 6 bucks on shipping.

I did check up on the Seasonic S12 at Newegg. I wouldn't call it downgrading, I think that PSU is way overpriced. Get a HIPER 580W for 20 bucks cheaper. An Enermax, Antec, Thermaltake or HIPER will fit the bill for much cheaper.

 

[AndeeG]

Now that"s a nice system. I was going to recommend the X19050Pro. It's the best bang for the buck. There's was an ASUS version for $171. Don't know if it'll be back. Only thing is that it doesn't have VIVO. If that matters to you get another X1950Pro.

Since you are buying other components at zipzoomfly, get the video card there also. Save 6 bucks on shipping.

I did check up on the Seasonic S12 at Newegg. I wouldn't call it downgrading, I think that PSU is way overpriced. Get a HIPER 580W for 20 bucks cheaper. An Enermax, Antec, Thermaltake or HIPER will fit the bill for much cheaper.

Thanks for the input! I meant that I was considering downgrading FROM the S12 as it is fairly expensive, though quiet. If I decide not to get it I'll probably go with the Antec NeoHE since it is also a fairly quiet PSU.

 

[rwaritsdario]

Do you know who makes the hardware for HIPER??

@theOP
Get OCZ GameXstream or XClio Greatpower series wich are modular. Both of them are excellent PSUs that cant be beaten for the price.

 

[AndeeG]

Hey, welcome to the forumz

@theOP
BUY THAT THING NOW :twisted:

I forgot to ask earlier, but what makes that such good RAM / a great deal?

Do you know who makes the hardware for HIPER??

@theOP
Get OCZ GameXstream or XClio Greatpower series wich are modular. Both of them are excellent PSUs that cant be beaten for the price.

No I don't know who makes the hardware for HIPER.

Are they reliable, cool well, and quiet? Also what does the "modular" modifier entail?

 

[rwaritsdario]

Hits 550Mhz CL5 and its warranty goes up to 2.325v, besides its cheap.

 

[losergamer04]

I would go with 800MHz RAM. You can run it at 667 and then OC it. I have a Kingwin CPU/GPU liquid cooling set up, I recomend it if you plan to OC.
I would get the 7950GT. With the cooling system (less than $100), you can do a decent OC on both the CPU and GPU.
Get a bigger powersupply. Something SLI cirtified. Remember that the 8800GTX needs TWO PCI-E power connectors.
RAID your HDD. Have another to back up to. The HDD is the BIGGEST bottle neck in the computer.

Hope I helped.

 

[purdueguy]

Currently, no I don't but I will look into it a bit further. Though, I'm pretty sure it's manufactured in Europe. I like this PSU because of the molex cables and a lot of people have said they like this PSU. That's why I'm recommending it.

It has enough power and aesthetics to boot. And this keeps the inside of the case nice and clean for good air circulation.

 

[rwaritsdario]

It has enough power and aesthetics to boot.

So does Rosewill....

Im asking because if theirs a good producer behind them and they turn out like Raidmax (made by FSP), it would become one of my favorite brands too.

 

[AndeeG]

Currently, no I don't but I will look into it a bit further. Though, I'm pretty sure it's manufactured in Europe. I like this PSU because of the molex cables and a lot of people have said they like this PSU. That's why I'm recommending it.

It has enough power and aesthetics to boot. And this keeps the inside of the case nice and clean for good air circulation.

What was that in response to?

 

[rwaritsdario]

Currently, no I don't but I will look into it a bit further. Though, I'm pretty sure it's manufactured in Europe. I like this PSU because of the molex cables and a lot of people have said they like this PSU. That's why I'm recommending it.

It has enough power and aesthetics to boot. And this keeps the inside of the case nice and clean for good air circulation.

What was that in response to?

(Msg. 22) Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:56 am
Post subject: Re: Critique my first time build ($1500 budget) [in reply to: rwaritsdario]

n00b