First computer build.

nakmuay25

Distinguished
Jan 14, 2007
3
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18,510
Hi everybody,
this is my first attempt at building a computer. Going to be used mainly for gaming and everyday use. Any feedback or ideas would be appreciated.
Looking to spend no more than 2300.
Also and ideas on good dvd burners and monitors?
Thanks in advance!


From newegg website;

Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #: P180
Item #: N82E16811129154
$129.99

ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #: P5B-E
Item #: N82E16813131070
$150.99

Update eVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
Model #: 768-P2-N831-AR
Item #: N82E16814130072
$589.99

Update Rosewill RP550-2 ATX 2.01 550W Power Supply
Model #: RP550-2
Item #: N82E16817182017
$54.99

Update Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003
$317.00

Update CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Item #: N82E16820145034
$276.00

Update Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Model #: WD2500KS
Item #: N82E16822144701
$149.98 (for 2 of them)

Update Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
Model #: 70SB046000007
Item #: N82E16829102188
$92.99

Subtotal: $1,761.93
 

miahallen

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Oct 2, 2002
572
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18,990
Good build, mostly...

You're getting a powerhouse of a graphics card, and your a gamer. This card is tops today, but you should know, it'll quickly be outdated, with that in mind, you should consider an upgrade path. swap your motherboard with one based on the nVidia 600 series chipset (650i or 680i). That will allow you to get a second one down the road for SLI operation. Also, that PS is going to be hard pushed with your configuration, I'd opt for some more headroom, and get a name brand PS with some more wattage. Maybe an Antec or an Enermax with 600+ watts.

Also, I'd reccommend dropping down a notch or two on the memory, you could save $50 easy, and the difference will not be noticable. But stick to DDR2-800.

Everything else looks great! 8) As for monitors, everyone has their personal preferences, give us an idea. Do you like widescreen? What size are you considering? My only reccommendation for a screen, is to buy the best. It will probably outlast the rest of the system.
 

harty23690

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Nov 25, 2006
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Get a Tuniq Tower 120.

That way you can overclock your E6600. Although I don't have either (but am planning on getting both) I hear that when using the TT120, overclock the E6600 to 3.6GHz (400FSB x 9 multiplier) at stock vCore.
 

Theangryurchin

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Aug 27, 2006
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When do you need this computer, Because soon the video card market is going to be completely warped.

If i'm going to be spending almost 2g on a computer, i want to get the best i can, not something thats going to be a bad decision in a month.

That video card is 1/3 your whole build, now what if the new ati card dominates that? and the price of that card goes 300 range?


Your build is good, besides already pointed out mistakes, but i'd let things unravel
 

miahallen

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Oct 2, 2002
572
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18,990
The psu can be diverted to the landfill as soon as it arrives. No kidding. It's garbage. Spend at least 100 dollars on a psu.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=974240

Do a tally on what brands & wattages are popular for 8800s by looking at the signatures of 8800 users.

That's a good point, and I've updated my sig to include my PSU, as I am an 8800 GTX user. My Enermax is "only" rated at 500W...but I'd put it up against that Rosewill any day. I'm confident it would beat the sh!t out of it.

That video card is 1/3 your whole build, now what if the new ati card dominates that? and the price of that card goes 300 range?

Yeah, great point...BUT WAIT, what if you wait for the wonderful ATI card and buy it because it rocks!. Then nVidia releases an answer that, that once again one ups the ATI card......WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WHAT IF.............you see where I'm going with this. For all we know, the ATI card will get delayed again.

Unless you always want to be sitting on you hands waiting for the next best thing. Go ahead and buy from what's available today. eVGA also has a great program, that I hope I'll be able to take advantage of....within 90 days of buying one of their graphics cards, if a newer model gets released, they'll allow you to trade up (just paying the difference). So you don't have to worry about this problem (at least for the first 90 days :roll: ).
 

nakmuay25

Distinguished
Jan 14, 2007
3
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18,510
haha icic. wow i guess it pretty much impossible to keep up w/ technology these days. Thanks for the great advice guys, i'm probably gonna wait a month or so before buying all the parts (gotta save up =p). If you guys have any other ideas/tips i'm all ears. Thanks again