my first computer help please

[chrisace89]

this will be my first computer i have built and i want to make sure everything i have is compatiable. i want to play games and multitask with alot of progams open here is what i have came up with i want to spend around 900 with out monitor or OS so please help.



Processor $183
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

Motherboard $123
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

Video Card $280
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16814130082

Memory $71
Patriot 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820220088

Cd burner $31 2478361
SAMSUNG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151133

Hard drive $90
Seagate Barracuda 7200. 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

Case 90

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062

 

[rwpritchett]

If you plan on adding another stick of RAM in the near future, then one stick now is OK. Just in case you don't realize, RAM should be bought in pairs these days in order to enable dual channel. (2x512MB for 1GB, 2x 1GB for 2GB, etc...) One stick will work, but not to its greatest potential. Also, DDR2-800 speed is really only necessary if you plan to overclock. 533 or 667 would suffice if you don't intend to OC.

Also, find a case that doesn't come with a power supply. Case bundled power supplies are lacking in almost every way. Check out mpilchfamily's PSU Reference List(US) for a good PSU. Pair a good PSU with a good cheap case such as the CoolerMaster Centurion's and you have a winning combination for about the same price you listed. (Or perhaps you can find that same case you listed without a bundled PSU).

 

[rwpritchett]

I just checked newegg and found that Raidmaxx case without the bundled power supply and it costs MORE than the same case with the supply. That speaks volumes about the PSU quality. Buy the case with the bundled PSU, chuck the PSU, buy a good one to replace it.

 

[chrisace89]

ok im thinking about this memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820145167


and you say the PSU is no good well i really like the case but i need to stay around 900 bucks. so i guess i have to get a cheaper case and then spend alot on the psu?

 

[rwpritchett]

Are you planning on overclocking? Are you aiming for 1GB or 2GB total RAM?

 

[chrisace89]

not going to OC seems dificult and i dont know where to start. and im aiming for 2G of ram

 

[rwpritchett]

Perhaps you could scale back the RAM to DDR2-533 (or 667, since the price is about the same) and only get a single 1GB stick for now. You'll take a performance hit, but you can add a second stick at a later time. Only catch is, most times you can't just mix and match RAM and get dual channel, the sticks should be identical, that's why they come in pairs.

Also, you could drop the motherboard from the DS3 to the S3 and save ~$15. They are identical with the exception of the capacitors used.

Are you planning on running Vista or XP?

 

[chrisace89]

XP ima wait like a year untill vista bugs are fixxed

 

[rwpritchett]

With XP you could probably get by just fine with one 1GB stick of RAM until you get another (or 2x 512 sticks if you want dual channel now). The Corsair XMS RAM you linked before is good stuff. Maybe pick up 1GB for now. Or these:

CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024-5400C4 - Retail $74

You would still have 2 RAM slots available to get more RAM later.

 

[babybudha]

are you planning on writing your own OS? If not, what are you planning to use? And add it into the price.

 

[chrisace89]

i already have an OS i will run XP and i decided to change my ram also got a better PSU. tell me what you think.

Processor $183
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

Motherboard $123
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

Video Card $280
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16814130082

Memory $156
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145015

Cd burner $31 2478361
SAMSUNG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151133

Hard drive $90
Seagate Barracuda 7200. 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

Case 80

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16811156063
PSU
Rosewill RP500-2 ATX 2.01 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817182016

 

[rwpritchett]

You may do fine with that PSU, but try to get a higher tier one: PSU Tier List
I have no experience with Rosewill, all I know is that they are the generic brand offered by newegg. Perhaps take a look at Fortron Source PSU's. They're cheap, but excellent quality. The list above has both Raidmax and Rosewill on the "avoid" list, but you may get lucky.

 

[chrisace89]

ok ima look for another PSU

i found some more memory that is cheeper
WINTEC AMPO 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820161675

my mother board says it takes standard memory of DDR2 800 will this memory work and do you think it would be ok for me to buy?

 

[geofelt]

One case with a good included PSU is the antec P150. It includes a antec neohe-430 psu. You can buy this unit directly from Antec as a "B" stock for $90 with a 90 day warranty, otherwise it is about $130.Check out the psu101 list to compare equal units. A unit from the list with at least a 30A rating should suffice. http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1491365#1491365

The best valued psu's are fotron(FSP). check out the ax500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104934

Otherwise you are looking good.

 

[chrisace89]

i found some more memory that is cheeper
WINTEC AMPO 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820161675

my mother board says it takes standard memory of DDR2 800 will this memory work and do you think it would be ok for me to buy?

 

[billdcat4]

Okay now,

The DS3, like all P965 boards is very picky with its ram. They like to have ram that is rated at 1.8v. Simple enough. Supposedly, if you boot up with 1.8v you can then change the settings in the BIOS and then use any ram.

This is the ram that I have chosen to go in my DS3 rig:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820134046

Only $120 for 2 gigs, it may not OC like mad, but its got Kingston Quality and its mad cheap. Also, its paired so it will be compatible together for sure. (Mixing non paired ram is usually not the best idea)

I would get a better PSU. My choice is the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817151027
Seasonic 550w, its got 41 max amps, enough for your sys. Also its extremely good quality and dead quiet.

Alternatively, you could get this one:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001
It seems to be the favorite of this forum. Very similar to the Seasonic, made by seasonic.

Or the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341001
OCZ PowerXStream 600w. Similar ratings, a bit noisy, not the most stable (RIPPLE :twisted: ) made by FSP, so good quality.

You know that for the same price you can buy a variety of good dvd burners? Maybe you should look at a SATA DVD Burner, to reduce cable clutter and for the future 8) .

Good Luck 8)

 

[billdcat4]

One case with a good included PSU is the antec P150. It includes a antec neohe-430 psu. You can buy this unit directly from Antec as a "B" stock for $90 with a 90 day warranty, otherwise it is about $130.Check out the psu101 list to compare equal units. A unit from the list with at least a 30A rating should suffice. http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1491365#1491365

The best valued psu's are fotron(FSP). check out the ax500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104934

Otherwise you are looking good.

You are correct in saying that he needs at least 30a, but incorrect in recommending the FPS PSU, it does not have 30a, most likely around 26.
The antec PSU is a little better with dual 16a, probably 27a.
Still not enough for his rig though. You should do your research a little more.

I dont want to sound mean, but before you recommend stuff to people, you should do your research. We wouldnt want to waste the OP's time or money would we?

 

[geofelt]

Good catch, I had intended to reference the FSP blue storm 2 500w from the psu 101 reference list, There it is rated at 40A. However looking at the link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104034 I don't see how they get 40A. The link shows 2 +12v rails at 18A each, but the manufacturer's link shows 2 +12v rails at 15A each. In the end, we must rely on the manufacturer's specs. I have used the FSP 400w unit, and it appears to be a quality unit to me.

I have also used the Antec NEOHE430, and found no problems. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103939
This is the unit that comes with the antec P150 case. The specs say 3 +12v rails ar 16A which I think should be sufficient. It is modular, and 82% efficient at typical loads.

 

[alcattle]

All good picks.

The FSP is tier 3 and does not sounds like enough power
The Antec Neo HE is tier 2, as is the seasonic enery plus as is the OZC GameXstream. Pick a tier 2 at the best price, they're all good.