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Yet another first build thread!

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Yet another first build thread!

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I plan on building this computer, my first build by the end of next month. I would like to keep my budget in and around $2500 CDN. I won’t likely game a whole lot, but probably some. I will be doing some video and photo editing, some word processing for work, and school (some of which includes data processing but nothing too heavy). I plan on OC’n in the future, maybe in the next few months.

Thank-you for looking at my build proposal and critiquing where necessary! All opinions are appreciated.
All prices are in Canadians dollars:
Case:

Antec P180 Black ATX Mid Tower Aluminum Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 6X3.5INT No PS W/ USB & Audio Ports - $156.06

I really like the simplicity of this case. I would probably prefer a TJ07 or a TJ09 but the cost is more than double. If I can save a few pennies here I may as well.

PSU:
Corsair CMPSU-620HX - $145.36
This seems like a no-brainer but then again…
Mobo:
EVGA Nforce 680I SLI LGA775 Conroe ATX DDR2 2PCI-E16 2PCI SATA2 RAID Sound GBLAN 1394 Motherboard - $284.51
I like the overclocking features of this board. However I’m open to some suggestions. I probably won’t SLI in the near future, which makes SLI’n in the future doubtful too (may as well just buy a new generation card). I like this board because it will support Quad-core, 1333 FSB, and should OC quite well. I’m worried that the Bad Axe 2 does not provide enough options for the future. Any other suggestions? Maybe something being released in the next month or so?
CPU:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 4MB Cache Retail Box - $373.36

I will obviously wait a month for the price drop. I do plan on OC’n, but not necessarily right away. I’m not married to this CPU and have considered getting a e6400 as well or maybe even the e6420 with the increased cache. I think this will come down to price vs. performance. I might even consider an AMD, if the Barcas are released (but not holding my breath for an April release).

RAM:

OCZ Platinum XTC REV.2 PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit – $194.71

With the mail-in-rebate this set seems to be the best buy but I’m certainly not married to it. Any other suggestions?

HD:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA2 3GB/S 7200RPM 16MB Cache Ncq Hard Drive - $96.98

Seems to be the best. I’ll probably add more hd space in the future but this should hold me.

DVD writer:

Liteon DVD+RW 18X8X16 DVD-RW 18X6X16 Dl 8X Cdrw 48X32X48 Ide Black Oem W/O Software - $36.50

This one is wide open. I will probably add a separate DVD drive down the road, but for now a writer will have to do. Any suggestions?

OS:

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64BIT DVD OEM - $129.99

I realize this one is rather risky but I just can’t buy XP now and pay for an upgrade 6 months down the road.

Video Card:

EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800 GTX 575MHZ 768MB 1.8GHZ GDDR3 Dual DVI-I HDTV Out HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card - $673.27

I may end up with a lower card like a GTS 320 ($346.62) or 640 ($459.58. Since my gaming will be limited to games like Medieval II, and Sid Maier’s Railroads (example), I’m having troubles justifying the extra $200+ for the GTX. I’m easily persuaded though…

Monitor:

Dell 2407

Just arrived yesterday so it’s too late to talk me out of this one! Good price and good reviews upped me from a 22”. - $649

Speakers:

Logitech X-540

Also arrived this week. These will hold me over until I assemble a small receiver, speaker combo capable of handling my love for opera music.

Another question I have is in regards to my RAM and PSU. Both have rebates that expire this month. Do you believe that I would safe enough buying these now to save the extra dollars?

This brings me to $2840 (with the monitor) already ‘slightly’ over budget and that doesn't even include taxes of about $150. I have a wife to answer to so my budget is unlikely to strectch.

Cheers for having a look and maybe even taking the time to respond. I look forward to suggestions and critiques.

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Looks great. What will you be using it for?

Reply to proof

A little bit of gaming, but mostly home and business applications. Stuff like video editing (minor) and photo editing.

Reply to JCon

It should be fine.

Reply to proof

Thanks Proof!

Looking at my budget, I will likely downgrade my video card to a GTS 640.

Reply to JCon

Nothing wrong with a GTS.

Reply to proof

I'd suggest downgrading to a GTS also because of what you mentioned about your primary uses. I think GTX will be a bit of an overkill.

Here's a couple of hints from a first timer.

- May sure your mobo is placed correctly and with spacers and all those stuff because I almost went crazy figuring out what was causing my fans to spin only once when I first switched it on. Guess what, it was shorting somewhere along the connection with the case.

- LOTS OF LIGHT

- Have someone help you; a good person would be a girlfriend who don't know much except to read the manuals for you and hold the light. That way, there's no arguments and clash of opinions <wink>

- Read the instructions; trust me, they help quite a bit especially for a first timer.

Lastly, have fun because I certainly did (except when I was pulling my hair out for 2 hours cuz of the short circuit).

Reply to phyodabomb

I can't tell you how many builds I have been through where I have the "fans spin once" problem. It is easy to fix because it is always a short. But d@mn is it common and annoying.

Reply to proof

Thanks for that! I appreciate you taking the time to write that out. I know, from frequenting this boards for a long time, that these threads get repetitive and writing out suggestions/ideas gets tiresome.

I probably shouldn't have my girlfriend help me, since I'm planning on building this at home. I really don't want my wife meeting my girlfriend.
:P

Seriously though, I will probably build this in my office or workshop that has plenty of light.

I pretty sure I'll go with the GTS. The $200 price difference will likely be money well saved.

Reply to JCon

Quote :


- LOTS OF LIGHT

- Have someone help you; a good person would be a girlfriend who don't know much except to read the manuals for you and hold the light. That way, there's no arguments and clash of opinions <wink>

- Read the instructions; trust me, they help quite a bit especially for a first timer.



Having just built my first computer, I agree!!
I would have been lost with out my petzl headlamp- the cheap ones run $25US, run forever & are great in a power outages too. Shop light might not cut it as hands tend to get in the way & cast shadows.

Regarding reading the manual, yep....and make notes in it, like which HD is your primary? etc..

Reply to adapa
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