First Build Attempt

[Matt_Prelude]

Hi, I've been reading these forums for a couple of months now and have decided to build my own

I came up with a list that I would like to buy, please give me any input, don't be afraid to give me shit I'll just learn from it.

I will be using this pc for regular use (internet, burning, watching media) and gaming. I would like to have an option to upgrade in the future. I do not plan to overclock....yet. Thanks in advance.

$1390 CAD (around $1200 USD)

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 4MB Cache Retail Box
$363.99 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=22879556/search=Intel+Core+2+Duo+E6600+

Intel D975XBX2 ATX LGA775 Conroe 975X DDR2 PCI-E16 SATA RAID Sound GBLAN 1394 Motherboard OEM Boxed
$244.40 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=28505888/search=Intel%20D975XBX2

ATI Radeon X1650 Pro 600MHZ PCI-E 512MB 128BIT 800MHZ DDR2 VGA DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card
$208.82 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=28249799/search=ati%20x1650

Corsair 2GB PC4200 DDR2 DIMM Memory
(looking for a good price)
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3777166/search=corsair%20pc4200

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA2 3GB/S 7200RPM 16MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive
$91.98 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=19777096/search=Seagate%20Barracuda%207200.10%20320GB

Thermaltake VA8003BWS Black ATX Tower Case 10X5.25 2X3.5 6X3.5INT No PS 25CM Fan Window
$184.68 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=22298882/search=va8003bws%20thermaltake

Zalman CNPS9500 LED Copper CPU Heat Sink 92MM Fan 1350-2600RPM 18-27.5DBA W/ Blue LED
$58.21 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=12213293/search=Zalman%20CNPS9500

Corsair HX520 CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX Triple 12V 40A Continuous 24PIN ATX Modular 120MM Power Supply
$119.60 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=23027360/search=Corsair+HX520+

Samsung SH-S183L Black SATA DVD+RW 18X8X16 DVD-RW 18X6X16 DL 8X Lightscribe INT DVD Writer OEM W/ SW
$46.20 CAD
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=31767213/search=Samsung%20SH-S183L


SOUNDBLASTER AUDIGY 2VALUE 4LNG
$72.58 CAD


$1390 CAD (around $1200 USD)

 

[senor_bob]

Overall looks like a solid build. Here are my comments:

Nice case. It's very heavy though (both good and bad), hope you don't need to move the computer around much. There's an aluminum version if you need to move the computer easily, it's about $40 (US$) more though.

Also a good hard drive. I have two of them myself and like them.

For future overclocking (assumed from the ...yet) you should get at least DDR2-667 RAM, it's not much more expensive than the DDR2-533. Kingston Value Ram or Corsair Value Select would be my first suggestions.

If you want to game with that computer, I would upgrade the video card. If you want to stay with ATI, I would go up to at least an X1900 or X1950 of some sort like this one:
SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16. You should be able to find it or something similar at Canadian distributors. The nVidia 8800GTS (320 MB) is also a good choice, but a little more expensive. If the budget is limited I would drop the CPU down to an e6300 or e6400 to cover the difference to an X1950 or an 8800. The X1950Pro/8800GTS plus an e6300 would crush an X1650 with an e6600 for most gaming. None of the tasks you described are CPU punishers the way video editing or rendering are, so I think you would benefit more from an upgraded video card than an upgraded CPU. For internet, burning, and watching media a Pentium III or an original Athlon would suffice, so I am assuming the gaming is what sets the requirements for you. On the CPU subject, Intel is supposed to have major price cuts April 22 (e6600 to US$218 if I recall correctly). You are waiting for those, right?

Also, unless you plan to use Crossfire in the future, the P965 based boards are cheaper and overclock better compared to the 'XBX2. The Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 is a popular choice, as are some of the Asus ones.

Finally, onboard sound is actually pretty decent on modern motherboards. Why not give it a try first and then get the soundblaster if you aren't satisfied with onboard?

 

[neo_weapon]

dont forget artic silver 5. very nice thermal paste.

 

[cutthroat]

Your motherboard is too much...

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11830BD3851&vpn=GA-965P-DS3&manufacture=GIGABYTE - $148.88

Your Ram is waaay to slow. to match your CPU speed you should get PC28500 DDR1066. It's obviously way more expensive, but you should match the speeds if at all possible. And you should not have your memory running at half the speed of your CPU.

Here's a great deal if you jump on it now...

Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB 2X1GB PC2-8500 DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-9 Dual Channel Memory Kit - $244.99 after rebate.

or

Mushkin XP2 PC2-8500 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-4-12 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit - $249.99 after rebate.

I was thinking of these myself since they're such an amazing deal, but I don't really need it.

A Scythe Ninja is better and cheaper than the
Zalman CNPS9500...

Scythe Ninja Plus REV.B Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink - $40.52

The rest looks fine.

 

[Matt_Prelude]

Thanks for the comments guys, I really appreciate it. I'll look into it when I get home from work.

 

[Matt_Prelude]

I'm having a hard time choosing a mobo. I looked at the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3, it's cheap, but I noticed some people are reporting BIOS problems.

I wouldn't mind spending a little more money to get a more reliable mobo. After all, you get what you pay for. I know ASUS has a very good rep,
I can get this for $219.78 CAD (191 USD)
Asus P5B Deluxe Atx LGA775 Conroe P965 DDR2 2PCI-E16 PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Dts Sound 1394 Motherboard
http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=26301139

But with that mobo I only save about $25 dollars, so would it be worth going for the Intel D975XBX2?

 

[cutthroat]

I agree about Asus boards, I like them too. But the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 is a reliable motherboard. There have been many BIOS revisions, and it is a very good board now. You would likely need to flash the BIOS before doing anything though.

If you do want to go Asus, do you need WIFI, ot 8 SATA ports? If not look at the Asus P5B, just the basic one is much cheaper, $149.04.