Putting together my own pc... please give suggestions!

[AisuShiden]

I have been scoping over newegg for a bit today and figured I'd share what I have put in my shopping cart (and may purchase) with the hopes that you guys could share your opinions!
Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119106

Hard drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136074

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817171007

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

MOBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128012

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115016

Going to keep my Nvidia GeForce FX 5500 for now until I can afford an 8800GTS. It's not in my budget to buy a new one at the moment.

I plan on using my current IDE CD-RW drive and buying a SATA DVD-RW a little ways down the road.

I have a budget of $600 and this all comes out to $595 with shipping.

Will I need anything else? I'm not sure if this comes with the SATA cables I need. I think the processor comes with a heatsink/fan, am I right?

I can get thermaltake thermal grease from work, or should I get arctic silver 5?

Any other suggestions? Is my PSU going to be enough?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[akhilles]

Don't know how good the psu is. I'd pick something else like:;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128005

The DS3 mobo & C534 case come with all the accessories for a basic build. You don't need anything else other than a toolbox.

Yep, a retail cpu comes with a cooler & thermal paste stuck to the bottom. Just peel off the tape.

You don't need arctic silver. You aren't using any unless you scrap off the paste from the stock cooler.

 

[AisuShiden]

Alright I ordered the PSU you suggested along with everything else.

I also realized that I posted dead links... that's what i get for copy pasta-ing my whole post from the other forum I frequent.

Any last words before I get my order?

 

[alcattle]

good luck and take your time. Read everything and then read it again going step my step, and make sure you are clear before you start on any step. We are only a post away.

 

[AisuShiden]

I didn't know there was a real step-by step process to doing it.. I figured you just put everything together boot and set your BIOS settings, then install an OS.

:?: 8O

 

[easyg]

I didn't know there was a real step-by step process to doing it.. I figured you just put everything together boot and set your BIOS settings, then install an OS.

:?: 8O

You're right. There's nothing to it.

Just one tiny bit of advice since you are going to be using the stock hs/f:

Mount the hs/f before you attach the mainboard to mb tray. The reason for this is cause the Intel hs/f is notoriously difficult to mount securely. Make sure the pins are all the way thru the pcb before you lock them in place. Obviously, you won't be able to be sure the pins are all the way thru if the mainboard is already mounted to the tray.

Goodluck and have fun.

P.S. the RAM is a really good deal. Nice to see prices have come down again.

 

[AisuShiden]

I'm always afraid I'm going to break something when I try and mount a HS/F while the processor is in the socket. Thanks for the tip!

Any advice on BIOS settings? I don't really know much about configuring this new hardware.

I'd like to overclock my processor a bit, maybe 3.0-3.2GHz? I hear that is reasonable on my RAM (apparently this type of RAM likes to be run at 900MHz, at least according to the newegg reviewers) and mobo with the stock HS/F combo.

I'm guessing I should set it up as normal to begin with, then overclock once I am up and running smoothly. Best to do one thing at a time, makes troubleshooting easier.

 

[alcattle]

I'm guessing I should set it up as normal to begin with, then overclock once I am up and running smoothly. Best to do one thing at a time, makes troubleshooting easier.

Correct, you are well on your way to building a rig.

 

[desolationw]

Unless your FX5500 is PCI-E, your going to have a bit of a problem.

 

[AisuShiden]

Yes, it is PCI-E.

My current system has no AGP so when I put in a new video card I had to get a PCI card!! The 5500 was PCI-E so I figured it'd be OK for when I got a new pc too.. (which has come!)

Anyone have suggestions on specific BIOS settings for my first boot? Is there a quick guide as to what does what in the BIOS as far as OC goes, so I can understand and overclock without other's help in the future?

 

[alcattle]

The manual will walk you through all the normal settings. Get that part set and make sure the system is stable. Then you can start overclocking if need be. There is an excellent article on O/C on Tom's Hardware. There is also a forum here that covers nothing but O/C.

 

[AisuShiden]

Alright!! I can't wait to start putting this thing together!! Thanks for all the help!

 

[akhilles]

The guy above is spot on. Install cpu cooler on mobo on the mobo box. You need some clearance under the mobo for the pins to stick through. 2 large phone books with a gap would do.

No, the manual is dead wrong. I think it's exclusive to gigabyte bios that it will default to this boot order: floppy, harddisk, optical. It'll render your xp cd non-existent. Change the boot order.

For o/c'ing:

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/Core2Duo-Overclocking-Guide-v1-ftopict197995.html