Building a new rig, first time

[DaLeech]

Hello guys, this is my first time building a computer so any advice would be appreciated. This computer would be for video/audio and just general surfing but not so much gaming. Also I would like it to be as quiet as possible as its going to be in my bedroom. Anyway this is what I have "decided" on so far:

Antec P182 case
Seasonic S12 PSU <- would 430 watt be enough? I chose it because it is suppose to be quiet.
Core 2 Duo E6750
Gigabyte G33-DS3R
2 x Kingston PC 5300 DDR2 667 1GB for a total of 2GB
WD 500GB 16MB HDD
LG GSA-H62N SATA 18x Super Multi DVD Rewriter

I was thinking that since I wont be gaming on this computer (I have a wii/360 for that), I won't be needing a graphics card and thus would go with the G33 and not P35 for the integrated graphics. I would like to have a relatively future proof computer so that I could have the option to upgrade later/ add a GFX card in 2 years time. I was also wondering whether I should stick with the stock heatsink or not. Anyway any comments/help would be appreciated, like whether all the parts work well together or not.

 

[bs6749]

Are you trying to keep this rig as low cost as possible? If you are I'd change the case. If not, keep it...it's a good one.

If you want "future proof" I'd recommend a different PSU if you DO see yourself with a video card. I just checked the price of that PSU and I'd suggest this one instead:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002 It's on HELL of a deal for that PSU and it's what I am using in an upcoming build. Should be all the "futureproofedness" you need and MORE! PLUS, it's the same price roughly after rebates.

I see by pricing the RAM as well that you are looking at around $80-85 (according to Newegg). I would suggest this instead:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

It's the same price in the end but it is 4-4-4-12 CAS 4 PC2 6400 RAM. This RAM is more futureproof as well and it would allow you to overclock if you wanted to. It is the RAM that I am going with. You are pretty much guaranteed the Micron D9's in the ones I recommended (which are some of teh best if not THE best for overclocking) as Crucial is either a division of Micron or owned by them. Others on here may agree with my choice. Hope that helps you some.

 

[geofelt]

The P182 case is very good and quiet. It is, perhaps larger than what you need, and somewhat expensive. The seasonic 430 is also a very good and quiet psu which will have no problem with your components. You really don't need more power than 400watts until you get video cards in the 8800GTS class. I would like to suggest the Antec P150 case which is equally quiet, and includes a good 430w power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129166. I have used it, and it is one of my favorite cases. At $140, you will save $112 over your P182 & ss430 combo. The case is being discontinued in favor of the Antec sonata designer 500 which is similar, and has a 500w Psu and a price of $170. Alternately, use the Antec Solo which has no PSU for $90, and keep the ss430.
I can't identify the gigabyte mobo you mentioned. If it has integrated graphics, then it likely is a micro ATX form factor which will be dwarfed by the P182, and will not have as many expansion slots as a standard ATX board.
I would suggest instead, the gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L $95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059 along with a reasonable video card such as the EVGA 7600GS $65 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130029 It is fanless, so it will be quiet. Look here for a good list of video cards in each price range: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08/06/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page2.html
As to memory, 2gb of quality memory is good. C2D processors are not very sensitive to speed unless you are overclocking.
The stock heat sink will cool adequately. The fan is small, though, and will make noise when it gets going. If you value quiet, like most of us, consider an aftermarket cpu cooler. I prefer those with 120mm slow turning fans that direct the hot air towards the back of the case.

---good luck---

 

[bs6749]

The OP said that they didn't want/need a GPU at this time.

Also, the 7600GS is NOT the best card for under $100 anymore and I think the reviewer of that article would agree. For a mere $80 a 7600GT KO can be had. That card is 3 tiers above the 7600GS and would smoke it ANY day. See for yourself: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08/06/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page7.html

7600GT KO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130017

The GDDR3 of the 7600GT is MUCH better than the GDDR2 of the 7600GS. Doesn't matter though, the OP doesn't need a video card as I have already stated, but the GT is a better deal IMO.

 

[asgallant]

Hello guys, this is my first time building a computer so any advice would be appreciated. This computer would be for video/audio and just general surfing but not so much gaming. Also I would like it to be as quiet as possible as its going to be in my bedroom. Anyway this is what I have "decided" on so far:

Antec P182 case
Seasonic S12 PSU <- would 430 watt be enough? I chose it because it is suppose to be quiet.
Core 2 Duo E6750
Gigabyte G33-DS3R
2 x Kingston PC 5300 DDR2 667 1GB for a total of 2GB
WD 500GB 16MB HDD
LG GSA-H62N SATA 18x Super Multi DVD Rewriter

I was thinking that since I wont be gaming on this computer (I have a wii/360 for that), I won't be needing a graphics card and thus would go with the G33 and not P35 for the integrated graphics. I would like to have a relatively future proof computer so that I could have the option to upgrade later/ add a GFX card in 2 years time. I was also wondering whether I should stick with the stock heatsink or not. Anyway any comments/help would be appreciated, like whether all the parts work well together or not.

Your setup should be fine. The only question about your potential graphics card upgrade is, if and when you choose to upgrade, would you choose a high-end or a mid-range graphics card? If you think you would like a high end graphics card, then I recommend a bigger power supply - something in the 500-600 watt range should be sufficient; the OCZ PS recommended by bs6749 would more than suffice if the price is comparable. If you think a mid-range card is going to be good enough, then the PS you picked out is probably good enough, but personally, I would be more comfortable with a 475-500 watt PS. The Enermax EG495AX-VE FMA is a 485 watt PS that I have used before, it is whisper quiet, and should provide you with your future-proofing requirements, as long as you do not want to go with a high-end graphics card (the EG495AX-VE FMA is about $80 at NewEgg).

 

[Joe_The_Dragon]

Gigabyte G33-DS3R is VGA only and you want video with DVI look at the nforce 7025 boards or a low end video card.

 

[aevm]

I'm a big LG fanboy but I have to say this: the LG-H62N is noisy when I play a movie from it. I hear Samsung makes really quiet drives. I've ordered a Plextor PX-810SA for myself, but it doesn't make sense on a budget build.

If we're talking about Windows Vista I'd go for the 7600 GT and a P35 mobo rather than G33. Make sure to get the 256 MB/1400MHz GT, not the 512 MB/800 MHz GT which is actually a GS and slower.

 

[DaLeech]

Ok after careful consideration, I think that this is what I will buy (note I do not live in the US so I can't take advantage of the wonderful newegg prices ):

Core 2 Duo E6750

Gigabyte G33-DS3R <- decided against a P35+low end GFX because the price difference is pretty great when I won't need the extra graphics. Also VGA is good enough for me.

Kingston 1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 X 2 (for a total of 2GB) <- can't find crucial where I live

WD Caviar SE16 500GB

Samsung SH-183D SATA DVD drive <- thanks for the tip aevm

Enermax Noisetaker AX EG495AX-VE 485W <- ill take your tip asgallant

Vista Home Premium OEM

Antec P182 <-somehow I get better prices for it than the P150 over here

Anyway thanks for all the tips! I really appreciate it.

 

[Joe_The_Dragon]

You don't want vista and on board video the The G31, G33, Q33 and Q35 chipsets use the GMA 3100. The 3D core is very similar to the older GMA 950 and it uses 256 of system ram for video.

 

[aevm]

Yeah, that's a bit of a problem. Vista's Aero interface is beautiful, but it's a big pain if the hardware is not up to it.
I'll change my vote from 7600GT to 8500GT, because the 8500GT supports HD video.

 

[DaLeech]

Then I guess I'll just turn off Vista Aero and it should be ok until i get a graphics card later right? Though Gigabyte does claim that the motherboard is Vista Premium compatible with Aero as well. Anyway I'm used to crappy graphics so its ok. Its too late anyway as my brother already went to buy the parts.