First Post, First Build - Advice Please :)

[xsilvor]

Hey guys, I've been reading, and I've recently found myself in need of a new computer. I'm not necessarily going to get everything from newegg, but I figured I'd price it all out there and offer my selection up for critique. I will be using the system primarily for gaming, and then all the normal email/music/internet/finance stuff. Im not dead set on any of these components by any means, and would love to hear some suggestions. I picked my video card based on comments/reviews from this site and from Cnet, and the rest is mostly just from reading others suggestions on these forums. Anything I could do to save some money and/or gain some performance would be great.

Again, this is my first time doing this, so theres a decent chance I've left something out entirely. Please help! I did purposely leave the sound card out, as I plan on using the one I have in my current computer. Thanks in advance.


Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1

Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model AW-Q170A-B2 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827131038
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$30.99
1

Sony NEC Optiarc Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s - OEM
Item #: N82E16827101131
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$17.99
1

Antec Performance One P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel for durability through the majority of chassis 1.0mm cold rolled steel around the 4 x HDD area ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129017
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$129.99
1

Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835106061
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
-$5.00 Instant
$49.99
$44.99
1

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820146565
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$110.99
1

GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128048
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
-$10.00 Instant
$159.99
$149.99
1

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136073
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$109.99
1

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116202
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$111.99
1

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99
$129.99
1

EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130080
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart


Total: 1511.98



When I get all my components straightened out, I'll start shopping around to see where I can get the best deals. Thanks again!

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

You appear to be missing a processor.
How much can you spend on one?

 

[aadamszc]

Yes, I was just going to mention that.

Besides that, maybe don't go with the "c"(as in P35C) of the mobo...I don't know anything about this myself, but people then to say that alot.

Again, as people say -- if you are thinking about getting 4gb or ram anytime in the future, you might just want to go ahead and get the 64bit version of vista.

The dvd burner will play dvds, but I assume you have already thought of that. I'm guessing you don't want to wear down the burner watching dvds.

 

[xsilvor]

Wow, dont know how I missed the Processor Im planning on an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600.

And I dont really mind wearing down my burner, I figure it can handle a lot anyway... however, I do like to be able to make DVD back ups, without having to copy it to my hard drive first. What are the benefits of the 64bit Vista, and does that require 4gb of ram?

Any thing else look wrong with my set up?

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

Your RAM is overkill unless you're going to be overclocking.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208329
That should be more than sufficient. It has good timings and with those it is cheaper than slower speeds.

 

[xsilvor]

I havent built the computer around OCing, but I'd like to keep it as an option in the future.

 

[xsilvor]

I changed things around a bit.

Does this all look like it will be compatable? Is there anythign else I need? Any glaring mistakes? All advice is more than welcome

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1
OKGEAR 18" SATA II cable with metal latch,UV BLUE Model GC18AUBM - Retail
Item #: N82E16812123110
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$3.99
1
Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model AW-Q170A-B2 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827131038
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$30.99
1
Antec Performance One P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel for durability through the majority of chassis 1.0mm cold rolled steel around the 4 x HDD area ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129017
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$129.99
1
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136074
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $14.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $19.99
-$5.00 Instant

$79.99
$74.99
1
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130071
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99 1 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $49.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $59.99 2 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $69.99 3 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $99.99
-$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$379.99
$369.99
1
Sony NEC Optiarc Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s - OEM
Item #: N82E16827101131
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$17.99
1
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate

$139.99
$129.99
1
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy


$5.99
2
Transcend AxeRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TX800QLJ-2GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820208329
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $14.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $19.99

$149.98
($74.99 each)
1
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128050
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99

$129.99
1
Link Depot ATA133 IDE UV Cable Model UV-ATA24-BU-3 - Retail
Item #: N82E16812104040
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$3.99
1
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115017
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $59.99

$279.99
1
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116204
Return Policy: Software Return Policy


$111.99
1
Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835106061
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $9.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $14.99
-$5.00 Instant

$49.99
$44.99
Subtotal: $1,484.85

 

[jedi940]

Everything looks good. You don't need a keyboard/mouse or monitor do you?

Only downside to you mobo is that it leaves out SLI as an option down the road since the second x16 will only operate at x4

 

[byrddogg77]

Hi xSilvor,
I hate your compent selections. Where should I start. Ha, I will try to keep this short and simple and recommend some better compents for the same price. Oh yeah and Perforance and Saving money don't go in the same sentence. Are you over clocking this setup?

Intel Qx6600 Quad-core 1066 FSB at 2.4 Ghz 279.99
Or
Intel E6850 Dual Core at 3.0 Ghz 1333 FSB 285.00 (You can also slap a faster Quad-Core in later when they release them)
Mother Boards X38 chipset is coming out very soon Great for Overclocking. Might be a little more expensive than 149.99.
Ram - Yours is fine, but I like Kingston HyperX
HD - I would go with a Seagate unless getting a Raptor. I recommend Raid 0 stripped, but does you motherboard support it?
PSU - (Power Supply Unit) I would highly recommend Antec Neo HE power Supply. Antec makes great PSUs.
Video - OMG EVGA YUK! I strongly Recomment a BFG video board, or XFX if can't find a good price on BFG.
CD-Rom Drives BUY LG AND ONLY LG, they even have a SATA Burner out, but if you want two drives they don't have a SATA DVD-Rom out yet, so you still have to go IDE for that drive. NEC is terrible.

I am not sure what your total will end up being, but here are some prices I put together or a new build

Motherboard Intel DX38BT - "Bonetrail", Support RAID and on the fly Overclocking 1333 FSB DX38BT $250.00
Processor INTEL Core 2 Duo E6850 3GHz FSB1333MHz 4M LGA775 Retail BX80557E6850 Processor Retail ***Free Shipping*** $284.50
DDR2 HyperX Kingston HyperX KHX6400D2K2/2G 2GB Kit DDR2-800 PC2-6400 Memory Retail ***Free Shipping*** 133.99
Hard Drives Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB Serial ATA (3.0Gb/s) 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB $71.13
Hard Drives Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB Serial ATA (3.0Gb/s) 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB $71.13
Video Card BFG Tech BFGR88320GTSOCE GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP - Retail $309.99
DVD Burner LG GSA-H55NB 20X IDE DVD Burner Beige DVD±RW Bulk ***Free Shipping*** $38.99
DVD Drive LG Beige IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model GDR-H30NB - OEM $23.83
Floppy Drive Sony FD MPF920Z161/131 1.44MB 3.5in Floppy Disk Drive (Beige) ***Free Shipping*** $13.99
CASE? Antec SOHO AMG1080 $180.00

Total 1377.xx

Happy Building!

 

[xsilvor]

Im having trouble deciding whether I want to go with this memory or not. Am I losing alot, or taking a big risk by going with memory this inexpensive?

 

[xsilvor]

Also, are there any other PSUs I should take a look at?

 

[jedi940]

If you can wait for the rebates, here is some good high quality RAM

Corsair 2 X 1GB 4-4-4-12 $104 - $40MIR = $64
Downside is the rebate will take 3 months to get to you but you will get it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168201450

OCZ 2 X 1GB 4-4-4-12 $98.99 - $40 MIR = $58.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139

 

[xsilvor]

Wow, definately glad you pointed those out. Thanks!

 

[jedi940]

I wasn't sure if you could wait for the rebates or not. I always look for products that have them but I know some people that won't even buy a product if it has a rebate.

Also to correct my above statement, the OCZ is 4-4-4-15 not 4-4-4-12

Timings aren't as big a deal to intel processors as they are to AMD though.

Anything else I can help with let me know