My first ever build - need lots of help/opinions

jellyzerg

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Well , hello there. My names Ryan. All my other computers I have owned in the past I have bought as a setup from a local shop - and I beleive its high tide I built one myself.

Before we begin , I am not a hardware techie , but I do know a thing or two . So do tone down your lingo , but not the the extent where a canine could understand. :D

Anyway , this is my first ever computer build. I've never built a computer before so be gentle , there will probably be a few compatibility issues with my first component choices and / or I will miss a specific component out - but thats what your here for :D.

I am simply building the tower and components inside , all peripherals , including monitor have already been purchased . And I love my monitor :D 22" pebble , with 2ms response time and HD ready *shuts up*

Onto the juicy stuff.

I am making this computer as primarily a gaming rig , and something for me to do college work on / web design work and general surfing.

Below are the components I have chosen at current;

( Here we go! )

CPU - Intel Quad core 2.4

GPU - Nvidea 8800 GT 512MB

RAM - Corsair 2GB kit 800mhz Ram

HDD - Samsung Spinpoint 500 GB SATA HDD - 16MB cache

Case - Antec sonita III 500 qatt PSU

CD/DVD - CD Drive 20x

Mobo - Help me? =]

CPU Cooler - Zalman CPU cooler

So there you have it. A novice's attempt at a full tower.

Heres my questions then -


  1. ■What Mobo would work with all of those components?
    ■Im assuming that the case has its own power supply so I would'nt have to buy it seperatly - right ? [ novice ]
    ■This post contains all components needed for a full working tower?
    ■What do you think of the main components - i.e. graphics card and CPU
    ■Will this computer fulfil my needs [ i.e. anything from web browsing to high end games ]

Also before I forget , I already have an OS.

And a budget of around 700 pounds , or 1400$


Regards - Ryan
 
Hello Ryan and welcome to the forums mate :)

Your answers:
1_ASUS P5K-E WIFI , GIGABYTE P35 DS3R, ABIT IP35 PRO , all these 3 boards are rock solid

2_Well,get a seperate PSU, its better , get OCZ STEALTHXSTREAM 600 or CORSAIR 520

3_Yes

4_Q6600+8800GT is a perfect combination

5_Yes

Are u going to OC ? if u will then get another CPU COOLER like TuniqTower or Thermalright ultra 120
your links doesnt work, so i have to ask what is the timings of that RAM (its important if u want to OC )
 

jellyzerg

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Extremely helpful!

However , if I did buy another PSU , would I have to get a different case? Could it work out cheaper?


And all those components will fit together?:D
 

ramo

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Because there's a psu included in the Sonota III you will have to change your case.

The included 500W psu in the Antec case isn't bad, but if you want to do some OCing, you should stick to the PSU's Maziar suggested. those are much better.

Normaly it will be sightly more expensive to buy a seperate case and psu.

The parts you picket will perfectly fit together.
 

systemlord

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First the number one most important PC component you'll ever buy is the power supply, often overlooked and can cause strange behavior. Maziar has recommended a great PSU choice as are the CPU coolers. Your computer build looks great, you have chosen some good parts for your build and should do you well. Asus or Gigabyte P35 mobo's are both great choices, either one will do. If you have anymore questions please ask and welcome to our forums.
 

jellyzerg

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jellyzerg

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Ok then , second try , with opinions taken into account.

CPU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131950 Intel Quad core 2.4

GPU - http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-88GT5 Nvidea 8800 GT 512MB

RAM - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710 Corsair 2GB kit 800mhz Ram

HDD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130454 Samsung Spinpoint 500 GB SATA HDD - 16MB cache[/URL]

Case - Now unsure what case to get that will fit everything and the chosen CPU cooler.

CD/DVD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132146 CD Drive 20x

Mobo - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129125 Please comment on the mobo , I am entirely unsure.

CPU Cooler - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/116413 Zalman CPU cooler

PSU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861 OCZ StealthXStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm LED Fan

Edit - did'nt realise the links werent working and it would'nt let me edit previous post.
 
Another vote for Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme. If you don't intend to overclock, don't get a cooler at all. Just use the stock cooler, it's even good enough for mild overcloking.

The PSU you picked comes somewhere between tier 3 and tier 2. At least get the GameXStream 600W version, it's a tier 2 i.e. better. The 520HX would also be great IMO. Don't let the 520W rating mislead you, it's a very powerful PSU. PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610W is my favourite for systems like this.

Mobo: another vote for GA-P35-DS3R. Is there some feature you need and don't get with the DS3R? For example wireless or FireWire? GA-P35-DS3P has FireWire, for example. For wireless look at the Asus P35 boards.

Spinpoint: I hear good things about them. Still, Seagate and WD have a better reputation for hard disks. Check out the WD7500AAKS. It's WD's first disk with perpendicular recording and much faster than the 500GB version.

Case: the 8800GT is hot and misbehaves if the case doesn't cool well enough. Antec 900 is excellent for that.

DVD-RW: the one you picked is IDE. I strongly recommend getting a SATA device instead, it's better for speed and airflow and cable management. Here are two good choices:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134531
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129527
 

jellyzerg

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Ok then , third try , with some more helpful opinions taken into account.

CPU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131950 Intel Quad core 2.4

GPU - http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-88GT5 Nvidea 8800 GT 512MB

RAM - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710 Corsair 2GB kit 800mhz Ram

HDD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124228 WD HDD 500GB Changed thanks to the logic of looking at other peoples opinions and seeing how certain drives performed. thanks aevm.
Case - Now unsure what case to get that will fit everything and the chosen CPU cooler.

CD/DVD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129527 SATA dvd/cd drive

Mobo - GA-P35-DS3R / GA-P35-DS3P ( Having trouble finding these on ebuyer - unsure why )

CPU Cooler - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/116413 Zalman CPU cooler I dont overclock - at all - but is this still worth it to keep it cool for only 20pounds?

PSU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861 OCZ StealthXStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm LED Fan Again having trouble finding a specific part - "PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610W"



I beleive I will have no problem putting the computer together , however before I buy the parts I want to know im making a nice decision. I want a nice quiet computer which can run at a decent speed.

Also - not being rude ( to myself mainly ) - I got a little confused with some of this in the previous post ;

"GA-P35-DS3R. Is there some feature you need and don't get with the DS3R? For example wireless or FireWire? GA-P35-DS3P "

And now I beleive I know why im struggling with the mobo a lot ^^ - if you do post number models would you be so kind as to post a link say on www.ebuyer.com or the actual name - I cannot find the actual product:(

anyway thanks for all your patience and willingness to help me learn:D

- Ryan
 
It's ebuyer's fault, not yours Ryan, no worries. They don't even have the GA-P35-DS3R, and the DS3P didn't have the dashes in the model number, they have it as "GA P35 DS3P" :sweat:

One of these should do.

Asus P5K-E
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129126
GA P35C DS3R
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131173
GA P35 DS3P:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132266
GA P35 DS4:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132263

GA-P35-DS3R
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-088-GI

Somebody in the UK, could you recommend some other reliable online stores please?

 

jellyzerg

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Another post - with a few things changed.

CPU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131950 Intel Quad core 2.4

GPU - http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-88GT5 Nvidea 8800 GT 512MB

RAM - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710 Corsair 2GB kit 800mhz Ram

HDD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124228 WD HDD 500GB Changed thanks to the logic of looking at other peoples opinions and seeing how certain drives performed. thanks aevm.

Case - Now unsure what case to get that will fit everything and the chosen CPU cooler.

CD/DVD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129527 SATA dvd/cd drive

Mobo - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131173 I have chosen this board purely because of the price - as im on a budget , and the fact its still a good card. ( Hopefully ). Also- it will run in tune with everything else right? - Just my paranoia running through - im a perfectionist.

CPU Cooler - As I'm not overclocking , i've decided against this. If for some reason however I do decide to overclock in the future I will order one. This option is now obselite.

PSU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861 OCZ StealthXStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm LED Fan Again having trouble finding a specific part - "PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610W"


So now the only options im having trouble with are the case and PSU.

All the others are pretty much chosen - however not set in stone. If someone sees a problem with one of the options compatibility please point out. Or if someone sees a component similar to that one in price ( maybe just a bit more ) but a fair bit better - also please point that out.


Sorry about being a perfectionist. ( An unconfident one at that )

- Ryan
 

jellyzerg

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And the confusion continues.

Im actually assuming I will not overclock if im honest - the last computer I had I had for 4 years - I only once even thought of overclocking it. Hence the board in my list will take priority unless for some unknown reason I change my mind in the next 2 weeks.

Anyway , I want a really quiet case and PSU - that will fit with all above components , any ideas?
 

systemlord

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I would get the Antec 900 PC case if I were you, it has some major cooling options. You can set the system fans on low, medium and high so that you can make it as quiet as you preffer.
 

kaeota

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i have to say go the Antec 900 for the case.Yes there are some other good ones out there, but this is a great case for gaming if you don't OC. friend of mine has a $1500 build with it, neither of us were able to push it until we OCed the CPU. soon to be getting one myself :) though if your going to OC later on, i agree with Maziar, thermaltake armor will serve you better.
 

jellyzerg

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So my final system is chosen.

Does this have everything I need for a mid range tower?

CPU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131950 Intel Quad core 2.4

GPU - http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-88GT5 Nvidea 8800 GT 512MB

RAM - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710 Corsair 2GB kit 800mhz Ram

HDD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124228

Case - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128045 Sonita III

CD/DVD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129527 SATA dvd/cd drive

Mobo - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131173


Final pre order questions - will this play most new games?
- is there everything I need there for in a tower?
- Will it all fit together and has the case got enough power for the whole system?
- Will it be cool enough with current onboard fans - as im not overclocking?
 

jellyzerg

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Again , I have chosen a new component - this time its my case.

I have done this in order to future foolproof my PC , incase I want to add another component and the 400 w is'nt enough.

CPU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131950 Intel Quad core 2.4

GPU - http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-88GT5 Nvidea 8800 GT 512MB

RAM - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710 Corsair 2GB kit 800mhz Ram

HDD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124228

Case - The antec 900 does have everything I want , but a little pricey - and I dont like the design. Any cheaper alternatives?

CD/DVD - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129527 SATA dvd/cd drive

Mobo - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131173

PSU - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861 Stealstream 600 W
 

systemlord

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Never underestimate the importance of PC case cooling. I have a bad case for cooling so in 15 days I'll be getting a very pricey PC case for the cooling it offers. Two 120mm on top, one in back and one right in front of graphics cards.


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By systemlord at 2007-11-14

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By systemlord at 2007-11-14