General New Build Questions

[coryburgess]

Hello All!

First of all, I have really liked this website so far in learning as much as I can about building a desktop PC, but I still have a few questions and don't have the time to "Search" for the answers. So I'm hoping I can get some direct answers to my questions.
Also I appologize for the length of this post.

A few, probably dumb questions, Do I still need a 3 1/2 inch floppy to load bios and other things?
On my existing Sony PC that I bought a couple years back, it has a floppy and I just found a BIOS update for the ASUS motherboard today, but it says that I need a floppy to store it on, then update. Is this the only way?? and are BIOS updates necessary????

Next on Memeory the timing numbers, 5-5-5-15 or 4-4-4-12. What do these mean and do I really need to pay attention to them??
I'm comfortable connecting things and have made some minor upgrades on my existing system, but this will be my first time really digging in.

I probably won't be doing any overclock, unless I learn how to....comfortably. But I am a big home theater and audio enthusiast and look forward to networking this new PC with my XBOX and taking advantage of Microsoft Media Center.

I play some online games, like World of Warcraft - but not a lot, I would like to get the most of the games that I play. So i'm trying to build a quality PC with some room for upgrades, but sticking to a $1500 ish budget.

SO far this is what I have:

DRIVE $30
DVD-RWSony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7190S - OEM

CASE $150 - $80 rebate = $70
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan -

MEMORY $110
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

MOTHERBOARD $140 - $20rebate = $120
MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU $280
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

Cooler $65
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler - Retail Item #: N82E16835109140

What are your thoughts on these picks so far.

Then I need some advice on the Graphics Card, Power supply and Hard Drive.
I run my own Home Theater business and use my cpu for all the bookkeeping.
I plan to get a HannsG 28" LCD......opinions???
I was given a free copy of Microsoft Vista Ultimate with Media Center at a convention I went to in Septemeber. I went to a class microsoft offered (for free) on Media Center and how we can use it in our Home Theater (now-a-days its all "Muilti-purpose-Room Theater" and distributed Audio systems.
So I plan to install and run this Vista Ultimate - but once all is put together can I install this again with out a floppy??? damnn, i am so far out of the loop.

I appologize for my ignorance, but hope to learn and get some good advice.

Thanks for the help.

 

[coryburgess]

I'm Think of getting this Graphics Card

EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS Superclocked 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
For $360 after rebate

 

[coryburgess]

Thinking of this PowerSupply - Again , i don't know what to look for in this area.

COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 90 - 264 V Nemko, TUV, cUL, CE, BSMI, FCC, CCC - Retail

can get for $110 - $50 rebate only $60

OR

Thermaltake W0106RU Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, CB, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, and BSMI certified

For 99.99 after $60 rebate

 

[djlazlow]

According to what i've read, Cooler master power supplies are not very good.....i've personally haven't tried them it's just that a few days back I was also looking for a PSU ended up buying an OCZ GameXstream 700W for $130, $99 after MIR which is made of higher quality components and has a good reputation amongst gamers and hardware enthusiasts. Regarding graphics cards, the 8800 GT is faster than the 8800 GTS and priced lower if you can find one in stock.....if u can wait a few weeks you can get a real sweet deal on one.....that's what i'm waiting for at least....

 

[coryburgess]

Great - Thanks for the Tips - I was leaning toward the Thermaltake Power supply - But i will check out the OCZ.

WHen buying the graphics Card, what is more important - the Bit or the Ram. the GTS I was considering has 640MB and is 320-Bit???/

 

[lunyone]

Hello All!

First of all, I have really liked this website so far in learning as much as I can about building a desktop PC, but I still have a few questions and don't have the time to "Search" for the answers. So I'm hoping I can get some direct answers to my questions.
Also I appologize for the length of this post.

A few, probably dumb questions, Do I still need a 3 1/2 inch floppy to load bios and other things?
On my existing Sony PC that I bought a couple years back, it has a floppy and I just found a BIOS update for the ASUS motherboard today, but it says that I need a floppy to store it on, then update. Is this the only way?? and are BIOS updates necessary????
Most newer mobo's don't need a floppy to update them, but some people like to have them. I for one don't think I'll ever need one. You could always keep your old one and install it later, if you need it for some older things.

Next on Memeory the timing numbers, 5-5-5-15 or 4-4-4-12. What do these mean and do I really need to pay attention to them??
The numbers relate to how fast the memory reacts. The lower the number (i.e. 4-4-4-12) the faster the memory is. So if you get the Cas 4 (4-4-4-12 usually) you will be a tad faster than the Cas 5 (5-5-5-15 usually) memory. I'd stick with the Cas 4 stuff, just because it's a little faster and can OC much easier. This way, when you decide to OC later, you don't have to buy some faster ram.

I probably won't be doing any overclock, unless I learn how to....comfortably. But I am a big home theater and audio enthusiast and look forward to networking this new PC with my XBOX and taking advantage of Microsoft Media Center.

I play some online games, like World of Warcraft - but not a lot, I would like to get the most of the games that I play. So i'm trying to build a quality PC with some room for upgrades, but sticking to a $1500 ish budget.

SO far this is what I have:

DRIVE $30
DVD-RWSony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7190S - OEM

CASE $150 - $80 rebate = $70
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan -
Nice case. You can look at the Antec 900, it's nice too, but cases are personal choices. Just make sure it's a nice and cool one, so you don't have to worry about getting too hot.

MEMORY $110
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
If your Vista isn't 64 bit, you'd be wasting about 0.8 gig of memory here. 32 bit OS's don't recognize more than about 3.2 gig's of memory. If you have a 64 bit OS than you are fine here.

MOTHERBOARD $140 - $20rebate = $120
MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
If your not doing 2 GPU's (SLI or xFire) than this wouldn't be a good selection. I would suggest a p35 based mobo from Gigabyte (DS3L/DS3R/DS3pro), Abit (IP35-e/IP35/IP35pro), Asus P5k's for a better selection. They are priced from $90 to 170 or so, depending on your selection. Just make sure the options that you want are on the mobo, before you make your decision.

CPU $280
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Nice selection here, but you could probably go with a e6750 and do just fine for what your plans are, plus save about $100. If you want the quad core, than by all means get it, you won't regret it later.

Cooler $65
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler - Retail Item #: N82E16835109140
Nice OC'ing cooler. If your not OC'ing too much you can get by with the stock HSF, but that is up to you.

What are your thoughts on these picks so far.

Then I need some advice on the Graphics Card, Power supply and Hard Drive. Get a 8800gt or AMD 3870. The AMD will probably be more available right now than the 8800gt, so if your buying soon that would be the one that I'd get. If you are waiting for a bit, than the 8800gt would be a smart choice. Both are fairly close in price, depending on supply/demand of coarse. The 8800gt does outperform the 3870, but not too much.

I run my own Home Theater business and use my cpu for all the bookkeeping.
I plan to get a HannsG 28" LCD......opinions???
I was given a free copy of Microsoft Vista Ultimate with Media Center at a convention I went to in Septemeber. I went to a class microsoft offered (for free) on Media Center and how we can use it in our Home Theater (now-a-days its all "Muilti-purpose-Room Theater" and distributed Audio systems.
So I plan to install and run this Vista Ultimate - but once all is put together can I install this again with out a floppy??? damnn, i am so far out of the loop.

I appologize for my ignorance, but hope to learn and get some good advice.
Don't feel bad, all of us were in your same sitation at one point or another. If you don't ask, than we can't help you. Welcome to the forums!

Thanks for the help.

 

[djlazlow]

Great - Thanks for the Tips - I was leaning toward the Thermaltake Power supply - But i will check out the OCZ.

WHen buying the graphics Card, what is more important - the Bit or the Ram. the GTS I was considering has 640MB and is 320-Bit???/

Both play a key role in the overall performance of the graphics card.

 

[lunyone]

Great - Thanks for the Tips - I was leaning toward the Thermaltake Power supply - But i will check out the OCZ.

WHen buying the graphics Card, what is more important - the Bit or the Ram. the GTS I was considering has 640MB and is 320-Bit???/

Right now I'd go with the 8800gt for the $ and for the performance. Only drawback right now is that it's not in stock. I'd get one of the PSU I listed above over the TT or the OCZ, but that is my opinion.

 

[djlazlow]

Btw, which PSU did you list lunyone ......?

 

[lunyone]

Btw, which PSU did you list lunyone ......?

DOH!! That's a good point! I forgot to copy it into the response. Thanks for catching that. Here is the one's that I meant to include into the build.
$101 shipped - $10 MIR = $91 40A on 12V rails!
Corsair HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W Power Supply Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100
or
$138 shipped One of the better PSU's in this price range! 49A on 12V rail!
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, TUV - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

 

[djlazlow]

That's a healthy amount of amps on that PCPnC 12v rail ! Yup, those are also two very good PSUs.

 

[lunyone]

Your OCZ isn't bad either. I just looked up its specs, and it comes out to 43A's on the 12V rails, so it's not too shabby either. Just read some iffy reviews somewhere, just don't know where though. So I'm just going on my gut instinct on the OCZ's.