Advice on 1st time build

[veezee]

Im a newbie when it comes to building a pc. But i have been researching alot. I would like to be able to run Vista. I dont play FPS games on the pc. Mainly RTS games. I want to be able to import and edit my MiniDV tapes from my camcorder. My budget is around $300 (will pay more if i have to but dont want to) I already have a WD 320 GB hdd, dvd burner, monitor, keyboard and mouse.
This is what i have picked out so far. Tell me what you think. (all parts are from newegg)

cpu - intel allendale E2160 1.8ghz $74- I have read that it is highly reccomended to overclock this
mobo - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L $90
memory - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $45
vid card - SAPPHIRE 100206L Radeon HD 2600PRO 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Supported $60
- can i get away with using a cheaper graphics card since i dont play FPS

I am undecided on a PSU and CASE. I read that it is very important to get a reliable PSU. And I dont care what the case looks like, just want it cheap and reliable. I found an Antec earthwatts 500w for $55. Do I need 500w?
I would like to be able to upgrade this setup in the future. Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[steve486]

Buy faster RAM; your motherboard can support DDR2 1066, other than that your specs are okay. Keep in mind you will have 4 slots

Don't skimp on the PSU or Case, go with the limit of what you can afford and make sure the case is of good quality because you will probably want to rebuild someday.

If you want your MiniDV videos you can just attach your Camcorder to your PC using windows via USB, You should consider buying a different motherboard that supports firewire, which is much faster.

 

[g-paw]

If your camcorder connects using firewire, check out the ASUS P5K, more expensive but more features. You'll definitely want to upgrade the CPU as soon as possible, video rendering editing is very CPU intensive and will benefit from a quad. Depending on you're upgrade budget for the CPU could consider AMD and upgrade to a Phenom. While not as fast an the Intel quad, less expensive and the performance difference for video isn't nearly as much as it is for gaming. That PSU would be good and Rosewell makes decent cases although their PSUs are very good so get one without a PSU. The Cool Master Centurion a really nice case and often on sale around $30 give or take

 

[mlaporta]

Antec Sonata III 500 Black ATX Mid Tower Case w/500W Power Supply

 

[mlaporta]

I don't see an Optical drive:

Samsung SH-S203B SATA

(Get the "Retail" version of the optical drive in order to get software with it. This will include the decoder

you'll need to watch movies on it.)

 

[roadrunner197069]

The quad will amke a big difference on Video editing, but you can upgrade to one later if your budget dont allow for the extra $200 that it would cost you.

 

[roadrunner197069]

I don't see an Optical drive:

Samsung SH-S203B SATA

(Get the "Retail" version of the optical drive in order to get software with it. This will include the decoder

you'll need to watch movies on it.)

He mentioned he was reusing his DvD burner.

 

[geofelt]

If you don't play fps games, then a lesser vga card should do. You would also want a directx 10 capable card for Vista. I would suggest an inexpensive EVGA card like the 8400GS for $27.99 after rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130316 If you should feel like you need a stronger card after using it for a while, their "step-up" program will let you trade it in for something better within 90 days.

Case/PSU combo's usually include a worthless psu. The exception is Antec. Their cases are good quality, and any atx unit should do if it has at least a 380w earthwatts psu. It will deliver 27a on the 12v rails which should be good for a vga card upgrade up to the 8800GT level. Cases are heavy, so look at the shipping costs. Antec often has some very good rebates with different vendors, so shop around.

mobo and cpu are good.

Memory speed does not matter much unless you are overclocking a lot.
Corsair XMS2 2x1gb ddr2-800 is $34 after a $20 rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590

Vista loves memory. I would get 4gb before I bought faster speed. $74 for corsair 2x2gb 800. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

---goodd luck---

 

[medamorg]

Well, I just purchased for myself something almost exactly like yours. I got a:

E2200
DS3L
2600 Pro (I only play WoW atm)
2 GB Corsair XMS2

Don't waste your money on 1066 ram. If you are running vista 64 bit then either go with 2 GB or 4 GB of DDR800. If you need firewire, go with the P35-DS3R for $25 more.

As far as the power supply, other than the fact that UPS destroyed the first case I got, id get one of the 2 of these. The first only has a 380W power supply and I wouldnt recommend it if you ever plan on upgrading much. The second has a 500W power supply and leaves you a little more room for upgradability for only $25. Food for thought and good luck on your new build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129032

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

This Sonata is, imo, one of the best cases on the market today.

 

[veezee]

Thanks for your input. I looked at the P35-DS3R. Where is it only $25 more? The p35-ds3l is only $90the ds3r is $149 on newegg. Also are you sure the P35-DS3r supports firewire? Cant i hust buy this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815265002 and have firewire?

 

[g-paw]

Thanks for your input. I looked at the P35-DS3R. Where is it only $25 more? The p35-ds3l is only $90the ds3r is $149 on newegg. Also are you sure the P35-DS3r supports firewire? Cant i hust buy this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815265002 and have firewire?

Check out the ASUS P5K E, it has onboard firewire in addition to a lot of other features and last time I looked it was $139

 

[medamorg]

Thanks for your input. I looked at the P35-DS3R. Where is it only $25 more? The p35-ds3l is only $90the ds3r is $149 on newegg. Also are you sure the P35-DS3r supports firewire? Cant i hust buy this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815265002 and have firewire?

You sure can, that will work. Neweggs price on the DS3R has been up and down as of late, last time I checked it was around $125 or so.

 

[veezee]

I plan on mildly overclocking the cpu. Any suggestions on what type of ram to buy?

 

[chuckm]

Get this ram, best deal I've seen today for 2Gig w/micron chips. Even has free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820146565