First budget build from a newbie. Need advice

syko21

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I made the build using these parts and am looking for advice on what to change or what should be completely avoided etc. Thanks in advance.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.06ghz
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 92mm CPU Cooler
Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-115DBK
G.SKILL 2x1GB DDR2 800 PC2-6400
Silverstone ST50EF-Plus 500W
Rosewill R6423-P SL Steel Case
and I need advice on a video card in the $150 range.

EDIT: Forget to mention its supposed to be a gaming pc. Nothing to play crysis at max settings just something to last me for at least 3-4 years.
 

litlrabi

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I don't know much about that case, but the case does not have to be a big deal.

What hard drive are you planning on using? The Seagate 7200.11 500GB (ST3500320AS) or the Western Digital 640GB (WD6400AAKS) are both excellent choices.

For video card, check out this article. Great listing here.

If you aren't overclocking, don't worry about the Arctic Cooler.

That being said, you can change some stuff for personal preference, but the list you have will be a solid machine.
 

bpogdowz

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Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 might not fit in the case. Pick up a Zalman 9700 CNPS to be sure I have used one of those cases and it fits. Don't see why you're wasting money on a 500W PSU with only two +12 rails.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150278

That PSU will not power this video card because you need 28A or more on the combined UNUSED rails. The CPU holds one independant +12v rail so that leaves you with 18A to power a video card requiring 28A. Look at getting a PSU with more +12A.
 
G

Guest

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Currently you can get the 8800GT (Powerhouse card under $200) for about $150 after rebate. Best value in graphics atm.


If you want to spedn $150 without a rebate, get the 9600GT, little less powerful than the 8800GT.
 
Those look like solid choices, not worth nitpicking. Nothing howls for change. A Retail (rather than OEM) version of that optical drive will include all the software needed to use it.
As for the graphics board, you can probably find a 9600GT in that range. If you're more interested in watching movies or video "stuff" than games, you may prefer an HD3850.
If you don't already have one, get a decent surge protector or UPS for your new system. Have fun with your build.
 

syko21

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I have 2 250gb seagates that I got a while back that I'm going to be using for this. And I wanted the AC 7 because I'd like to overclock the cpu and don't want to risk it getting damaged.
 
It sounds good, in general.

Add a WD6400AAKS disk.

I'd change the DVD to SH-S203B. I had a Pioneer once and it was a sad experience. The model you picked is IDE too - SATA is a better choice.

Video card:
Sapphire HD 3870 512MB, $150 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102719

PSU: you picked a good one, but for the same money at newegg you can have a 550VX, with 41A on the 12V rail rather than something in the low thirties.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=550vx
 



Ignore this post in its entirety. If a Zalman 9700 will fit, so will the smaller AC Freezer.
The PSU is more than adequate. The PSU calulator here: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp says you'll need about 304W, and that's with arbitrary assumptions on my part about number of fans, a couple of hard drives, etc, but not overclocked. Overclock to 4.0GHz, and you'll need a whopping 321W.

Sorry bpog, please sit down and be quiet.
 
Aevm's suggestions are good. I didn't see that the optical drive was IDE. It still isn't a big deal, and the original build will do quite well, but all of aevm's points are good ones.
 

syko21

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I'm going to take your advice on the psu aevm, theres no good reason I should get 50 watts less for the same price. I also switched the dvdrw to the sata you recommended. Just a couple quick questions on the video card though, can pci-e 2.0 cards work properly in pci-e 1.0/1.1? and what version does the p35-ds3l have?
 
The DS3L has PCI-E 1 slots. You get the PCI-E 2 in $200+ mobos based on X38 or 780i, for example.

Yes, PCI-E 2.0 cards can work properly in PCI-E 1 slots. OK, the 9800GX2 or some future monster card may not work at their best in a slot like that, but with 8800GTS G92 or 9600GT or HD 3870 you're fine with the DS3L.


 

joewho

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