First build - All advice welcome!

[MeatInACan]

Hi guys,

this will be my first build and my budget is around £1000-1200, so roughly $2000. I don't plan on any serious overclocking, perhaps a small amount in the future. I would like to have the option of going crossfire and I'm planning on using Vista 64bit. None of the components I've selected so far are set in stone, so please feel free to critique everything.

CPU: E8400
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=736334

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=729924

RAM: 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=766626

GPU: 512MB Power Color HD 4870
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=838508
I don't know if there are any significant differences between the brands? From what I've read at this stage they are all the same card, just with the different brands on them.

HDD: 750 GB Seagate ST3750840AS Barracuda
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=587941

Monitor: 22" Samsung T220 Widescreen LCD
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=804245

Case: Coolermaster Mystique RC-632B
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=643745
With the case I pretty much just picked out one I liked the look of.

Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Sound
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=503577

PSU: ???

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[xxsk8er101xx]

What's the computer for?

 

[shadowthor]

if you plan to overclock, i would get a decent cpu cooler instead of the stock fan.

 

[dirtmountain]

For power supply with Crossfired HD4870s in your future i'd go with
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=684732
currently out of stock though
Not sure if Creative is still having driver problems with the sound cards or not. May want to test out the onboard sound before getting a sound card though

 

[efx92]

If you want you can save some money by ditching the sound card, usually the on board sound is good enough unless you have amazing $500 speakers. Also, you should get a CPU cooler because the stock ones aren't very good from what I've heard, I have a Zalman CPU fan and it works well.

 

[effel]

If you want you can save some money by ditching the sound card, usually the on board sound is good enough unless you have amazing $500 speakers. Also, you should get a CPU cooler because the stock ones aren't very good from what I've heard, I have a Zalman CPU fan and it works well.

Or $100 Sennheiser Headphones(HD555). Onboard doesn't compare once you experience good sounding headphones.

To the original poster, have you read the differences between the X38 and X48 motherboards? And once you know, do you think paying the premium for the X48 is worth it to you? Also, if you're using a 22" display crossfire'd 4870s is probably going to be overkill. I'll leave this to your discretion though....

 

[tharros]

Good choices IMO. Exept the HD and Sound Card:

HD - Change to the Western Digital SE16 Caviar 640GB. It is a fast drive as it only has 2 320GB platters, this also makes it quiet. It also has many good reviews - here is one http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/14380
Generally, at the moment the only reason you would want a Seagate Drive is the longer warranty as Seagate drives are slower and louder than WD.

Sound Card - Creative has err... issues with Vista drivers I believe. Get the Asus Xonar DX.

Oh and PSU - PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750W

 

[pcgamer12]

no vista driver issues under 32-bit. i have the card. i cant confirm under 64-bit. i voted tharros a useful message before i read the bottom part.

 

[tharros]

Yeah they may have fixed issues by now. I'm just not a fan of Creative. They are a very aggressive company, and they don't seem to care about their customers. The Asus cards (Xonar DX and D2) are giving Creative more than a run for there money thought...

 

[MeatInACan]

Hi guys, thanks for all the feedback so far it's much appreciated. I forgot to mention that the PC is pretty much just for gaming. After doing a bit more reading I've decided that crossfire probably isn't going to be worth it for me and so I've scaled back some of the components accordingly:

Mobo: Asus P5Q PRO, iP45
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=818514
The specs seem similar to the x38, just minus the extra PCI-E slot.

PSU: 550w Corsair VX Series PSU
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=664337
Will this be enough power?

HDD: 640 GB Western Digital WD6400AAKS Caviar
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=798906

Sound: Asus Xonar DX/XD 7.1
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=804924

CPU Fan: Zalman CNPS9500-AT Intel LGA775
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=369638
Is this a good choice? Something quiet would be appreciated.

Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-2
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=353109