My First Custom Build

Rmacy

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Going to be using an antec 900 case and a AMD + ATI setup.

If I could get some suggestions on brands I would very grateful, I know a lot on the programming side of computers, but im not to adept at the hardware side.... yet :)


 

Rmacy

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WR2 I want to build a rig for MMO gaming, and media.

It's a complete build, so I need a monitor, etc.

As much bang for the buck as possible, while not using cheap/low quality parts.
 

Rmacy

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Ok following the guide you gave me, this is what I've come up with.


Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo Wolfdale $189.99

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L $89.99

Memory
2GB Mushkin DDR2-800 $42.99


Graphics
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $159.99

Storage
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB $69.99

Audio
Integrated $0

Enclosure
Antec 900 $119.99

PSU
(need suggestions)

Monitor
AG Neovo F-417 Black 17" $190

Total Buy $874 (with 6% sales tax)
 

Rmacy

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I am actually going to go with the antec 300 case over the 900.

Which costs $90

and brings my total down to: $684 (including 6% tax)
 

Rmacy

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ok i've downgraded a bit because i Know im probably not going to do gaming on it anytime soon, mostly programming.

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
$130.00

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
$90.00

Memory
Mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Memory
$52.00

Graphics
EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready
$110.00

Storage
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$60.00

Audio
ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 Channels PCI Express Interface Sound Card
$100.00

Media
Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner
$30.00

Enclosure
Antec Three Hundred ATX Computer Case - THREE HUNDRED
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-three-hundred-atx-computer-case/q/loc/101/207906549.html
$60.00

PSU
Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL L 550W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Dual Fans Power Supply 115/230 V CSA,UL,TUV,FCC
$60.00

Monitor
AG Neovo F-417 Black 17" 3ms(GTG) LCD Monitor
$190

Mouse
Logitech SBF-96 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse
$9.00

Keyboard
Logitech 967738-0403 Black USB Standard Deluxe 250 Keyboard
$7.00

Speakers
Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speaker
$74.00

Cooling (not included in total price)
4x APEVIA CF12SL-UBL 120mm Blue LED Case Fan $26.00
1x AeroCool Streamliner-Blue 140mm Case Fan $15.00
1x ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler $32.00
2x VANTEC ICEBERG DDR-A1C Heatsinks $12.00
1x Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound $6.00

Total Buy $1055 (with 7% tax)
 

Rmacy

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EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

$109.99
 

Rmacy

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Im really stuggling to find a high quality low price lcd monitor, suggestions would be great!

Also if there is a better part for the buck, please let me know and ill look at switching them out.
 

Rmacy

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Also if someone could tell me if all the hardware will work together, I'm not sure if it's all compatible.
 
Apart from possible Linux driver issues - your hardward looks to be in good shape. Some suggestions noted below:

Unnecessary items: Arctic Silver 5 / ICEBERG RAMsinks / replacement or additional case fans

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro comes with pre-applied MX-2 thermal compound which is as good (or better) than AS5.
The stock fans in the 300 case will keep your hardware cool enough. Mushkin RAM has RAMsinks already attached.

In your budget range $100 is a lot to spend on an audio card. Are you sure the onboard sound isn't a good match for the X-540 speakers? Give the onboard sound a test. After you've done that and you're not satisfied with the onboard sound chip you can order the Xonar. That $100 is best put to use to upgrade your monitor and keyboard/mouse IMO.

The Rosewill PSU you listed is suspect in quality since its hard to figure out who actually makes the Rosewills. And with 2 fans its bound to be nosier than other PSUs with a single fan. Plus with the video card you've picked 550 watts is way more than you need.
Antec Earthwatts 430 $60 plus rebate $30 is still more power than you actually need but its an excellent price for a good PSU.

For good monitor options check this link: http://reviews.cnet.com/best-lcd-monitors/
The 22 inch Acer monitor mentioned before is a good value: Acer AL2216Wbd 22" $220
Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard & Mouse





 

Rmacy

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Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
$130.00

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
$90.00

Memory
mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527
$45.00

Graphics
EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready
$110.00

Storage
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$60.00

Audio
Onboard
$0

Media
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N
$27.00

Enclosure
Antec Three Hundred ATX Computer Case - THREE HUNDRED
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-three-hundred-atx-computer-case/q/loc/101/207906549.html
$60.00

PSU
Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC
$60.00 - $30 mail in rebate

Monitor
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1
$220.00

Input
Logitech 967692-0403 Beige & Black 105 Normal Keys 12 Function Keys USB + PS/2 RF Wireless Ergonomics Desktop Comfort Laser Mouse Included
$77.00

Total Buy $940 (with 7% tax) (add shipping)
 
Under $1000, with a 22" monitor. Looking pretty good - well balanced.
I did't notice earlier that your DVD burner is an IDE (or PATA) model. You can swap that out for a SATA model and then you won't need to use that big flat ribbon cable. The round SATA cable make for a much neater case and better airflow.
The 8800GS is a budget gaming card. It should hold up pretty well for light duty gaming in all but the most demanding games and even those games will be playable at lower resolutions with the graphics quality turned down a bit. Everybody's got to relax sometime, right?
 

Rmacy

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Looks great, I just feel like I can further refine this down to a lower price and still get a great bang for the buck.

maybe I can drop down to a 2.0ghz processor, 1gb ram, and loose the speakers?

Or am I just killing myself here.