First Attempt at Building My Own Computer...Help on Parts Please:)

[SkippyMcGee]

I've been wanting to build a new computer for awhile now mainly to play games... My current computer can't handle anything on decent settings with decent FrPS. So I've spent the last week trying to figure out everything I needed and to keep the price below 1300... Well I think I got everything I need, but I topped out over 1410 with all the combo deals and rebates and etc...

I can live with the xtra 150bucks as long as I know every thing I'm about to purchase is of decent quality, compatible, and not to confusing when I try to put it together(Never done it, but I think I can do it, hopefully).

Just wanted to know if anyone could look over this list and let me know if I'm missing anything, or if anything is a bad product or if I can save some money without losing performance, or if some of the parts are incompatible with each other. Or basically any general help at all, since I'm a really nervous about spending this money But after years of prebuilt retail computers, I've gotten frustrated.

Anyhoo, here's the list of things I'm probably gonna purchase in the next few days... Prices is actually about 150 lower than what it shows from combo-rebates. Total is 1410ish, would love to get to 1300 but I'm quite content if it's a decent system. Already have Mouse/Keyboard/Wireless Card/Speakers from my old computer that I like.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12349967&WishListTitle=First

I don't plan on overclocking anything since I have little to no idea how to do it... Do I need a fan/heatsink besides the case ones if I don't plan on overclocking?

Basically any help on anything would amazing... Or any advice on putting it together. I'm competent but again, never attempted building one from scratch. I've installed bits and pieces(Vid Card, RAM, DVD, Wireless card), but not everything.

Thanks again

 

[eklipz330]

shoudl work fine, but i personally would settle for intel over amd, only because their processors are faster overall... and a core2 should be just fine for modern games and apps... it should work though

 

[grimstar]

Looks fine, I'd just make sure to pick up some Arctic Silver ($6) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

It's always good to get a non stock heatsink due to the fact that it will essentially keep your temps cooler and prolong the life of the cpu. The one you have on there seems fine...I don't know the brand but it has good reviews.

 

[shadowthor]

For the price of that processor, I would rather get a Q6600 or Q9450 when prices drop next week. Everything else looks fine.

 

[SkippyMcGee]

shoudl work fine, but i personally would settle for intel over amd, only because their processors are faster overall... and a core2 should be just fine for modern games and apps... it should work though

Is there a huge difference in the processor speeds? This one is about 100bucks cheaper then the Q9450. I read a few decent reviews but haven't seen what it comparable to on Intel's side.

Looks fine, I'd just make sure to pick up some Arctic Silver ($6) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

It's always good to get a non stock heatsink due to the fact that it will essentially keep your temps cooler and prolong the life of the cpu. The one you have on there seems fine...I don't know the brand but it has good reviews.

Ahh... Thanks for the info.

For the price of that processor, I would rather get a Q6600 or Q9450 when prices drop next week. Everything else looks fine.

I think I read something about that... Supposed to happen around the 20th? I'd have to change a few things then wouldn't I? Like the motherboard, is there one you could recommend around the same price? Just seemed to cost more when I tried to put together a list of parts using the Q9450, quite a bit more it seemed.

 

[Shadow703793]

Good list, but why not get a Q6600 (video editing or the likes of that; Q6600 is still the best Quad core for the money and OC very well) or a E8400(gaming); esp. if planing to OC?

The RAM, HSF (assuming you are going to OC; else it's an overkill), GPU (best price vs performance), LCD, HDD DVD, are all good choices.

For PSU consider the PP&C 610 ($94 after MIR) or the PP&C 750 ($130 after MIR). Imo, these PSUs are much better quality than the Antec PSU and the extra money spent is worth it. Also consider the Corsair PSUs. Also do you plan to CrossFire?

PP&C PSUs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

 

[easymoney9]

Your motherboard and your monitor has a no refund policy on them. I would make different selections because until you actually put all the parts together you don't know if all this stuff is compatible. I would especially be concerned about the motherboard and ram. Anybody that has built a couple of systems can probably tell you stories of ram that just would not work with a particular motherboard.

 

[Shadow703793]

^True.

I just noticed the DDR2 1066 RAM. There are compatibility issues with those RAM. Imo, just get some DDR2 800 RAM.

 

[knotknut]

I have a few suggestions. I would change the CPU, MB,PSU and RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

This will be a much better set-up and saves you $100.00
You could also for the same price sub. the Q6600 for E8400.

 

[SkippyMcGee]

Thanks for all the help everyone...

To the poster who asked... No I don't plan on overclocking, I really don't have the knowledge how to do it. Which is why I chose a higher speed processor. Everyone says the 6600 is a great deal for the money. Is the Q9450 gonna drop drastically in price later this month?

Also I don't really understand what you meant by the ddr21066 ram having problems... Wouldnt ddr2800 be slower?

The no refund policy on the motherboard is fine since after reading some responses and researching what you said I may choose an intel board if I can find a decent deal on a Intel processor. I'll make sure I find one with a refund policy. Thank you for pointing that out.

Had some trouble trying to find PSU because that was the last thing I was looking for and I was trying to shave some money, so I found one in a combo deal with the case.

Again thanks for the help, hopefully I can get this figured out by next week, really wanted to start building this, my current computer is currently dying I think.

 

[Shadow703793]

I have a few suggestions. I would change the CPU, MB,PSU and RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

This will be a much better set-up and saves you $100.00
You could also for the same price sub. the Q6600 for E8400.

+1. All are good parts.

Also I don't really understand what you meant by the ddr21066 ram having problems... Wouldnt ddr2800 be slower?

Yes DDR2 800 is slower. But, the DDR2 1066 has compatibility problems such as giving RAM errors, BSODs,etc. In most cases the DDR2 1066 RAM is just factory OCed DDR2 800 RAM.